Where Luxury Buyers from New York Are Moving in 2025 — and Why Puerto Rico Leads the List

A Refined Destination Within U.S. Jurisdiction

As new fiscal proposals, including a 2 % additional tax for high-income earners in New York City, make headlines, many affluent buyers are rethinking where they want to live — and where their money works best. Increasingly, their search leads to Puerto Rico, a destination within U.S. jurisdiction that combines luxury living, favorable incentives, and long-term opportunity.

The Lifestyle Advantage

Puerto Rico offers an extraordinary range of luxury communities that rival the world’s top resort destinations:

• Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve: where oceanfront estates meet world-class amenities.

• St. Regis Bahía Beach: a sanctuary of privacy, golf, and natural beauty.

• Condado Vanderbilt Residences: cosmopolitan elegance by the sea.

• Palmas del Mar: a master-planned coastal enclave with marina and equestrian lifestyle.

With its combination of pristine beaches, cultural depth, and an expanding network of fine dining and international schools, Puerto Rico offers far more than relocation — it offers reinvention.

A Strategic Framework for Qualified Residents

Puerto Rico’s Act 60 continues to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and executives who qualify for its incentive programs. These programs were designed to encourage economic development while offering significant benefits to bona fide residents, including reduced corporate tax rates and exemptions on certain types of income.

Qualified residents under Act 60 must demonstrate genuine residency in Puerto Rico — yet many appreciate that the framework allows flexibility for travel and business abroad, while maintaining the island as their primary home base.

Editor’s Note: Current incentives under Act 60 — including the 0 % on capital gains for qualified residents — are expected to change effective January 2026. Individuals considering relocation may wish to begin the process before the updated framework takes effect.

A Growing Luxury Real Estate Market

The demand for Puerto Rico luxury real estate has surged in recent years. Properties in Dorado Beach, Bahía Beach, and Condado continue to attract high-net-worth individuals relocating from the mainland. Buyers are drawn not only to the island’s beauty but also to its solid property rights, stable U.S. currency, and emerging ecosystem of finance, technology, and hospitality.

For those relocating from New York City or other high-tax jurisdictions, Puerto Rico offers a familiar legal environment and the comfort of staying under the U.S. flag — while gaining access to a more relaxed pace of life and year-round luxury living.

Looking Ahead

As economic policies evolve across the United States, Puerto Rico stands out as a destination where strategy and serenity coexist. Whether seeking an oceanfront residence, a family estate within a gated golf community, or a second home that can become a primary lifestyle investment, the island continues to define a new chapter in luxury living.

If you or your clients are evaluating relocation or investment opportunities in Puerto Rico, this is an ideal time to explore the process — ahead of the 2026 updates.

Discover how Puerto Rico can transform the way you live, work, and invest.

About the Author

Guanina Cintrón
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist | Guild Member
Seller Representative Specialist | Real Estate Negotiation Expert
Wow Real Estate Puerto Rico – Realm Global Member for Puerto Rico
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 www.wowrealestatepr.com

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(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Readers should consult their professional advisors before making financial decisions.)