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The COVID crisis has definitely postponed my expatriation to PR which is scheduled for this summer. However, it also makes me second guess the move completely as I am concerned about the overall infrastructure of the island (i,e government, healthcare, availability of utilities, water and supplies).

The lockdown in PR is stringiest. Due to that our total cases is 903 and deaths 45, if you consider a population of 3.2 million we are doing great.
You can follow with this dashboard

Right now I miss my family at home but, can call and facetime with them.

The current crisis has me staying on the island until things in the US get better settled.
The plan was to leave for home on 4-11. Now we have no plans to leave.

The crisis is making me want to move here even more than I already do.
We come to escape the Michigan winter and go home to escape the Puerto Rican summer.

I see a plot for sale, that I would love to build a home on. Just do not know when anything like that
can happen.

aca358 wrote:

Right now I miss my family at home but, can call and facetime with them.

The current crisis has me staying on the island until things in the US get better settled.
The plan was to leave for home on 4-11. Now we have no plans to leave.

The crisis is making me want to move here even more than I already do.
We come to escape the Michigan winter and go home to escape the Puerto Rican summer.

I see a plot for sale, that I would love to build a home on. Just do not know when anything like that
can happen.

A lot of expats have been looking at their home state and deciding to stay in PR even if the lock down is a lot more prohibiting. They feel safer here.

My family's move from California to PR will ideally take place next January/February. At this point we are still just going through our belongings and deciding what will and won't be coming. Giving items away or selling them is what we need to do and being on lockdown makes that nearly impossible. One of the moving companies that we received quotes from contacted us to assure us that they are still working and are available if needed. That gives us hope, in case this pandemic is extended or resurges next winter season during the time of our moving. Hopefully the coronavirus won't inhibit too much of what we need to do to get there.
We do also worry somewhat about the economy of Puerto Rico and how this will affect businesses that were already struggling before this. Many were just getting back on their feet since Hurricane Maria and this will not be easy for them. Personally,we are retired and have steady income, and just want to enjoy the beautiful island and grow old with our familia.

The current crisis may delay my scheduled trip to the Island the end of May 2020 but has not effected my long-term plan to relocate to Puerto Rico at the end of 2021.  Of course, I have some concerns but I am optimistic that Puerto Rico will eventually recover and enjoy a prosperous future.  I am keeping up to date with local news via the Internet and staying in touch with friends on the Island. I still have time ahead and my expatriation plans will go forward.  Everyone Stay safe!

After being born and raised in New York for 31 years and living in West Palm Beach Florida for 9 years I moved to Puerto Rico in  2011.   So far I have lived through droughts hurricane Maria political unrest and earthquakes- none of which have made me leave the island and move back to the mainland.  COVID-19 will be no different. When you live in Puerto Rico you are living the dream. I love the islands beauty and the warm friendly resilient people which is its biggest asset.  Crisis brings out the best in our people. I am very impressed with the local government as they were the first in the US to act swiftly and decisively.  The effects of COVID-19 have had less of an overall impact on the island than the natural disasters in especially with the housing segment (structure power water internet). Projections are that Covid 19 will actually have a greater negative impact on the US mainland because Puerto Rico has already been within a recession period. If anything, when we get to the new normal, Puerto Rico will be in higher demand because of the lower cost of living and rural less densely populated areas.

kircordero wrote:

My family's move from California to PR will ideally take place next January/February. At this point we are still just going through our belongings and deciding what will and won't be coming. Giving items away or selling them is what we need to do and being on lockdown makes that nearly impossible. One of the moving companies that we received quotes from contacted us to assure us that they are still working and are available if needed. That gives us hope, in case this pandemic is extended or resurges next winter season during the time of our moving. Hopefully the coronavirus won't inhibit too much of what we need to do to get there.
We do also worry somewhat about the economy of Puerto Rico and how this will affect businesses that were already struggling before this. Many were just getting back on their feet since Hurricane Maria and this will not be easy for them. Personally,we are retired and have steady income, and just want to enjoy the beautiful island and grow old with our familia.

PR is used to being kicked and getting up again so we will be fine.
We are already working on a plan to open up the economy again, likely that will start around June sometime. But plans are on the way.
As of today we have the strongest set of measures than any of the states, known positive cases stand toda4/15 at 974 and 51 deaths. We are using less than half of the ventilators, hospitalization is on the way down, but since we have so many elderly with other conditions, those numbers of hospitalization and death can jump overnight..

I say Jan and Feb is pretty sure things will be back to semi normal.

We have been planning a move from FL to PR this Spring.  The difficulty has been that, as far as we can tell, movers are not currently allowed to work in PR.  We can get our things to the port, but unsure what that will look like beyond.  That, combined with the 14 day quarantine, is making it tricky.

We are planning on being there by the end of May with our belongings arriving mid-June if possible.

Anyone know of a good mover in Palmas Del Mar area to unpack a shipping container in June?

Thanks,
Danielle