AboutNancy Torres Expertise I can answer questions about places to stay in Puerto Rico. As I live and work here, I can also help people with their questions on what to do, where to go, local transportation, government offices, working/studying/vacationing in the island. I speak and write Spanish and English.
Experience I currently live in Old San Juan and enjoy museums, hotels, social and cultural events, restaurants and sightseing.
Education/Credentials BBA University of Puerto Rico, Minor in English
Awards and Honors Magna Cum Laude, University of Puerto Rico
Expert: Nancy Torres Date: 5/28/2008 Subject: Living in or near San Juan
Question Hi - I am from the midwest, and my family (husband, 2 young kids) will most likely be moving to San Juan in the next 9-12 months. I am comfortable with the idea of a new culture, but I keep getting different opinions on the crime. I have lived in a big city and know how to be careful, but will I be putting my family in danger. Are "main-landers" ever specifically targeted? Thanks!
Answer Hola, Kathy.
I won't say that people coming from abroad could be seen as a target for criminal activity, but that could be a question for the local police department. They must have statistical data on that. Here is a link with the contact information for the Police Department: http://www.policiapr.com/
My suggestion for you and your family is that you consider carefully the pros and cons regarding your relocation to the Island. It is easier for single persons, but when you have a family, you are taking a decision that would affect others in different ways. If you ask me, I must say that this is my place in the world -- I could travel the world, I do enjoy visiting other countries, but this is my spot. As a local song says: "This is the land where I live, I belong to this place...." (Esta es la tierra que habito, pertenezco a este lugar....)
But then, for you and your family, this would be a new experience. The ideal thing to do is that you can come and spend a month or two in the Island and can judge by yourself regarding not only our culture, but places to live, cost of living, weather, traffic, jobs and salaries, etc.
At this time I have a client, a retired couple, that came to live in the Island from the states, but they can't adapt to our daily living. They are always comparing what they had there and what they have now and that, really, is not healthy. It is a different culture and there it is a big change.
Regarding your main concern, which is the criminal activity, I really don't know if we can identify a country as "safe". Puerto Rico is no exception and we read the news everyday, so we know that there is delinquency and the best thing we can do (in addition, of course, to engage ourselves in voluntary community activities) is to keep ourselves out of areas where we don't feel safe and select places to live where we have a sense of security.
Check your options, see if you can visit the Island before relocating, maintain contact with relatives or friends who live here, and get as much information as you can on the place and area you are going to live.
It is my pleasure to be of help.
Saludos desde Puerto Rico, :)
Nancy
