What is your name?Cynthia S. Pittmann
What is your current age or age range?
between 40-50
What country are you native to?
United States of America
What area of PuertoRico do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
How long have you lived in PuertoRico?
13 years
When you moved to PuertoRico, did you bring your family? What do they think?
Yes, my family was excited and anxious to varying degrees.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
I wanted the children to learn Spanish. Work opportunities.
Why did you choose PuertoRico, or what factors helped you to decide to choose PuertoRico?
My husband has family here.
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
Puerto Rico allows all United States residents to move there without special papers.
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
Adjusting to cultural differences.
What was the biggest mistake you made in the transition to living in Puerto Rico?
Expecting immediate acceptance...it takes time.
What was the easiest part of making the transition?
Finding work.
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
Maybe not. I'm not sure.
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
Sometimes.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
Friendly habits.
Are there the same recreational activities in Puerto Rico?
No. Dance and music are unique.
How easy has it been to make new friends in Puerto Rico?
Not so easy. People here are pretty close-knit but I have enough friends now.
Do you have many friends from your home country in Puerto Rico?
Not many but a couple.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
Enjoying nature, the mountains and the beach.
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
Freedom to move around.
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
So many rules.
Do you speak the language of Puerto Rico?
Yes with many mistakes.
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Puerto Rico, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
You can get by without knowledge of Spanish but it's socially important to attempt the language.
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
Yes. But if you are working, your company might take care of that.
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
Currently working.
How do you earn your living in Puerto Rico?
I teach at a university.
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
Yes, generally.
How did you go about finding a job in Puerto Rico? Was it easy or hard to locate work and get a job?
Visiting various educational campuses.
What types of sources did you use to find a job there? (agency, newspaper, website?)
newspaper
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
If you don't eat meat, you're in for some difficulty. It's in everything.
What do you like most about about Puerto Rico?
Friendly people.
What DON'T like or find strange about Puerto Rico?
Driving is difficult. Traffic jams and tempers.
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
Rent
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
80-120 thousand for a house purchase. Rental 400-600 mo for a country house.
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
Not really.
Is the cost of living comparable to what you experienced before? Explain the difference.
California was expensive but food (grocery store and eating out) was less expensive.
List some things that are more expensive in Puerto Rico
food, gas, eating out
List some things that are less expensive in Puerto Rico
housing
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
The mountain residing people are friendly. Sometimes they show a lot of pride. It's important to be careful and respectful. Try to speak some Spanish.
What is the best thing about people in Puerto Rico?
Warm-hearted to visitors.
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to Puerto Rico?
Prepare and be organized. Think about education options for your children. Decide if you want them to study in Spanish or English.
Do you think you will stay in Puerto Rico, or it is not suitable for the long run?
Probably, I will stay here.
What else would you like to say?
The gains far outweigh the difficulties of a move; living in a new place provides a new perspective on life.
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