Puerto Rico Chronicle: House Search

Looking for a place was an adventure in its self. My great aunt some thing was looking for housing for us. Something affordable, but the two houses she suggested were the right price but had nothing else for us.

House 1- Very Dark, very little lights, no oven,  3 bed rooms, and one bathroom with a shower only. The door next to back rooms entered a yard with no gate.  It was pretty big but very dark. There was no fenced in area for my kids.  We had a neighbor beside us and on top of us. It reeked of mildew and mold.. which I soon learned was the norm. It was large and  I was willing to live here because I thought that's how I would live in Puerto Rico.  Adam felt very uncomfortable.

House 2-  A small pink house with with neighbors on each side. We would live in the center unit which had a fenced in patio 8 x4 feet which would be the kids play area since we had no part of the back yard. I couldn't see living in a place where my kids wouldn't be allowed to be in their own back yard of the house. It had much better natural lighting, except again the bathroom. It must have been one light bulb hanging from the ceiling, also without a bathtub- standing shower only. This house had one small kitchen cupboard. One very small counter top over that cupboard and a very small sink. Then it has a stove and oven the size of a suitcase.. Adam felt better about this place but I couldn't see it. My kids would literally be jumping on the walls. Plus, it was much farther away from school.

We soon realized we needed to up our rent in order for us to get something we could accommodate for a family of 5.  We were so grateful for my Aunt and her help because we had a very hard time getting a hold of any Realtor or housing for rent on our own. No body wanted to talk to the American's and nobody wanted to do it today, and we needed housing ASAP!

I took it in my own power to contact any English posting on Craigslist as long as the price was below $1000. I didn't know what else to do. A Realtor did contact us the next day, and we met with him. He said I requested to see a unit in the same complex but he wanted to show me a different unit for only $50 more.  This wasn't a house like I wanted but in a Condo Unit. It has 24 hour security which we didn't see in the other places. The complex has a BIG wall so no one can even see inside. It has 2 parks, a basketball court, and a pool. Already we knew what we were paying for.

He took us to a floor unit which I realized with 3 little boys and concrete stairs this would be the best choice for us. Immediately  upon entering the apartment our hearts relaxed and I was filled with gratitude. I honestly felt like this was the biggest blessing for us. It had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with tubs! Beautiful kitchen area (no oven), but I didn't care. They were leaving there washer and dryer, table, couches, microwave stove top and fridge. It felt like all we'd need to do it move it. Then we learned they had a backyard! This was a dream house! The apartment I picked to see didn't compare. It was on the 3rd floor, without appliances, no yard.  The choice was easy!

However, we had to wait a month before we could move in. :/  Then I learned the neighborhood is located near to infamous casarios. Which is government assisted housing, or "Residentals."  The two gangs in the housing areas are enemies and cops are always circulating the area. It made feel scared.  I thought the house was our place. I thought it was for us, and then when it was time for us to sign our contract I started feeling panicked and nervous.

I realized I didn't need to be afraid, but I live in P.R. now and I always need to be aware of my surroundings! I also learned a few things about Casarios which calmed me a little. We did wait  a month and it was well worth the wait. We love it in our little complex. If we never had to leave we'd be good with that too. The unit has it's little things like all houses do but we hope we can stay here the entire time during school, and we can continue to feel safe and blessed in our little home! <3

What I learned about Casarios:

1. Yes, the are dangerous, and I have no business in there so I have no reason to be inside , or nearby.

2. Any time a new housing development in built it is the law that government housing has to be built next to the housing. The figure it will bring up the standard of the people needing assistance. It usually just brings down everything around it.

3. There are good people and many children inside. It now just makes my heart break instead of quiver in fear.