I moved my family from New York City to Puerto Rico 18 months ago. We love it here, but some things surprised us.
In August 2024, author Sophie-Claire Hoeller and her family made the significant decision to relocate from the bustling streets of New York City to the vibrant shores of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This move was spurred by a combination of factors, including her husband’s new remote job and a desire for a change in lifestyle amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a rich history of friendships formed during her college years in Puerto Rico, Hoeller was drawn to the island’s warm community and idyllic climate. Now, a year and a half later, she reflects on the joys and challenges of expat life in Puerto Rico, where the welcoming spirit of the locals has made the transition smoother, yet the realities of high living costs and grocery shortages have introduced unexpected hurdles.
Hoeller describes the local community as incredibly supportive, with residents eager to help newcomers navigate life on the island. From offering assistance with practical matters like securing doctor’s appointments to simply extending a friendly hand, the sense of belonging has been palpable. One of the most appealing aspects of life in Puerto Rico is the consistent climate, which allows for an active lifestyle without the seasonal shifts that characterized her life in New York. However, she acknowledges the downsides, particularly in terms of expenses. The cost of living in San Juan can be surprisingly high, with rent and grocery bills often matching or exceeding those in Brooklyn. The grocery situation, in particular, presents challenges due to the island’s reliance on imported goods, leading to frequent shortages and higher prices for basic items. This reliance stems from the Jones Act, which complicates shipping logistics and affects the freshness of produce.
Despite these challenges, Hoeller expresses a deep satisfaction with their decision to move. The family has embraced the unique lifestyle Puerto Rico offers, including the opportunity for a more balanced work-life dynamic and the ease of raising children in a community-focused environment. While she misses the seasonal changes of her previous life, the warmth of the island and the connections forged with fellow expats have made their new home feel like a perfect fit. Overall, Hoeller’s experience underscores the complexities of expatriate life, where the beauty of a new environment is often accompanied by the reality of adapting to a different way of living.
The author and her family moved to sunny Puerto Rico in August 2024.
Courtesy of Sophie-Claire Hoeller
Moving my family from New York City to Puerto Rico brought both joys and unexpected challenges.
The welcoming community and consistent climate make daily life enjoyable for expat families.
A high cost of living and grocery shortages are surprising downsides in San Juan.
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.
The author said her son (pictured)
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.
The author says she appreciates always knowing what the weather will be like when she steps out of her door.
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.
The author said that restaurants in San Juan can be expensive.
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.
The author said that overall, she and her family are happy to be living in Puerto Rico.
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.
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