Non-spanish speaking but, want to move anyway.

Member since 13 October 2009

MaravilloMember13 October 2009 20:07:03

I was wondering if it would be a dangerous idea to try and learn spanish after arriving to the island; kinda that Immursion technique??

I can say that I have the conversational form down; don't have the words yet. I took 1 semester of spanish in college and 1 year in highschool. Then i lived with my ex in Brownsville, TX, of which majority of people speak spanish (mexican). I got along ok there. I picked up some ability to learn and some words. However, I type/write spanish better than I speak it. My tongue seems to be hard to get around.

Anyway, if I it wouldn't hurt HARD to learn after arrival, are there any classes I can take; like SSL (Spanish as a Second Language), just the same as a non-english speaker moving to the Main Land and taking ESL (English, etc.)? I think the immursion into the environment would be better set for me to just have to talk it daily with no major English interruptions.

--- Also, what Cities on the Island are not so expensive to live in but, still have a decent population? I hear San Juan is expensive but, that Mayaguez or Rincon are way cheaper. Where can someone live who is a major pincher and can live with just being a "Hut-Boy", so to speak, but, not have to worry about serious Crime?

Gary ViP

Member since 09 April 2006

GaryViP13 October 2009 21:43:34

1845

The most important question would be if you need a job to survive or if you have a financial buffer.

Getting a job generally is not easy these days in PR. Being a non-Puerto Rican doesn't help and if you're not fluent in Spanish your chances are being diminished even more.

Also, you need a job that pays better than the minimum wage of - I believe - $5.75/hr to be able to live on your own, even when your standards are not high. Those jobs are sparse and unless you have the right qualifications and find a company that hires you, be prepared to get no more than the min. wage.

Other cities than San Juan are a little cheaper to live in but there's less work too; Rincon has a pretty large American community so you might be able to find a job where being a "gringo" helps.

Crime is everywhere; it's mainly drugs related. Like anywhere else smaller towns have less crime - there are neighborhood in every town where you better stay away from - the public housing projects are said to be the areas were drugs related crimes are happening more than in other residential areas.

Good luck!

Anne H New member

Member since 24 October 2009

Anne HNew member24 October 2009 23:26:21

Gary is correct about the job situation especially now. A lot of people from my work that I hire bring their spouses and they find it impossible to find a job. Often they dont work during their short one to two year stay. Crime is a problem everywhere but you just have to be a little street smart and yo can avoid it. It is very expensive to live in Puerto Rico and especially the price of food. Anywhere but San Juan is cheaper. I live in Condado but it is very expensive and is where most of the tourist go so English is accepted. Once you leave San Juan you will find it hard to find an English speaker. Good luck!