Freelancing from San Juan zona urbana — experience?
Longtime lurker here, With a population of 321K, San Juan zona urbana is a mid-size city. Crime rate is something to consider — San Juan zona urbana sits at 2,771.8 per 100K. Homes are going for about $174,000 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective. TIA! The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
50 upvotes
5 Replies
Elijah Jackson
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
33 upvotes
Isla Richardson
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Hannah Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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