@labochinchosa
American expat in Puerto Rico
Forum
15 posts
About me
American
Lives in San Juan
Registration: 23 January 2013
Activity
Why are solar panels rare in PR, despite high electric rates, much sun by csmi
Plenty of sun should make PR an ideal climate for solar panels relative to the states. In addition, higher electric rates than the states should incentivize more people to use solar panels. So, why are solar panels so rare in PR?
You would need to go off grid. PREPA claims that the infrastructure is so old it can't handle the feedback from tying into their grid. The typical solar panel ties into an inverter and when use is less than production (say during daylight hours) ... Read More
Doctor in Santurce by Oceanview
Can anyone recommend a primary care/family medicine Doctor that speaks English? I live in Santurce neighborhood on Ponce de Leon. The doctor I've been seeing has been a no show twice and when he is in the office he makes patients wait two or ...
Paez and Unda are the "go to" for gringos. I don't know Rappaport so can't comment. Read More
Living in Puerto Rico... by prdcat
Hello...Would love to connect with anyone who has made the move from U.S.A. to P.R...I'm considering the move and would like to know what problems you encountered...Also seeking areas that are less populated and peaceful...I'm a Reiki ...
Moved here 4 years ago, and won't leave. I am one of the ten percent (90 percent of North Americans who move here leave within a year). 1) Learn Spanish. No way around it. You cannot appreciate a country if you can't speak the language. If ... Read More
License for Street Vendors by JF214
Can anyone point me in the right direction for info on getting licenses and permits for food vendors? I have been looking online with no luck. Thank you!
Municipality, it all has to be done in person. You'll need a translator, most don't speak English. Unless you are local, good luck. The bureaucracy here is a nightmare. Websites don't exist, there was one for San Juan on the regs that ... Read More
Last will and testament by poor boy
I am making out my will. A do it yourself one off the web. Leaving all to kids. I have been here in Puerto Rico a year. I own a House here, and my grown kids are living in my mainland house. Have any of you folks heard of any problems with making ...
All of the answers are correct. I am a federal attorney here, I can't (and never would) practice law in the state bar. Get a lawyer, they're very cheap here. In the areas of Santurce and Calle Loiza, we have dozens of English speaking state ... Read More
Loiza safety by JF214
I saw.a very nice looking apartment in Loiza in what looks like a decent area. But when I google I find forums with people saying it's unsafe. Does anybody who has actually spent time in Loiza have an opinion on this?
No it is not safe as far as Loiza the city. There are a few gated communities, but entrance in and out can be iffy at night. There is a section near the Outlets that is also listed as Loiza, It depends on what part, you'd have to specify. I am ... Read More
Anyone having 2nd thoughts? by Jolo84
My parents and friends think I'm crazy for still wanting to move to the Caribbean after all that's going on with the economy. The way I see it, the way the US is going with all the shootings, threats, kidnappings, etc, we are not safe ...
Four years here and loving. However, I disagree with some of the non-spanish speakers on this listserv. If you are moving to a country (any country, the mainland US included), you should take time to learn the language. How can you love living in a ... Read More
Suggested Areas near San Juan. by Gobie029
Hello, My family will be moving to Puerto Rico mid November. Do to my husbands job we have to live within 45 minutes of the San Juan airport. I have been trying to research as much as possible and we will be coming next week to look at different ...
You also might consider Guayanabo. Very exclusive (at least portions of it), all gated and very nice. Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Puerto Rico by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Puerto ...
Well, I made the mistake of waiting for a bus at Sagarado Corazon bound for Ocean park. I'm still waiting. Four years later. It's getting a little annoying, can any listmates send a cab down here to retrieve me? Read More
Potential move, economy & work concerns by purplesugar
HI everyone. I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I am born and raised in Minnesota and still live here now. My SO and I are interested in making a big life change in a few years: moving far, far away! After researching dozens of ...
I would recommend trying a short three months stint here. 90% of Northamericans who come here move back in 3-6 months. I live in the Tourist Zone, this is a very common theme. You are either cut out for island life or you aren't. I moved here ... Read More
Economy crisis and every day life by Wonderer
For those of you living in PR now, how do you feel the effects of the debt crisis in your everyday life? I know things like electricity and certain groceries are always on the high end. but do you and your family personally feel the effects? I am ...
A lot of shops are closing. I live in the tourist zone so water doesn't affect me, but the current imbecile governor's entire economic plan involves attracting billionaires. That doesn't do much for small shop owners trying to keep their ... Read More
Puerto Rico's Sovereign Debt Crisis by NomadLawyer
Well, Gov. Garcia Padilla has admittedwhat many of us have known for sometime: Puerto Rico cannot pay its debt (of $72 billion). Tragic. This will (and has for some time) have major consequences for the economy and the value of assets held in PR. If ...
Lay off public employees. We have 200k on this island. WAY too many, it costs 250 million per week in payroll. Read More
rental car damage insurance by timjoe48
hi all, i plan to rent a car for anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks during my upcoming visit to PR...i notice the vendors, such as charlie car rentals and othes, offer "rental car damage insurance" that's pretty expensive, something like $260 a month...is ...
My friend rented a Charlie Car and had an accident three months ago. Charlie car is a great rental company, but they did keep a $500 deposit and force him to negotiate with his insurer...pointing fingers to keep from holding the bag. Bottom line, ... Read More
camping in pr by timjoe48
hi all, i want to camp at various state forests, such as bosque estatal de toro negro, along the ruta panoramica...to camp, i have to get permits from the department of natural resources (drna)...their website is in spanish and doesn't have a ...
I would be very cautious about camping in Puerto Rico. This is a very poor island and there are folks who will do anything for $6. Bottom line is that you should always take precautions. This isn't the mainland. It is extremely beautiful, but ... Read More