Top 10 Places to Live in Puerto Rico
By: Ricardo Bertran
December 27th, 2020
REALTOR® Lic. C-18
463
Welcome to Homes of Puerto Rico, a fantastic website to ensure you are able to find your dream home in Puerto Rico. I have selected based on my expertise the top 10 places to live on this beautiful island. One place is not better than the other since every single place has its own charm. It all depends on what you are looking for: do you want to be close to the metro area or far away? Quiet and peaceful or loud and buzzling? Beach or Mountains? All of these are some of the questions that will help you decide where you want to set up your search in this amazing place to call home. We start of our top 10 list with:
1. Condado, San Juan PR
With its countless restaurants, hotels, bars, beaches, casinos and location it is no wonder people are drawn to Condado district of San Juan, PR. Also named the New San Juan it is an area that is extremely desirable to both locals and tourist. Homes of Puerto Rico has selected Condado as number 1 on the list simply because you have some of the most high end condos in the entire island. Condado is delineated by Puente Dos Hermanos to the West and Ocean Park Neighborhood to the East. The main avenue is Ashford Avenue and this is the holy grail for real estate. Keep in mind that there are only four entrances to Condado and it is a densely populated area so traffic will be quite heavy during rush hour from 4-6:30 pm. Some attractions of this area include The Condado Lagoon which is great for water sports such as Paddle Boarding, Kayaking and Swimming. You might be able to spot Manatees in their natural habitat in the Lagoon; walk along Condado Beach which runs parallel to Ashford Avenue and is famous for kite surfing, and of course enjoy many hotels such as La Concha, Condado Vanderbilt, OLV Boutique Hotel and Condado Plaza. Prices in this Area Range from mid 200’s thousand to 9 Million. More on Condado
2. Isla Verde, Carolina PR
Also known as the Tourist Area of the Metropolitan Area (and for good reason), Isla Verde is located right next to International Airport Luis Munoz Marin. A short 5 minute uber or taxi will take you to possibly one of the best beaches of the metropolitan area. Located in the Municipality of Carolina, Isla Verde is situated east of Condado and features an exquisite beach with white sands and turquoise waters. The main appeal for purchasing an apartment on the beach is that it is a great investment as many of these apartments allow Short Term Rentals such as AirBnB and VRBO. Important to note that not all of the condos allow for short term rentals so make sure to ask the listing agent if this is allowed before going into escrow. This area has increased considerably in value and as of December, 2020 a Sellers Market dominates the supply and demand, making buyers pay over appraisal value. Prices start around the low 200s for a studio apartment or a 1 bedroom apartment. More on Isla Verde
3. Miramar, San Juan PR
Situated south of the Condado Lagoon, Miramar is a gem within the San Juan Metropolitan Area. It features old colonial houses with a mixture of modern apartments overlooking the lagoon. An elegant neighborhood, Miramar is for those who wish a quieter area compared to condado but still enjoy being centrally located. There are many high end restaurants, speak easy bars as well as coffee shops and movie theaters. In the middle of the neighborhood is situated Perpetuo Socorro School which is one of the best private schools of puerto rico. More on Miramar
4. Old San Juan, San Juan PR
Where it all began, dating all the way back to 1521 Old San Juan is one of the most vibrant and colorful neighborhoods in Puerto Rico. This city was built by the Spaniards when they colonized Puerto Rico at the end of the 15th century. The city is a truly magical place as it features Spanish architecture with internal exposed wooden beams and checkered flooring. Some of the most interesting design layouts will be found on this area. The main attractions are all here: Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, La Perla, The Governors house “La Fortaleza” and so much more. Everywhere you look you will find a picture opportunity. Living in Old San Juan is not for everyone. With only two entrances and two exits the city can become quite unbearable for car owners due to high traffic. Also, a lack of parking is a definite challenge since parking can be quite tough to find on the street. Residents get a car label for street parking or they can pay a monthly fee at one of the many private parkings available. The accessibility is the major tradeoff for living in one of the most beautiful zones in Puerto Rico. Homes of Puerto Rico has selected this zone as one of the best places to live because homes here enjoy tax benefits due to historical zoning. Combine this with all the restaurants, coffee shops, stores, art galleries and just a spectacular scenery and indulge in finding a place to call your home here in Old San Juan. Apartment start in the high 200’s and go all the way to 5+ Million for an entire building. More on Old San Juan
5. Dorado, PR
Dorado is an oasis 30 minutes away from San Juan. Particularly popular with many Ex Pats, Dorado is one of the counties with the most beautiful neighborhoods and fantastic homes. Homes of Puerto Rico recommends Dorado Beach East, The Ritz Carlton Reserve Residences, Plantation Village, Dorado Del Mar, Paseo del Mar, Dorado Reef , Brenas and Sabanera Neighborhood. These all feature gated neighborhoods and one of the best schools in the Island. Tasis School and Dorado Academy. Many enjoy the total peacefulness of the area combined with easy access to the City of San Juan. Keep in mind if you are going to be working in San Juan and Living in Dorado the morning and afternoon commute will be very heavy so plan accordingly. There are many hotels in this zone and prices for homes in this area start in the 600’s and go well into the Millions depending on where you decide to live. More on Dorado
6. Rincon, PR
Lets go West! Rincon has been a crowd favorite for its most amazing sunsets and surf. Many feel like Rincon is unlike anything else in Puerto Rico for its topography. You get a great shoreline with mountains rising up from the shoreline. Real Estate in this location is highly desirable and particularly if you have an ocean view. Very popular destination for surfers worldwide for its perfect waves Rincon has so much to offer its residents. Neighboring to Mayaguez and Aguada Rincon is the most western tip of Puerto Rico. Keep in mind that many choose Rincon to disconnect from the rest of the Island as it is very peaceful and is great for those seeking the most romantic getaways. All of this info is important because Homes of Puerto Rico would say that Rincon is the Short Term Rental Paradise; Making an investment in a multifamily property to be a very smart option as you could possible live for free from rental income. Distance from San Juan is Approximately 2 Hours and 20 Minutes so keep this in mind should you work in San Juan. More on Rincon
7. Guaynabo, PR
Guaynabo City is a favorite for those who want to live in a suburban area. You will find great neighborhoods such as Garden Hills, Torrimar, La Villa de Torrimar, San Patricio, Palma Real, among many others. Also it is a county with many walk ups and condos. Typically you will get more bang for your buck in this area and prices tend to be more in line with actual market value. However, due to an increase in prices in Condado, Isla Verde, Miramar and the rest of San Juan, finding housing in Guaynabo is starting to become difficult as there is high demand. The Northern part of the county is more popular for finding condos near San Patricio Shopping Center, the middle and southern part of the county has more gated communities. The southernmost part of Guaynabo is situated in the mountains so this county definitely has many options as to what you can find. More on Guaynabo.
8. Rio Grande, PR
This city enjoys its prime location at the root of El Yunque Rainforest. Making an investment in this area is great for potential AirBnB rentals since clients love to be close to the Rainforest. It is 40 minutes to the east of San Juan and accesible by Highway 66. A popular area is Camino Las Picuas which features homes right on the beach with ample lots. Also any complex situated within the Rio Mar complex is a great investment. Attractions include the Carabali Horse Back trails and four track tours. Also Rio grande is 20 minutes from Fajardo and 30 minutes to the Ferry Terminal in Ceiba which takes you to Vieques and Culebra Island. Top Hotels in Rio Grande include: The St Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico and the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort. More on Rio Grande
9. Ponce, PR
Also named “La Perla del Sur” Ponce is a great city in the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Its old city has been preserved in mint condition and has luxurious mansions with traditional colonial architecture. Amongst popular buildings you will find the Centro Cultural de Ponce Carmen Sola. Attractions include the Ponce Art Museum famous for its European and Puertorrican Art Collection, Castillo Serralles, and La Guancha which is undergoing renovations. This region was affected by the earthquakes in January 2020 so prices have declined making this an excellent area of opportunity to invest. Thanks to its location in the center of the southern part of Puerto Rico, commute is 1 hour to San Juan and 1 hour to Mayaguez making Ponce very attractive for those who want to live in a Big City other than San Juan. More on Ponce
10. Cabo Rojo, PR
