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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Top Five Things You Need To Know When Moving To Puerto Rico

Need a change of place and pace with the New Year?  Want to have an adventure?  Getting a job transfer?

Living in Puerto Rico can be a great change of pace to your life.  There are many great things about living in Puerto Rico:  The culture, weather, beautiful beaches, friendly and family oriented people, but if you are moving to Puerto Rico, these are the top five things you need to know:

  • Cost Of Living:  Living on the island can be expensive.  Things like food, electricity, the cost of cars and real estate(depending on the area), can be more expensive, than some areas of the mainland.  Freight charges is the main reason for the higher cost.

  • Crime:  There is crime on the island just like everywhere else.  Most of the crime is concentrated in San Juan, the capital.  The majority of the crime is drug related.  Other crimes are theft(car and personal property).

  • Economy:  The economy of Puerto Rico is one of the most diverse in the Caribbean.  The main industries are:  Pharmaceuticals, electronics, and tourism.  Puerto Rico is an island and job opportunities can be hard to find.  Also, salaries tend to be lower than some parts of the United States.  Currently, the economy is slow just like in the mainland.    

  • The Culture:  Although, Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, living in Puerto Rico is not like living in another state.  Learn the culture, try to learn the language, Spanish, and get familiar with the local customs.  Knowing these can help you make a better transition for your move to Puerto Rico.

  • Living On The Island:  The pace of life on the island is slower than in the states.  As an example, it can take longer to get your electricity and phone connected.  What usually takes just a few days, can take up to a week or longer.  The electricity and the water go out with a lot more frequency than the mainland. In Puerto Rico life is about living, not all about work.  It is about enjoying your time with family and friends.


    Many residents of the United States and other countries have moved to Puerto Rico, and enjoy living here.  For some, it has been harder to adjust than others, and for a few, the island was not for them and have left.  It really depends on the person and how well they were prepared for the move. The best thing to do, if you are contemplating a move to Puerto Rico, is to visit the island, explore what area of the island you would like to live in, and if having a job is a must, try to find that job before you move.


    Puerto Rico has a lot to offer for an island in the Caribbean, but be prepared and informed before you decide to make the move. 


    If you have already made the decision to move, enjoy life here.....and welcome to Puerto Rico! 
















     

9 comments:

  1. i have a question, my fiance is in puerto rico & we plan on getting married, i am canadian though & learning spanish, how long a time can i stay till i find a permenant job there, as i saw some posts it might be easier for me if i applly to maybe the resorts as housekeeping or front clerk as i have office experience, but also maybe Kelly services job placement ?

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  2. Puerto Rico is a United States territory, so the same laws in the United States apply in Puerto Rico. It would be better that you try to get a job before moving, and if you are bilingual(English/Spanish) it would be a lot easier. Good luck!

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  3. Hi, can you tell me what is the best nicu hospitals in puerto rico?

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  4. Ashford Medical in the Condado area, and Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan(This hospital has a big NICU department).

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  5. My husband is looking at a job in PR. We have 2 children, 5th and 9th grades. How do I find information about which schools are best for non spanish speaking students?

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  6. For schools that teach in English, you have to go with private schools in Puerto Rico. These are the best schools that teach in English in the San Juan area:

    Baldwin School (K-12th) in Guaynabo
    Robinson School (K-12th) in Condado
    St. Johns School (K-12th) in Condado
    Wesleyan Academy in Guaynabo

    These are out of San Juan:

    TASIS in Dorado
    Dorado Academy in Dorado


    Best Bilingual Schools in the San Juan area:

    Colegio San Ignacio (7th-12th) Boys only in Rio Piedras
    Academia Maria Reina (7th-12th) Girls only in Rio Piedras
    Colegio Perpetuo Socorro (K-12th) mix in Miramar
    Colegio Marista (K-12th) mix in Guaynabo
    American Military Academy (K-12th) mix in Guaynabo
    Academia San Jose in Guaynabo mix (K-6th) and Girls only (7th-12th)
    Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas (K-12th) Girls only
    Colegio San José in Rio Piedras (7th-12th) Boys only
    Academia San Ignacio in Rio Piedras (K-6th) mix

    Check a directory of private schools at www.colegiosdepr.com/pueblos_todos.php
    You can search by town or city.

    Once you have an idea of where you will be living, a realtor can help you find a place (rent or own) and with information about schools in the area you are interested in.









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  7. Are there no English teaching public schools?

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    1. Teaching has always been done in Spanish in public schools, (except for English class). But as of last August, the previous administration, started a plan to have public schools teach all subjects in English (except for Spanish and history). The plan started at a handful of Puerto Rico's elementary schools, and another 35 schools will follow to phase in English as the language of instruction. Eventually all public schools will teach in English, according to the plan.

      Unfortunately, I do not have knowledge of what schools, or how well this plan is being implemented.

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  8. There is a public school that is bilingual is called Padre Rufo and it is in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

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