A Cuban woman has stirred up quite a buzz on TikTok after sharing a video in which she discusses the advantages of living in Puerto Rico over the United States. The video has garnered over 16,000 likes and more than 2,000 comments in just two days.
In the video, she highlights four main benefits of living in Puerto Rico. First, she mentions the lack of stress: “That stress everyone lives with out there doesn’t exist here. Those who have visited know and feel it.” She also emphasizes the friendliness of the island’s residents, stating, “The way people treat you here is pure love, something you won’t find anywhere else.”
The natural beauty and accessibility of beaches and rivers are also on her list of pros: “No matter where you live, you’ll have a beautiful beach or a gorgeous river nearby.” Food is another significant factor: “The Puerto Rican flavors, my love, are something else. The food here has a taste that I can’t even describe... you have to try it yourself.”
Reactions to the video have been mixed. Some users agreed and shared similar experiences. “Since I first stepped foot in Puerto Rico, I fell in love so much that I’ve been back four more times, and now I’m moving there in two weeks. Every time I go, I get choked up with emotion,” one person wrote. Another commented, “I’m a Cuban who lived in the USA for two years and have been in Puerto Rico for seven years now. I have no plans to return to the USA.”
Others, however, disagreed with her perspective. “I prefer stress with electricity over calm without it,” one user noted. Another added, “I lived in Puerto Rico with more stress. I wanted to run away. I couldn’t make ends meet! Ended up getting a divorce!!” A Puerto Rican user also remarked, “Some people are good, and others are not. I’m telling you this as a native.”
Additional critics mentioned the island’s infrastructure issues: “What part of Puerto Rico is she talking about? Yes, my island is beautiful, but you can’t live here, and people treat you poorly. There are no services, education is terrible, and food quality is relative if you know how to cook,” another person added. “I live in San Juan, and the stress is horrible, especially when driving, and don’t get me started on the power outages,” another user complained.
The Cuban woman concluded her video with a reflection on happiness: “Happiness has nothing to do with external factors. Happiness is wherever you feel happy.”
What do you think? Do you agree with her perception, or do you find it idealized and disconnected from the many realities of the “Island of Enchantment”?
Following the controversy sparked by her initial video, she uploaded another one on the subject, this time using a more humorous and sarcastic tone.
Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Puerto Rico
Given the lively debate sparked by the Cuban woman's TikTok video on the advantages of living in Puerto Rico over the United States, here are some frequently asked questions that might help clarify the topic further.
What are the main advantages of living in Puerto Rico according to the video?
The video highlights four main benefits: the absence of stress, friendly residents, natural beauty and accessibility of beaches and rivers, and flavorful food.
What are some common criticisms of living in Puerto Rico?
Critics often point to issues such as frequent power outages, poor infrastructure, economic difficulties, and varying quality of services and education.
How have people reacted to the video?
Reactions have been mixed. Some users agreed and shared similar positive experiences, while others criticized the idealized view and highlighted the island's challenges.