Living in Puerto Rico
Life in Puerto Rico offers a healthy climate, fine for year-round activity and the comforts of modernity. The beauty of its landscape and climatic comfort, juxtaposed with supermarkets, malls, up market boutiques and nightclubs, make this the place to be. No wonder then, this is a preferred location for international events, retirement and holiday pleasure.
Puerto Rico has the status of Commonwealth in the United States. It has a stable and secure government with a representative in the US House of representatives. Puerto Ricans are American citizens and Americans are free to travel, reside and own property here. The US dollar is the local currency.
The economy of Puerto Rico has gone through rough patches. At one time, Puerto Rico’s economy was primarily agrarian. The hurricane season routinely put pressure on this important sector by flooding out crop. Groups of workers would migrate from Puerto Rico after facing heavy losses.
It has taken time to bring the economy back on track. The country now has more than 2000 factories producing diverse products for different markets. Having balanced its dependency on agriculture by investing in manufacture, Puerto Rico is now an important business hub. The support of the US in the business interests of Puerto Rico is vital to the country’s progress.
Puerto Rico City has a culture that is a mix of little traditional Taino Indian, some Spanish and some African. Puerto Rico city and other urban areas like Bayamon, San Juan, Guaynabo, Mayaguez, Ponce, Caguas, Fajardo, Humacao have a high population of the urban working class.
The traditional folk hero, the rural jibaro, about whom folksongs and lore abound has made way for modern Puerto Rican culture with its American, African, European and Caribbean overtones, with a rare smattering of Taino Indian culture. This can be witnessed in the art, dance, music, literature and sports of the island. Food flavours have a distinctly African feel.
The landscape offers mountains from west to east; the northern side of the country is pure green with rain forests, caves and cliffs, all home to exotic plant, animal and bird species. The country offers more than hundred miles of coastline with pure white as in Isabela or the black volcanic type in Maunabo.
You can stroll in the shallows of Luguillo or dive into the waters of Rincon. Puerto Rico’s famed beaches, mountains, and nearby islands are popular with tourists, residents and to-be residents. Apart from this, the cultural and sporting activity offer rich variety to make life in Puerto Rico, the life you want to have.
Old San Juan provides the most comprehensive storehouse of Puerto Rican Art for art-lovers. International sports tournaments and horse racing for the enthusiasts. Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving and surfing, and rock climbing for the adventurous and hiking for wildlife lovers, life in Puerto Rico has something for each one.
People opt for the good life in Puerto Rico because the modern amenities are partnered by a cost of living that is lower than most cities of America. Puerto Rico has lower commodity prices, cheaper housing and low property tax. An indication of the prices: gas is at $1.57 a gallon, bread at $1.69 a loaf, milk at $2.50 for local brands and $3 for US brands (US brands taste much better).
The tariff on sugar is protected, so it remains an important low-cost item. Cigarettes are priced at around $3 and beer for just $1 at a kiosk. A sales tax of 5-7% is levied on all items you purchase. The only exception to this is medicines.
Puerto Rico offers a huge variety of housing options that are designed to cater to all income levels. There are subsidized housing facilities available at a very low cost. Add to this, the low taxes you bear on property and you have an attractive housing package before you. All in all, you’ll see greater savings at day’s end.
However, the cost of living in tourist locations like Puerto Rico city, Rincon, Mayaguez and Aguadilla is higher. These famous spots are replete with white beaches and coral reefs. These locations may not suit all budgets.
Puerto Rican Economy and Government
Puerto Rico has the status of Commonwealth in the United States. It has a stable and secure government with a representative in the US House of representatives. Puerto Ricans are American citizens and Americans are free to travel, reside and own property here. The US dollar is the local currency.
The economy of Puerto Rico has gone through rough patches. At one time, Puerto Rico’s economy was primarily agrarian. The hurricane season routinely put pressure on this important sector by flooding out crop. Groups of workers would migrate from Puerto Rico after facing heavy losses.
It has taken time to bring the economy back on track. The country now has more than 2000 factories producing diverse products for different markets. Having balanced its dependency on agriculture by investing in manufacture, Puerto Rico is now an important business hub. The support of the US in the business interests of Puerto Rico is vital to the country’s progress.
Cultural Life in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico City has a culture that is a mix of little traditional Taino Indian, some Spanish and some African. Puerto Rico city and other urban areas like Bayamon, San Juan, Guaynabo, Mayaguez, Ponce, Caguas, Fajardo, Humacao have a high population of the urban working class.
The traditional folk hero, the rural jibaro, about whom folksongs and lore abound has made way for modern Puerto Rican culture with its American, African, European and Caribbean overtones, with a rare smattering of Taino Indian culture. This can be witnessed in the art, dance, music, literature and sports of the island. Food flavours have a distinctly African feel.
Puerto Rico City
The landscape offers mountains from west to east; the northern side of the country is pure green with rain forests, caves and cliffs, all home to exotic plant, animal and bird species. The country offers more than hundred miles of coastline with pure white as in Isabela or the black volcanic type in Maunabo.
You can stroll in the shallows of Luguillo or dive into the waters of Rincon. Puerto Rico’s famed beaches, mountains, and nearby islands are popular with tourists, residents and to-be residents. Apart from this, the cultural and sporting activity offer rich variety to make life in Puerto Rico, the life you want to have.
Old San Juan provides the most comprehensive storehouse of Puerto Rican Art for art-lovers. International sports tournaments and horse racing for the enthusiasts. Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving and surfing, and rock climbing for the adventurous and hiking for wildlife lovers, life in Puerto Rico has something for each one.
Cost of living in Puerto Rico
People opt for the good life in Puerto Rico because the modern amenities are partnered by a cost of living that is lower than most cities of America. Puerto Rico has lower commodity prices, cheaper housing and low property tax. An indication of the prices: gas is at $1.57 a gallon, bread at $1.69 a loaf, milk at $2.50 for local brands and $3 for US brands (US brands taste much better).
The tariff on sugar is protected, so it remains an important low-cost item. Cigarettes are priced at around $3 and beer for just $1 at a kiosk. A sales tax of 5-7% is levied on all items you purchase. The only exception to this is medicines.
Puerto Rico offers a huge variety of housing options that are designed to cater to all income levels. There are subsidized housing facilities available at a very low cost. Add to this, the low taxes you bear on property and you have an attractive housing package before you. All in all, you’ll see greater savings at day’s end.
However, the cost of living in tourist locations like Puerto Rico city, Rincon, Mayaguez and Aguadilla is higher. These famous spots are replete with white beaches and coral reefs. These locations may not suit all budgets.
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