A Cuban woman who poured her savings into buying a property on the island recently captured the frustration of many in a TikTok video: she spent $60,000 on a house in Cuba and now regrets it. The user Heydita (@heydi_garcia18) shared her predicament in a brief 17-second video last Tuesday, sparking a flood of reactions.
"I spent sixty thousand dollars on a house in Cuba and now I'm thinking about going back to the United States. I feel like I made a huge mistake. I have a mansion, but with the heat, power outages, and not enough gas for the cars, I think it's best to return. What do you think? Should I sell everything and go back or hold on a little longer and wait for change?" she questions in the clip.
Her inquiry hit a nerve with her audience: the video garnered over 345,000 views, almost 9,000 likes, and about 1,900 comments in less than 48 hours.
Energy Crisis and Fuel Shortages
Heydita's reasons are far from trivial. Cuba is enduring one of its most severe energy crises in recent history: blackouts exceed 20 hours daily in several provinces, and the power generation shortfall reached 1,945 megawatts in April this year.
Fuel scarcity compounds the problem. Gasoline, when available, can cost up to $10 per gallon, an unaffordable price for those reliant on personal vehicles. Cooking gas is sold at $29 for a 10-kilogram cylinder.
A Changing Narrative
Heydita's situation flips the script that has recently trended on social media. Between 2025 and 2026, numerous Cubans living abroad proudly documented their property purchases on the island, drawn by drastically reduced prices: in areas like Vedado or Miramar, homes that once cost $50,000 were now available for between $15,000 and $20,000, marking a 50% to 60% drop compared to 2018-2019, driven by mass emigration.
Since 2021, nearly two million Cubans have left the island. This population drain depressed the real estate market, presenting a buying opportunity for those purchasing from abroad with dollars. However, residing in Cuba with such an investment is vastly different from acquiring it remotely.
Government's Attempts and Waning Enthusiasm
The regime has tried to harness the diaspora's interest: in February of this year, it proposed a bill allowing Cubans to own up to two permanent properties, repealing a 1988 rule. Nonetheless, skepticism about the judicial system and economic instability dampens any enthusiasm.
The trend of returning also cools. In 2025, only 228,091 emigrated Cubans returned to the island, around 66,725 fewer compared to 2024, reflecting growing disappointment with living conditions in the country.
Heydita's dilemma—whether to sell her mansion or endure the crisis hoping for a change that seems elusive—is a silent struggle shared by thousands of Cubans who bet on returning and now question if it was worth it.
Questions About Investing in Cuban Real Estate
What are the current challenges of living in Cuba?
Living in Cuba presents significant challenges such as severe energy shortages resulting in frequent blackouts, high costs and scarcity of gasoline, and an unstable economic environment.
Why are property prices in Cuba decreasing?
Property prices in Cuba have decreased significantly due to mass emigration, which has depressed the real estate market and created buying opportunities for those with foreign currency.
What impact has the Cuban government's proposed legislation had?
The proposed legislation allowing Cubans to own multiple permanent properties aimed to attract investments from the diaspora, but widespread distrust in the legal and economic systems has limited its impact.