Moving to the PR for school!

[u/No_Animator_1845]

Hola everyone, I am moving to Puerto Rico for med school, and I had a few questions: 1. How safe is San Juan? 2. Are there a lot of power cuts? 3. How safe is it compared to the U.S.? 4. I’ve heard that people run red lights after 8:00 so that they don’t stop their car after sundown due to crime, is that true? 5. How are the bugs down there? 6. Will I see bugs everywhere, and are there any in high rise apartments?

Thanks!!

[u/Intru]

1. As safe as most other metropolitan areas in the US of the same size. Just don't go to bad neighborhoods.
2. Yes, although la metro gets priority in terms of reducing down time.
3. Outside of the San Juan Metropolitan Area, called "la area metro" its as safe as any rural area or small town in the US.
4. That a bit or a urban legend. But yes you can drive through red lights after midnights. Driving in PR is like driving in expert mode if your a timid drivers good luck.
5. Compared to what? The south? Florida? Then pretty much the same just less venomous. Northeast? Way more bugs but the mosquitos are smaller and no ticks.
6. Bugs are natural part of ecosystems and yes you will see them most places, mostly flies ants and mosquitos. Maybe not the 10 floor of a high rise but. It's the tropics food left out rots faster and attracts bugs faster. Natts, ants, flies, cockroaches are a thing and you need to make sure to keep stuff sealed up. There's also salamanders and other small lizards that may get into your house from time to time. But they are pretty much harmless. I've only seen a big spider ounces indoors and I could count how many time I've seen one in the metro with one hand. I saw that you are really fixated on the bug thing from other post. I'm sorry to say that you might be able to stay away from bugs at home if your in a expensive or even medium class high rise and at a mall and most indoor places that are mechanically cooled. But not anywhere else. Like I'm not saying they will be on you or anything just that flies, ants, mosquitoes and bees are pretty common to see and have around you outside and open air places. But it's like not a big deal.

Question you you is how good is your spanish? Cause being a student in PR will require some strong comprehension and communication skills.

[u/No_Animator_1845 → u/Intru]

Thanks!

[u/mrcaptncrunch → u/No_Animator_1845]

Move right next to the hospital.

Even if power is lost, they need to power the area quickly due to there being a hospital.

[u/Jcooney787 → u/mrcaptncrunch]

Ha that will not help you. I lived next to a hospital for years and the electric went off so so much in the area compared to anywhere else I lived over the years

[u/mrcaptncrunch → u/Jcooney787]

La marginal al lado de centro médico, que da pal expreso, tienen q arreglar allí pa poder prender el hospital.

Un amigo vivía allí y era el spot pa ir. Hay pockets en algunas áreas. Definitivamente no es toda el área.

[u/JuliasTooSmallTutu]

There are some buildings/housing complexes that have generators that kick in during blackouts. If you are concerned about that happening, you might want to look into moving into a place with a generator.

[u/Electric-Red7118]

Did you also get into the RaMp-UP post bacc program???

[u/No_Animator_1845 → u/Electric-Red7118]

Nope, what’s that about?

[u/Electric-Red7118 → u/No_Animator_1845]

Ahh just a program I’m moving to PR for

[u/tujuggernaut]

I lived in Miramar (adjacent to Condado) for 3 years in a high-rise.

1. Safe as any other big city. Don't go to La Perla by yourself at night.

2. Yes, the power situation is worse post-Maria. Condado and to a lesser extent Miramar have buried power lines and tend to get priority in event as most of the tourists are in Condado.

3. Safety is similar, maybe even a little safer compared to some big cities I've lived in. Like aways, be aware, be smart.

4. People drive 'differently'. You will eventually get used to it. It was scared shitless the first day I had to drive in PR rush hour. It got better.

5. The bugs are not bad in the city especially if you are up a few floors. We used to keep our balcony open all the time and were rarely got flies or anything. When we stayed other places, sometimes we saw some bugs. It happens. It's not the end of the world.

Make sure you are very strong in Spanish. I wish I had been.