About Eileen Vargas Expertise I can answer questions that will help those seeking to relocate to Puerto Rico.
Experience I myself relocated in 2004 from the US Mainland.
Education/Credentials Associates Degree in Business Administration. Currently, I am a Family Service Counselor for a Nationally known private cemetery, with several locations within Puerto Rico. I have extensive experience in the area of advanced-planning and can answer questions to those seeking to relocate their deceased loved ones to their birth place, where they will rest eternally.
My wife and 3 kids (2,3, and 5) are investigating a move in October '07 for 2+ years and want to live in a mixed of non-English speaking area. We we to fully enjoy the Latin culture and also make sure we learn Spanish since we have basic Spanich proficiency now. My wife and I are headed to PR July 31 to August 3 to check things out (she also has an interview at a local Aguadilla hospital as she is a Pharmacist). My job is portable and I can work from home so no issues for me.
Questions:
- What area(s) should we look to move around Aguadilla or Moca since she would be working at a hospital in each city? What places have lower crime? We plan to try and rent first, but also will look at houses to purchase just in case.
- How do home loans work in PR, can I use a US bank or better to use local?
- I was told there may not be property taxes if this is my primary residence if I pay, is this true (our realtor is former president of realtor association)?
- Schools for our 5 year who will be starting kindergarten? I found this site http://puerto-rico.schooltree.org/elementary/counties-page1.html, but the realtor we are using ha suggested these options
Bilingual School Friedrich Froebel (Pre-pre school - Junior High)
523 Hangar Base Ramey
Aguadilla, PR 00603
787-890-2544
787-890-0520
Aguadilla Military Academy (Pre-school - High School)
Rd. 110 Km 7.3
Aguacate Ward
Aguadilla, PR
787-890-1447
Colegio San Carlos
www.colegiosancarlos.org
787-891-1445
Aguadilla, PR
To us, we would prefer our son just enroll in a local public school as we feel he will pickup Spanish quickly. Are local schools used to working with kids that can't yet speak Spanish?
Thank you in advance and sorry for all the questions.
Kip
ANSWER: Hi Kip!
Aguadilla is my home town and I love it! It has a lower crime rate than the San Juan Metro area, but like everywhere, there is crime.
Aguadilla, has a vast majority of English speakers, mostly due to former Airforce Base Ramey, which is now home to the US Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Immigration and Naturalization (Air), the University of Puerto Rico, and of course the airport. Some time this year, the MarriotCourt Hotel and Casino will also open up in this area. The area beaches are beautiful, there is a water park, iceskating rink, bowling alley (2), and a new skatepark to open real soon. The Borinquen golf cours also offers junior golf. Plenty of family things to do here. The Buen Samaritano Hospital is very close to San Carlos Hospital in Moca. Moca is not far from Aguadilla, although I have several co-workers who live their and they complain about not having water at times. I need my water!
You should check out www.clasificadosonline.com for housing information. Thats how I found my rental, then my home. Always, check the area first a few times, during different days and evenings to check out the area. Don't be shy to ask neighbors about the neighborhood!
Home loans: are offered by Banks in Puerto Rico as well as private lenders. Stick with the banks! For a first time home buyer you will not pay taxes as long as you live in your first home.
Schools: The schools you wrote about are overall good bilingual private schools. There is an all English private school, Carib Christian School. It offers all classes taught in English, with the exception of Spanish. www.caribchristianschool.org
I personnally do not recommend public schools in Puerto Rico. Their education system is not up to par with the stateside. Also, they do not offer bilingual classes.
Well, I hope I have answered your questions to the best of my ability. I wish you a fun vacation when here, and best of luck. Maybe we'll be neighbors. Adios for now!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Terrific response thank you. I called San Carlos today and will tour this one and Froebel while in town next week. We are really looking to have the kids go to a Spanish speaking school so they pick it up quicker and why San Carlos looks to be a better option. Only problem I am seeing is I need after school care and pickup from school. Any places you suggest offer this service in Aguadilla or daycares/nanny for my 2 and 3 year old as well? Thanks again for the help.
If you also have a local realtor that would help us look at rentals and a few homes for sale let me know as the one I have is located in San Juan and not been that responsive since she is trying to push me to buy. The other I found in Aguada seems not too responsive either so happy to look at others. Lastly, any places in particular you recommend we live in Aguadilla where there is a good mixture of local culture and safe? We looked on the site you provide too over the weekend and found several houses in Aguadilla and Isabela. Which would you recommend more than the other? Thanks again.
Answer Follow-Up
As for a realtor, www.clasificadosonline.com lists most of them for Aguadilla and all other towns. Try AG Consultants & Realty Services Agustín García Cortés - Lic. 11146
P.O. Box 546
Isabela 00662
787-890-0099
787-890-0662
www.agrealtypr.com
Atlantic Properties Realty
Somos La Diferencia, Realtor San Juan Board Lic.11358
Ivette N. Acevedo Perez - GRI - Candidate of
Accredited Buyer Representative Designation
OFICINA , CARR #2 K.M.118.9 BO.CEIBA BAJA
AGUADILLA P.R. 00605 Puerto Rico
(787) 819-0380 Cell (787) 447-2757
www.atlanticpropertiespr.com
As for your younger children, there are several private pre-schools that are bilingual. One that comes to mind in Aguadilla, Carr. 467 (carretera antigua Borinquen) is Star Brite, but I do not know much about them. Check well. Barrio Camaseyes in Aguadilla is a good community, as is Ramey, and Ceiba Baja to name a few. Basically, its where YOU will feel comfortable. You can live close to the main road (noisy) or live interior (away from the main road and traffic) on flatter land or on a hillside with views and breeze. Its up to you. Best bet, rent 1st for a year so you have plenty of time to adjust, learn the area and make a wise decision you wont regret later. I found this helpful for me and my family. Basically, the areas I mentioned have easy access to nearby mall shopping, dining, hospital, schools, and carretera #2(parkway)and of course airport. Personally, I prefer living in Aguadilla its not as jibaro as Isabela, but thats my preference.
