Puerto Rico’s Infrastructure

Puerto Rico’s Infrastructure

Puerto Rico’s Infrastructure

Puerto Rico offers all of the conveniences you are likely used to if visiting or relocating from any developed nation. If you are contemplating a relocation, please contact us if you have questions or would like a free consultation.

 

Roads in Puerto Rico

Major highways and tollways are as excellent as any found in the fifty States. The Puerto Rico highway and local road system is substantial and offers good coverage of all parts of the island. Some roads are not repaired and maintained as frequently as in many parts of the States but are still quite usable.

 

Electricity in Puerto Rico

There is currently only one power company in Puerto Rico – PREPA, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. PREPA is owned by the Puerto Rico government and is the only company authorized by the government to do this type of business. Dealing with PREPA can be a bit of an ordeal at times, and our concierge service can help manage this for you if you require it.

Electricity prices are a bit higher in Puerto Rico, as much as double the prices in the States, though you might find that your usage is different due to no need for artificial heat.

In some parts of Puerto Rico, electric outages occur from time to time. These are generally only for a few minutes to a few hours, but, especially in some urban areas, can be inconvenient. You can easily mitigate this risk by outfitting your home with a backup generator (or securing a residence that already has one, which is not uncommon). Additionally, it is very easy to find small power backups that offer 1-4 hours of energy for a few devices.

 

Water Quality

Tap water is safe to drink in Puerto Rico. As with anywhere else in the States, there are still components that can modify the flavor, and we prefer to have a filter on our tap (as we also did before relocating to Puerto Rico).

In some metropolitan residences, water shortages can occur – this varies a lot depending on the area in which you plan to live. When you are looking for a place to live in Puerto Rico, it is good to ask if the house or building has a water cistern to store a backup water supply to avoid inconvenience during these temporary shortage situations.

 

High-Speed Internet

High-speed internet is available in all metropolitan areas as well as smaller towns. Many find that their internet on the island is faster and more reliable than on the mainland! Prices are comparable to most areas in the States.

 

Cell Phone Coverage

Cell coverage is strong throughout the island. AT&T is by far the largest provider, and signals are strong in most metro areas, ranging to most rural areas as well. Claro is the largest local provider. T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon users will have coverage although the quality of coverage is not equal.

 

GPS

This, unfortunately, is not always reliable in Puerto Rico. If you are used to navigating by allowing a GPS device or the map application on your cell phone to tell you where you are and reroute you if you turn the wrong direction, you may have to change your habits here. GPS is fine to get overall directions and show the overall map of where you are looking to travel. However, updates are slow, and GPS sometimes gets confused in mid-trip and re-routes the trip inaccurately. It is best to look at the overall map rather than relying on turn-by-turn instructions based on GPS being able to locate your location at any moment.

Addresses are also not always accurately entered in GPS in Puerto Rico. Some GPS applications will be confused by Puerto Rico addresses as they are listed on websites and other listings, and will attempt to be helpful by giving directions to the address that most closely seems to match the one entered. It is important to make sure that the destination your GPS app has found for you is the same one you told it to find!

References

Puerto Rico road system

We Can Help

Our company helps people like you take advantage of Puerto Rico’s excellent tax incentives!  We can help you determine which tax incentives are right for you, help you plan your residency and relocation strategy, and simplify the entire process for you.

Contact us for a free initial consultation.

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What It’s Like Living in Puerto Rico

What It’s Like Living in Puerto Rico

Life in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an amazing place to live and work!
With its moderate climate, strong infrastructure, many beautiful residential options, good private schools, and gorgeous nature preserves, many are finding that Puerto Rico is a wonderful place to live. We highly recommend coming to check it out!

If you do choose to investigate relocation options, we can help you every step of the way!

 

Benefits of Life in Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico offers:

  • Excellent tax advantages for many businesses and individuals
  • Amazing weather, year round!
  • A warm and friendly culture, and great places to see, including beautiful beaches
  • Comparable infrastructure and amenities to what is found in the mainland US
  • International airports
  • Many attractive places to live, to match any taste, including retirement communities
  • Cost of living comparable to that found in the States
  • Good health insurance options
  • Some excellent (private) schools

 

Living in a US Territory

If you are an American citizen who then becomes a legal resident of Puerto Rico, you remain a full citizen of the US. You still retain a US passport and do not need a visa or any special permits to relocate or work in Puerto Rico. You can start a business, buy property, register to vote, and anything else that a native Puerto Rican can do.

American citizens who are legal residents of Puerto Rico retain the same Constitutional rights, protected under the law, as all other American citizens. Commonwealth laws may vary from that of any State, just as those of any State may vary from that of any other. However, just as in each and all of the fifty States, laws local to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico cannot circumvent the United States Constitution or the many rights that it affords to its citizens.

Though the Commonwealth has its own legal system, it is part of the US court system, subject to federal jurisdiction with respect to federal and Constitutional law, and has its own US Federal District Court.

Puerto Rico is outside of the jurisdiction of the United States Internal Revenue Service. Legal residents of Puerto Rico only become subject to taxation by the IRS if and when they engage in work or commerce within the jurisdiction of the IRS (such as within the legal territory of the fifty States). For those who are legal residents of Puerto Rico, work and commerce engaged in Puerto Rico is subject to local tax only and isn’t taxable by the IRS.

The US dollar is the legal tender of Puerto Rico, and banks in Puerto Rico work much the same as other US banks.

English and Spanish are both official languages, and though many Puerto Ricans are more fluent in Spanish, you don’t have to learn it to get around.

See our FAQ for answers to some common questions we have heard.

 

Do You Need Help Relocating to Puerto Rico?

Those of us relocating to Puerto Rico generally find it to be a fairly easy transition. You will need help, though, as there are some key differences as well. We managed our relocation ourselves – which is definitely the hard way! – and we have heard stories about people who hired local companies that made big promises that ended in disappointment.

We have been in your shoes, and we know what you need. We’ve found expert local partners who deliver what they promise, and we will manage them every step of the way. You will have a single point of contact who understands your needs and has the means to fulfill them. Our team includes bilingual members who understand how things work in Puerto Rico, and know how to get things done.

With a free initial consultation, we can help you decide if Puerto Rico is the right fit for your needs, contact us now to get started.

 

Helpful Resources from Other People’s Experiences:

This is not intended to be a comprehensive reference on life in Puerto Rico, but an overview, to give you a taste.  We also recommend the following expat blogs that are both entertaining and helpful in acclimating to Puerto Rico:

  • Abroad Dreams – Useful, practical information on a wide variety of content and subjects, from the real-life perspective of an expat’s first year living in Puerto Rico.
  • Alaskan family of five moves to Puerto Rico – As the title suggests, relocation experiences from a family perspective.
  • Caroline in the City – Travel blog focusing on tourism info and attractions.  Full of fun things to do and beautiful places to visit!
  • New to Puerto Rico – Up-to-date blog about a relocation by a family with young children relocating to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  Great practical information from a very personal perspective.
    ​
  • Polar Rico – Up-to-date blog about a family that relocated to Rincon, Puerto Rico with young children.  Interesting posts that focus on personal experiences, not so much practical information.

Another helpful site about Puerto Rico is Welcome to Puerto Rico, one of the longest-lived sites about Puerto Rico and its culture.

We Can Help

Our company helps people like you take advantage of Puerto Rico’s excellent tax incentives!  We can help you determine which tax incentives are right for you, help you plan your residency and relocation strategy, and simplify the entire process for you.

Contact us for a free initial consultation.

Get Started

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* What health insurance works in both Puerto Rico and in the mainland US? 

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* The Rules of Puerto Rico Residency

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