What is the downside of living in Puerto Rico?

The honest downsides cluster in three areas: power grid reliability, hurricane exposure, and import-driven prices. LUMA Energy supplies most of the island and outages remain frequent (rolling brownouts, scheduled maintenance interruptions, and longer outages after weather events); many residents budget for backup generators or whole-home batteries. Hurricane season runs June through November and a major storm hit causes weeks of disruption (Maria in 2017 is the recent worst case). Imported goods carry shipping premiums: groceries run 15 to 30 percent above mainland prices, electronics and appliances similar, and cars cost more than mainland equivalents after shipping. Spanish dominates outside metro tourist areas. Local salaries are well below mainland US for most professions, so PR works best for remote workers earning mainland income, retirees on mainland pensions, or Act 60 beneficiaries with portable capital. Healthcare is solid but specialist depth thinner than mainland metros. For the full cost picture, see our Puerto Rico cost of living page.