As more people are working from home, this begs the question: Where would you live when you can work from anywhere?
For many, a nice warm location with no winters may sound ideal. The good news is that with the right technology infrastructure, there are practically no limits. Take Puerto Rico for instance. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, can be an ideal place to live for some whose job does not depend on where they reside.
A tropical island, governed by U.S. law, Puerto Rico offers a lower cost of living where your dollar goes further. The high quality of life, rich culture, outdoor adventure, and natural beauty rivals anywhere in the world. Plus, there is a robust infrastructure in place that supports the needs of an at-home workforce and a collaborative ecosystem that can be plugged right into.
Perhaps that is the most notable fact about working remotely in a U.S. territory. Recent infrastructure investments over the last decade make it as feasible as a “working at home” option as anywhere. Some are part-time residents who may escape the cold winters or northern areas for a warmer lifestyle for parts of the year.
Here are five things you might not know about working remotely from Puerto Rico:
1. Reliable Internet. Internet connectivity is rapidly improving across the island. Just ask the 3.1 million subscribers on the island.
The majority of the island reports strong connections and a quick recovery is underway with the federal government making major investments to increase connectivity. As of February 2020, historic Old San Juan offers public Wi-Fi thanks to AeroNet and Facebook’s cutting-edge Terragraph technology.
Twenty-nine percent of subscribers have speeds higher than 100 Mbps, and gigabit fiber options are expanding throughout the metro area. Consumers can choose between 30 high speed internet service providers, which keep the market competitive, prices low, and give customers redundancy options.
And things are only going to improve. In 2018, the FCC established Uniendo, a Puerto Rico Fund, which provided $51.2 million in new support. Phase 2 saw the release of $699 million for information and communications technology infrastructure.
2. Advanced and secure networks. There’s a state-of-the art rebuild underway. 5G anyone?
Puerto Rico is not just rebuilding its technology infrastructure; it’s creating a fertile laboratory for innovation and testing to support its key industries such as pharmaceutical, medical devices and aerospace along with new innovations in FinTech, AI, and blockchain. This sustained effort continues to push the island to the forefront of the Internet of Things with connectivity through two LoRa networks and three 5G networks island-wide.
3. Ease of access. Traveling around the island is as easy as the mainland.
Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you aren’t required to have a passport upon entrance let alone a work visa. The island is governed by U.S. federal law and American citizens can travel freely to and from the island without going through immigration or customs. Puerto Rico also uses U.S. currency and offers the feeling of being in a foreign country while providing the same ease of travel as the mainland U.S.
4. Language options and community. No habla Español? No hay problema. English is an official language of Puerto Rico.
English is one of Puerto Rico’s official languages, with increased proficiency. The island’s government has been promoting English and has made it a goal to become fully bilingual by 2022 to further increase its attractive profile. English is also an educational requirement for Puerto Rican students, and it is reported that 30 percent of islanders speak it well or very well. Although learning some Spanish phrases is encouraged given the prevalence of the language, visitors have experienced few issues getting by knowing little to no Spanish. This is especially true in the island’s larger cities that have a high influx of tourists.
Feeling lost? Puerto Ricans are known for their hospitality and will gladly help you, even if you don’t speak a bit of Spanish. In truth — it won’t be long until you find a community to call your own. Entrepreneurial circles on the island are ready to welcome you and guide you through the process. Innovators and entrepreneurs that have relocated over the years are eager to share their experiences and expertise to make your move to Puerto Rico a breeze. With networking events, and meetups happening weekly online and in-person there are plenty of opportunities to get plugged in.
5. A global hub for remote work. Puerto Rico is well-positioned to welcome a new wave of remote workers.
The island’s low cost-of-living, high quality of life, and attractive tax incentives make it an ideal destination for the remote worker looking to change up the everyday scenery of their work-from-home space. Set up an office in paradise and visit Puerto Rico — you might not want to ever leave, and there’s no reason you have to. It’s no surprise Puerto Rico has become a hub for tech entrepreneurs, celebrities and financiers. But it’s just as welcoming to start-ups, gig economy workers and creatives.
Interested in learning more about your potential long-term business stay — or move — to the Island of Enchantment? Find out more at the remote worker resources page on the website of the island’s economic development arm, Invest Puerto Rico. You won’t need to pack your snow mittens.
