Retire to Puerto Rico?

Hi! Please provide some info about your interest in moving to Puerto Rico, given that you've never been here and perhaps know little about it. This will help us help you.

The weather is a huge factor, and the fact that it is part of the US.  I am also partial to the Hispanic culture, having relatives from Nicaragua and Costa Rica.  My husband and I are very low-key, and enjoy a quiet life and appreciation of nature.  A major concern, however, is the availability of good health care.

suzeekyu wrote:

A major concern, however, is the availability of good health care.

You're right there. Health care, although it's the best in the Caribbean, isn't as good as you're used to in the mainland.

There is some good info to be found on this forum, I'd suggest you read f.i.  this thread: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=359991 and check what Kubla, a MD who works here is writing.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks, Gary.  That was certainly an eye-opener!  Due to the fact that I have a chronic autoimmune illness, maybe I should stay in the US!

suzeekyu wrote:

Due to the fact that I have a chronic autoimmune illness, maybe I should stay in the US!

That might be a wise thing to do.
Nevertheless you could try to find out what medical care here on the island would be available for your specific case.
Good medical care is important and it gets more important while getting older.

Weather during the Winter is great, past Summer it was blistering hot and humid. You want to enjoy the "quiet life"? If you are referring to noise your life may not be quiet. Want the foods you find in a U.S. supermarket or organic produce store, you won't find them here (although there are small organic farms that sell produce). Just providing info for thought.

Weather has been crazy all over.  I can take hot and humid over the ridiculously frigid winter we've been having here in the northeast!  Not sure what you mean about noise  -  what are you referring to?  And foods?  I don't eat much in the way of processed foods - produce and occasional meat are what I need.  Interesting to hear different viewpoints about the place.  I have a friend from Puerto Rico.  She's been here for many years but goes back yearly to visit her family.  I have gotten some info from her, but am enjoy the info I see on this forum.  Different viewpoints.

We just came back from a visit in Rincon and found selections at the veggy/fruit stands and the stores (especially if you shop what is on sale) to be sufficient.  We are vegetarian but eat fish and also found some of that on sale.  I think if we were there longer, we could scope out other deals.  On a few sightseeing excursions we had taken a couple of trips to Guanica and to the northern side in Aguada where we stopped because of advertised sales that were at the moment better than Rincon.  So I think it could be very doable for us.

Thank you for the info.  Is food very expensive there?

We don't eat processed boxed or frozen food.  Eggs were expensive running about 2.50 a doz.  We don't drink milk which is expensive from what others have said.  If you splurge on a few veggies you love and get others on sale, it is reasonable, I think.  It is all relative to what you are used to.  Not sure if that helps

YES. In the supermarkets.

suzeekyu wrote:

Not sure what you mean about noise  -  what are you referring to?

Puerto Rico is loud.Loud music, loud cars / motor bikes / scooters / 4-wheelers, loud parties with loud music, loud 'caravanas' (bunch of vehicles on the road for election campaigns or something else). Heck, many people always talk loud, so loud you hear them across a street. Some other (or maybe the same) people have a "circulo de oration" (prayer group) in their porch (bi)weekly and they use big amplifiers and speakers to make sure everybody in at least 5 blocks in every direction hear their singing and praying.

So very loud.

24 hours a day. If you do manage to find a quiet spot to live, don't count on it lasting forever.

blocks!? We don't have any stinking "blocks" where I live! Peaceful, and quiet here in the mtns of Rincon....

That's what I'm looking for  - peace and quiet in the mountains!

mac00677 wrote:

blocks!? We don't have any stinking "blocks" where I live! Peaceful, and quiet here in the mtns of Rincon....

News flash! Not everybody lives in the mountains like you and me...

It only takes one guy with a power hose to ruin your life in PR.

Or a speaker truck. Or a new stereo to play Reggaeton for the car that's one inch off the ground and has that really cool loud muffler. It could happen to anybody at any time even if you live in the peaceful mountains. Or maybe an ATV club has discovered a great place to ride all night long right near your house. I also hear that the drug dealers are moving into the quiet mountainous areas to hide their product (and themselves). It's always a roll of the dice. even if you live in the mountains. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. And your luck could change on any given day.

But I suppose that is the case anywhere.  I live in the mountains in upstate NY -  a small, quiet town.  But the area near my house has become a haven for the local gearheads that like to burn rubber up the hill near my house.  Quiet a few years ago, noisy now.

@suzeekyu.

I hope this doesn't come off as too harsh, but your response shows how little you know about PR (which is fine and is why you're on this forum to learn - I don't mean that as a put down in the slightest way). There is nothing in the US that compares to the noise level in PR. Nothing!

I lived in other places in Latin America where the rule of law means even less than it does in PR (MUCH LESS), and I can tell you that even there, the noise pollution was less than it is in PR.

If you look through my previous threads you'll hear stories... stories about how my in-laws' neighbours kept their large commercial trucks parked right in front of their house every night (completely illegal!), how they had a large diesel storage tank in their front yard about 20 ft. from my in-laws house (completely illegal not to mention dangerous as hell!), how they power-washed these trucks everyday starting at 4 am, even weekends (completely illegal!), how they used their driveway as an industrial "taller" (mechanics shop), how no matter how much my in-laws and others in the neighbourhood begged, cajoled, and finally (legally) threatened them, they never modified a thing, how even when the police and so-called regulatory agencies were called dozens of times, they never did anything to enforce the law because they were all pals with the offenders.

I could go on about my own experiences living in Isla Verde, or my Puerto Rican friends' experiences of how they moved to a gated community in Luquillo that had strict by-laws against noise in order to try and escape the chaos in regular neighbourhoods only to have neighbours who crank reggaeton at all hours of the morning and night anyway with no consequences. The stories go on and on.

If you think these are simply personal anecdotes that are outliers - think again.

There's much that I like about PR. There's much that I used to love about PR. But having been to and lived in over a dozen countries, I can honestly say I've never lived in a place where people are more irresponsible and less considerate than in PR. Unless you're their family member or close friend, they will screw you mercilessly. That goes for little things like power-hosing trucks right in front of your house at 4 am, to not honouring a debt, to setting national records for perjury during routine court hearings, to running you over while you're on a jog and immediately fleeing the scene (this happens all the time).

Almost no one will take responsibility for anything there. So never expect them to.

No offense taken.  I really don't know much about PR.  That's why I'm on this forum  -  to find out stuff.  PR is just one place I've pulled out of a hat to find out about.  After I narrow down my options I'll start visiting the places that are left on my list.  And 5 years down the road will probably make a decision!  I find this forum very interesting, though, and have started browsing the forums of other countries as well.

I think it is worth a visit to check it out, suzeekyu, pretty easy to travel to from the US.  I really like the Rincon laid back atmosphere along with the south west side of the island.  I haven't experienced all that much noise, myself but I'm sure there are places or even just staying long enough it might occur.  We just got back from 16 days in Rincon and maybe only a couple of times did a truck come by with advertising blaring.  Really didn't have that at all when we stayed in Guanica, just lots of chickens

Thanks for the info - sounds like one of the places I'll have to check out!

My condo in Arroyo is in a community which is mostly vacation homes.  Ninety per cent of the time it is ghostly quiet.  It is noisy on holiday weekends. And, I must admit, the parrandas during the Christmas season are fun.  On New Year's morning, we were all sitting on the beach to greet the sunrise.
I am now sitting in my new condo in Humacao and it is extremely quiet.  Many of the units are, once again, being purchased as vacation homes.

I agree wholeheartedly with your approach, Suzeekyu. I'm glad you didn't take offence. It certainly wasn't intended. I didn't want to come off as sounding mean. Just wanted to be honest so you'd get that perspective.

You still may find a place in PR that isn't noisy like Schuttzie, Mac, Frogrock and Greg suggest. I lived mostly in the the San Juan metro area myself, which naturally was the worst for noise and human behaviour in general. Nonetheless, my in-laws lived mostly in the east, which although wasn't SJ, was still really bad with noise pollution. Every beach I went to had people blaring music on large speakers, often times with one camp of people trying to drown out the out the ridiculously loud music of another camp. You can call all the cops you want but it won't make a difference.

However, many of the beaches in Vieques are noise pollution free because they are on federal land and the federal agencies actually enforce noise pollution bans. That's one reason I love the beaches of Vieques so much.

If I were you, I'd look for a place high up in the mountains (again, as Mac, Gary and others have suggested here). You may or may not have a lot of noise pollution depending on who lives around you but you certainly will have much more pleasant temperatures.

People in the country will be nicer too. Although I find almost everyone in PR to be very nice, my Puerto Rican relatives insist that people from the country are nicer than those from SJ.

That sounds really nice.  I thought there must be some quiet areas!

I think the noise issue is being a bit overstated here. It is entirely possible to live in a a very quiet area - even in San Juan (we do).

That being said, I couldn't agree more with the general sentiment that moving to PR is not like moving to another state in the union. You are moving to Latin America, with all the good things (and not so good things, depending on your perspective) that this entails.

Hi there, I'm the aforementioned US doctor working down here in PR (for a federal program bringing doctors to underserved areas in exchange for loan repayment).
I would not advise a move to Puerto Rico if you suffer a chronic autoimmune condition. Unless you have great private insurance, lots of patience for waiting rooms, and live in the San Juan metro area, I think you would be putting yourself in a great deal of unnecessary risk. I have actually advised several patients with autoimmune conditions to move back to the US due to the difficulties we had in accessing the care they needed.
There are some conditions like simple diabetes, blood pressure, etc that can be cared for by many providers, but specific autoimmune conditions are going to need specialist care and there are few specialists left on the island, fewer still that accept public health insurance plans (medicaid or medicare). You also mentioned wanting a simple, peaceful life in the mountains and the San Juan metro area is certainly not that! Puerto Rico is a beautiful place and has many things to offer, but there area also many downsides to living here and your health is important, without it life isn't much fun.

This is my recent personal experience with health care in Puerto Rico.   I am the caregiver for my 92 year old mother.  After seven years of spending winters in Puerto Rico and the rest of the year in New York, I decided to move permanently to PR.  This past November, I found my mother on the floor, called 911 and she was taken to the local hospital.  The local hospital is very small and very old.  I would have preferred that she be taken to the larger, more modern hospital, but that was not the case.  When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, she was treated immediately.  Three attendants gave her a thorough cleaning.  She was given the necessary tests immediately.  Since it is an older hospital, the rooms are small, so she ended up having a private room.   The doctor gave me his cell phone number so I could call him at any time----which I did---and he always had time to speak with me.   It turns out that Mom had a stroke.  The staff, and in particular the doctor, helped me find a nursing home for Mom.  She is happy with the nursing home, which is more like a big family house than a sterile environment.  She gets great care from a very caring staff. She gets to be outside in the warm air every day. I have become friends with the other patients and their families.  In Puerto Rico, elderly relatives are treated with respect and kindness.  If the stroke had happened in New York, she would have been stuck inside until the summer.  She would be living in a more clinical environment with strict procedures designed to protect the nursing home and its staff from being sued. As for cost, Mom has limited financial resources.  The nursing home is one-half of the cost of nursing homes in New York. 
Yes, I wish that there were improvements in the healthcare in Puerto Rico.  However, based my personal experiences (the one involving my Mom, plus others I have had in the past), I choose to be in Puerto Rico.

That is fantastic to hear and heartwarming to know she is getting great care.  Thank you, for sharing, frogrock!

Yes, it is my medical condition (sarcoidosis) that is always in the back of my mind nagging me to stay in the states.  We had even considered Hawaii at one point but after much research discovered I would have to travel to the mainland to see a sarcoidosis specialist, so we tossed that out as well.

frogrock wrote:

My condo in Arroyo is in a community which is mostly vacation homes.  Ninety per cent of the time it is ghostly quiet.  It is noisy on holiday weekends. And, I must admit, the parrandas during the Christmas season are fun.  On New Year's morning, we were all sitting on the beach to greet the sunrise.
I am now sitting in my new condo in Humacao and it is extremely quiet.  Many of the units are, once again, being purchased as vacation homes.

Yes, I've lived in Arroyo... it's a nice, quiet town too.

Hi Suzeekyu,

    My husband, my now 19 year old grandson and I moved to PR in May of last year. We are retired also and stayed with some family in Humacao for 3 long weeks while looking for a home.

     We went searching on the east coast of the island and found several nice places but nothing for us. There was one house in Yabucoa which was nice but it was in the mountains, which was okay but it had a very long steep driveway. Then we came to the northwest coast beginning in Vega Alta and finally in Quebradilla where we live now.

      I am not saying that it was easy adjusting but I surprisingly got accustomed very quickly.  We are both Puerto Rican so are fluent and my husband had been stationed at Ramey AFB many years ago and we had lived in Aguadilla so we know the area a bit. He was born in San German which is south of Mayaguez on the southwest of the island and still visit family there.

      I am a diabetic and am under doctor care and have found that the Centro de Salud (Health Center) here in town is pretty good. The Doctor which I have is nice and the services are adequate.  You have to wait for your turn even with an appt. but that is typical. My husband also had Sarcoidosis and had it treated in the U.S. at a Veteran Hospital and he hasn't had any problems with that here. We are planning to visit the Vet clinic in Arecibo soon for him to get a checkup, etc.

     I had told him that if there is ever an emergency with me, I want to go to NY or at least FL. to get treated but in a pinch, there are 2 emergency rooms here in town and they are opening one at the clinic. I feel confident that the care at the ER will be good. I hope that I never have to find out.

    In regard to the loud music and stuff, sure it exists and that it part of life but we live in a quiet little section out of town which has wonderful breezes and views of the ocean. Sure during the holidays, there are always parties going on and music blasting but it never goes beyond 12-1am(at least where we are).

     The food is expensive, I have to tell you but it is manageable. As long as you don't have expensive taste, you will do okay. The basics are about the same as the U.S. in regard to quality there are many fruit and veg. vendors around. My husband began a small garden where he has tomatoes, lettuce, string beans, and eggplant . We also have a gigantic avocado tree that bloomed so many avocados, that he ate 2 a day all summer and fall. We have a lemon, grapefruit and orange tree also and I am anxiously awaiting them to bloom.

      Life here is simple and wonderful. Our time is our own and if we want to go out, there are plenty of places to go and things to see and being from NY(Long Island), we really appreciate the warm weather and NO SNOW !!!  Where are you from in Upstate? I lived for 2 years in Catskill and still have a very dear friend there.

     I hope that this has helped a little. You have to make the best decision for your self. Take care.

Tonie

Thank you, Tonie for your perspective.  In spite of all of the negatives I have read on this forum, the only thing that makes me hesitate is my medical condition, so I'm still on the fence.  I was diagnosed in 1981 and have had long periods of time between acute episodes, but I have actually had several acute episodes in the past few years.  That said, I still plan to visit a few times before making a decision.

I have a chronic illness of that nature and I've decided to not let that stop me. There must be people in PR dealing with the same thing. Maybe research the type of doctors you need to care for your illness.

dag333, my chronic illness is sarcoidosis, and it's difficult to find a dr who is knowledgeable in this condition even on the mainland!  Shortly after my first post here I began an acute flare which has become so bad I find myself having to travel 6 hours by car to Baltimore to see the sarc specialist at Johns Hopkins.