new guy

Ok, first all its not perfect you're in Puerto Rico but it is the United States of America. Your money is safe, you can use your own credit cards, Social Security and Medicare benefits. As bad as the crime is here There is no comparison towhat it is in the  in the DR.I go to the dr office on business and I am constantly told not to go out by myself not to stray from the hotel. sure it's Paradise if you go to the resorts but most of us don't have that kind of money for a lifestyle.
In you will get the best of many worlds us Caribbean tropical great weather crazy people like everywhere else but for the most part good people. in Puerto Rico you will also find a lot of activities for all different Budgets. the beaches are free and there are parks all over. We have mountains, river, laKe, and ocean.

Love Puerto Rico!

PR is certainly USA and the majority are proud of it.  Not all of us are statehooders, but that's another topic.  I retired here from Florida ten years ago.  It was a wise move.  No place is perfect, but if you want excellent weather in a magnificently beautiful tropical island with friendly people, this is it.  Plus, the cost of living expenses are lower than most places in the states.  PR is a hidden secret most people stateside know little about.
If you move to a foreign country like DR, expect problems.   You are a foreigner without citizenship and live at the discretion of the host country.  Not so in PR.  You have not left the country and have same rights as in Nevada.

Thanks alot guys for your wise words of wisdom.The P. R. is proberly my best bet. The only one problem I have it still has the taste of the good old USA in it.Thats what me and 10,000's of thousands of us in the USA, are trying to escape every year.I have looked around and see that if i were to come to the PR, Corodado seems to be the safest, and some that more expensive, but i'm not living in San Juan direct. There from what i hear great mountains, wonderful beaches, and no snow!Right now, its sit and wait to sell my 4 properities and my business.I am hoping to be there no later then 1 year.Hey 2hours and 43 minutes i can be in PR,well for that matter DR too.But the P.I, 19 long hours of flying time.I did have 6 good business offers there.But I have to forget going there.As long as  the PR never goes statehood, i will proberly stay there.Thanks for all of your input to me. Mark

My husband and I are planning on making the move to Puerto
Rico once he turns 65 which will be in a few months.  We will be looking to live in San Juan, Fajardo, Luquillo or Isabella area. Need advise as to what is a good safe area of San Juan, Condado or Isla Verde area.

We are not opposed to going out to the western areas but want to seek either a nice condo or house to rent.  We will pursue purchasing once we are better settled. Not sure where we want to be.  We like the casinos but also love the beach. Need to be near the Veterans Hospital and other medical facilities if the need arises.

Any of you expats from New York?  We would love to get together with others of our age group and similar interests.  I love to read and go dancing and my husband is a avid poker player.

Hi, Tonie.

Here is a list of the VA's facilities in PR: http://www2.va.gov/directory/GUIDE/stat … L&STATE=PR
As far as where is safe: Most people go for a gated community to increase their security, whether it's in the SJ metro area or towns like Fajardo. Good luck!

Tonie
I would strongly suggest that you do a grand tour of the island when you get here before you decude where to live.  Puerto Rico is really very diverse and even thr locations you mentioned are very different.  If you like mountains and perfect weather year, you will have many different areas to explore.  Remember that even being in s country location in the mountains you will not be far from one of the major cities.  Mountain areas have perfect climates year round while coastal areas can be hot half of the year.
The west coast area is considerably different from the east.  The south (Caribbean) coast is relatively dry.  The north coast is much more densely populated.
Ask any questions you may have, if I can help.
PR is a great place, though some on this website put it down.

Jay,

    We definitely plan on going to different parts of the island before we make a final decision.  We prefer the beach area over the mountains but we may change our minds.  We have family and friends in different cities and will have fun looking at different properties.

    Thanks for your input, all the info on this site is very useful and will continue to go to it after we make the move.

    Looking forward to spending our retirement in a true paradise.

Maria

Especially for retired persons, you can't do much better than PR.  Quality ways of living are much less expensive than most states.  Did you know that if you own your home as a principal residence, PR will not charge you any yearly real estate taxes?  Try that in Florida or California of New York where the taxes could cause uou to give up your home.
Coastal areas are very very different from one another, so make sure you look around.  Good luck.