The 6 Best Cities In Puerto Rico To Retire In Comfortably

Puerto Rico is one of the best places in the world to retire. But, you can’t just settle anywhere. Here are the best places to retire in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is renowned for its year-round sunny weather, glorious Caribbean beaches, delicious food and friendly people. 

It also has a rich history, which you can experience in several of its Spanish-colonial era towns and cities. And, these attributes make it an attractive travel destination.  

Besides being a great vacation destination, Puerto Rico is also a nice country for people looking for a place to settle down after they retire. 

And as a U.S. citizen, you won’t have to go through the process of obtaining a visa or a residency permit, since this country is part of the U.S.

However, it’s important to choose a decent place to settle down, where you will be safe and have access to everything that you will need to enjoy a comfortable life after your retirement. 

But, we’ve already done that for you. In this article, we’ve identified the best place to retire in Puerto Rico.

San Juan

San Juan is the largest city in this country and its capital.

It’s also one of the most popular places among retirees relocating from the U.S. to Puerto Rico. And, it’s easy to see why. If you are a newcomer, you will have access to all the amenities that you will need.

Also, moving around from one place to the next won’t be a challenge, thanks to the city’s solid infrastructure.

San Jose also has lots of entertainment spots, robust nightlife and world-class restaurants. And, you don’t even need to know Spanish to get your way around the city, since most of the locals know English.

However, you need to ensure you choose the right neighborhood since some can be unsafe at night, especially those within low-income areas. 

With that said, the best neighborhoods to relocate to are Old San Juan, Isla Verde, Ocean Park, Miramar, Viejo San Juan, Pueblo and Condado.

Besides being safe, these neighborhoods are located within a short distance from the city. So, everything you need will be easily accessible. 

Also, they have a strong expat community, meaning you won’t have a problem finding the dishes that you are used to back at home.

The cost of living in San Juan is around $1,000 for a single person and approximately $3,300 for a family of four.

Rio Marr

Located close to El Yunque National Forest, Rio Marr is also an inviting place to retire in this country. The area is surrounded by stunning beauty, wherever you look.

It’s also one of the most affordable places for retirees. It’s considerably cheaper than the U.S. average.

While this place may not have a vibrant nightlife, it has dozens of decent bars and restaurants. You will also find a couple of several entertainment venues. 

So, you won’t get bored. Rio Marr will be ideal for retirees looking for a quiet, serene and laid-back place to settle down.

If you are an avid hiker, then you also have another reason to consider retiring at this place. It’s within a walking distance from El Yunque National Forest, which has hundreds of gorgeous trails.

The beach is also nearby, in case you want to sunbathe. And, you won’t run into crowds.

Furthermore, Rio Marr is a 30-minute drive to San Juan. So, in case you want to do some shopping, enjoy the nightlife, do shopping or run some errands in the city, then the trip will only take you a few minutes. 

Overall, if you are looking for a chill, affordable and laid-back place to retire, then you can never go wrong with Rio Marr.

Dorado

While Dorado may be a bit more expensive than some of the other places that we’ve listed here, the cost is worth it. 

Most Puerto Rican celebrities and politicians live here. And as you may expect, it remains one of the safest places in the country.

So, you won’t have to worry about being mugged or your house being burglarized when you are living in Dorado.

Furthermore, the entire town features a resort-type lifestyle, with lots of shopping centers, golf courses, and water parks, spread across the different parts of this luxurious estate.

If you prefer living in a rural setting but you still want to have access to the beach, then Dorado offers the best of both. 

Also, traveling to the city won’t be a problem if you retire in Dorado. The city is only 25 miles away.

The only downside with Dorado is that you may struggle to get an apartment. And when you do, you can expect to dig deeper into your pocket for it. However, the pros of retiring in Dorado outweigh the cons by far.

Ponce

Located on the southern coast of the country, Ponce is Puerto Rico’s second biggest city. It has a population of approximately 145,000.

Ponce is the ideal retirement place for those who want to immerse themselves in the country’s culture, given its proximity to important cultural centers like galleries, museums, parks and libraries. 

Also, it hosts various cultural events and festivities throughout the year.

Besides being a culture-rich city, Ponce also has gorgeous views of the coast. Also, you will have unlimited beachside access. 

Furthermore, the food is amazing, the cost of living is low and the locals are extremely friendly.

We should also mention that this city boasts some of the best healthcare in Puerto Rico. And, this may explain why it’s so popular both with vacationers and retirees.

The only drawback with Ponce is its location. It’s situated away from most of the country’s major cities. So, travel from this location to the rest of the country can pose some challenges for newcomers. 

But with time, you will eventually master how to get around.

Rincon

Rincon is a coastal town located on the northwestern side of the country. Thousands of surfers from all parts of the globe visit this town every year, thanks to its abundance of beautiful beaches.

But, even if you are not a surfer, this coastal town is also a great option for retirees looking to enjoy a quiet, slow life. 

It only has 15,000 inhabitants, meaning you will have an opportunity to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle close to the beach.

As much as it may have a few inhabitants, it has several high-quality eateries, entertainment spots and accommodations.

Also, the cost of living here is lower than in San Jose, making it a decent retirement destination.

Cayey

If you are a nature lover and you would love to live in a place where there are lots of forests, fresh air, mountains and valleys, then Cayey appears like the ideal retirement place for you.

It’s located in the Central Mountain range, approximately 1,500 feet above sea level. So, the temperatures here are lower than in most of the other parts of the country.

Cayey has a nice blend of rural, urban and peri-urban.

Living in this area will allow you to remain active through hiking since there are numerous hiking trails, set deep in the nearby forests. 

So, if you are not fond of the beach lifestyle, then Cayey will be perfect for you.

Besides its majestic views, the cost of living is within the affordable range. Renting an apartment within the city center will cost you around $350 per month while one outside the city center will set you back approximately $250 monthly. 

Also, crime levels are on the lower side.

Key Takeaways

• Puerto Rico is one of the best places to retire
• The country has solid infrastructure
• Most neighborhoods are safe and the cost of living isn’t too high
• You can live in the urban, peri-urban or rural areas