From a small town to a big city
Date of Interview: June 1, 1999
Interviewer: Joanmarie Lucia Cruz
Interviewee: Lucia Cruz De Jesus
Interview conducted: Spanish
Translated by: Joanmarie Lucia Cruz
What is your full name?
My name is Lucia Cruz De Jesus.
What is your nationality?
I am Puerto Rican.
Where were you born?
I was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico.
When did you first move to the United States?
I came to the United States in 1969.
Was it then that you came to Philadelphia?
No, I didn't come to Philadelphia yet. Where I went was to Jersey City.
So, when did you come to Philadelphia?
I came to Philadelphia in 1974 when I got married.
Why did you leave Puerto Rico?
I left Puerto Rico because I had to come help my brother and my sister-in-law. They were going to have another baby and needed some help. My plans were to stay a few months and come back to Puerto Rico but I liked it, so I stayed.
How did your life change when you came to Philadelphia?
My life changed when I came to Philadelphia because when I came here I came with my new husband. I also had to get to know new people and new family and I had to make new friends. In Puerto Rico I already had my life in it's place... I knew people and had my family there. The way of life I had over there was different. I came from a small town to a big city where there are more people and place and lots more noise... and I didn't have much family here. I missed my own that was in Puerto Rico... but after the years I have adapted.
What are the differences between Philadelphia
when you came and now?
When I came it was more calm. You could live with less fear and their wasn't poverty like now. You could find a job more easily and the cost of life was lower. Now there is more poverty and things are wasted. The streets seem more dangerous and there are lots of abandoned houses. Because of the sense of fear more caution must be taken.
When you came from Puerto Rico what did you
sacrifice or leave behind?
Coming here I left my parents, brother and sisters - most of my family. I also left my friends and my environment along with the only language I knew. When I came here I was afraid because I didn't know how to express myself. Over there I had everything and I left it all there... but I always had the hope that someday I would return. I never thought I would be here so many years. I have been here thirty years and now it's like I'm from here...
Do you ever regret moving here? Why or why not?
At first I did regret it because, like, I may have said in other questions, the environment was different and it was hard for me to adjust, but as time passed I realized that I really don't - at least not like I use to. It hasn't been too bad because I formed my family here and worked and I have everything I need to live. At times I feel bad because my family is far from me but the fact that I see them once in awhile does help.
Was it hard for you to find a job?
At first, yes, because I didn't want to do any kind of job. I wanted a job that had to do with the education that I had but because of the language - I didn't speak English too well - it wasn't easy to get the job I wanted but with time I got a job and a chance to do things that I wouldn't have done in Puerto Rico and here I did and I don't regret that.
Have you been back to Puerto Rico?
I have been to visit a couple of times but in the past few years I haven't been there but I do plan to go since most of my family is there.
If anyone from Puerto Rico would want to come
to Philadelphia or the United States, what advice would you give them?
If someone from over there or anywhere would ask me, I would tell them to think about it because I don't think that is the best decision to leave their country to come to one they don't know. In these times it's not easy. If they are fine where they are and they want to come because they think it is better over here they could be wrong... not everyone has it easy over here and maybe it would be better if they were in there own country where they are accustomed to their own ways.
