Puerto Rico is a US Territory, the currency is United States Dollars (USD), there are no VISA requirements for US citizens, and you can keep your phone number, so moving is easy. Living in Puerto Rico should be just like moving to another State, right? As it turns out, Living in Puerto Rico is very different than living in mainland (upper 48) USA.
This is my 9 year update of living in Puerto Rico!
Answering viewer questions and responding to comments from my 9 Year Update Living in Puerto Rico video, plus meet my cat and an update on the ducks!
Catch up with my 5 year update and early videos from my Move to Puerto Rico
Do you want more information on Moving to Puerto Rico?
Start Here with my Useful Guide for Moving to Puerto Rico
Healthcare and My Surgery Experience in Puerto Rico
Medical information and what Healthcare is like in Puerto Rico
Speaking Spanish in Puerto Rico
Do you speak Spanish? I thought I spoke decent Spanish, until I moved to Puerto Rico!
Cost of Living In Puerto Rico
The Cost of Living in Puerto Rico has increased substantially since I moved here. Here are some housing costs and overall living expenses in Palmas del Mar from May 2019, then an update when I moved to Cabo Rojo comparing housing & utility expenses to Palmas del Mar.
Hi Jen,
I hope you’re doing well!
I wanted to reach out and kindly ask if you would consider doing an updated video about moving to Puerto Rico with kids, specifically focusing on the school system. I know you don’t have kids yourself, and I really appreciated your last video on this topic, but since that was a few years ago, I was hoping you might consider revisiting it.
It would be incredibly helpful if you could also interview parents who have experience with both private and public schools on the island.
For some context, my husband is Puerto Rican, and we have three little ones — a 7-year-old boy, a 4-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old boy. We’re planning to move to Puerto Rico in the next two years so that our children can immerse themselves in the culture and learn Spanish. We visited last year and absolutely loved it!
However, my biggest hurdle right now is figuring out the school system — understanding the options, the process, and what to expect.
We currently live in the Bay Area, California, but my husband has family in Añasco, Cabo Rojo, and near San Juan. So, we’re open to different areas, depending on where we can find good schools.
If you could share any of the following in a video (or even as a post), it would mean so much:
Names of great private and public schools
Tuition/pricing for private schools
Extracurricular activities available
Availability of tutors or additional academic support
Enrollment/sign-up process and deadlines
What makes the PR school system different from schools in the mainland U.S.
Fun facts, insider tips, and what parents should really know before moving
We are entrepreneurs and are currently working on setting up additional businesses so that when we do move, we won’t have to worry about work. Also, my husband is a disabled veteran, so while money may not be a huge issue, it’s still really hard to plan when we don’t know what expenses to expect — especially when comparing private versus public schooling.
I know this is a big ask, but I truly believe an updated video on this topic would be so valuable for families like mine who are seriously considering making Puerto Rico home.
Thank you for all the content you’ve already shared — I loved your 9-year update video! It was incredibly helpful as we continue to plan for this big transition.
Sending lots of appreciation,
Tiffany
This is a great suggestion! I will ask my friends with children and get you some answers.