We want to pre-retire in puerto rico.what is you opinion?

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Mia

Just like any other place in the US, depending on where you want to move to and how you want to live, there's a wide array of property and prices depending on what you're looking for.

If you're stable financially you'll be able to afford something decent in Puerto Rico. Dorado is beautiful, and very close to the beach. It is a great tourist area, but you can find homes starting at around $250,000. Again, depending on what you're looking for.

Homes further from the Metropolitan area (San Juan, Carolina, etc.) would be less expensive. You can get a penthouse apartment in Fajardo (which is like 1-2 hours away from San Juan) for about $150,000 (my cousin owns one, so I know what I'm talking about!). And Fajardo and Luquillo both have beautiful beaches and are also tourist areas.

If you already live in NY let me tell you that the cost of living there (especially in the winter) is higher than it is in PR. So if you're financially stable in NY, you should be okay in Puerto Rico--again, depending on what you're looking for.

Crime is everywhere. Like every other place in the world, if you move into a bad neighborhood, you will see more crime than if you move into a nicer neighborhood.

In terms of Hurricanes, the last bad Hurricane here was Hurricane George. Most of the homes that were in bad shapes were homes closer to the ocean and homes made of wood. Most of the homes in Puerto Rico are made of concrete, and are more prepared to handle Hurricane winds than the homes in the States. Banks insist that any property they finance be made out of concrete. Furthermore, most Hurricanes turn before hitting Puerto Rico, or the winds slow down before reaching the Island because of its location.

TO THE PERSON WHO MADE THE 'GRINGO' COMMENT: Us Puerto Ricans are friendly people. I see Americans every day; it is actually a job requirement here in most companies that you are fully bilingual to assist our American friends. Any ignorant person who will call an American a 'gringo' (which is not unique to PR, by the way, every spanish-speaking country calls Americans 'gringos' as a sort of slang) will do so whether they're in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Philippines, USA or any other place under the sun. You can't live in fear that people will call you a name because of your race; it happens everywhere and every day (unfortunately); people do it to us (Puerto Ricans) too and you don't see me shying away from going someplace because some idiot may call me 'Ese' or '****'. Grow up.

You can check out http://clasificadosonline.com to check out properties in the areas that would interest you the most. Good luck! :)

see_ya

The best thing you can do is come to PR for vacation, look around, explore the places of your interests. you want to keep away from the city in PR if you already need a break from NY city. so Im guessing you are looking for a very relaxed and tropical kinda place. There is three choices in PR to choose from, there is the city which is very crowded and crazy, just like NY city, then the beach scenery where is calm and finally there is the forest which is country style. You have to choose from these three depending on your preference. Come visit first and then if you like it and want to move later on, then you wont regret it. The central forest areas are in the central part of the island, the best beaches are in the northern west and eastern part of the island extending itself to the western part of the island. The sister islands vieques and culebras have the best exotic clear crystal waters with the white sugary sands. The north eastern side of the island is the crowded metro area and the southern part is more dry and lots of desert scenery parts (more like Texas).

PR is also a great place to retire, but also very expensive, specially in the costal areas and sister islands. The country side is not expensive since its not close to any amusment sites. Finally, the most expensive place is the city such as San Juan and metro areas.

Always consider the ups and downs of a place, such as high crimes in the city, hurricane floods in the costal areas and the safest of all would be the country side. Try to learn basic Spanish, because not alot of people speak English in the country side. The beautiful part is people would do their best to make you feel at home, so you wont have to worry about acceptance within our culture, because you will automatically get use to it, its not far from American traditions.

the city:
http://www.dailyventure.com/400x300/puertoRico_sanJuan_01.jpg

the country:
http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/cayeymountains1.JPG

costal:
http://www.ronsaari.com/stockImages/puertoRico/IsabelaBeach.jpg

vieques and culebra islands:
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/14/f8/f8/culebra.jpg

retiredroadie

You had better have some deep pockets because Puerto Rico is VERY EXPENSIVE... have you BEEN THERE and LOOKED AT PROPERTY?... you need to try living there for a month or two and see if you still want to move there.

I have already looked at P.R. and lived in San Juan for a year (Calle del Sol) and, while I really liked it.. I just though it was too expensive.

I have my boat in Antigua now and spend about 7 months each winter on it... and like it MUCH better.

If you are thinking about moving to the Caribbean, then TOTALLY IGNORE that list of 13 countries Yahoo shows on the home page for this group because the Caribbean has nearly 60 ISLAND COUNTRIES you can retire to.. and that list of 13 is for the AmeriKans because the only countries they know about are the ones they see advertised on TV.

My 2 favorite Caribbean islands are Antigua... for MANY reasons.. and Bequia... also for many reason... but different ones... either island is a perfect choice for retired Amerikans who want to get away from other retired Amerikans.

Just be aware that anywhere in the caribbean is expensive because everything not grown or produced locally on any particular island, has to be shipped in

The Yeti

Sounds nice enough to me.

Are hurricanes a problem there?

Dee

First, you should consider spending some time in Puerto Rico. I think it's one of the most beautiful places on earth, and of course all my family is from there.. It's a wonderful place, people there are very welcoming and extremely curious (nosey). The culture is great, im not talking about the capital-San Juan, not that there is anything wrong with it. but times are rough, and the people there now, are having difficulty trying to make ends meet. The economy is really bad. My aunt just moved there from florida, its only been a year and they are having a very hard time. the cost of living is low, but jobs are really difficult to find. my aunt/uncle reitred, but they've already ran out of spending cash.. so it really depends, how much you desire, to go to Puerto Rico.. or if it is just an option.. If you have the resources, why not?

Tito

Puerto Rico is a very nice place to live, but as mentioned before, it depends where you move. Crime isn't something that can be attributed to Puerto Rico because unfortunately it's a concept that exists on an international basis. If you live in a neighborhood where crime manifests itself on a very regular and consistent basis, then don't expect things to change because you've moved in. Move into a nice, safe neighborhood and things should be fine.

As far as things being expensive goes, I am Puerto Rican and have been living here for the past 3 and a half years. I was raised in Pennsylvania, and the comparison isn't very big. Infact, from my visits to New York, I'd have to say that Puerto Rico's less expensive. If you're looking to get out of the city, I don't recommend San Juan.

Best of luck though with everything. Happy Holidays!

yankee_sailor

you should consider the US Virgin Islands........

philo_bedo

Don't leave the US. I know puerto rico is a protectorate, but you'll always be a gringo foreigner there. There's plenty of nice places in America to retire to. Look around the great lakes region in Northern Michigan. It's god's country. And cost of living is much cheaper than in NYC.

arthur

the philippines is so much better than puerto rico.

ProArtWork

If you have money, I suggest you move to westchester county in New York. Moving away from crime to a place worse in crime than New York City is disturbing. Westchester County is perfect. It's diverse and very friendly people.

Mike965

Have you looked into the Philippines ? I hear money goes along way their and it's suppose to be nice

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