What is life in Puerto Rico like?

Answer 1

Since I'm from Puerto Rico, I have visited Puerto Rico many times. Everyone, no matter where you go is generally nice. It's amazing how everyone talks to strangers like brothers or sisters. The sites are beautiful and the tourist sites are amazing. If you are planning to go there you will not be disappointed. The only downside I can think of is the traffic coming from the San Juan airport. Tip: Remember to bring snacks on the way from the airport in San Juan, it will be a long time with out stopping for food. But I assure you the rest of your trip will be full of bliss.

Answer 2

Puerto Rico is a great place to live. Mountain's, beaches, amazing rain forest. It is truly a paradise. A few things you should know about life here.

Life in General: Life is slower here. It is not all about work and money for the most part, it is about family, friends, and helping each other. It is normal for internet to take up to 3 weeks to get hooked up. Same for TV. Customer service is slow, and you almost have to bag to get things done. But it isn't the US where people live to work. Here we work to live, and enjoy every second.

Language: The main language here is Spanish. In the north part of the island, you can get by with English. Although to live here and make it easier, it is recommended that you know some Spanish. Locals are forgiving of accents. By trying to speak our language, you are showing that you care. Doctors and professionals all speak English. Although remember that our Spanish is different here. Learning the local words, and just learning Spanish as how it is spoken in Puerto Rico will help you.

Houses and living here: Houses are a lot different then the United States. A house in the "towns" are gated inside, and very secure. This is not because of crime, but the architecture here. Downtown areas, other then San Juan, have very narrow roads. It is normal to have to move off the road to let someone through. Houses and buildings are very close together, and most of the time, attached to each other. Yards are almost non-existing. Grass is not always seen in peoples house, but is seen in more expensive places. Houses in general can be cracked and have ware and tear. This is because houses are made in concrete, and with hurricanes, earthquakes and time, they just start cracking. Although most people take very good care of there house, and almost always they look beautiful. All houses look different too, and very custom. Most houses do not have air conditioning. Central air is hardly ever found in a house. It there is air conditioning, it is mounted on the wall or a window. A personal down side is bugs. Ants, roaches and other nasty bugs are everywhere. From inside to outside. At least where I live in Ponce we have a major problem with ants.

Culture and Music: Im not 100% on the culture here, since I moved here 2 years ago. But to start with, the Spring Break enjoyed in the United States with party's and fun is considered offensive here. The Spring Break we have is a week of none stop praying to God. Christmas here is not the same as in the United States. Christmas here is a huge party on the island, with lots of drinking and culture music. We still use Christmas trees though. But it is more of a party season then a family season. Hmmm, what else. The drinking age here is 18, but is VERY loosely followed. Kids drink, adults drink, that just how it is. Alcohol is not a sign of being an adult, its just an enjoyed drink. Although drinking and driving is forbidden, but still seen a lot. Tobacco is seen, but not popular at all. Smoking tobacco is considered nasty by a lot of the locals (including me!) Now here is a different. Gay people and Gay couples are accepted here. We don't judge. If your gay, you can almost always openly tell someone, and they will accept you. It is considered the gay island for a reason! saying gay offensive words will not make you look better, but to the locals, will make you look like a jerk who needs to leave the island. Basically Its very gay friendly. Music here is very different. We have the culture music, which is heard a lot, and, the younger age music, Raggaton. Although English music is very popular here (minus Country Music, which is never heard). It is normal to hear music blaring out of houses and cars, WE JUST LOVE OUR MUSIC!

Driving and Police: About the only way to get around is driving. But its not as easy as in the United States (but a lot easier then in Europe.) The rules here are about the same as in the United States, but not followed. People will cut you off, turn left or right from across the road. Stopping at a red light is optional (although after 12:01am, its the law to NOT STOP). Passing a car takes place on the left OR right. And Speed limits are optional. I drive about 80mph on a highway (not interstate either. You will get tickets though. Driving too slow could cause a wreck. The roads have lots of pot holes and bumps, so be ready to slam on your break to avoid loosing a tire. Stop signs are the fun one. In the United States, we wait until the person on our right goes. Here, we all go at once, and whoever is faster gets through. Motorcycles make their own rules on the road, and usually use the middle of the lane to drive. As bad as it sounds from the United States perspective, there are a lot less wrecks, and people are safer. Police are good and bad here. They will help you with car trouble. (once a police ask to take us home when we were stranded) but they will usually not pull over with speeding. Police always keep there lights on (usually all blue or blue and green, Red and Blue lights are not emergency here) and they will usually flash there headlights at you or turn on their sound to pull you over.

Health and Crime: Health is not that bad here, if you have the money to get a good health care plan. Otherwise it can be hard to get to a doctor. Other then that, doctors, nurses and surgeons are really good here, at times better then the States. Crime is a little high here, but usually between gangs. Car Jacking does happen here, that is why at night you don't stop at stop lights. As for shootings, it usually only takes place between gangs or if the person is involved in a gang. If a gang member kills an innocent person, they are killed by their own gang members. So it is safe here, but you have to use your head.

So do I recommend living here, visiting here. OF COURSE I DO! If you are going to visit, be ready to rent a SMALL car and be careful. Try to learn a little Spanish if you are leaving the San Juan area. Living here can be hard, so have a job lined up, and learn Spanish and you will have a good life here.

Note: Feel free to add to anything I am saying! The more the better!

Answer 3

Family like in Puerto Rico is just like family in the US. The family there just speak a different language and have different ways of doing things.

Answer 4

Peoples life in Puerto Rico is normal. There are rich and poor people too.