Hola from Puerto Rico—Your Island Home Awaits 🌴
Hello! I’m Dr. Charley, founder of Mermaid Oasis Homes, proud of my Boricua roots and passionate about helping clients move to Puerto Rico. I specialize in water‑access real estate—homes with oceanfront views, pools, spring-fed rivers, or a peaceful dock. Let me tell you why moving to Puerto Rico could be the best decision you ever make.
Why Puerto Rico Is Calling You Home
Puerto Rico is experiencing a real estate boom—home prices rose over 11% year-over-year in Q1 2025, fueled by federal tax incentives like Act 60, attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and retirees seeking full‑time residency and tax advantages (Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Real Estate).
From San Juan to Ponce to Dorado and Condado, ocean‑view and historic homes command premium pricing—upward of $2,000 per square foot in elite coastal areas—while more rural or mountain regions remain more affordable, yet full of charm and water access (Business Insider).
My Heritage: Parque de Bombas in Ponce
I’m honored to trace my family roots to Ponce, the southern city where the iconic Parque de Bombas stands in Plaza Las Delicias, just behind the cathedral. Built in 1882 as an exhibition pavilion, it became Puerto Rico’s first fire station in 1885, serving as such for over a century until 1990, when it transformed into a museum (Wikipedia).
To me, that red‑and‑black striped Victorian‑Moorish building isn’t just a landmark—it’s a piece of my identity. Growing up, I heard stories of Los Héroes del Polvorín—the firefighters who defied military orders to save the city from fire in 1899, earning the highest local honor and homes paid by the city in gratitude (PuertoRico.com).
Today, the museum inside displays antique engines, firefighting uniforms, and a painting honoring those heroes. It draws thousands every year and captures the spirit of resilience, community, and pride—values I carry into my real estate practice.
Celebrating the Taíno Spirit
Long before colonial maps, Taíno culture shaped Puerto Rico. Our island is called Borinquen in Taíno, and many customs endure—from agricultural practices to music, dance, art, and place names (Discover Puerto Rico). Across Puerto Rico today, a renaissance is underway: schools teach Taíno words and ceremonial dances, artisans revive petroglyph-inspired crafts, and festivals celebrate our indigenous heritage with drumming, weaving, and traditional chants (Discover Puerto Rico).
Regions to Love: Where Water & Home Meet
San Juan & Metro North Coast
- Elegant Condado or Isla Verde condos, luxury beachfront lifestyles, and vibrant culinary scenes. High prices but world-class amenities and year-round warmth (Business Insider).
- Centrally located San Juan offers arts, shopping, historic Old San Juan castle views, and easy connections for work or travel.
Southern & Central Mountains
- Towns like Ponce, Utuado, and Adjuntas offer mid‑price homes—some overlooking rivers or forested valleys. Great for artists, retirees, or families seeking culture without urban bustle.
- Near sites like Centro Ceremonial Indígena Caguana or Tibes for Taíno petroglyphs and ceremonial plazas (Discover Puerto Rico).
Western & Eastern Coasts
- Towns such as Rincón or Vieques/WRA: surfing, snorkel coves, beachfront homes, and islands alive with sea‑grass lagoons and peaceful beaches.
Dorado & North Coast Fringe
- Upscale, gated communities, country clubs, and ocean estates—ideal for those seeking luxury and easy access to San Juan.
Across all regions, water remains the heart of daily life—coastal breezes, spring-fed creeks, rooftop pools, or oceanfront terraces.
Living in Puerto Rico: Benefits & Considerations
- Tax advantages: Act 60 offers 0% capital gains and 4% corporate tax, plus no federal income tax on Puerto Rican‑source income—terrific for entrepreneurs or remote workers (New York Post).
- Lifestyle: Warm year-round with slower pace, vibrant outdoor culture, fresh seafood, and community wellness.
- Amenities: Costco, Amazon, medical services, and expat‑friendly neighborhoods in San Juan plus high-speed internet.
- Considerations: Occasional infrastructure issues like power outages—often mitigated by backup systems—and higher groceries due to imports. But many expats view the tradeoffs as part of island living worth embracing (Business Insider).
Things to Do: From History to the Sea
- Visit Parque de Bombas Museum in Plaza Las Delicias and learn the story of Ponce’s brave firefighters—right where my ancestry lies (discoveringpuertorico.com).
- Attend Festival de Bomba y Plena de San Antón—a joyful annual celebration in Ponce of African‑influenced music and dance traditions stretching back generations (Wikipedia).
- Explore Taíno Route sites: ceremonial plazas, petroglyphs, and apple orchards tracing pre‑colonial ancestors in Ponce and Utuado (Discover Puerto Rico).
- Enjoy beaches, snorkeling, bioluminescent bays, surf spots, hiking trails, and local markets throughout the island.
Ready to Make Puerto Rico Home?
If you dream of living surrounded by ocean breeze, vibrant culture, Taíno-rooted heritage, and family history—and would love expert help navigating local real estate and moving logistics—I’d be honored to assist.
At Mermaid Oasis Homes, I connect you with trusted real estate agents across Puerto Rico who specialize in water‑access properties—from San Juan condos to tranquil southern homes or western shore retreats.
Let’s talk about how Puerto Rico could become your next chapter. Whether you're relocating for lifestyle, business, or legacy—I’m here to help guide your journey home.

Con cariño y agua,
Dr. Charley
Mermaid Oasis Homes
