Ecology, conservation (including water & oxygen)  and food/nutrients should be paramount.

Second, that "bunch of locals" you saw standing around were the very ones who pulled out their own machetes and chainsaws and helped clear the roads after hurricane Maria (I was here, I witnessed it), who carried food and water to elderly neighbors, etc, who collect fruits and coconuts from their own yards and sell them at roadside stands. 

The music/food/film scenes in general draw people constantly. 

Just food for thought.

Shop for car insurance, can you live somewhere cheaper in meantime while you save, cut down on eating out, grocery shop- keeping your end game in mind--cut down food expenses, gas expenses, entertainment expenses etc. 

I'll let the reader determine which camp they fall into but hopefully it provides food for thought.  

I found that some of tenants(the major food chains) had early termination clauses with about 3/4 yearly buyout fee.

I can think of several cities that are more cash flow oriented, where there are diverse, stable industries (leading employers in Health care, financial services, food industry, colleges) providing a stronger economic underpinning that may hold up better in a down turn and do not have a history of getting frothy.  

I'm so delighted to be a part of this big and resource-endowed community. 

Hope this gives you some food for thought, Rebecca and good luck  :)