Should I Move to Puerto Rico?

There’s no denying that Puerto Rico is a gorgeous island with many perks and amenities that make it an enviable place to live. The weather is similar to the conditions in Florida, with turquoise waters and beautiful beaches. As a US territory, you don’t need a passport to visit Puerto Rico. Visiting is much different from moving and living there full time. Living in Puerto Rico full-time means you better love the place because coming back won’t be easy once you’re there. All of that has people asking themselves; should I move to Puerto Rico?

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Does Puerto Rico offer enough to make it worth leaving the US mainland? That depends on you, and your desires, dreams, and goals. To help you decide, we’ve got the best reasons to move to Puerto Rico below. We’ve also included some reasons to not move to Puerto Rico. Read on to learn more before making this life-changing decision!

The Weather

The weather in Puerto Rico is the definition of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s gorgeous much of the year. Sunny, hot, and very much like south Florida, you’ll be able to hit the beach every day if you like. It rains sporadically, but more inland than at the coast. Indeed, there’s no need for heavy clothing in Puerto Rico whatsoever. The heaviest piece of clothing most folks here own is a sweatshirt! Gloves, winter boots, scarves, and fur-lined coats? Nope, you won’t need any of those, like, ever.

On the other hand, the heat and humidity in Puerto Rico can sometimes be oppressive. It gets so hot that living in Puerto Rico without air conditioning would be very difficult. Many Puerto Ricans live without AC, but they’re used to it after living here their entire lives. Most mainland Americans would find it almost impossible and very uncomfortable, even at night. Then there’s also the fact that hurricanes have a nasty habit of pounding Puerto Rico every few years. Since 2017, several major hurricanes have devastated Puerto Rico, including Hurricanes Maria, Dorian, Karen, Teddy, and Fiona.

The Language

One of the best reasons to visit Puerto Rico is that you don’t need a passport. The island is a US territory and as much a part of the US as Alaska or Hawaii. However, unlike in Alaska and Hawaii, most people in Puerto Rico speak Spanish. Yes, many speak English, but away from the bigger cities, Spanish is more or less the only language you’ll hear. That means you’ll have two choices when you live in Puerto Rico. The first is to live somewhere a lot of people speak English. The second is to learn Spanish, which is no small feat. Whichever you choose, if you’re used to speaking English exclusively, it will take some getting used to.

The Cost of Living

One of the bigger perks of living in Puerto Rico is that, in general, things cost less. Rents are cheaper by about 30% to 50%. Depending on what you buy, food is also about 10% to 20% cheaper. The cost to buy a home is more economical, depending on where you choose to live. If, for example, you live in an exclusive, gated community, the cost might be very similar to the US mainland. If you live outside of a major city, you will pay significantly less but also have significantly fewer amenities.

The Food

The food in Puerto Rico is fantastic. Being a tropical island, many fruits and vegetables grow here all year. Fresh fish and other seafood are available also and much cheaper than in many cities on the mainland. One drawback, however, is that many of your favorite brands won’t be here. If they are, you can bet they’ll be more expensive because they must import by ship. What that means is you’ll either pay more to eat or need to get used to eating local foods. The good news, as we mentioned, is that the local food is fabulous.

Nature

Puerto Rico, being a tropical island, is one of the most incredible places in the Caribbean. The natural beauty here is everywhere you look, even close to the bigger cities. The beaches are world-class, but there are also mountains, jungles, and lagoons to explore. If you love living life outdoors and exploring natural wonders, you’ll be in heaven in Puerto Rico. One small drawback is that there are many flying bugs, spiders, and other creepy crawlies on the island. They, like other factors, will take some time to get used to.

Job Opportunities

The job market, even for locals, is poor. If you find a job, it likely won’t pay a living wage. On the other hand, starting a business in Puerto Rico can be very lucrative in the right industry. Labor is relatively cheap, and the tax benefits are pretty impressive.

Crime

There’s no way around the fact that crime rates in Puerto Rico, like many islands in the Caribbean, are high. San Juan, for example, has crime rates that almost equal Chicago! Outside of the major cities, however, things get a lot safer.

Should I Move to Puerto Rico Brought to you by Southern Self Storage

Moving to Puerto Rico can be a fantastic choice when done right and for the right reasons. The weather, nature, cost of living, and people here are all excellent, even if the island has a few drawbacks.

Before you arrive, we suggest reserving a storage unit in Puerto Rico. That way, your storage unit will be ready and waiting when your things get here. To see all of the Southern Self Storage locations in Puerto Rico, click here. You’ll find the addresses and phone numbers for all 10 of our self storage facilities. You can call or stop by in person, too. The on-site manager will be happy to answer all your questions. They can also advise you on which storage units will best meet your needs!

This post was originally published on 12/01/2020. It was updated on 10/03/2022.