My husband is taking a post in San Juan with the State Dept. We'll be moving this June. Our kids will go to the schools on the Army base. We've been told location is everything. Right now our eye is on Bayamon to rent a house. Do you have any advice on Bayamon or any other areas close by?
2007-02-27 11:32:15 · 6 answers · asked by momof3cuties 2 in Travel ➔ Caribbean ➔ Puerto Rico
I have been here for 4 months, so my comments are based on that. Currently living in Guaynabo. Puerto Rico is just like any where else it has its good areas and it has its bad.
In my opinion, house prices here are expensive (like a major city in the mainland). House construction is usually concrete block, so designs are also not like in the mainland (having said that there are some really nice designs). Most houses seem to not have central air conditioning, instead use units in each room (air conditioning is needed, belive me).
Guaynabo, is a nice area and their are plenty of nice gated communities and from what I have seen searching for houses, there seems to be a lot of new housing communities being built (or relatively new). Another option to a house is a walkup (small apartment complexes), just depends on your budget.
I have also been told that there are some nice communities in Dorado and also in Carolina (http://mansionesdevistamarmarina.com/plano-nautica.php - these will be priced in the $500's up, so see what I mean about prices)
For ideas of price and types of houses/apartments check out these two sites, they have a lot of properties and will give you a good idea of what is on offer. Once here, make sure you make time to explore the island.
http://homes.point2.com/US/Puerto-Rico-Real-Estate.aspx
http://clasificadosonline.com/
2007-02-27 22:22:51 · answer #1 · answered by B 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Bayamon is a decent choice, but it is overcrowded.
If you do not mind fighting the traffic on Route 22 between Bayamon and Guayanabo, I would suggest you try living in the town of Dorado. It is a nice town, and since there are a few resorts near the beach, chances are you will find people who speak English and can help you out.
I was in Puerto Rico for the holidays and we rented a vacation condo in Dorado and we really enjoyed it.
I would heed the advice about crime. There is more crime on the island and that is a sad reality. However, I must say I never felt really unsafe on the island, maybe because I never did stupid things like yelling at other motorists, going out dark alleys at night, etc.
God luck!
2007-02-28 08:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by Humuhumunukunukuapuaa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem to coming to a place like Bayamon is that its a good distance from the base. If you are going to Buchanan, then you want to move on the other side of San Juan. Bayamon is okay to live, there crime is a bit higher than other places but they have good hospitals. San Juan is really expensive so I wouldn't recommend that unless you are making good money. Carolina is nice as well as Caguas. Those are on the eastern side of San Juan.
2007-02-28 01:14:43 · answer #3 · answered by La Flaca 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not be discouraged by wrongful comments... you will enjoy the weather and the warmth of the people. The school at Ft. Buchanan is a very good one! I would not live in Bayamon because it is a rowdy city. There is traffic everywhere and there are a lot of bad neighborhoods. But PR is 100 x 35 miles, it is very small and you do not have to live in the same city of the base to be close to it. I would recommend Guaynabo. It has many neighborhoods, some pricey and expensive. But there are plenty of choices. It is called like the city of the "stuck ups" that is how we call them in PR. What I am trying to say is that it is a good place to live and raise your kids. It will be about 15 - 20 min away from the base with normal traffic.
Good luck!
2007-02-27 14:00:33 · answer #4 · answered by scorpionitty 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well I'm only 13, but I'm actually from Bayamon but lived in San Juan all my life. I moved a few years ago, but I remember Bayamon very well. It's a really populated city, but theres also alot of crime in Bayamon. Of course you're not gonna get killed or anything, unless your walking at night alone with expensive things. or something like that. But i would walk around neighborhoods in Bayamon at night, and nothing ever happened. and congrats on moving to puerto Rico. you will lovee it. its a BEAUTIFUL island, and the people are gorgeous. Also, its a really fun island. and yes, location is everything. But the safest places in Puerto rico, are Arecibo and San Juan. But San Juan is mainly a touristic city, not so much to live, but i personally lived there and it's awesome. good luck. hoped this helped ;)
2007-02-27 11:48:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No matter where one moves to in Puerto Rico the risk of being a crime statistic is very high. Puerto Rico is high crime. There are some places, however, which are more livable...I would suggest Bosque del Lago in Trujillo alto...a gated community. Although I must say that every metropolitan area community in PR is gated. Puerto Ricans live behind bars...only criminals roam free... Good luck...you will need it! PS--Try Torri-mar...but pricy!
2007-02-27 12:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by kalamity 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋