San Juan has more then 40 neighborhoods - let us be your guide to finding the perfect area for your real estate search

San Juan Real Estate: Santurce Arts District & more....

Richard Holm - Puerto Rico Real Estate Broker License C-18922

www.puertoricopropertysales.com

Richard Holm lic. v3090 Call 787-455-4216

Whether you're a long time visitor to San Juan or considering an investment in Puerto Rico for the first time, it can be difficult to find the right mix of lifestyle, neighborhood, amenities, and value in just a few short trips to our Island of Enchantment.  

 San Juan is an exciting, cosmopolitan city that extends far beyond the traditional tourist areas of Old San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde.  With more than 40 neighborhoods - your choice of the perfect area can be mind-boggling!

As a San Juan resident for more than 16 years I know every part of the San Juan metroplex and can help narrow your search.  I live in the Arts District and can show you the best selection of properties to match your needs for Studio, Gallery, Workshop or Performance spaces or affordable houses and condos. 

Look for the 'I love Santurce' logo next to neighborhoods that are great matches for anyone looking for an investment in San Juan's Arts District!  We've just been recognized by the Puerto Rico Senate as one of the leading experts in Santurce as they seek to formally recognize the ARTS DISTRICT.

With more than 20 years experience in tourism consulting and real estate investment - matching your vision of a tropical Caribbean lifestyle with a solid real estate investment will be my primary goal.  Give me a call, text or email and schedule a telephone interview to discuss your specific requirements, lifestyle and goals!

Don't wait until you're on island - CALL TODAY!
Richard Holm lic. C-18922
787-455-4216  or rholm@caribbeanconsulting.com

www.puertoricopropertysales.com

Richard Holm lic. v3090 Call 787-455-4216

If you prefer areas you might already be familiar with - we can get right to work finding properties in neighborhoods that are popular with our expat community near major tourism areas: 

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  Click here for map of San Juan neighborhoods

  Old San Juan has lots of tourists in the historic UNESCO World Heritage site during the day.  But late in the afternoon, local residents open their shutters/doors/courtyards and use the many parks and plazas as neighborhood meeting places to catch up on local news and play a few games of dominos. If you've only been to the old city during the day - you'll want to experience Old San Juan when it becomes a magical residential neighborhood amidst historic cobblestone streets, ancient city walls and authentic Puerto Rican culture.

   

• Capitol Hill is a newly emerging area outside the walls of the old city behind the impressive Puerto Rico Capitol Building. This is known by locals as Puerta de Tierra or the San Augustín neighborhood -
  but an impressive master plan calls for luxury condos and hotels along bayfront parks and seaside promenades from the edge of Old San Juan to Escambrón Beach and San Juan Yacht Club. Puerta de Tierra and San Augustín are not technically within the Arts District, but fast becoming the center of interior design & sculpture with huge spaces at reasonable prices.

• WeCo is a new term being used for the area West of Condado for the new luxury condo complex that borders the Caribe Hilton, Condado Lagoon, Escambrón Beach and San Juan Yacht Club. Spectacular new construction, lagoon/ocean views, great amenities and an upscale mall-like plaza make this a favorite for executive-level lifestyles.

• Condado is the traditional tourism strip with beachfront hotels and all the amenities you expect from a world-class resort destination. Residents can go toward the beach for tourism, glitz and glamour at the La Concha, Vanderbilt or Marriott resorts and casinos - or head just a few blocks the other way for a more residential experience.

• Isla Verde has two long crescent-shaped beaches just a few minutes from the airport.  High-rise condos and hotels line the beach with a commercial strip across Isla Verde Avenue.  Not as glamorous as Condado, but more affordable and you have the Ritz Carlton, InterContinental and newly restored El San Juan resorts with lots of upscale amenities.

If you prefer a more local Puerto Rican experience - San Juan has some of its most exciting neighborhoods just a short distance from the tourist areas! Much like New York, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, or Madrid - just walking a few blocks can lead you to interesting and unique residential communities.  Based on our conversations - I'll introduce you to major residential areas that may match your lifestyle:

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  Click here for map of San Juan's neighborhoods

  Miramar Historic District is just on the other side of the Condado lagoon and has always been a prestige address for upscale families and professionals.  A designated historic district, you'll find classic Victorian, grand Prairie-style bungalows, Art Deco inspired houses and Mid-century Modern homes among the luxury condos that line the charming neighborhood streets. Walk to restaurants, supermarkets, gourmet shops, cinemas, miniature gothic church (with stained glass windows reportedly by Tiffany), Casa Aboy Arts Center and the Conservatory of Music. There is also great public transportation to explore other areas of San Juan!

   

• Convention Center District sometimes called Miramar South - is an quiet community at the edge of the quickly growing group of hotels, restaurants and future entertainment district that borders Miramar, the Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan Yacht Club, Isla Grande Airport and Pan American Cruise Ship Piers. The master plan calls for a mixed-use zone inspired by the success of Downtown Orlando.

• Tras Talleras/El Gandul is the edgier side of the San Juan Arts scene. Tras Talleras translates as 'behind the workshops' where they maintained the trains for Puerto Rico's long-disappeared railroad system that went from San Juan all the way around the island in the early 1900's.  So this has always been 'on the wrong side of the tracks'.  Most of the area is also know fondly as 'El Gandul' - a term of endearment (Gandul translates as pigeon pea - the wonderfully tasty addition to local rice dishes).  While always a working-class neighborhood - its residents have a strong sense of community and have welcomed the artists who appreciate and help promote this very special neighborhood. If you remember 'Alphabet City' on New York's lower east side in the 90's - you have an idea of the vibe in Tras Talleras.  This is the site of the Santurce Es Ley mural festival, private galleries and the underground art scene. But with many abandoned buildings, empty lots, unimproved houses and very little parking - this is only for the adventurous who don't mind a very local, non-gentrified neighborhood just a few blocks 'on the wrong side of the tracks'.  While there is long-term potential - its not a 'buy and flip' investment.  This is for investors who want to invest in great space and become part of the community.

• Santurce Arts District is just across the highway from Condado/Ocean Park/SoLo. This is one of San Juan's most dynamic neighborhoods with the largest concentration of Arts & Culture in the Caribbean.
  Here you'll find the Metro Cinema, Museum of Contemporary Art, Plaza del Mercado, Puerto Rico Museum of Art and our Fine Arts Center with four theaters & Symphony Hall - plus dance schools, ballet companies, galleries, private museums, cafés, celebrity chefs and a vibrant street art scene. Its just a 15 minute walk to the beach and has the best public transportation in San Juan.This is the center of everything ARTS in San Juan!
  Although Santurce can be a bit rough around the edges, it is developing very quickly - get in before its too late!  While there is a very strong local community - it happily co-exists with the modern luxury condos, restaurants, museums and gay nightlife that have moved into the area over the past 20 years.
  

• Kings Court is a corridor of luxury high rise condos that defines the border between Condado and Ocean Park just steps from the best beach in San Juan! A favorite with upscale local residents for its easy access to the beach, highway, walking distance to Condado or Ocean Park and around the corner from Loiza Street and SoLo.

• Ocean Park is a gated community along the best beach in San Juan. The neighborhood is restricted to low-rise buildings that rarely go above 4 floors - so you have lots of private homes, intimate condos plus several boutique hotels and guest houses. Many locals will also refer to the blocks just outside the gate as Ocean Park - so some listings can be confusing, but we'll make sure you understand the significance of 'inside the gate' or 'outside the gate' when discussing Ocean Park listings.

• SoLo is the dynamic, bohemian area South of Loiza Street - just a few blocks from Ocean Park and the spectacular beach!
  The traditional neighborhood name is Marruecos - but even locals rarely recognize it.  This used to be the traditional working class main street of San Juan, full of lots of local atmosphere and 'everyday' shopping.  Today - Loiza street is a constantly changing laboratory for young, hip, entrepreneurs with new business ideas.  You'll find a fascinating mix of shipping containers turned restaurants, empty lots turned to community cinema or food truck mall, hipster boutiques, vintage shopping, night clubs, galleries - plus traditional local shops, fruit vendors, bars and bodegas that have been there for decades. Even locals can't keep up with the changes - so be prepared for evolution as the neighborhood discovers its new identity!
  As my friend Dara says about her neighborhood - 'Every day is an ADVENTURE on Loiza Street!".

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  Click here for map of San Juan's neighborhoods

  Punta las Marias is another gated community between Ocean Park and Isla Verde.  Much quieter and less upscale than its Ocean Park neighbor - but great for families who need more space and easy access to highways or a short drive to Isla Verde or Condado.

   

• Sagrado Corazon Historic District at the end of Ponce de Leon Avenue surrounds Sacred Heart University and extends to the hilltop of the Monteflores neighborhood. This older residential neighborhood at the edge of the Arts District has some grand single family homes and affordable condos for adventurous investors. With a new 24 hour CVS, main station of the Tren Urbano, large YMCA & great bus service, this area is getting attention as an up and coming investment opportunity.

• Hato Rey is the high-rise 'Golden Mile' business district with some great luxury condos along the elevated Tren Urbano route. Easy access to highways, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Medical Center and Plaza las Americas Mall or the new upscale Mall of San Juan.

• San Patricio/Guaynabo is a nearby suburb or 'exurb' that is perfect for high-rise living with easy access to all major highways and airport – but within easy walking distance of San Patricio Plaza and surrounding restaurants, shopping, medical facilities and cinemas. If you love a 'valet parking' lifestyle, this may be perfect for you!

As you can see - the choices can seem overwhelming!

Don't wait until you're on island - CALL TODAY!

Richard Holm lic. C-18922
787-455-4216  or rholm@caribbeanconsulting.com

Listings at puertoricopropertysales.com