richvide0
American expat in Puerto Rico
Forum posts
70
Contacts
2
About me
American
Lives in Caguas
Registration: 07 February 2016
Four months after Maria by Gary
Yesterday we 'celebrated' four months after Maria. Still no electricity here, a faith we share with 36% of the island. We have water, 7% of the households do not and the quality of the water is such that a boiling advice is still ...
Up unti now we've been making weekly visits and taking out the water. I'm just going to have to pressure wash the walls and floors when ready. Not much else we can do at this point. Read More
Four months after Maria by Gary
Yesterday we 'celebrated' four months after Maria. Still no electricity here, a faith we share with 36% of the island. We have water, 7% of the households do not and the quality of the water is such that a boiling advice is still ...
Still no power or water in the Las Pi帽as section of Barrio Beatriz. I have seen work being done on the lines. We still have a high tension wire going through our property, down the mountain that has several large branches resting on it, bending ... Read More
Looking for properties to start a new school in the Caguas area by richvide0
We are starting a search for properties in the Caguas/Cidra/Cayey area to start a small Montessori school. The ideal property would be a closed school that either could be rented or lent to us to start out. We are hoping to open in August. For ...
That's a good idea regarding this SBA. I know the government has rented out unused schools to various organizations for a dollar a year. I have found the department of education's website regarding this along with a list of available ... Read More
Looking for properties to start a new school in the Caguas area
We are starting a search for properties in the Caguas/Cidra/Cayey area to start a small Montessori school. The ideal property would be a closed school that either could be rented or lent to us to start out. We are hoping to open in August. For ... Read More
Discount furniture places? Amazon prime can't deliver by BeckyPotterbaum
Ok, so I guess I'm so used to going on Amazon, Overstock, Wayfair or even Walmart for those amazing deals on shippable furniture and larger household items. Amazon prime is amazing with their free shipping! But alas, I'm at a loss - I'm ...
There is this Facebook group where people are selling their stuff. Lots of stuff posted every day. Se Vende Si o Si Hope Depot sometimes has nice sales as well as Walmart. Read More
How have you all fared through the storm and the rebuilding process by Texas Jeff
we have a great opportunity to move to PR soon. due to the commute distance, Ponce looks like a better choice than San Juan. Thoughts about Ponce ? Hoping all of you fare well during the recent and ongoing challenges.
I would love to build a roof with concrete but just the test of the soil to see if the house could handle it would be $3000. We simply can't afford it. We'll do the best we can with the money we have. Read More
How have you all fared through the storm and the rebuilding process by Texas Jeff
we have a great opportunity to move to PR soon. due to the commute distance, Ponce looks like a better choice than San Juan. Thoughts about Ponce ? Hoping all of you fare well during the recent and ongoing challenges.
We lost water and power with Irma but our house was ok. Maria tore off our roof and destroyed our belongings. This is in the mountains of Caguas, barrio Beatriz. We've been living with family in Humacao since then. We were trying to work with ... Read More
Internet by PeasantDaughter
Forgive me if this is a redundant question, but the forum search function isn't working for me right now. In order to move to PR, it is critical we have reliable internet. Since we are also starting a farm, it won't be in a metro area. ...
For me in the mountains of Caguas we have no choice but to rely on our cell phone data for internet. It can be quirky but so far it's done the job. But if you need to upload/download big files it would be a nightmare and would eat up all your ... Read More
Installing a mailbox on a road with no name by richvide0
It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name 'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain Now everyone! "La la laaa la lalalala la laaa laaa la" I live in the Las Pi帽as sector of Barrio ...
Yesterday I noticed a new mailbox down the road from me at a house that was just built. Perhaps I can catch them if they are outside and ask what they did. Read More
Installing a mailbox on a road with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name 'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain Now everyone! "La la laaa la lalalala la laaa laaa la" I live in the Las Pi帽as sector of Barrio ... Read More
Keeping you out of trouble by ReyP
Little things you may want to know to keep you out of trouble. We speak Spanish / Espa帽ol in PR, not Puerto Rican. We are Puerto Ricans or Puertorricans, also Boriquas or Borinque帽os (based on the Taino name for the island ...
I like to joke around the my g/f's family regarding the dropping of the "s" in words. They insist the "s" is there but I don't hear it. Read More
Fire ants on bell pepper plants. Problem? Also another ant question. by richvide0
I've discovered tons of fire ants on my bell pepper plants recently. I've been spraying a concoction of garlic, lemon and water on them. It hasn't helped so far. There are a lot of black eggs under the leaves. Today a few did a number on ...
I had to go to a hospital in Argentina after kneeling on a fire-ant hill. Needless to say I'm very wary of them. Read More
Fire ants on bell pepper plants. Problem? Also another ant question.
I've discovered tons of fire ants on my bell pepper plants recently. I've been spraying a concoction of garlic, lemon and water on them. It hasn't helped so far. There are a lot of black eggs under the leaves. Today a few did a number on ... Read More
Anyone want to start a Facebook group? by Karenqc
So...we have a handful of Rincon FB pages (the main one with 10k+!!) but nothing island wide. I'm noticing more and more of you gringos moving over here and thought maybe we should produce something. I can help maintain it, but I don't want ...
I vote member's only Rey. Read More
Midnight Changes by ReyP
At midnight trafic tickets will double and some may go even higher. Also services to drivers will go up, I assume these are driver licenses, ID cards, and related items by the DMV.. The cost of living of Hawaii may be coming PR way.
I just laugh now when I'm stopped at a red left arrow light and people behind me just go around me and take a left. But people are considerate to pedestrians and letting one into traffic. After experiencing the insanity that is driving in ... Read More
Anyone want to start a Facebook group? by Karenqc
So...we have a handful of Rincon FB pages (the main one with 10k+!!) but nothing island wide. I'm noticing more and more of you gringos moving over here and thought maybe we should produce something. I can help maintain it, but I don't want ...
I was (and still am) on an ExPat members-only page for Rosario, Argentina. It really helped eliminate spam and people trolling. Just us familiar, friendly faces, in the same boat, trying to help each other out. Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda) by richvide0
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ...
Sorry Rey, I have no idea of the square footage. But it's a one-floor, 7 room "ranch style" I guess you'd call it. I'd consider it a small house. it has 2 or 3 "bedrooms" but they are just big enough to accommodate a ... Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda) by richvide0
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ...
Around $5,500 The cost to ship the car was $1,885 plus $250 pickup and drop-off fees. The car could have been driven the car to their office in MA to avoid those fees but the it wasn't street legal. A little more than 5,200 for the household ... Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda) by richvide0
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ...
We bought a fixer-upper as well so I know what you mean. Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda) by richvide0
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ...
I have to agree with you. If it were just me I would have started fresh here. It was nice living here for three months without a bunch of clutter. Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda) by richvide0
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ...
We went with them because the know the ins and outs of moving to PR, they were located in MA, they could ship both household items and the car at the same time and they would do door-to-door. Also, a poster here recommended them, having used them ... Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda) by richvide0
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ...
I believe our car was put in a special container amongst other cars. Read More
My experience with La Rosa Del Monte (and some Hacienda)
First here's a summary of the experience with La Rosa Del Monte if you don't want to read all the details below: We shipped household goods (90 boxes along with a queen mattress and box spring) and our 2008 Ford Escape from ... Read More
Power outage by Gary
Since 3:30 PM or so. Now, that's nothing new you'd say. Well, it depends. "Normally" this happens when there's rain and/or wind but today nothing of that, the power went just out of the blue. Nice weather, some clouds, no ...
Still no power. The power went on at 3:00 for about 10 minutes and then Went down again. Crossing my fingers it comes on soon before nightfall. Read More
Power outage by Gary
Since 3:30 PM or so. Now, that's nothing new you'd say. Well, it depends. "Normally" this happens when there's rain and/or wind but today nothing of that, the power went just out of the blue. Nice weather, some clouds, no ...
No power in Barrio Beatriz since the morning. We had to send our contractor home. To bad. Waste of time and money. Read More
Filming in Puerto Rico by brunododes
Hey everybody, anyone ever shoot an American film in Puerto Rico? I'm a young filmmaker and will be filming an independent feature film in PR soon. The film takes place in Baltimore and I'm looking for urban filming locations that can double ...
I was part of a crew that filmed in Puerto Rico on a number of occasions. In fact, that's how I met my Puerto Rican girlfriend about 13 years ago. PR is accommodating to film makers with good tax breaks. You may want to try the municipality of ... Read More
Where can I purchase manure for garden? by richvide0
I think the compost I purchased is lacking nitrogen. It's a very "woody" compost, almost like mulch. My plants aren't growing like they should be. I built a 10x4 raised bed because we have clay soil. Does anyone know where I can ...
I just realized I spelled manure wrong, not once but twice. Read More
Where can I purchase manure for garden? by richvide0
I think the compost I purchased is lacking nitrogen. It's a very "woody" compost, almost like mulch. My plants aren't growing like they should be. I built a 10x4 raised bed because we have clay soil. Does anyone know where I can ...
We do have cows down the street. I'll check into that. Read More
Where can I purchase manure for garden? by richvide0
I think the compost I purchased is lacking nitrogen. It's a very "woody" compost, almost like mulch. My plants aren't growing like they should be. I built a 10x4 raised bed because we have clay soil. Does anyone know where I can ...
Good idea. We do have an agro store down the street. Read More
Where can I purchase manure for garden?
I think the compost I purchased is lacking nitrogen. It's a very "woody" compost, almost like mulch. My plants aren't growing like they should be. I built a 10x4 raised bed because we have clay soil. Does anyone know where I can ... Read More
Strike on May 1st?? by Dawndoro
Just wondering what everyone has heard regarding a possible strike that could start on May 1st and possibly effect everything from utilities to travel ...??
I marched in the parade with my wife's family. People were smiling, dancing and chanting. I did see groups of young men and women dressed in black with their faces hidden carrying weapons like wooden poles and metal rods. One of the men came ... Read More
Learning Spanish by Nicole312
Hello, Which program is better to learn Spanish Duolingo or Rosetta Stone or something else? Thank you
I have been going through the struggle of learning Spanish seriously for the past 2 and a half years in Rosario, Argentina. Here are my recommendations: 1. Spanish Language Transfer This is a free set of lessons I highly recommend. It has helped me ... Read More
Land Owner in Caguas by RudyEW
I purchased a land in Caguas and plan to build before relocating to the Island. What are your recommendations about finding the right builder on the Island?
Hi Gary. I just sent you a PM. Read More
Making the move by bugbunkie
Can anyone share their experience as far as selling personal items and real estate and moved to Puerto Rico. How did you sell everything, where did you stay while waiting on your house to sell, shipping some items to the island... any suggestions ...
A poster here said he had been using them for years and highly recommended them. It's tough working out the logistics between Argentina-Boston-Puerto Rico. I just hope they come through. Read More
Making the move by bugbunkie
Can anyone share their experience as far as selling personal items and real estate and moved to Puerto Rico. How did you sell everything, where did you stay while waiting on your house to sell, shipping some items to the island... any suggestions ...
Backstory: Two and a half years ago we moved to Argentina. Our plan was to stay in Argentina for 2 and 1/2 years then move to Maine. Things changed and we are now moving to PR instead. We kept posting things for sale or for free on Craigslist. One ... Read More
Following fashion in Puerto Rico by Priscilla
Hi everyone, Do you follow fashion trends in Puerto Rico? Every country and every culture has its own dress code. As far as you are concerned, have you changed the way you dress? Can one easily find fashion boutiques in Puerto Rico? Are ...
I'm glad you wrote this because I'm sure I would have failed on at least two of these criteria when trying to get everything done when we move to Caguas next month. Read More
News about the economy by ReyP
I will be posting news that affect the economy of Puerto Rico. You are welcome to comment but keep it civil.
Interesting. After reading your post I Googled the Arthur Anderson accounting company and learned about their part in the Enron scandal. Too bad they didn't honor their founder's values. From Wikipedia: Andersen, who headed the firm until ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Rico by ayeshaaelamin
Good afternoon, All, My name is Ayesha and I'm planning to move to Puerto Rico. I've visited a few times and really love everything about Puerto Rico, but I have a very limited knowledge of the island. I am however aware of the state of the ...
This might help you with some questions: How do I start a Business in Puerto Rico? Read More
Recommendation on Spanish by ReyP
I can not help but recommend this course in Spanish, my wife uses it and she has learned a lot. While I do speak Spanish, she does not let me correct her or help her in any way. I am very proud of her growing Spanish. The course is conversational, ...
Rey, I fully understand your wife not allowing you to be part of her learning process. Whenever I ask my g/f how to say something, or what something means, she provides more information than I need, thus confusing me even more. We joke about it. We ... Read More
Drinking Water? by TravelingJ
I assume the water out of the tap is drinkable? Do people use a filter? Let me know what you do on the island for drinking water without contaminates (chlorine, minerals, fluoride, etc). I currently have a reverse osmosis system in my house on the ...
Isgustaf, that is one of the only things I will miss about Argentina. Every week we have a delivery guy who delivers agua con gas in syphons (they swap out the old with the new). It's really cheap. We drink a ton of it since it's so hot. ... Read More
I love Puerto Rico but just feel very isolated and lonely by tpritty
Hi everyone, I've lived in Guaynabo for a year now. I love Puerto Rico but just feel very isolated and lonely, more so because of my nonexistent Spanish speaking skills. I'm a social butterfly, so my inability to communicate adequately has ...
Perhaps you could take a Spanish class? I did a quick Google search and found this Inlingua. I have no idea if this place is any good or not. It's in Guaynabo. I've been living in Rosario, Argentina for more than 2 years now. Although ... Read More
Container shipping from Florida US by luis.grace
Hello again, Trying to make a quick decision whether to buy all of our household items when we arrive in San Juan or to pay for container shipping from FL. Anyone have any round about prices they paid to ship a 20' container from the US?! Need ...
No, I wasn't given an idea of the container size. Basically all the info I received is what I posted. My family is handling the situation in MA while I'm in Argentina so maybe they gave them more info when they came to inspect everything. Read More
Container shipping from Florida US by luis.grace
Hello again, Trying to make a quick decision whether to buy all of our household items when we arrive in San Juan or to pay for container shipping from FL. Anyone have any round about prices they paid to ship a 20' container from the US?! Need ...
If anyone is interested, I just had Rosa del monte come assess what I have in storage along with a 2008 Ford Escape and here is their price which will be locked in for 90 days. My household items are from a 2-bedroom apartment. No couch but a lot of ... Read More
Deck builder/contractor
Does anyone have a company or someone who they could recommend to build a second-floor wood deck? We'll be moving to Caguas in June and that is one of our first priorities because we have a great view of the center of Caguas from the mountains ... Read More
Cost of Living by Siobhan_Nolan
So we have been in PR now for about 20 months and I can't understand how low income earners survive here on the island with the high cost of living. Ok, Dorado is pretty expensive so lets take rent out of the equation. Our water bill is ...
We have a weird situation, at least I think it is, with the water bill. While we are not in PR right now, we are fixing up the house we bought with the supervision of my g/f's family who live in Humacao. The house is in Caguas and we are still ... Read More
Recommendation on Spanish by ReyP
I can not help but recommend this course in Spanish, my wife uses it and she has learned a lot. While I do speak Spanish, she does not let me correct her or help her in any way. I am very proud of her growing Spanish. The course is conversational, ...
Thanks Rey, the more resources the better. I've been using many, many resources to help me learn Spanish. Duolingo, English Transfer, reading articles and translating them, taking private lessons and carrying around index cards with vocabulary, ... Read More
Container shipping from Florida US by luis.grace
Hello again, Trying to make a quick decision whether to buy all of our household items when we arrive in San Juan or to pay for container shipping from FL. Anyone have any round about prices they paid to ship a 20' container from the US?! Need ...
nyrican787, how did you go about contacting La Rosa? I've tried emailing their Massachusetts office and their general contact email without any response. It's been about 10 days. I'm in Argentina so contacting by phone would be quite ... Read More
Container shipping from Florida US by luis.grace
Hello again, Trying to make a quick decision whether to buy all of our household items when we arrive in San Juan or to pay for container shipping from FL. Anyone have any round about prices they paid to ship a 20' container from the US?! Need ...
Thanks for the information nyrican787. I'm from Boston but currently living in Argentina and will be flying back to Boston in May 2017 to ship my car and my belonging from my mother's garage, where everything has been stored since July 2014, ... Read More
Learn Spanish by frogrock
Hi, University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras will be offering Spanish again starting in September in the continuing education division. Go to http://www.upr.edu/educacion-continua/ The course description is on pages 14 and 15. It meets once a ...
I also used DuoLingo which was helpful but I really found the lessons in the podcasts for Language Transfer to be even more helpful. There are 90 lessons. with a teacher and a student, ranging from about 8 to 13 minutes. I'm almost done going ... Read More
Over 50 starting a new business
I wonder if they have any wiggle room on the age. I'll be 48 when I move to PR and will be starting a new business. Read More
Gardening, farming and agriculture. by Karenqc
Hi guys, I have noticed that quite a few of you are very much into growing your own food and/or are into gardening quite a bit. I am pretty much addicted and thought it would be nice if we could all share some of our tips and knowledge of growing ...
I'm so glad you mentioned this. We will be moving to Caguas next year and have a sloped yard. I'd be interested to see how you made this work. I have some ideas and have been Googling a lot but it would be great to see first hand. Read More
Our experience in purchasing a home in beautiful Puerto Rico. by BrianTX
Here's the story: My wife and I put our home in Texas on the market in February of 2016. After lots of discussion, we (which means my beautiful wife) decided that it was just too far from everything. We live out in the country and even to go ...
I liked your write up BrianTX. It was a fun read AND informative. :top: Read More
Angry orchard by Spencerazac
Angry orchard apple cider at econo in manatee, but at 17.99 a sixer? Cmon man, can anybody tell me where I can get a good amber ale on the island or anything with taste? Can't handle modelo, need something I'm going to enjoy.
I've never been there but Caguas has FOK Brewery. Looks like some real tasty stuff. Can't wait to visit. Read More
Shipping car to PR? by TravelingJ
I have read that it is a nightmare to ship your car to PR, but my car is relatively new and I would take a huge hit on it if I were to sell and would have to buy a lesser car. My question is how much is the excise tax? When I went to the Haceinda ...
They pick it up at your home?!! That is awesome. We were planing on driving from Massachusetts to Jacksonville next April. We still may but knowing this service is out there is great to know. Could save a lot of hassle. Read More
Fun: I did not know that! by ReyP
I am starting this new topic to cover something strange, fun, different, not common and that a good number of people may not know. The next post is a good example.
I think meat in a drink is pretty much weird to 99.9 percent of the Earth's population. Read More
Fun: I did not know that! by ReyP
I am starting this new topic to cover something strange, fun, different, not common and that a good number of people may not know. The next post is a good example.
There is some kind of weird alcoholic drink called Bili that some people still make on the island. Apparently it involves adding ingredients to rum and burying it in the ground. Yes, burying it in the ground. We bought some on Vieques a few years ... Read More
Puerto Rico's Sovereign Debt Crisis by NomadLawyer
Well, Gov. Garcia Padilla has [url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/06/29/business/dealbook/puerto-ricos-governor-says-islands-debts-are-not-payable.html?referrer=]admitted[/url]what many of us have known for sometime: Puerto Rico cannot pay its debt ...
That's terrible. I can only imagine being on the cusp of retirement only to have your pension rescinded. And what a blow to the already retired. The article states that the church's contract with the teachers states "its contract with ... Read More
Puerto Rico's Sovereign Debt Crisis by NomadLawyer
Well, Gov. Garcia Padilla has [url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/06/29/business/dealbook/puerto-ricos-governor-says-islands-debts-are-not-payable.html?referrer=]admitted[/url]what many of us have known for sometime: Puerto Rico cannot pay its debt ...
Here's a link to progress being made on the Puerto Rico Rescue Bill: Puerto Rico Rescue Bill Nears Completion in House Committee Read More
Helping the satos by trekrider520
I've mentioned in previous posts that the hardest thing about living here, by far, is witnessing the plight of the homeless animals and their treatment - it can be a sledgehammer to the soul. I just read in the San Juan Daily Star that ...
Here in Argentina we also have a lot of stray dogs. But most of them seem happy, healthy and harmless. People put water out for them, feed them and pet them. They are certainly a problem but they aren't neglected nearly as much as in other ... Read More
Starting a Caf茅 type Business- Any advice for an Expat? by sboebaker
My husband and I are looking to possibly move to Aguadilla or Isabela area and start a caf茅 type business. Any suggestions/advice on starting a business as an expat? Thanks!
Hi sboebaker, Here is a pretty comprehensive guide to doing business in PR. Doing Business in PR Read More
New members of the Puerto Rico forum, introduce yourself here 聳 1st quarter of 2016 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Puerto Rico forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more ...
Hello Everyone, Myself and my S/O will be moving to Caguas in April of 2017. I'm from Boston and she's from Puerto Rico but she was living with me in Boston for ten years. Currently we are living in Rosario, Argentina. She got offered a ... Read More
Craft Beer at places like Costco?
Thanks Guys. I remember going to a Shell gas station years ago in Ceiba, just off the highway I think and I was taken aback at the good selections of craft brews they had. I really like that craft beer distributors page. And that FOK microbrewery ... Read More
Craft Beer at places like Costco?
Hello Everyone, This is my first post in this forum and it's an important one. Do places like Costco sell craft beers there? Not Sam Adams but perhaps Sierra Nevada? In Boston I could get a 12 pack of Sierra Nevada cans for around $15.00 at ... Read More