Embodying history and delicate touch of Spanish, Puerto Rico is a place worth visiting at least. The chain of islands has warm, tropical weather and rich history complimented by diverse landscapes. Once you know about it, you would definitely add it to your bucket list. But you might have to change the entire perception of it if you are planning to settle there. Keep in mind the Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in Puerto Rico before making a decision.
Suitable for outing, the beaches worth 300 miles and more are the main attraction for tourists. If you are visiting the island for the first time, these Advantages of living in Puerto Rico islands are worth experiencing.
Puerto Rico is a heaven for summer lovers, especially at night. The temperature remains under control during the day while it dips a few degrees, which is perfect to set up a bonfire and enjoying a beer with your friends.
Most of the Puerto Ricans hail from a Hispanic background, and some are Portuguese. So, it’s common to see many celebrations and festivities around the islands. Plan your vacation here during a festival to get a chance to meet new people and make friends.
Pone of the advantages of living in Puerto Rico is you are never alone. You might find someone walking the streets or sitting by the bar to get friendly with. People here are generally warm and welcoming and respectful towards other cultures.
You can find a suitable place or vehicles at lower rates. Rentals are usually cheaper and pocket-friendly than other states of America. You can utilize or invest your money in other stuff or save it for the future. To give you the idea, the breweries are the island’s speciality.
Since services are cheaper in the PR islands, you can get to the nearest healthcare facility in an emergency and receive the treatment at reasonable fees. There are 90+ healthcare institutions and pharmacies in Puerto Rico island alone spread across the urban and rural areas for your information.
Despite being a tourist hotspot, the island is also known for unfavourable conditions. For someone relocating to Puerto Rico island, it’s really difficult to acclimate into the atmosphere. You need to acknowledge the following disadvantages of living in Puerto Rico and make necessary preparations.
The island is admired for its inhabitable climate, but hurricanes often ravage the same island. The aftermath turns the place into chaos and making livelihood a battle for survival for many.
Hurricane Maria sweeping across the island is the gravest example of how things may take a turn. Hurricane Maria affected all the 3.4 million residents of Puerto Rico, cutting electricity supply throughout the island, leading to a shortage of food and water. That’s the time when infectious diseases took their toll, and many had to flee their homes.
You may feel like out of the frying pan, into the fire if you live in Puerto Rico and are hit by a hurricane. Poor hygienic conditions also spoil the reputation of the islands. You can see heaps of garbage lying in the open, which invites bugs and numerous diseases. You must have seen the song Despacito; now watch it again to notice the girl walking beside a pile of garbage.
The beaches stretch along the island for around 300 miles. Visitors usually stick around all the time. Unfortunately, these beaches are also the breeding grounds for insects such as mosquitoes, sand fleas, and other dangerous animals. Make sure you don’t attract their attention; they can ruin your celebration.
A disaster-hit country takes its time to recover not only from the damage but also from financial setbacks. As of 2017, the unemployment rate in Puerto Rico before the hurricane was 10.6% which has slightly fallen to 8.2% in May 2021.
The figure indicates that there are still limited job opportunities available in the islands. This may take a few more years as the infrastructure is reinstated and life is brought back to normalcy.
Spanish is the native language of Puerto Ricans. However, English is their second language. If you have decided to spend your post-retirement life on the islands, make sure you don’t need a translator to help you every time you want to communicate. Language issues can be the biggest disadvantage of living in Puerto Rico, especially in a medical emergency.
Conclusion on Pros and Cons of Living in Puerto Rico
The islands haven’t experienced any disastrous times since 2017. On the brighter side, the employment rate has also inched forward despite the global pandemic. So there is a lot of positive to expect from the strong-witted Puerto Ricans. Once you get through the Pros and Cons of Living in Puerto Rico clearly, you can ensure your safety measures are in place and the time is right to leave to explore the islands.
Moving to Puerto Rico is a beautiful experience for individuals who love tropical weather and live near the beach. One of the main reasons to consider moving to Puerto Rico is its weather. However, additional advantages are available in Puerto Rico that aren't available anywhere else in the United States.
According to Numbeo.com, a database that calculates and compares economic variables, living in Puerto Rico is 5.7% cheaper than living in the rest of the United States (July 2019). Even the more expensive areas of the Island are still less costly than many major American cities.
The west region, home to some of the finest beaches in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, is the undisputed surfing capital of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, with spectacular sunsets. On the Island's west side, there is a sense of calm that differs from metropolitan San Juan's hectic environment.
A valid ESTA for Puerto Rico allows 90 days' stay with each entry for tourism, transit, or business purposes and is valid for a total of two years from issue, so there's no need to reapply every time you go to a US territory.
