Living in San Jau, PR

[LearLove]

Life in San Juan, PR

Anyone out there have advice for a pilot that may relocate to San Juan for a job. I've never been south of Key West and spent all my life in the North East US, now living in SYR. What type of living costs and living conditions can I expect? I'm single and no kids. I would plan on storing my stuff at my parents house in PA and just going there with the bare essentials for maybe a few years unless it really takes off then consider moving. Is it all its cracked up to be? Could I really get so PIC time, save $$, and spend my days off snorkeling and diving or are the stories I'm being told just pipe dreams?

Any help, past exp., stories ect. would be appreciated.

 

[freightdogfred]

If you're serious abouy going there, the first thing you should do is learn how to spell it.....(It's San Juan) That way when you forward your mail from Syracuse, it does'nt wind up in Honduras or El Salvador.......

 

[BE99chick]

I was based on "The Rock" (as PR is affectionately known) for a year with Eagle.

First I would suggest putting this post on the Regionals page because there are a lot of Eagle pilots down there that could repy to you.

Living conditions-Apartments (decent ones) close to the airport go for about 750-1500 for a studio/1 or 2 bedroom. That's a few blocks from the beach. If you have a car down there, you can get an awesome place farther out and away from the beach. It is expensive there, no matter which way you look at it if you want something decent.

The crime is pretty bad. I never had any problems, but I was careful not to walk in fishnets and highheels on the mean streets in the middle of the night. However, we have had MANY crewmembers get mugged.

I found most of San Juan to be pretty run down and dirty but there are some parts, like Old San Juan and Condado that are nice, fun, party places. You can also get a pad there, but expect to pay.

I didn't find the natives to be real nice, quite rude in fact. (And no, for those out there reading this...I'm not busting all Puerto Ricans, I have some real good buddies from there who are the coolest people in the world.) Just in general, they don't seem to like outsiders...but hell, I found the people in Boston to be like that too.

It helps if you speak Spanish, but it's not necessary. You can pick it up in a few months anyway.

Yes, you can spend your days off kite-surfing, sailing, diving and drinking your ass off on the beach...I did. Plus I bopped around to all those other islands and did the same. Try St. Lucia...it's a blast and the Dominican Republic is cool too.

Overall, if you are single with no ties, it's quite a life experience to do the Caribbean thing...awesome rum, Cuban cigars, good-looking people, great water sports...

Here's a downside tho...why the hell does the beer come in 10 oz. cans?????????? Jeez.

PM me if you want more info.

 

[LearLove]

If you're serious abouy going there, the first thing you should do is learn how to spell it.....(It's San Juan) That way when you forward your mail from Syracuse, it does'nt wind up in Honduras or El Salvador.......

OK I fixed it. Now the first thing you should do is check your spelling so you "does'nt" look like a dork when you comment on my mine. My excuse is that I majored in engineering, a spelling optional degree. If you do have any knowledge of PR please contribute.

does'nt

spelled doesn't, minus five points to freightdogfred.

Thanks

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

I'll second the part about the locals being not very friendly (but that's because gringos usually act like total jack arses) and it's pretty dirty overall. But if you stay out of the projects in the Old City, by the Health Ministry, it shouldn't be too bad. Crime is similar to that of a major city in the mainland, but food prices are just a little higher

Visit it before you make the move for a few weeks

 

[A Squared]

>>>>>>>Here's a downside tho...why the hell does the beer come in 10 oz. cans?????????? Jeez.


It's so that it's easier to finish it before it gets warm. Or that's what I was told. Why drink beer though? As I recall, Bacardi was $3.99 a fifth in Sam's Club.

 

[BE99chick]

$3.99 is pretty cheap...but I never paid for my drinks anyway!!!

Just kidding...St. Maarten (spelling correct?) had the best deals, $2 French wine, $6 for a BIG bottle of Skyy, etc...

No wonder the receptionists at the Betty Ford clinic know me by first name.

 

[LR25]

Dont stop at the red lights at night.

 

[jsoceanlord]

i know all the carriers down there. pm me if you have any questions.

it's kind of a 3rd world place - reminds me a lot of baja, california, etc.

it was a love/hate domicile for me. poverty the tension with locals.

i had a nice studio for $330/month and was down there for the last three years. if you're off a lot, you might be able to live in st thomas and commute.

registering a car, etc, is an unbelievable fiasco.

pay is usually pretty bad.

i just found a web site; official travel guide.com

(and there's; prwow.com)