I like to joke that I “fell into a Puerto Rican crowd” in college. For four years, I’d frequently find myself in rooms where my lack of Spanish was noticeable. Over the last two decades, I made lasting friendships with Puerto Ricans and visited the island almost annually.
I lived in New York City for over 15 years. Between a mass exodus of friends caused by COVID-19 and the demands of raising children, the city was beginning to feel less and less appealing. So when my husband accepted a new job that was fully remote (I was already working from home), we decided it was time for a change.
Puerto Rico, with its beautiful beaches and an established group of our friends, beckoned. In August 2024, we moved from New York City to San Juan.
Almost a year and a half in, and we’re still thrilled. That said, it’s not all salty breezes and sunshine — like with everything, there are downsides.
We were wholeheartedly welcomed
The local community has welcomed us with open arms. It feels like the people are truly invested in how expats — at least those with a genuine desire to be part of the community — experience the island. It feels as if they want to showcase its beauty, and they want everyone to have the best time.
Courtesy of Sophie-Claire Hoeller
They’re also fully aware of the island’s shortcomings, but will do anything they can to smooth over any issues new residents might face (difficulty getting doctor’s appointments, for example). Mere acquaintances have gone out of their way to give me their number and tell me not to hesitate to call if I need anything — and I know that they 100% mean it.
The no-seasons lifestyle is lovely
No seasons means a consistent routine year-round — and that makes for a more active lifestyle.
One of my biggest concerns about moving to the Caribbean was the lack of seasons. I do miss the crisp fall air and that feeling of rebirth in spring’s mild rays (also, the summers here are unbearably hot); however, simply strutting out of the house without having to worry about checking the weather is incredibly liberating, as is not having to bundle up a resistant toddler.
Courtesy of Sophie-Claire Hoeller
Between the consistent temperatures and the absence of daylight saving time, the day-to-day experience here is essentially the same year-round. While that may sound like a homogenous slog to some, there’s something amazing about having a similar routine all year.
It gets dark around the same time (a civilized 6 to 7 p.m. or so), meaning I don’t have to fight to get my kid to bed when it’s still light outside. I can play beach tennis at 7 a.m. year-round, go jogging barefoot on the beach most days, and hit the gym early — schlepping to a workout in the morning isn’t half as bad when it’s warm and light out.
I feel a bit like I’m in college again
This is probably more neighborhood- than Puerto Rico-specific, but we live in an area that’s home to two English-speaking schools, and thus consists primarily of expats and parents from our kids’ school (which I can see from my doorstep — another perk that beats our previous subway ride).
This means that I have an almost instant connection with nearly everyone I meet in my building, on the street, or at the local playground, making it easy to make friends.
Life in San Juan is surprisingly expensive
We didn’t move to Puerto Rico to save money, but neither did we think we’d be spending as much on our basic living expenses as we did in Brooklyn.
We spend more on rent (granted, we have one more room and bathroom than before, a washer/dryer, and ocean views), and our weekly grocery bill is pretty much the same as it used to be, if not a little more than before, since almost everything is imported.
Courtesy of Sophie-Claire Hoeller
Restaurants are also expensive. Of course, you can find affordable meals, but those don’t tend to be the ones I’m craving. Any somewhat average spot will charge around $18 for an entrée, and for upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay twice that.
The grocery store situation is dire
My biggest struggle here is grocery shopping. I’ve always liked to plan my meals for the week in advance and then do one big shop. That’s nearly impossible in San Juan. I’ve found that I can’t always count on items like parsley or ground chicken to be in stock, and the fresh food seems to have a much shorter shelf life than I’m accustomed to.
For the most part, this can be traced back to the Jones Act, which says that goods shipped by water between two US ports must be carried on US ships. Not only does this make the cost of goods more expensive, but it also means that even a banana grown in the neighboring Dominican Republic would likely stop in Florida before heading to Puerto Rico, significantly reducing its shelf life.
The local cuisine is unexpectedly heavy
I’m on a Caribbean island, with the cerulean sea sparkling around nearly every corner. I thought I’d be feasting on fresh fish and tropical fruits daily, but in truth, fresh produce is hard to come by.
Plus, Puerto Rico doesn’t have much agriculture — it imports 80% of its food. The diet here is much heavier than I expected: rice and beans, pork, and fried snacks like alcapurrias, bacalaitos, and tostones dominate menus. Tasty, for sure, but not as light as I had envisioned.
Courtesy of Sophie-Claire Hoeller
We’re happy with our decision
We moved here knowing it wasn’t forever, but so far, living in Puerto Rico has exceeded our expectations. Yes, there are frequent power outages and the heat can be brutal, but raising a kid here is much easier, and work-life balance is more of a priority.
