Why I Moved To Puerto Rico From Brooklyn NY
First, let me begin by saying I don’t believe in the concept of countries, race, flags, or patriotism. These are divisions that keep us from seeing the oneness of humanity. (Read my thoughts on why race is irrelevant and how we can evolve beyond it here).
With that in mind, I was born and raised in the concrete jungle of Brooklyn, NY. For the past 15 years, however, I’ve called the breathtaking island of Puerto Rico home. Many people ask me why I decided to move here, and today I’m sharing that story.
The Spark That Changed Everything
If you’ve seen what Puerto Rico has to offer—the lush mountains, turquoise beaches, vibrant culture, and warm weather—then you already have part of the answer.
But my story began long before I moved to Puerto Rico.
A Detour Through Hawaii
Growing up in Brooklyn, nature was something distant and abstract. The city was my world—crowded, fast-paced, and built from concrete and steel. But life took me to Hawaii, where I lived for six months and started working as a bartender on a cruise ship. It was there that my career as a bartender began, later expanding to include being a DJ when I returned to Brooklyn.
Hawaii was stunning, but I wasn’t ready to embrace its beauty. My mind was still trapped in the city’s concrete mold. I took the islands for granted, much like so many of us take the beauty of life itself for granted. Still, my time there planted a seed—a love for beaches and the dream of living somewhere closer to nature.
Falling for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico reminded me of Hawaii, but it was closer, more affordable, and didn’t require a passport. I started vacationing here, drawn by the beaches, vibrant nightlife, and warm, tropical weather.
At the time, I had a well-paying job back in New York, but I was deeply unhappy. Depression had taken hold of my life (as I wrote about here), and I longed for something different. One day, sitting on a Puerto Rican beach, I had a revelation:
What if I opened a beach bar here, where I could bartend and DJ?
The Leap of Faith
With that thought, I packed my bags and moved to Puerto Rico—no grand plan, limited Spanish, just a desire for change. Initially, I focused on scouting locations for a bar but decided against it. Instead, I pursued DJing full-time and quickly gained recognition, performing at top clubs like Brava.
But then, something changed.
Reborn Through Nature
Here in Puerto Rico, I found something I never experienced growing up in Brooklyn—a primal connection to nature. I shed my shoes and began walking barefoot, reconnecting with the earth in a way that felt both ancient and new.
Nature nurtured me as I learned to live simply, embracing a life free of excess and materialism. Puerto Rico became my teacher, showing me how to listen to the rhythms of the land, the whispers of the trees, and the wisdom of the rivers.
In those moments, I wasn’t just living—I was being reborn.
Living off the grid with just one solar panel and one battery taught me to appreciate simplicity in a profound way. Stripped of modern conveniences, I discovered what truly matters: connection, growth, and presence.
This island wasn’t just a place where I lived; it became a sanctuary where I could peel back the layers of societal conformity and rediscover my true self.
The Shot That Almost Drove Me Away
Not everything was idyllic. One day, while defending a beach from litter, I was shot in the face. The bullet grazed my cheekbone, narrowly missing me (read the full story here).
For a moment, I considered leaving Puerto Rico. But then I found the farm of my dreams and decided to stay. The farm gave me a new purpose: creating a food forest and working with the land in a way that felt healing and transformative.
Growing Food, Growing Myself
I never imagined that a Brooklyn city boy like me would one day be cultivating food. But growing plants has taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined. As I often say, I don’t grow plants; the plants grow me.
For the past seven years, I’ve been learning and growing through this process. Now, with my farm, I aim to take it to a larger scale, creating a forest of food and sharing my vision for a more sustainable future (read about that here).
Why Puerto Rico? Why Not?
Why do we need a reason to move somewhere? We’re not trees; we’re not rooted in one place. If you feel called to live somewhere, the question shouldn’t be why, but why not?
Puerto Rico is a magical paradise—endless beaches, rivers, warm weather year-round, and some of the most beautiful souls I’ve met.
Every place has its charm, but Puerto Rico has something special. It’s a place where I’ve found growth, connection, and meaning.
In Closing
Life is too short to live in fear or be held back by the unknown. If you dream of living somewhere, don’t just dream—take the leap.
Moving to Puerto Rico transformed me. It helped me shed the concrete mindset I grew up with and embrace a radically wild, authentic life. If I had stayed in Brooklyn, I don’t think I would’ve evolved the way I have.
Sometimes, life takes us on unexpected detours to guide us toward the path we’re meant to walk. For me, Puerto Rico was that detour—and I’m so grateful I took it.
So, have you ever thought about moving somewhere new? What’s stopping you? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on my journey.
Let me know if you’d like any further adjustments!