We own a home and an acre about 5 minutes from there- it is not poor, but it is not rich. Beautiful place and to buy there as a local, around 150k, as a non local- 3-400k.
The whole island is facing the very real possibility of being deemed for the very wealthy exclusively. This issue has arisen due to numerous factors including the abject corruption of the islands government and the very people of the island leaving the island in the many many thousand because of either the hurricanes , the insane tax levied on the citizenry and the low wages afforded the people. There was a time when Puerto Ricans would grow up then take to tending to the land for both personal sustenance and income. Throughout the decades so much of the youth decided they didn't want to become farmers so they looked for other opportunities on the main land. This gap of unattended farms created a opportunity for outsiders to come a sweep up pieces of land that were in families for generations for very little money because the offspring didn't want to be on the island now tend to land. Because of this and numerous other underlying issues, Puerto Rico has been devoured by the wealthy and they pay hardly any tax at all to supposedly live there. While the locals are hammered by the taxes. So it's government corruption, our own peoples apathy for our most sacred land and the insane tax breaks given to the wealthy that claim to live on the island 6 months out of the year. I can assure you the vast majority of these deviants are Not living there. Also they don't contribute at all to the overall economy of the island as the government would try to convince you of otherwise. The people of Puerto Rico need to step up and not take the BS anymore and more importantly tend to the land if they have any in their possession. Do not sell it to a foreigner no matter what. Otherwise within a decade or two Puerto Rico will be an Island that it's own people will not be welcomed on. If you think n this isn't possible then you are really naive. Puerto Ricans need to give a damn first of all, then they need to put immense pressure on their ultra corrupt government on the island. Demand that land is not for sale for mere pennies on the dollar to those who are extremely wealthy and can surely afford to pay a premium. Yet I'd go as far as demanding that no one be allowed to sell their land to any foreigners. Especially anyone looking to put up resorts and hotels that wind up so expensive that no locals will ever be able to enjoy a stay there. Oh they might be able to wash the dishes and clean the rooms for the wealthy vacationers. I am heartbroken watching the island throughout the years be sold piecemeal style and seeing so many of the islands people leave due to hard times. I get it, I understand and I'm sure many who left the island were more than likely heart broken doing so. But if we do not stay and stick it out others will come in during our most desperate times and take advantage of us when we are at our most vulnerable state. Please place faith in God and take action to stop the rapping of our precious island.
