After years of living in Las Vegas, a family of four has traded in the desert heat for the simplicity of island life.
Annie Martínez Criddle, 35, and Bronson Criddle, 43, are embracing a slower and more relaxed way of life in Puerto Rico, stemming from a desire to connect with their roots, prioritize family and offer their children an upbringing rich in culture and nature.
Annie's heritage played a significant role in the family's move: "My mom immigrated from the Dominican Republic as a child and my father is from Puerto Rico, so although I was born in New York City, I was raised with a strong connection to our Caribbean culture," the 35-year-old told Newsweek.
After realizing how little they needed to be happy while traveling, the couple started considering a permanent move with their two children, Inez, four, and Claudio, two.
Puerto Rico stood out as the "best fit" due to its family ties and U.S. territory status. By June 2024, they had purchased a home in a small farming town in the island's western mountains.
"It feels a bit like a counter to the Caribbean diaspora, migrating back to my family's homeland," Annie said.
Before the move, she and Bronson had spent a decade living in Las Vegas after serving over 12 years in the military living in various locations, including England. While their Vegas life offered a tight-knit community, their holistic outdoor-focused lifestyle made Puerto Rico a natural fit.
"It's much easier to spend all day out in nature when it's not 110 degrees," she said.
There's also a much more family friendly vibe to the island. "One neighbor we have next to us has been so welcoming and helpful—we even spent some time on Christmas at his traditional family party," Annie said.
Although the slower pace of island life initially took some adjustment, Annie has embraced it. "Motherhood taught me patience in my 30s and now being on island time is the most laid back I've ever been. I used to get frustrated at things like slow service or inefficient processes, but now I just see those as small sacrifices for the overall calmer lifestyle here," she said.
Like any major move, living in Puerto Rico comes with its challenges. The Jones Act impacts the availability of fresh, high-quality food, which has been difficult for Annie, who holds a bachelor's degree in Dietetics and loves cooking.
Additionally, the island is prone to blackouts and water disruptions, which the family has learned to navigate.
"One of our goals is to support local farmers and businesses and hopefully get to the point [of] growing a lot of our own produce. We strive to prioritize intentional living and generational heath, so we find ways to do that no matter where we are," Annie told Newsweek.
Six months into their new life, Inez and Claudio, who both understand Spanish, have thrived in their new environment. "It's been so cool to not be the only kids in the playgrounds speaking Spanish," added Annie.
Although they're away from grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends, family has visited from the U.S., which has helped with the transition.
"They seem to already understand that those people are still in our lives even though we don't see them as frequently. Everywhere we go they are automatically accepted as locals," Annie said.
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