banking

Hi, I've heard a lot of different things about banking in the islands. Some people have told me that paying for rent and utilities and such that i won't be able to use checks from my home bank in the states. Others have told me that I won't have a problem. I'm one who will only be writing checks for things like bills and what not. Otherwise i use a debit card so that won't matter if i have my home bank. The reason I ask is because I also heard that the banks down there (none are branches of banks from the states?) charge an arm and a leg for checking. If anyone could give me some information it would be huge and help me in my planning for my move on 10/20. thanks a lot