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Hello, Retiredrancher.

I've never been to the clinic in Ponce so I'm sorry that I cannot say anything about it. I have used the VA Hospital in Guaynabo ( in the San Juan metro area and close to Cupey) and was actually impressed with it. It was better than the VA hospitals I have used in the States. It has undergone a great deal of renovation and I guess that's paying off. My doctor was a very good one too.

Another positive report for the San Juan VA Hospital. My father in law, a navy veteran, goes there on a regular basis and the place looks wonderful and the care he gets is first class.

Thanks to all you guys who replied.  I'm glad you liked the care you got at the VA.

I have decided to live somewhere on the West coat if I move there.  I know Puerto Rico is
quite crowded and I'm searching for a rural farm area  with down-home people.

     That's why I inquired about Ponce out west.  I've always lived  "Out West"   Good Luck
with all that you folks are dong there .  Are the post office stamps and rates the same price there as in the USA?  Adios    George

Greetings George,

Actually Ponce is south central on the coast. I have a step daughter that lives there. It's a reasonably nice city. I like the fact that it's on the ocean and has the mountains right behind it. But it is one of the hottest spots on the island. Unfortunately I have no experience whatsoever with the VA hospital there. Postage rates are the same as in the states. The only difference is that it can take a little longer to get your mail or parcels delivered or received. If you want to live on the west coast but be reasonably close to the VA hospital I'd suggest looking at Cabo Rojo. There is a good mix of gringos and native islanders there. As for living in a rural area with "down home" people, that might be a little tricky. That sort of thing isn't quite like what you are used to. But as we all have said many times, you have to go there a few times on extended stays to really get a feel for the place and understand that it's a totally different world than you might expect. Good luck in your search. I'd suggest spending some serious time doing serious research. How's your Spanish?

THANKS  GREGG,
       I sure did like your interesting reply.  I have been searching around Ponce and the West Coast
there so your suggestions coincide with my ideas a lot. It is sure a good idea to be there in person and someday that will work for us.  Right now, on a fixed S.S. pension  I tell everybody  this . . .
"If is costs a quarter to leave Town,  I couldn't get out of Sight!" 
       There still must be some farming areas away from the actual coastline that we will be looking at.  Also, I was a Racehorse trainer on California tracks  (& rider, too) so I may find some horse
related work and pastimes there..
     Right now, I wouldn't move there until I found out, for sure, that the VA Hospital can handle all my elderly problems  sufficiently!  It's always best to RENT  first anyway..  Thanks again George

Ponce has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, and the traffic in town can get really bad. Cabo Rojo doesn't have either of those problems.

My wife tells me there is a very nice VA hospital in Mayaguez (she's from there). That's even closer to Cabo Rojo than Ponce.