Worth Moving to PR now?
Due to many abandoning the island after these disasters, lost of electricity, lost of internet, and lack of jobs, I was wondering if it is still worth buying a home there. As I look at my options I see some beautiful properties that look too good to be true. Then my dad tells me that its because it is located in a drug crime infested area. I have read about the daytime shootings, robberies, etc. which explains the houses that look like cages. I wish the government would crack down on crime so people wouldn't have to live like that. It's an embarrassment for the people of Puerto Rico.
Most of the homes look like jails with all the enclosed gates since the people feel safer living this way with all the crime present. This makes me sad to think that our own people are abandoning the island due to these problems with crime, earthquakes, and hurricanes. But I still feel optimistic about the possibilities. Homes in the U.S. are just too expensive so I still look for options in PR but the one thing stopping me is the crime. I would be retired so I am not worried about job seeking. Also I remember living there during my high school years and no major earthquake nor hurricane was felt for over 20 years. My hope is that all these natural disasters would stop for a couple of decades so I can enjoy my retirement.
Any feed back on the which towns are safer to retire in would be appreciated. I already know the risks of living south where the earthquakes destroyed lots of homes so I am avoiding that area and of course the tourist trap, San Juan.
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Home breaking happen all over the US, even more that in PR. There are crimes of opportunities, people know you are well to do or run a business, so they know you either have money or have expensive stuff. Don鈥檛 flaunt your wealth.
Be polite and friendly, try to make friends and they will watch out for you.
Most expats like to live in gated communities, that is fine for their sense of security, but the rest of the expats like all over their communities including in very isolated areas and have zero issue, don鈥檛 let paranoia get you.
If I ever do decide to move there, I will have no choice but to get several firearms, alarm system, and security cameras everywhere.
My opinion is be aware of your surroundings, don鈥檛 flash a lot of cash, exercise normal precautions that you would do in the states.
Lock your car and house as needed. You can get a weapon permit here if you wish (I did) but don鈥檛 obsess over stuff.听 Keep cool. 馃槑
As others have said there is crime everywhere, but I have no fear and see no drug crime here.
At this point, I have no return ticket to the USA.
I have been ready to stay for some time. Now to find permanent housing.
Next is family issues, likely a love triangle or jealousies
Next is crime of opportunity, you walk around showing money and items of value, or leave thing in your car visible to others or they see you putting something of value in the trunk.
Crime of opportunity is way down at the moment due to lock down, drug crimes is normal and family issues are up because they are forced to stay home and they tend to fight.
Did I forget anything?
Crime is not really too much of a concern for us.听 We have land in Aguada and we visit family every year.
I've never felt unsafe and I've never witnessed a crime. My brother lives in Mayaguez (Ex-NYPD) and he's not witnessed any either.听
It's only when I go to places like San Juan, that you need to be aware of your surroundings.听 Like any big city.
So, for us, it's La Porta del Sol, the west side.听 I just think it's safer on the west side.
We're holding off for now on building our home in Aguada. It's in a gated community. (Something to think about).
听
Our big concern is, as we get older in PR, Medical care will be an issue.听 You can't compare what we have here in the states to what you get in PR.听 Most people hop on a plane and head to the states for certain procedures.听 But that's not always an option.听
I have a couple of years before retirement. Thinking this through carefully.听 It's a big commitment.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.
If you do go, here's my suggestion.听 Go west, but don't drive an Aston Martin.听
-FB
There are a lot of people living more than 100 years here. Doctors are as well trained and most train at US universities. The problem is availability, takes longer to see a specialist, but if you don鈥檛 wait too long to check yourself, you should be able to treat it on time.
Not sure who you are talking about when you say most people go to the states for some treatments, most Puerto Rican鈥檚 get their treatment here. Maybe you are referring to mainlander?
I've lived on the island and I visit my family in Puerto Rico several times a year.
I have family all over the Island.听 From San Juan to Aguadilla.
A few have left to have procedures taken care of here in the state.听 Spinal surgery would be one of them.
So, I know first hand.听 Not to mention, My poor 83 year old uncle听 and aunt have had to endure 8 hour waits听 at their doctors office, only to to be told to return tomorrow.听 Even. with an appointment, it's first come first server. That's nuts.
Also, I never said they weren't trained properly, there just aren't enough doctors on the island to go around. Especially specialist.
Since 2006, the number of doctor has dropped from 14000 to only 9000.听 Sad to say, a mass exodus.
So, not sure who you're talking to but perhaps you need simply do a little reading.
Fburgos wrote:Hey Rey,
I've lived on the island and I visit my family in Puerto Rico several times a year.
I have family all over the Island.听 From San Juan to Aguadilla.
A few have left to have procedures taken care of here in the state.听 Spinal surgery would be one of them.
So, I know first hand.听 Not to mention, My poor 83 year old uncle听 and aunt have had to endure 8 hour waits听 at their doctors office, only to to be told to return tomorrow.听 Even. with an appointment, it's first come first server. That's nuts.
Also, I never said they weren't trained properly, there just aren't enough doctors on the island to go around. Especially specialist.
Since 2006, the number of doctor has dropped from 14000 to only 9000.听 Sad to say, a mass exodus.
So, not sure who you're talking to but perhaps you need simply do a little reading.
Wow aggressive,
There are 3.2 million people the majority of them have never left the island, you seem to be speaking about personal experience with your family and friends not population wide. Also Medicare and mi salud programs are not the same as private plans. Also there are doctors that work cash only and take zero plans.
I鈥檓 done.
Fburgos wrote:Fascinating how you don鈥檛 see that 3.2 million people and only 9000 Dr鈥檚 can be reason for concern.
I鈥檓 done.
Fburgos, it's unfortunate that some posters on here attack you.听 I can see why you are done.听 There are other competing forums that aren't so militant and rude.
Fburgos wrote:My poor 83 year old uncle听 and aunt have had to endure 8 hour waits听 at their doctors office, only to to be told to return tomorrow.听 Even. with an appointment, it's first come first server.
For Medicare, it is coming to the mainland very soon and it is already there in some cities.
Medicare is in a big trouble: higher cost and fewer services. It was happening for many years and will continue but at a higher speed now as I read.
Scott18684 wrote:... I have an act 60 company and pay no federal income tax and save hundreds of thousands a year.
It may go away when PR becomes a state. They are pushing for this. Probably it will be good for PR, but these programs will end.
Jannyboy63 wrote:If I go out dressed nicely, the locals may think I am flaunting wealth
Blending in is a wise move. It is safer not to make an impression that you are wealthy unless you are in a business which depends on your look.
Life is a simple and nice in PR- beaches, sun, ocean, nature, food, friendly (most of them) people. Until a disaster strikes...
Jannyboy63 wrote:If I ever do decide to move there, I will have no choice but to get several firearms, alarm system, and security cameras everywhere.
Not fun to live like this. Statistically, guns are not a good protection for you at home. Are you going to sleep with a gun under your pillow? It will not help. Alarm system and security cameras may not help either because they can be relatively easy to be defeated.
Blending in and not going to dangerous areas are better way to protect yourself against muggers.
Fburgos wrote:3.2 million people and only 9000 Dr鈥檚 can be reason for concern.
Yes, these numbers are true for the year 2016 and now it is probably even worse. It is a huge concern indeed. 
Are the lines to a specialist the same for private insurance holders?
Puerto Rico would most likely be a blue state. The republicans are not going to risk losing any electoral Votes. So, act 20, act 22 will be around for a while.
Fburgos wrote:Puerto Rico becoming a state. Well, i personally don鈥檛 think听 it will happen anytime soon. It will take an act of Congress.
Puerto Rico would most likely be a blue state. The republicans are not going to risk losing any electoral Votes. So, act 20, act 22 will be around for a while.
Agree. But it is possible only if democrats will win the majority in the Senate and Biden wins.
So I guess we will know by January.
Reason : no generalisation please
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