A word for the wise. If you plan to live anywhere but the place you grew up, do not try to live like a tourist , beccause you are not one anymore, try to feel what it feels to be an islander.
Everything has its plus and minus factor you just have to learn how things are in PR and not try to speculate how we live and how we are as people. Electricity is high that is a fact the only way to fix that is going solar. Grocery is much fresher and available in what we consume in everyday life it’s a lot easier to find fresh oranges and bananas than cherries. You forgot to mention no federal tax, almost nobody pays property tax , no county tax. Houses are a lot cheaper and better constructed than in the mainland as most house are maid in concrete. Rent is so much cheaper specially as you go towards the more country side of the island. She also forgot that your handyman will be a lot cheaper , your Mecanico will be a lot cheaper , gas in only a couple of cents more a gallon of course in Texas is a lot cheaper. We leave on a tropical island there will be insects but most of it will be manage with a local exterminator which will charge you a lot less than in the mainland. If you are going to live here you most learn how the locals do things please please please give your business to local services help make are island stronger , what you spend at Walmart most of it leaves the island. Island life is slower you most understand that most people do not know how to say no to a job and if they do say no apply a touch oh helplessness and in comes the “ hay bendito” and they will cave and do the imposible to be at your house. So no we are not perfect as all places we have the good and bad. Ups almost forgot no freezing your pants off to go to work, no shoveling snow off your drive way, no salt on roads to rust your car away oh and I really forgot to say you can do outdoor sports , sail your boat , ride your Harley , use your four tracks the 12 months of the year. Yeah today September 6 , 2020 at 4:13 pm its 79 degrees, UV index is only 2 humidity is high but with our island breeze ice cold bear and some island food your as close as it gets to heaven. Welcome to PUERTO RICO.
Honestly....I´d rather sweat than freeze..... when its hot and humid---just sit under a nice shady tree (or balcony) somewhere with a breeze...... that qualifies 90% of PR.. and those of you just getting to PR, be patient...in 2 or 3 days your body will readjust to the heat and you will be much less uncomfortable. This, of course, will not happen if you sit all day, day in and day out, inside an air-conditioned room!
I'm just wondering if you have been to the Dallas area and if so could you compare their heat to that because we get very very hot weather in Dallas... also hot and humid . There's times I think I would rather be living in the Caribbean because I love the water and it seems they always have lots of breezes .
i concur, JJ - i've chatted decades about weather....some enjoy warm more, others whine when it's above 80F with any humidity. i grew up in Fayetteville, NC, often a warmest temp for the day in the USA, and Raleigh area is similar [tiny bit cooler]; but i can stand 100F and higher - i like your tactic, we are alike in this way. i say find shade and a breeze, and some water...viola, the warm is tolerable. that said, mosquitoes are the bane of warm weather...so i keep a zapper racquet handy. and i concur again, stay out of constant AC! get out into the breeze and water! AC has its place, sleeping in your house, etc. but keep fans handy, too! thx, JJ!
@@thephillyphranciepantz8528 It's not nearly as hot or humid as Houston, and not ever as hot as Dallas in Puerto Rico! The coldest it's ever been was in the upper 40s many decades ago in the mountains and it's never been over 99 in the 10 years I've lived here on the north shore. When it's 68 degrees here locals wear coats! LOL
Otay Buckwheat cuando te acostumbras al calor por años si baja la temperatura a 65 en navidad sentimos un frio real porque nuestro cuerpo no está adaptado hasta nos da el flu
I am from the Caribbean and the one thing that people underestimate the most is Island Fever. This can not be stressed enough. Most people will get sick of the island life very quick. The same thing happens in Hawaii. It looks good on TV to retire in the Caribbean but after a few months to a year 90 percent of people want to move somewhere else. This is because island fever sneaks up on you. One minute you are living in paradise but little by little your peace of mind starts to erode away until you want to get the hell out of whatever island you are on. Small places almost always become constrictive. I felt the same while I was in Rhode Island.
if you do had only bisi7 u made need a more powerful source like having your own antenna and other forms of Communitcation , it may be expensive btu it's worth it, another thing I learned and this should be a must , you need to get involved surfing , snorkeling ,going to the beach to calm the anxieties down ., My brother is a Doctor and thru all his Dr ..Recipes...Beach ( surfing ) snorkeling..
My internet is not that expensive and combined with my cellphone hotspot I manage fine at only $50 monthly. I have a propane generator I brought here on a plane because they are not sold here for some reason, and I will fire that up to power a large AC unit when the power goes out because it usually comes back on before you can open 20 windows, and I live on the north shore in the country and I chose my house because of all of the properties I looked at, this one had the best breeze. I have orthopedic issues and I am in less pain and I have a better quality of life here because it is never cold, and the heat and humidity in no way compares to the coastal southern gulf region of the US. I have a home in Mississippi and I grew up in Houston and you don't melt when you step outside here, and it's never over 99 degrees!
Good video exposing the reality of island life. Most Westerners have romantic ideals about living on an island, they go on holiday in a resort for 10 days or see movies and think it is the ideal dream to pursue. If you want to move to another country I strongly advise you go stay there for 6 months on a realistic budget to truly assess the place before taking the plunge.
My thoughts 1 Hot is good. I never use A/C when I am in the Caribbean 2 no A/C means using little electricity, eEquates to less pollution 3 my house in PR will have photovoltaic and batteries ... 8 produce. by local which BTW IS organic. 10 that's because is really organic! The stuff in the mainland has preservative (even organic stuff) 15 and 16 I love the way they drive in PR and many other places in the Caribbean! Is not as strict as the mainland and people just take it easy. Potholes, evidently you've never been to Philly... 19 yes, business service is like 90% of the rest of world... other countries have siesta... 22 There's poverty... same as the mainland but is well hidden... go to Oakland, CA or south Philly... I just wonder why someone wants to move from the mainland and does not want to adapt to the local culture. If you accept to embrace the local culture (learn Spanish, buy a house where locals live and eat the food that they produce and cook) you will have a much better experience!
Lots of hope going around that PR has all the reasons in the world now to really go fully toward solar and organic and show the rest of us what's possible. Nature had to go "over the top" and make an example of PR so now it's up to all of America to help Boricua become a model for a greener, cleaner, more resilient way of life.
the part about learning spanish....this made me laugh as: if you said “learn english” as a requirement to embrace the local culture of the US, here you would be called racist.
I find heat and humidity to be intolerable which is why I would never live in Puerto Rico, as beautiful as the people and the landscape are. And for those of you who want to criticize me on that let me tell you I live in Minnesota, and I thrive in the winter cold. How many of you would complain about it? A cold winter is good for you! Just dress properly and you'll enjoy it.
We live in Florida and are avid watchers of Caribbean Life & this is my question constantly: why does no one ask about hurricanes, hurricane windows, hurricane preparedness?!!! I mean isn't that an important factor when making a move/investment to a Caribbean island? It is a little absurd that they don't have the potential homeowners ask these important questions.
Why would someone want the samething as Trader Joe when they move somewhere else. I thought people usually move for a different experience. There are walmarts kmarts sears Macy jc Penney and a dozen more American companies there in PR. if somethin like trader joe was that important to me i would have just stayed put where i was.
Bandit4true Love yes , I've been saying this to people , can't seem to understand their mindset...I love the states... love the beaches here and the heat..but it's true what she says..
Bandit4true Love I was born in PR but lived the last 18 years in NYC. Moved to Philadelphia a year and some months ago. You could buy beer at a pharmacy in NYC. Philly does not allow that. Places in Philly do not stay open 24hrs a day. I was used to that availability not offered anymore. Well, I knew where I was moving to so you just adapt. Deal w it. I actually adapted so well that I stopped drinking alcohol entirely 7 months ago. Something good came out of it.
@@cactaceous i'm from Philly but i haven't been back there in almost 13 years and everybody says i would be shocked at how different it is now ... how much more built up and how much more congested horribly , congested the traffic is . i'm 62 yrs .young and i can remember when i was a kid maybe five years old ... I know it was around the time either before or after Kennedy was shot ...JFK .. my parents were saying they heard that there's going to be a new store that's going to be open really late ... and it's going to be open earlier than other stores and when they said it's going to be open from 7 in the morning till 11 at night which was unheard of and they were astounded ... my mom said it's going to be called 7-Eleven .
When I went to visit for 10 days in P.R. We stayed in 2 parts of the island which the 1st 4 days we stayed near the north side of the yunque forest...I thought it was very low key..we drove all over the place with a car rental that only cost like $150 for the entire 10 days! also we headed over to palmas del mar which we were able to grab a very nice 1 bedroom condo..and we absolutely had a BLAST! We drove on golf carts and we drove everywhere there..It was a great visit and I LOVE the Puerto Rican culture! We went to the plaza and there was a birthday party at the restaraunt where we went to eat...and it was no different than here in the states..I think the people in the states are much louder ..Im from New Orleans but either way I have been all over America and hands down the people in P.R. are just absolutely beautiful people..I agree with you..I was able to have many conversations with the locals and they helped us out on a few things.. thanks for your video..I had to disagree on a couple of your points ..sorry bout that.. ..There are farmers markets where you can get PLENTY of fruits and vegetable..you just gotta drive to get there..
After watching your video it seems to me that You needed to move up high in the mountains: If you want quiet then move to Lares, Las Marias, San Sebastian, Utuado, Ciales o Adjuntas up, up, High, high in the mountains...where you'll find a quiet life.
dont understand why so many gringos leave their beautiful country to go to complain at large in others, we just want u to visit our countries after that go home please dont ruin our places
Puerto Rico is not a big island. Just look at a globe. But I will admit that it feels big. I'm always trying to make sense of this when I visit. I think that there are so many things to do, and you see such diversity, that it makes it seem way bigger than it actually is.
Hi Diane, just started viewing your videos. I was born in PR, came to the mainland when I was five yrs. old but go back every year. I have been to the Bahamas, Florida and the Dominican Republic. They also drive like maniacs, are on their phones n change lanes without signaling. Thank you for your videos n for the nice compliments of my people in PR.
Vegetables and fruit can be found wayyy cheaper if you go to Agro market around the island, you can find there add in newspapers or go to the net TH-cam PUERTO RICO AGRICULTURA, plenty of video of none profits agro contact them and ask where they going to be next time and get it straight from farmers. Only problem video are in Spanish
The reason the fruits spoil so quick is due to the fact that they dont have chemicals in or on then to prevent it. unlike in america and canada(where I live) the put chemicals on them to make them last longer
I live in So CA, in the summer when it's hot the fruit spoils faster and invites fruit flies. In the winter, when it's cooler, the fruit lasts longer. I only buy organic. It is the heat that spoils fruit faster.
I'm glad you prefaced #16 by saying how nice Puerto Ricans are, generally. It makes it easier to accept that yes, we are crazy drivers, generally. BUT, I think part of that the volume of cars and drivers as you alluded to. Lead, follow, or get out of the way .... or get run over.
Just came from St Croix. About the bug bites and groceries, on point. I'm a mess. We were there during this coolest month and the humidity was very high for me. I can't imagine the summers. The cost of living needs more attention. The power bills are more than a mortgage there and things like HOA fees can be 1,000 a month!
I live here w'ell this is my home, but when I compare the Florida heat to Puerto Rico, I rather be here! No tropical trade winds in most of the Florida península lol 😂 although I can't complain I was there serving uncle sam! Thanks for sharing 🙏
I live in Florida and yes I can vouch for that ,the heat is not that quite tolerable , ...but I do miss those cool evenings that come in around October...
As for fruit rotting quickly, I just learned a technique that several people told me actually works. The trick is to soak your fruits and veggies in water mixed with vinegar. Google that and you should get the right proportions of how much vinegar is required (edit: 1 cup for a "sink full" of water - not precise on the water amount), but I think you soak it for about 10 minutes and it will make many fruits and vegetables last longer. It supposedly makes berries last for weeks.
@@dorkladytravels the reason they rotten in 2 days is because most of the fruits and veggies in the island are organic. We do have Whole Foods, not everywhere though. For organic products you needed to visit the local markets or what is call Plaza del Mercado, many towns have their own. Let me tell you one of the biggest mistakes (saddly) most Americans do is think that to really enjoy life is living a "perfect" life. Ive been living in the US for over 10 years and is sad how people are so restricted here. Ive never been in a country (not count Asia because I haven't been yet) with so mental issues. American society and the government had make you most Americans believe you live in the best country. And you guys go around the world assuming that when something is different from what you are used to is because is wrong. No is just DIFFERENT. Life is so beautiful and most of you guys pay attention to materialistic stuff without really enjoying the real beauty. You guys think that money buy everything (yes money is important) but no. To enjoy life you need to accept it as it is and not for how you think it should be. Ive seen a lot of your videos and definitely you didn't took the time to really embrace the moment you were living. You only focused on what you didn't have instead of what you have. That's what one of the biggest mistakes I see most Americans do. Most of you realize it when is too late. I suggest if you still have the house in PR. To go back with another mentality. You will enjoy it, you will live in total bliss. Remember when we create expectations we suffer when the reality is not what we expected. So you ended suffering for what doesn't exist.
Just bought a 2000 sq ft fixer upper in Fortune Bay, Freeport, Grand Bahama. I've been vacationing there for a couple decades and decided to retire there. Everything you said rings true. In fact I bought a 21 KWatt solar setup, inverters, etc. that I will install so that I don't have to pay ransom for electricity when I run the AC. Also, main point of AC is to remove humidity. So keep most spaces at 75 degrees but then put special AC into the master bedroom and crank it down at night in order to get sweat-free super comfortable sleeping. As for island fever, that's where having canal front property and a 42' fishing yacht will pay off. When you have this, all the ocean is your playground and its very very hard to get bored. No, I am not rich. I just work very hard to have the similar things as those who are rich. I bought an old fixer upper yacht and have not had a vacation in 4 years because all time off goes to refitting the yacht. Very hard work that seems to never end but the result will be a modernized 42' yacht backed into my home on a 150' wide canal that is 7 minutes from turquoise water and 12 minutes from blue water. Anyone can have it if they are willing to work for it. Check out some of the work that has been done on the yacht here on my blog. thirdwaveyacht.blogspot.com/p/introduction.html
@@dorkladytravels wow malanga is a miracle bush.. very good.. you can make tea with sunflower leaves. Grapefruit..lemon orange. Lime..or pear leaves.. ginger. And fresh mint.. oh plus sweet potatoe leaves.. mm mm good.. im in fla.. so i understand the fruit flies.. Mystery bites.. will make u jump out of bed.. yup those are sand flies they can track sugar in your blood.. n shipping sucks in the islands
Thank you for bringing Puerto Rico and island living to light. I'm born and raised in Puerto Rico, and I think it's what you explained but also a completely new world once you immerse in Spanish (which in itself its a great advantage for Anglos): Political sensitivities are a marker of identity, as in any island, also the socioeconomic divide can be felt strongly by accents and behaviors, it's a little bit more conservative in that regard over there, not like conservatives in the mainland, but with machismo and social taboos among the well off and the poor (a culture shock experience especially for Nuyoricans that move to the island). I finish my comment with a very funny observation that my friend Teresita once made: Puerto Rico is THE paradise on Earth... from December until February (no heat, no hurricanes, no mosquitoes, everyone is festive). 😂
First of all everything is more expencive on the island than on the mainland..... Everywhere in the world! In Greece it is around 30%. So, you want to live on the island expences of all food, water, gas...you name it, it is higher. If you research it, its about the basic info you get. No shoes on the grass of course not, ever and never if you dont want to step on a life and it will try to hear you as you try to kill it. Ants in Europe are doing the same you know. And last but not the least, if it was not poor country, you would not leave everything and go there as it is "a good oportunity". In other words you and many others would not be able to afford to buy bigger house than they had + sea view and live there. Simple solution, you dont like it you go back home. But no, you stay and complain....about everything. Why you live in the nature if that is not a way of life for you? Why not move to somewhere with all 4 seasons, concrete streets, urban life, no animals and no bugs?
"Let me tell you how awful it is here after I walk 5 minutes to the beach...." LOL! I realize there's cons everywhere and I appreciate you posting this to give some insight. I am considering retiring to St Thomas and I'm here on purpose to hear "the other side of the story", but it's funny how a lot of the "cons" you listed are reasons why I think I'd like living in the islands..... LOL. Thank you!
You are being scam with your internet service. I don't know about Dorado, but at least in San Juan when I left PR in 2006 I was paying around $80 for a super way faster connection than what you have. Five of us were watching Netflix at the same time, my sons playing online games, my wife transferring raw Illustrator files, me transferring raw movie data from Final Cut, and the connection stable and smooth. My service was with Liberty Puerto Rico, and my connection was in Hato Rey. I suggest to check what other options you have, and save that money to enjoy the Island life. Love your videos.
#1 is true .... so true. BUT there is a solution. Up in the mountains there is relief from the heat. When I visit I stay in a barrio/neighborhood up in the mountains of Canovanas called Palma Sola, where you could literally see El Yunque right behind you. The evenings are literally a little chilly, and during the day in the shade, like in a gazebo, you are in TOTAL comfort --- no sweating or clamminess --- even in mid summer. But at sea level, yes, it's constant heat.
I find it funny how so many ppl who move to tropical locations complain about the heat... but that is usually one of the main factors that brings them to moving there in the first place. I would take hot humid weather over cold dry weather any day. I can adapt to it much easier, and I really do love rain and sunshine.
Thanks for this video. I love the show Caribbean Life & have visited various islands in the Caribbean. I've often thought that I'd love to retire to one of them. So I started checking TH-cam to get "reviews." Yours has been the most honest. In the back of my mind I've thought about the poverty that is present in many of the islands. But when traveling on vacation or watching shows on TV, you're more removed from that. But it's good to hear the honest truth ... such as crazy driving conditions, abandoned homes & trash, etc. Also good to know that the things I'm used to may not be accessible. Such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Target, Amazon, high-speed internet! LOL! Anyway, thanks again. ☺
Unfortunately this is'n Fantasy Island or Disneyland. We have to work with that. So we are trying to do our best to be a good citizen . Isn't easy but we are on the road...We don't have access to live at Dorado, Palmas del Mar or Condado..
Thank for you video. Everything you said its so truth but the good thing its that flight tickets are not so expensive to the states so you can always go back and forth. Dorado its so nice and not so far from San Juan. Are you planning on leaving for good or you coming back to Puerto Rico? Btw driving in NYC its very similar to driving in Puerto Rico and you find potholes the size of moon craters too. lol :)
One question about the act 20 &22. I know you are supposed to live in the island half of the yea,r but are you allow to rent the house you bought? If they find out you rented the house, do you lose the act 20 & 22? Do you have to let them know its a temporary move? thanks for the information. :)
True Diane, heheh this why most people rather to take the Subway or take an Uber but other than that the city its very walk-able and we have beautiful parks(huge oasis) to kinda escape from the noise and stress, at east you get the illusion you are out of the city. hehe ;) NYC could be intimidating if you are not used to the big city life but there are many interesting places to visit and its very multi-cultural. I'm thinking about retiring in Puerto Rico or buying a Winter house in about 6-8 years. Dorado, Palmas del Mar, Isla Verde and Rincon are the areas that attract me the most. The only thing that concerns me about Isla Verde its the noise from the airplanes. Enjoy your rad trip and i ant wait to see the new videos. :)
I think if its possible to be in the states during the summer and then go to Puerto Rico during the Winter it would be wonderful. The winter time here its too cold and down there not so hot..or more tolerable i should say lol. I love the weather in the mountains of the central towns in Puerto Rico ,you can get temperatures in the mid 50's in the winter time.
Airplane tickets are cheap if you travel to NY or FL from PR....but California it's something else. For me is cheaper to purchase a round ticket from San Diego to PR in San Diego than PR to SAN in PR. I have a family of 5 and to move them to CA it cost me around $4,000 but traveling to PR, from here cost me around $2,000 for the five of us. One thing when I was in PR, if I was patient, I could get tickets for around $199 to most of the east coast... (that is a round trip per person)... but the west coast...prices vary so much, it's crazy.
Dorado is just a small portion ,there's alot beautiful places to see, unfortunately Hurricane Maria kind of left the Island in worst shape...Prior to the Hurricane Maria regardless of the Political situations ,already it was being hammered by also the economy shift that happen after 2005,where even in the states it affected many cause of the Job turn around .. actually this shift was made cause the usage of the cell phone where now wah tyou see is all because of the internet and the purchasing of good thru the internet.. Wich actually it really just affected the world as we speak ..internet purchase has left millions of people out of work...so cause the profound changes many local puerto Rican Towns were left in ruins , many had to close shops , and these last 11 years ,..The enourmos amount of island puerto Ricans made a scared to leave aswell...many towns were left without any shops ,local food markets were left in ruins ,and this has left a big chunk of emptiness...just like many hundreds of small towns in America.
Diane, I stumbled across your channel and I'm so glad. I plan to binge watch your videos about living in PR someday soon with my wife, as we plan to make this move with our baby boy this coming fall. I noticed you're a big hiker which makes me like you even more. I've done a few long distance thru hikes myself. While on the Island, did you take part in any backpacking trips? Or do you know any longer distance backpacking trails?
I lived in Venezuela for 12 years ( in 2 occasions), I’m pretty sure I can handle Puerto Rico lol. I went this past week and I loved it cause it reminded me of home but of course with better conditions and I’ve really thought about making the move
You won me over in 25 seconds. Those shows are ONLY showing the good side of island living. And people, like my father, are actually planning relocating based on these. He's a senior citizen and not a big internet person, so here I am, doing research to show him both sides. So thanks!
The Jones Act makes a lot of the products expensive since we are forced to use the US merchant marines, everything is imported and we have to buy most of our products from the US, that's why some things are expensive
I was born in PR, raised in the main land. I lived in PR for seven years long time ago. I remember feeling home sick, so I came back to the main land. Now, I am ready to go back to the island for a while. Your videos have been very helpful. You made me laugh though. Some things you said are naturally comical.
Welcome to bankrupt Island, what did you expect? A Las Vegas strip and roads like Rodeo Drive. Also, a point on the cars it isn't that people love their cars is that their isn't any form of mass transit that can feed of each other so people rely on private vehicles which was incentivized by USDM( U.S. Domestic Market) in the 1950s.
Hi Diane, for a great variety of produce you have to go to FRESHMART . There are only three in the island: Condado, Carolina and Caguas. I left my island when I was very young but still visit during the holidays every year. I have a condo in Condado and go to that one all the time. You can even find Japanese eggplant.
@Diane Cohn Word of advice!....Learn the language and the culture staying too much as an American thinking of target, walmart, or even whole food to buy your usual things, it won't do you any good. Is like going to Japan and expecting to have all that. You are living from a different place, you should start already familiarizing on speaking the language, culture and supporting local farmers and stores. Also any where in the world there always poverty and trash, that not a new thing.
But here (in Puerto Rico) the poor can own a home (house). We don't pay estate tax (or property taxes) on our first home, unless it's a luxury home. And that taxation alone (in the mainland) is what's destroying the economy (2007,8,9).
those problems are caused by the Jones Act not something wrong with the island infrastructure. Petroleum has to be imported from a port in the mainland, increasing the cost of production. If you want to move to PR call Rubio or your senator to address the Jones Act.
Good video. Sounds a lot like Cozumel, Mexico where we retired to 5 years ago. Do the parties there also start at 11pm and go until 4 or 5 am? Even on a weeknight????
Thanks for the video, Diane! Very informative. What about hurricane insurance? Are you renting or do you own? I thought everyone only drinks daquiris all day long on the islands, as is portrayed on the HGTV show! haha You couldn't be more right about that show- kinda like one of those house flipping (dare I say "renovating") shows. Oh it is soooo fun renovating a house! And so fast and easy! Swing a hammer for a couple minutes (which is also fun) and it's magically done!!!
I loved Puerto Rico to visit but the heat and humidity was a real downside. I would never survive without air conditioning. I live in Minnesota and the cold doesn't bother me at all. Guess it's all what you're used to.
Food, clothing, gas amount other things has to be delivered by a (us) ship containers of course everything it's more high on price, tell me about it...
It is important to add that you lived in Dorado which is a town with about 20 minutes from San Juan, therefore options vary. For example in San Juan internet is better and cheaper, I get 1000 fiber optic for 70 and the are plenty of different offers cheaper than $40.00. Food in San Juan is also better, but compared to most big cities from Europe and US, the options are lesser and the cost is a bit higher, obviously since PR is an island. Shipping to PR from Amazon is a problem, but it has gotten better, this problem is also shared with non-contiguous states. Gas prices is not that bad, currently compared to the states we are around the position number 40, but compare to everywhere else I have been to is very cheap. One curiosity regarding the driving is that laws are different and attitudes to. For example there is no law that specifies that left lane is for faster passing cars, also people are very courteous and expect so from others therefore people change lanes expecting others to comply. I don't like the driving but is also because people drive too slow.
Funny how the people are LOUD and so are the theatre. Haha I live in California and I'm PR. People here think I'm loud. I'm not. They are wayyyy too quiet. Driving like crazy?? No comment. Lol
That was great Diane, thanks. I’ll be down shortly, not PR tho, USVI. I have been many times and agree 100% with your assessment. I will still be renting for at least a year for sure. JIC. 😎 Do you live in PR full time?
I have travel the world and have visited third world countries and first world countries however I focused on the positive because I’m very optimistic. I even lived in Mexico and in Istanbul Turkey and I did my homework before I got there but First I submerged myself into the culture and respect the people and their country.. I didn’t go there to make videos to vent my frustration like and old 5 year old girl on a tantrum. I went to live, explore, work and enjoy which I did. I didn’t go to critize that USA don’t have 5g and it’s behind China, Germany and France in many ways. Anybody going to relocate to Puerto Rico please talk with optimistic people and remember nobody has a glass house. The same complains you might have might happen in our own country or cities. Look how many people elected the clown racist clown of Donald Trump the laughing stock of the world!!!
So glad to know that you have moved back to Nevada. You refused to accept that things are just different in PR, and not embrace all that's better in PR.
Great video. I recently found your channel and have found your videos about PR helpful. We hope to buy property there within the next few years and need to know the good and not so good about living there. Though our actual move to full time in PR is many years away. We’ll be moving from Missouri.
Don D Hello! I’m selling a house near Isla Verde (10 minutes away from the International Airport & beach). 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 space office, huge garage, terrace. Quite neighborhood. If you’re interested feel free to reply to this message.
Don D As a puertorriqueña, I’m gonna be honest, if you come to live full time in this island you shouldn’t be afraid of going out and getting to know the real Caribbean experience. No Dorado. No Humacao. Please. BIG NO to Starbucks, Walmart, etc. Instead head to the west, central, support local cafés, buy local bread, just live as a local. If you need any help with something let me know. Btw, if you’re coming for a vacation I recommend you to visit Caja de Muerto. And I can write down a list of local restaurants and shops lol. Abrazos
Hello - 1st, I am interested in your Isla Verde property. I am looking for something closer to San Juan. 2nd, Why do you say No to Humacao?? I predict you are thinking of maybe Palmas Del Mar, I am buying in Punta Santiago with the plan to furnish and later turn into Airbnb. Is there more I should know?? I agree No Walmart, but errrrrrrrrr -- it's cheaper than Ralph's. Teach me more. @@КристинаВаскес
Things spoil quickly because that’s the organic process of natural food. The fruits on the mainland that last for several days are not organic. Be happy you’re eating natural foods.
In April 2018 people in some places didn't have electricity, cellphone communication death, some places with no water. I laugh with internet comment. I hope you can come I the future and have a better experience. I feel bad that you have to live in such bad timing.
I've never seen a positive video of Puerto Rico from you...Why stay in the island I was born and love..leave Everything is expensive because of the Jones Act.
I love watching Caribbean Life but always wondered why not one person ask when buying a beach front house, what about the hurricanes, cost of food, snakes ect.
We spent 10 days in a rented house in PR a couple of years ago in the Rio Grande area. It was June and I sweated my arse off LOL! And we were warned that the electricity was "iffy" and were schooled on what to do when the power goes out. It never did (thankfully) We had a good time.. but there was nothing about PR that made me want to live there. It was really run down in most places with entire towns boarded up and crumbling houses. It was quite sad. Every single thing you said.. I saw and experienced!!! The entire time we were there.. I kept saying PR was one hurricane away from being decimated and something the Island wouldn't recover from for years and years, if ever.. Boy... I hated to see that prediction come true! but YES the people were VERY friendly!! Also, we were told that doctors were leaving by the droves so medical care was becoming an issue. I still have scars from the bug bites! LOL
Yep, everything Diane said is true. But you want to know something? My water bill is usually only $10 and something cents. I love it. And it's not always hot and terrible up in the mountains where I live in San Lorenzo. Even though we have all these situations on this island I love living here so, so much. Why? Why? Why?
I’m glad to learn about amazon not shipping everything; I was aware that Prime wasn’t really worth it but will have to look into what won’t be shipped there. My partner and I are in the process of buying a home and moving to Vieques and we’re trying to figure out if a shipping container is worth the money or to sell everything and repurchase once moved. So much to figure out!!! Any tips on moving and/or purchasing a vehicle would be wonderful!!!
Diane Cohn Thank you for responding! I actually watched your video on moving back to the mainland part time and it was helpful since u-pack was the route we are thinking of going, but definitely will check out rooms to go. I agree on the used car, we experienced the roads when visiting last year. We haven’t been back since Maria, but will be making a trip in about a week; I’m so happy to be going back, and a little nervous as well. I hope your packing and move goes smoothly and safely!!
What about the US Virgin Islands? I hear its very expensive... Also what is it like for Asthmatics living during the really Hot season? Hope you can reply ... Great Video by the way.
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A word for the wise.
If you plan to live anywhere but the place you grew up, do not try to live like a tourist , beccause you are not one anymore, try to feel what it feels to be an islander.
Everything has its plus and minus factor you just have to learn how things are in PR and not try to speculate how we live and how we are as people. Electricity is high that is a fact the only way to fix that is going solar. Grocery is much fresher and available in what we consume in everyday life it’s a lot easier to find fresh oranges and bananas than cherries. You forgot to mention no federal tax, almost nobody pays property tax , no county tax. Houses are a lot cheaper and better constructed than in the mainland as most house are maid in concrete. Rent is so much cheaper specially as you go towards the more country side of the island. She also forgot that your handyman will be a lot cheaper , your Mecanico will be a lot cheaper , gas in only a couple of cents more a gallon of course in Texas is a lot cheaper. We leave on a tropical island there will be insects but most of it will be manage with a local exterminator which will charge you a lot less than in the mainland. If you are going to live here you most learn how the locals do things please please please give your business to local services help make are island stronger , what you spend at Walmart most of it leaves the island. Island life is slower you most understand that most people do not know how to say no to a job and if they do say no apply a touch oh helplessness and in comes the “ hay bendito” and they will cave and do the imposible to be at your house. So no we are not perfect as all places we have the good and bad. Ups almost forgot no freezing your pants off to go to work, no shoveling snow off your drive way, no salt on roads to rust your car away oh and I really forgot to say you can do outdoor sports , sail your boat , ride your Harley , use your four tracks the 12 months of the year. Yeah today September 6 , 2020 at 4:13 pm its 79 degrees, UV index is only 2 humidity is high but with our island breeze ice cold bear and some island food your as close as it gets to heaven. Welcome to PUERTO RICO.
@@FREDERICKVON1 We don't pay federal taxes...but "Uncle Sam" still gets his "STASH" thru the "Back door, i.e...Jones Act"....
Honestly....I´d rather sweat than freeze..... when its hot and humid---just sit under a nice shady tree (or balcony) somewhere with a breeze...... that qualifies 90% of PR.. and those of you just getting to PR, be patient...in 2 or 3 days your body will readjust to the heat and you will be much less uncomfortable. This, of course, will not happen if you sit all day, day in and day out, inside an air-conditioned room!
I'm just wondering if you have been to the Dallas area and if so could you compare their heat to that because we get very very hot weather in Dallas... also hot and humid .
There's times I think I would rather be living in the Caribbean because I love the water and it seems they always have lots of breezes .
i concur, JJ - i've chatted decades about weather....some enjoy warm more, others whine when it's above 80F with any humidity. i grew up in Fayetteville, NC, often a warmest temp for the day in the USA, and Raleigh area is similar [tiny bit cooler]; but i can stand 100F and higher - i like your tactic, we are alike in this way. i say find shade and a breeze, and some water...viola, the warm is tolerable. that said, mosquitoes are the bane of warm weather...so i keep a zapper racquet handy. and i concur again, stay out of constant AC! get out into the breeze and water! AC has its place, sleeping in your house, etc. but keep fans handy, too! thx, JJ!
@@thephillyphranciepantz8528
It's not nearly as hot or humid as Houston, and not ever as hot as Dallas in Puerto Rico! The coldest it's ever been was in the upper 40s many decades ago in the mountains and it's never been over 99 in the 10 years I've lived here on the north shore.
When it's 68 degrees here locals wear coats! LOL
Otay Buckwheat cuando te acostumbras al calor por años si baja la temperatura a 65 en navidad sentimos un frio real porque nuestro cuerpo no está adaptado hasta nos da el flu
me too lol
A wise man once told me "I can sweat better than I can freeze". In deep winter February on the mainland, we all want Puerto Rican type weather.
I am from the Caribbean and the one thing that people underestimate the most is Island Fever. This can not be stressed enough. Most people will get sick of the island life very quick. The same thing happens in Hawaii. It looks good on TV to retire in the Caribbean but after a few months to a year 90 percent of people want to move somewhere else. This is because island fever sneaks up on you. One minute you are living in paradise but little by little your peace of mind starts to erode away until you want to get the hell out of whatever island you are on. Small places almost always become constrictive. I felt the same while I was in Rhode Island.
boricua speaking here who needs internet when you live on such a beautiful island go out and enjoy it
Yeah but if you run an online business it's essential
if you do had only bisi7 u made need a more powerful source like having your own antenna and other forms of Communitcation , it may be expensive btu it's worth it, another thing I learned and this should be a must , you need to get involved surfing , snorkeling ,going to the beach to calm the anxieties down ., My brother is a Doctor and thru all his Dr ..Recipes...Beach ( surfing ) snorkeling..
Yanara Rodriguez I know right
Boricua speaking here too. These days doesn’t matter if you live in paradise, you NEED a reliable Internet connection.
My internet is not that expensive and combined with my cellphone hotspot I manage fine at only $50 monthly.
I have a propane generator I brought here on a plane because they are not sold here for some reason, and I will fire that up to power a large AC unit when the power goes out because it usually comes back on before you can open 20 windows, and I live on the north shore in the country and I chose my house because of all of the properties I looked at, this one had the best breeze.
I have orthopedic issues and I am in less pain and I have a better quality of life here because it is never cold, and the heat and humidity in no way compares to the coastal southern gulf region of the US. I have a home in Mississippi and I grew up in Houston and you don't melt when you step outside here, and it's never over 99 degrees!
Good video exposing the reality of island life. Most Westerners have romantic ideals about living on an island, they go on holiday in a resort for 10 days or see movies and think it is the ideal dream to pursue.
If you want to move to another country I strongly advise you go stay there for 6 months on a realistic budget to truly assess the place before taking the plunge.
My thoughts
1 Hot is good. I never use A/C when I am in the Caribbean
2 no A/C means using little electricity, eEquates to less pollution
3 my house in PR will have photovoltaic and batteries
...
8 produce. by local which BTW IS organic.
10 that's because is really organic! The stuff in the mainland has preservative (even organic stuff)
15 and 16 I love the way they drive in PR and many other places in the Caribbean! Is not as strict as the mainland and people just take it easy. Potholes, evidently you've never been to Philly...
19 yes, business service is like 90% of the rest of world... other countries have siesta...
22 There's poverty... same as the mainland but is well hidden... go to Oakland, CA or south Philly...
I just wonder why someone wants to move from the mainland and does not want to adapt to the local culture. If you accept to embrace the local culture (learn Spanish, buy a house where locals live and eat the food that they produce and cook) you will have a much better experience!
Lots of hope going around that PR has all the reasons in the world now to really go fully toward solar and organic and show the rest of us what's possible. Nature had to go "over the top" and make an example of PR so now it's up to all of America to help Boricua become a model for a greener, cleaner, more resilient way of life.
Yes I said the same thing about the fruits and veggies. It's crazy how ignorant Americans outside of the states
the part about learning spanish....this made me laugh as: if you said “learn english” as a requirement to embrace the local culture of the US, here you would be called racist.
Ha! I just drove through Philly this week. Roads are awful.
I find heat and humidity to be intolerable which is why I would never live in Puerto Rico, as beautiful as the people and the landscape are.
And for those of you who want to criticize me on that let me tell you I live in Minnesota, and I thrive in the winter cold. How many of you would complain about it? A cold winter is good for you! Just dress properly and you'll enjoy it.
We live in Florida and are avid watchers of Caribbean Life & this is my question constantly: why does no one ask about hurricanes, hurricane windows, hurricane preparedness?!!! I mean isn't that an important factor when making a move/investment to a Caribbean island? It is a little absurd that they don't have the potential homeowners ask these important questions.
whole food lol just go to the farmer market
Why would someone want the samething as Trader Joe when they move somewhere else. I thought people usually move for a different experience. There are walmarts kmarts sears Macy jc Penney and a dozen more American companies there in PR. if somethin like trader joe was that important to me i would have just stayed put where i was.
Bandit4true Love yes , I've been saying this to people , can't seem to understand their mindset...I love the states... love the beaches here and the heat..but it's true what she says..
Bandit4true Love I was born in PR but lived the last 18 years in NYC. Moved to Philadelphia a year and some months ago. You could buy beer at a pharmacy in NYC. Philly does not allow that. Places in Philly do not stay open 24hrs a day. I was used to that availability not offered anymore. Well, I knew where I was moving to so you just adapt. Deal w it. I actually adapted so well that I stopped drinking alcohol entirely 7 months ago. Something good came out of it.
This woman moved to Puerto Rico based off a tv show lol
@@cactaceous i'm from Philly but i haven't been back there in almost 13 years and everybody says i would be shocked at how different it is now ... how much more built up and how much more congested horribly , congested the traffic is .
i'm 62 yrs .young and i can remember when i was a kid maybe five years old ... I know it was around the time either before or after Kennedy was shot ...JFK .. my parents were saying they heard that there's going to be a new store that's going to be open really late ... and it's going to be open earlier than other stores and when they said it's going to be open from 7 in the morning till 11 at night which was unheard of and they were astounded ... my mom said it's going to be called 7-Eleven .
When I went to visit for 10 days in P.R. We stayed in 2 parts of the island which the 1st 4 days we stayed near the north side of the yunque forest...I thought it was very low key..we drove all over the place with a car rental that only cost like $150 for the entire 10 days! also we headed over to palmas del mar which we were able to grab a very nice 1 bedroom condo..and we absolutely had a BLAST! We drove on golf carts and we drove everywhere there..It was a great visit and I LOVE the Puerto Rican culture! We went to the plaza and there was a birthday party at the restaraunt where we went to eat...and it was no different than here in the states..I think the people in the states are much louder ..Im from New Orleans but either way I have been all over America and hands down the people in P.R. are just absolutely beautiful people..I agree with you..I was able to have many conversations with the locals and they helped us out on a few things.. thanks for your video..I had to disagree on a couple of your points ..sorry bout that..
..There are farmers markets where you can get PLENTY of fruits and vegetable..you just gotta drive to get there..
After watching your video it seems to me that You needed to move up high in the mountains: If you want quiet then move to Lares, Las Marias, San Sebastian, Utuado, Ciales o Adjuntas up, up, High, high in the mountains...where you'll find a quiet life.
dont understand why so many gringos leave their beautiful country to go to complain at large in others, we just want u to visit our countries after that go home please dont ruin our places
LOL!!!
True..the conplainting is NEGATIVE VIBE SPIRIT..SO WHY YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE THERE..IF ITS TOO LOUD THEN MOVE TO YOUR MAINLAND COUNTY SITES!
Thank you for your honesty, sincerity and providing a great video.
Try to ask the people of Florida and Hawaii.... most of your points concerned them too. Well, that's life! Just take it easy, one step at a time : )
Puerto Rico is not a big island. Just look at a globe. But I will admit that it feels big. I'm always trying to make sense of this when I visit. I think that there are so many things to do, and you see such diversity, that it makes it seem way bigger than it actually is.
Jumbo flights to your main land second place will cure that....
Paradise and less taxation
Hi Diane, just started viewing your videos. I was born in PR, came to the mainland when I was five yrs. old but go back every year. I have been to the Bahamas, Florida and the Dominican Republic. They also drive like maniacs, are on their phones n change lanes without signaling. Thank you for your videos n for the nice compliments of my people in PR.
Thank you for bringing me back to my senses.
My wife and I have been looking to move to puerto rico and thought this video was helpful
I moved here 2 years ago and don't regret it.
@@dorkladytravels its real , but thats tropical caribean life style you have to be sure
Excellent video having lived in Chicago and now a permanent resident in the beautiful mountains of San Lorenzo, I would have to say you were spot on.
Great vlog I'm still moving to Puerto Rico.
I left the island 23 years ago. Your description was perfect that's why we left....
Vegetables and fruit can be found wayyy cheaper if you go to Agro market around the island, you can find there add in newspapers or go to the net TH-cam PUERTO RICO AGRICULTURA, plenty of video of none profits agro contact them and ask where they going to be next time and get it straight from farmers. Only problem video are in Spanish
The reason the fruits spoil so quick is due to the fact that they dont have chemicals in or on then to prevent it. unlike in america and canada(where I live) the put chemicals on them to make them last longer
I live in So CA, in the summer when it's hot the fruit spoils faster and invites fruit flies. In the winter, when it's cooler, the fruit lasts longer. I only buy organic. It is the heat that spoils fruit faster.
I'm glad you prefaced #16 by saying how nice Puerto Ricans are, generally. It makes it easier to accept that yes, we are crazy drivers, generally. BUT, I think part of that the volume of cars and drivers as you alluded to. Lead, follow, or get out of the way .... or get run over.
Just came from St Croix. About the bug bites and groceries, on point. I'm a mess. We were there during this coolest month and the humidity was very high for me. I can't imagine the summers. The cost of living needs more attention. The power bills are more than a mortgage there and things like HOA fees can be 1,000 a month!
I live here w'ell this is my home, but when I compare the Florida heat to Puerto Rico, I rather be here! No tropical trade winds in most of the Florida península lol 😂 although I can't complain I was there serving uncle sam! Thanks for sharing 🙏
I live in Florida and yes I can vouch for that ,the heat is not that quite tolerable , ...but I do miss those cool evenings that come in around October...
So many things you mentioned true. Many memories from when I was a youngster living in PR many years ago. Cool video!
As for fruit rotting quickly, I just learned a technique that several people told me actually works. The trick is to soak your fruits and veggies in water mixed with vinegar. Google that and you should get the right proportions of how much vinegar is required (edit: 1 cup for a "sink full" of water - not precise on the water amount), but I think you soak it for about 10 minutes and it will make many fruits and vegetables last longer. It supposedly makes berries last for weeks.
@@dorkladytravels the reason they rotten in 2 days is because most of the fruits and veggies in the island are organic. We do have Whole Foods, not everywhere though. For organic products you needed to visit the local markets or what is call Plaza del Mercado, many towns have their own. Let me tell you one of the biggest mistakes (saddly) most Americans do is think that to really enjoy life is living a "perfect" life. Ive been living in the US for over 10 years and is sad how people are so restricted here. Ive never been in a country (not count Asia because I haven't been yet) with so mental issues. American society and the government had make you most Americans believe you live in the best country. And you guys go around the world assuming that when something is different from what you are used to is because is wrong. No is just DIFFERENT. Life is so beautiful and most of you guys pay attention to materialistic stuff without really enjoying the real beauty. You guys think that money buy everything (yes money is important) but no. To enjoy life you need to accept it as it is and not for how you think it should be. Ive seen a lot of your videos and definitely you didn't took the time to really embrace the moment you were living. You only focused on what you didn't have instead of what you have. That's what one of the biggest mistakes I see most Americans do. Most of you realize it when is too late. I suggest if you still have the house in PR. To go back with another mentality. You will enjoy it, you will live in total bliss. Remember when we create expectations we suffer when the reality is not what we expected. So you ended suffering for what doesn't exist.
Just bought a 2000 sq ft fixer upper in Fortune Bay, Freeport, Grand Bahama. I've been vacationing there for a couple decades and decided to retire there. Everything you said rings true. In fact I bought a 21 KWatt solar setup, inverters, etc. that I will install so that I don't have to pay ransom for electricity when I run the AC. Also, main point of AC is to remove humidity. So keep most spaces at 75 degrees but then put special AC into the master bedroom and crank it down at night in order to get sweat-free super comfortable sleeping.
As for island fever, that's where having canal front property and a 42' fishing yacht will pay off. When you have this, all the ocean is your playground and its very very hard to get bored. No, I am not rich. I just work very hard to have the similar things as those who are rich. I bought an old fixer upper yacht and have not had a vacation in 4 years because all time off goes to refitting the yacht. Very hard work that seems to never end but the result will be a modernized 42' yacht backed into my home on a 150' wide canal that is 7 minutes from turquoise water and 12 minutes from blue water. Anyone can have it if they are willing to work for it. Check out some of the work that has been done on the yacht here on my blog.
thirdwaveyacht.blogspot.com/p/introduction.html
Thanks for balancing knowledge of Puerto Rico with realism.
You should be growing a big garden and have chickens.. with solar power to save money..
Rub your skin with aloe veras..
Use cinnamon for ants
@@dorkladytravels wow malanga is a miracle bush.. very good.. you can make tea with sunflower leaves. Grapefruit..lemon orange. Lime..or pear leaves.. ginger. And fresh mint.. oh plus sweet potatoe leaves.. mm mm good.. im in fla.. so i understand the fruit flies..
Mystery bites.. will make u jump out of bed.. yup those are sand flies they can track sugar in your blood.. n shipping sucks in the islands
Thank you for bringing Puerto Rico and island living to light. I'm born and raised in Puerto Rico, and I think it's what you explained but also a completely new world once you immerse in Spanish (which in itself its a great advantage for Anglos): Political sensitivities are a marker of identity, as in any island, also the socioeconomic divide can be felt strongly by accents and behaviors, it's a little bit more conservative in that regard over there, not like conservatives in the mainland, but with machismo and social taboos among the well off and the poor (a culture shock experience especially for Nuyoricans that move to the island). I finish my comment with a very funny observation that my friend Teresita once made: Puerto Rico is THE paradise on Earth... from December until February (no heat, no hurricanes, no mosquitoes, everyone is festive). 😂
👑Puerto Rico sounds like a beautiful place to live💛
I've been to borinquen 2 times and I feel is a safe place
Did you do research before moving? Because mentioning wholefoods, target, ants etc sound ill informed.
First of all everything is more expencive on the island than on the mainland.....
Everywhere in the world! In Greece it is around 30%. So, you want to live on the island expences of all food, water, gas...you name it, it is higher. If you research it, its about the basic info you get. No shoes on the grass of course not, ever and never if you dont want to step on a life and it will try to hear you as you try to kill it. Ants in Europe are doing the same you know. And last but not the least, if it was not poor country, you would not leave everything and go there as it is "a good oportunity". In other words you and many others would not be able to afford to buy bigger house than they had + sea view and live there. Simple solution, you dont like it you go back home. But no, you stay and complain....about everything. Why you live in the nature if that is not a way of life for you? Why not move to somewhere with all 4 seasons, concrete streets, urban life, no animals and no bugs?
"Let me tell you how awful it is here after I walk 5 minutes to the beach...." LOL! I realize there's cons everywhere and I appreciate you posting this to give some insight. I am considering retiring to St Thomas and I'm here on purpose to hear "the other side of the story", but it's funny how a lot of the "cons" you listed are reasons why I think I'd like living in the islands..... LOL. Thank you!
Quick tip when using gps is better to use the waze app it's more accurate plus it tracks your speed. It works for me.
Keishla Trinidad I used Google Maps and worked perfectly fine for me!
You are being scam with your internet service. I don't know about Dorado, but at least in San Juan when I left PR in 2006 I was paying around $80 for a super way faster connection than what you have. Five of us were watching Netflix at the same time, my sons playing online games, my wife transferring raw Illustrator files, me transferring raw movie data from Final Cut, and the connection stable and smooth. My service was with Liberty Puerto Rico, and my connection was in Hato Rey. I suggest to check what other options you have, and save that money to enjoy the Island life. Love your videos.
#1 is true .... so true. BUT there is a solution. Up in the mountains there is relief from the heat. When I visit I stay in a barrio/neighborhood up in the mountains of Canovanas called Palma Sola, where you could literally see El Yunque right behind you. The evenings are literally a little chilly, and during the day in the shade, like in a gazebo, you are in TOTAL comfort --- no sweating or clamminess --- even in mid summer. But at sea level, yes, it's constant heat.
I find it funny how so many ppl who move to tropical locations complain about the heat... but that is usually one of the main factors that brings them to moving there in the first place. I would take hot humid weather over cold dry weather any day. I can adapt to it much easier, and I really do love rain and sunshine.
I appreciate your honesty!!!
Thanks for this video. I love the show Caribbean Life & have visited various islands in the Caribbean. I've often thought that I'd love to retire to one of them. So I started checking TH-cam to get "reviews." Yours has been the most honest. In the back of my mind I've thought about the poverty that is present in many of the islands. But when traveling on vacation or watching shows on TV, you're more removed from that. But it's good to hear the honest truth ... such as crazy driving conditions, abandoned homes & trash, etc. Also good to know that the things I'm used to may not be accessible. Such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Target, Amazon, high-speed internet! LOL! Anyway, thanks again. ☺
Unfortunately this is'n Fantasy Island or Disneyland. We have to work with that. So we are trying to do our best to be a
good citizen . Isn't easy but we are on the road...We don't have access to live at Dorado, Palmas del Mar or Condado..
Thanks for your honesty! I have definitely fallen for Caribbean Life! Lol
Thank for you video. Everything you said its so truth but the good thing its that flight tickets are not so expensive to the states so you can always go back and forth. Dorado its so nice and not so far from San Juan. Are you planning on leaving for good or you coming back to Puerto Rico? Btw driving in NYC its very similar to driving in Puerto Rico and you find potholes the size of moon craters too. lol :)
One question about the act 20 &22. I know you are supposed to live in the island half of the yea,r but are you allow to rent the house you bought? If they find out you rented the house, do you lose the act 20 & 22? Do you have to let them know its a temporary move? thanks for the information. :)
True Diane, heheh this why most people rather to take the Subway or take an Uber but other than that the city its very walk-able and we have beautiful parks(huge oasis) to kinda escape from the noise and stress, at east you get the illusion you are out of the city. hehe ;) NYC could be intimidating if you are not used to the big city life but there are many interesting places to visit and its very multi-cultural. I'm thinking about retiring in Puerto Rico or buying a Winter house in about 6-8 years. Dorado, Palmas del Mar, Isla Verde and Rincon are the areas that attract me the most. The only thing that concerns me about Isla Verde its the noise from the airplanes. Enjoy your rad trip and i ant wait to see the new videos. :)
I think if its possible to be in the states during the summer and then go to Puerto Rico during the Winter it would be wonderful. The winter time here its too cold and down there not so hot..or more tolerable i should say lol. I love the weather in the mountains of the central towns in Puerto Rico ,you can get temperatures in the mid 50's in the winter time.
Airplane tickets are cheap if you travel to NY or FL from PR....but California it's something else. For me is cheaper to purchase a round ticket from San Diego to PR in San Diego than PR to SAN in PR. I have a family of 5 and to move them to CA it cost me around $4,000 but traveling to PR, from here cost me around $2,000 for the five of us. One thing when I was in PR, if I was patient, I could get tickets for around $199 to most of the east coast... (that is a round trip per person)... but the west coast...prices vary so much, it's crazy.
Dorado is just a small portion ,there's alot beautiful places to see, unfortunately Hurricane Maria kind of left the Island in worst shape...Prior to the Hurricane Maria regardless of the Political situations ,already it was being hammered by also the economy shift that happen after 2005,where even in the states it affected many cause of the Job turn around .. actually this shift was made cause the usage of the cell phone where now wah tyou see is all because of the internet and the purchasing of good thru the internet.. Wich actually it really just affected the world as we speak ..internet purchase has left millions of people out of work...so cause the profound changes many local puerto Rican Towns were left in ruins , many had to close shops , and these last 11 years ,..The enourmos amount of island puerto Ricans made a scared to leave aswell...many towns were left without any shops ,local food markets were left in ruins ,and this has left a big chunk of emptiness...just like many hundreds of small towns in America.
Diane,
I stumbled across your channel and I'm so glad. I plan to binge watch your videos about living in PR someday soon with my wife, as we plan to make this move with our baby boy this coming fall. I noticed you're a big hiker which makes me like you even more. I've done a few long distance thru hikes myself. While on the Island, did you take part in any backpacking trips? Or do you know any longer distance backpacking trails?
There are sooo many trails ..we went to a couple of the falls in yunque forest!! IT was truly AMAZING!!
Thank you for an honest take!
I lived in Venezuela for 12 years ( in 2 occasions), I’m pretty sure I can handle Puerto Rico lol. I went this past week and I loved it cause it reminded me of home but of course with better conditions and I’ve really thought about making the move
You won me over in 25 seconds. Those shows are ONLY showing the good side of island living. And people, like my father, are actually planning relocating based on these. He's a senior citizen and not a big internet person, so here I am, doing research to show him both sides. So thanks!
The Jones Act makes a lot of the products expensive since we are forced to use the US merchant marines, everything is imported and we have to buy most of our products from the US, that's why some things are expensive
@@dorkladytravels colonial dictatorship is genocidal.
A lot of these points ring true for where we're living in Nicaragua as well - especially the high electricity prices!
I was born in PR, raised in the main land. I lived in PR for seven years long time ago. I remember feeling home sick, so I came back to the main land. Now, I am ready to go back to the island for a while. Your videos have been very helpful. You made me laugh though. Some things you said are naturally comical.
Diane Cohn I found you in IG. Will follow.
Welcome to bankrupt Island, what did you expect? A Las Vegas strip and roads like Rodeo Drive. Also, a point on the cars it isn't that people love their cars is that their isn't any form of mass transit that can feed of each other so people rely on private vehicles which was incentivized by USDM( U.S. Domestic Market) in the 1950s.
@@dorkladytravels :)
Hi Diane, for a great variety of produce you have to go to FRESHMART . There are only three in the island: Condado, Carolina and Caguas. I left my island when I was very young but still visit during the holidays every year. I have a condo in Condado and go to that one all the time. You can even find Japanese eggplant.
@Diane Cohn Word of advice!....Learn the language and the culture staying too much as an American thinking of target, walmart, or even whole food to buy your usual things, it won't do you any good. Is like going to Japan and expecting to have all that. You are living from a different place, you should start already familiarizing on speaking the language, culture and supporting local farmers and stores. Also any where in the world there always poverty and trash, that not a new thing.
Love your post. Mines came out a bit rude but I meant to say everything you mentioned. Well said
Great Vid Diane thanks for sharing. The Million Dollar Question however...would you go back to the States or are you staying for good?
@@dorkladytravels Ok Great. Thanks for the reply and helpful info. Good luck. I'll definitely rent for a year and see how it goes!
But here (in Puerto Rico) the poor can own a home (house). We don't pay estate tax (or property taxes) on our first home, unless it's a luxury home. And that taxation alone (in the mainland) is what's destroying the economy (2007,8,9).
those problems are caused by the Jones Act not something wrong with the island infrastructure. Petroleum has to be imported from a port in the mainland, increasing the cost of production. If you want to move to PR call Rubio or your senator to address the Jones Act.
Good video. Sounds a lot like Cozumel, Mexico where we retired to 5 years ago. Do the parties there also start at 11pm and go until 4 or 5 am? Even on a weeknight????
What about health care....This is a concern for me...Can anyone answer please...
@@dorkladytravels Thanks for responding...This was very helpful i for me and I actually rethinking some things...
Thanks for advice. What part of the island are you? Do you rent? If you don’t maybe you can plant some fruits and vegetables.
My wife and I will be moving there for the winter months this year I hope we like it
Thank you, Karen.
lol..you are so right on the traffic. I hate driving when I go home to PR
Great information and advice. Thanks!
Thanks for the video, Diane! Very informative. What about hurricane insurance? Are you renting or do you own?
I thought everyone only drinks daquiris all day long on the islands, as is portrayed on the HGTV show! haha You couldn't be more right about that show- kinda like one of those house flipping (dare I say "renovating") shows. Oh it is soooo fun renovating a house! And so fast and easy! Swing a hammer for a couple minutes (which is also fun) and it's magically done!!!
I loved Puerto Rico to visit but the heat and humidity was a real downside. I would never survive without air conditioning.
I live in Minnesota and the cold doesn't bother me at all. Guess it's all what you're used to.
I’m going home in December. Can’t wait
Food, clothing, gas amount other things has to be delivered by a (us) ship containers of course everything it's more high on price, tell me about it...
Thank you sooooo much. I love it when people speak the truth ❤️🙏☀️
Hi Diane, I am considering moving to Puertorico and renting first is very good advice. beautiful cool weather and rainy for farming,
I don't know what internet service you're on Diane but that is extremely expensive even for PR standards. I pay 30$+ for 40 Mb of internet speed.
It is important to add that you lived in Dorado which is a town with about 20 minutes from San Juan, therefore options vary. For example in San Juan internet is better and cheaper, I get 1000 fiber optic for 70 and the are plenty of different offers cheaper than $40.00. Food in San Juan is also better, but compared to most big cities from Europe and US, the options are lesser and the cost is a bit higher, obviously since PR is an island. Shipping to PR from Amazon is a problem, but it has gotten better, this problem is also shared with non-contiguous states. Gas prices is not that bad, currently compared to the states we are around the position number 40, but compare to everywhere else I have been to is very cheap. One curiosity regarding the driving is that laws are different and attitudes to. For example there is no law that specifies that left lane is for faster passing cars, also people are very courteous and expect so from others therefore people change lanes expecting others to comply. I don't like the driving but is also because people drive too slow.
@Yuki BabaYaga I drive slow so my little Yorkie can look out the window without getting blown away.
Everything that is grown locally is organic and cheaper than anything else you can get from outside sources, much cheaper.
Funny how the people are LOUD and so are the theatre. Haha I live in California and I'm PR. People here think I'm loud. I'm not. They are wayyyy too quiet. Driving like crazy?? No comment. Lol
Um cant we just use a fan though
It wasn't negative, it is realistic. Good video
That was great Diane, thanks.
I’ll be down shortly, not PR tho, USVI. I have been many times and agree 100% with your assessment.
I will still be renting for at least a year for sure. JIC. 😎
Do you live in PR full time?
100% True nice review of my Island. Its sad but is the True. Specially I hate loud noise and I don't got to the movie theater too.
Marie A. it's very high concentration of cognitive dissonance at such shaky levels...
I have travel the world and have visited third world countries and first world countries however I focused on the positive because I’m very optimistic. I even lived in Mexico and in Istanbul Turkey and I did my homework before I got there but First I submerged myself into the culture and respect the people and their country.. I didn’t go there to make videos to vent my frustration like and old 5 year old girl on a tantrum. I went to live, explore, work and enjoy which I did. I didn’t go to critize that USA don’t have 5g and it’s behind China, Germany and France in many ways.
Anybody going to relocate to Puerto Rico please talk with optimistic people and remember nobody has a glass house. The same complains you might have might happen in our own country or cities. Look how many people elected the clown racist clown of Donald Trump the laughing stock of the world!!!
So glad to know that you have moved back to Nevada. You refused to accept that things are just different in PR, and not embrace all that's better in PR.
Great video. I recently found your channel and have found your videos about PR helpful. We hope to buy property there within the next few years and need to know the good and not so good about living there. Though our actual move to full time in PR is many years away.
We’ll be moving from Missouri.
Don D Hello! I’m selling a house near Isla Verde (10 minutes away from the International Airport & beach). 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 space office, huge garage, terrace. Quite neighborhood. If you’re interested feel free to reply to this message.
Don D As a puertorriqueña, I’m gonna be honest, if you come to live full time in this island you shouldn’t be afraid of going out and getting to know the real Caribbean experience. No Dorado. No Humacao. Please. BIG NO to Starbucks, Walmart, etc. Instead head to the west, central, support local cafés, buy local bread, just live as a local. If you need any help with something let me know. Btw, if you’re coming for a vacation I recommend you to visit Caja de Muerto. And I can write down a list of local restaurants and shops lol. Abrazos
Hello - 1st, I am interested in your Isla Verde property. I am looking for something closer to San Juan. 2nd, Why do you say No to Humacao?? I predict you are thinking of maybe Palmas Del Mar, I am buying in Punta Santiago with the plan to furnish and later turn into Airbnb. Is there more I should know?? I agree No Walmart, but errrrrrrrrr -- it's cheaper than Ralph's. Teach me more. @@КристинаВаскес
Lol besides high prices the trade for some freedom in paradise worth every bit!! Internet,electricity, ac, I could do without.
Things spoil quickly because that’s the organic process of natural food. The fruits on the mainland that last for several days are not organic. Be happy you’re eating natural foods.
Thank you for this very helpful
In April 2018 people in some places didn't have electricity, cellphone communication death, some places with no water. I laugh with internet comment. I hope you can come I the future and have a better experience. I feel bad that you have to live in such bad timing.
Woman you are really stupid look how many tornadoes that destroyed many homes here.
Thank you!! I appreciate the honest reviews!!
Thank You soo much for sharing, you gave us a valuable perspective ❤️🙏
Thank you for your very informative and useful video. As beautiful as it may seem could I adjust to the “Caribbean Life” ? 😊
I've never seen a positive video of Puerto Rico from you...Why stay in the island I was born and love..leave Everything is expensive because of the Jones Act.
I love watching Caribbean Life but always wondered why not one person ask when buying a beach front house, what about the hurricanes, cost of food, snakes ect.
We spent 10 days in a rented house in PR a couple of years ago in the Rio Grande area. It was June and I sweated my arse off LOL! And we were warned that the electricity was "iffy" and were schooled on what to do when the power goes out. It never did (thankfully) We had a good time.. but there was nothing about PR that made me want to live there. It was really run down in most places with entire towns boarded up and crumbling houses. It was quite sad. Every single thing you said.. I saw and experienced!!! The entire time we were there.. I kept saying PR was one hurricane away from being decimated and something the Island wouldn't recover from for years and years, if ever.. Boy... I hated to see that prediction come true! but YES the people were VERY friendly!! Also, we were told that doctors were leaving by the droves so medical care was becoming an issue. I still have scars from the bug bites! LOL
Sounds like Miami, where I live.😂
Yep, everything Diane said is true. But you want to know something? My water bill is usually only $10 and something cents. I love it. And it's not always hot and terrible up in the mountains where I live in San Lorenzo. Even though we have all these situations on this island I love living here so, so much. Why? Why? Why?
😂😂😂😂This video make me laught. So much I am from PR I lived in FL now at lease you don't have alligator or snakes. In your backyard.
I’m glad to learn about amazon not shipping everything; I was aware that Prime wasn’t really worth it but will have to look into what won’t be shipped there. My partner and I are in the process of buying a home and moving to Vieques and we’re trying to figure out if a shipping container is worth the money or to sell everything and repurchase once moved. So much to figure out!!! Any tips on moving and/or purchasing a vehicle would be wonderful!!!
Diane Cohn Thank you for responding! I actually watched your video on moving back to the mainland part time and it was helpful since u-pack was the route we are thinking of going, but definitely will check out rooms to go. I agree on the used car, we experienced the roads when visiting last year. We haven’t been back since Maria, but will be making a trip in about a week; I’m so happy to be going back, and a little nervous as well.
I hope your packing and move goes smoothly and safely!!
What about the US Virgin Islands? I hear its very expensive... Also what is it like for Asthmatics living during the really Hot season? Hope you can reply ... Great Video by the way.
love your page! I love the hot weather lol I live in oklahoma
You are well spoken in your videos.