In November 2024, Charity Kreher and her husband left Oklahoma. Not for a tax haven, not for cheaper housing. They moved to Puerto Rico — with two young kids and no illusions about what it would cost.
They went from a 3,500 sq ft house to a 1,500 sq ft apartment. Their rent jumped to $6,500/month. And yet they’d do it again.
Why? Because the move wasn’t about cost. It was about freedom.
In San Juan, they found:
Walkability
Beach access
A bilingual, cross-cultural school
More family time, more outdoor time, more intentional living
Charity put it like this:
“We didn’t move to escape. We moved to live differently.”
It’s easy to dismiss these moves as niche. But they signal something deeper: The migration story isn’t just red state vs blue state, low tax vs high tax. It’s lifestyle vs burnout. Alignment vs inertia.
Sure, Puerto Rico has quirks — power outages, language barriers, hurricane risk. But the Kreher family isn’t optimizing for perfect conditions. They’re building the life they want now, not in 20 years.
And that’s the signal: People are willing to trade square footage for better rhythm. They’ll pay more if the net outcome is time, health, or autonomy.
Smart Movers think this way:
What’s the ROI on your geography?
What does your city cost you in stress, commute, detachment?
Where can you afford less house but gain more life?
This isn’t just a personal story. It’s a relocation framework.
The Krehers didn’t move “up” or “out.” They moved on purpose.
Make your next move count.
Stacy
Founder, CEO - Smart Movers Club
P.S. Every member’s at a different stage. Book a quick call and I’ll help you figure out which path makes the most sense for you.
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