Okay, so I’ve been toying with this idea for a while now – moving to Mexico. Sounds crazy, right? But hear me out. I started digging into it, and here’s how it all went down.
The Initial Spark
It all began with, well, boredom, I guess? And maybe a bit of frustration with the usual grind. I felt stuck. I started seeing all these posts online about people living their best lives in Mexico, with beautiful beaches and a lower cost of living. It got me thinking…
Diving into Research
First, I just Googled stuff. You know, “cost of living in Mexico,” “safest places to live in Mexico,” “how to get a visa,” that kind of thing. I spent hours just reading blogs and forums, watching YouTube videos of expats sharing their experiences. It was a rabbit hole, for sure.
I started making a list of potential cities. Places like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, and San Miguel de Allende kept popping up. Each one seemed to have its own vibe, its own pros and cons.
Getting Down to the Numbers
Then came the practical stuff. I had to figure out if I could actually afford this. I created a simple spreadsheet, nothing fancy. On one side, I listed my current expenses – rent, utilities, groceries, everything. On the other side, I started plugging in estimated costs for Mexico, based on what I was reading online.
- Rent seemed way cheaper, like half of what I was paying.
- Groceries also looked significantly less expensive.
- But things like healthcare and transportation were a bit harder to figure out.
I spent a good few days just tweaking the numbers, trying to get a realistic picture. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a ballpark idea.
Visa Hurdles
The visa thing was a whole other beast. I read through the official Mexican government website, but honestly, it was confusing. I found some expat forums where people were sharing their experiences with different types of visas, and that helped a bit.
I decided to get temporary residency because I plan to stay longer and work there.
Talking to Real People
I knew I needed to talk to people who had actually done this. I joined a few Facebook groups for expats in Mexico and started asking questions. People were surprisingly helpful, sharing their tips, warnings, and even connecting me with others in the cities I was considering.
The “What If” Game
Of course, doubts crept in. What if I hated it? What if I couldn’t find work? What if I got lonely? I spent a lot of time just thinking through all the potential downsides, trying to be realistic.
Making a Decision (Sort Of)
After all this, I’m still not 100% sure. But I’m leaning towards yes. I’ve decided to take a scouting trip. I booked a flight to Playa del Carmen for next month. I’m going to spend a couple of weeks there, exploring the city, checking out neighborhoods, and trying to get a feel for what it would be like to actually live there.
I visited the city that I chose a few week ago.
Scouting Trip
I tried to stay at a not-so-expensive hotel to see if the cost would be really lower than in my country. I also looked around to see if the neighborhoods were safe enough. I also visited the local market to ask about the price of groceries and other things.
Final Decision
Now that I have a clear vision of what my life would be there, I decided to move to Mexico. I will still have to prepare my visa and the things I have to bring there. I’m kinda nervous but at the same time, very excited!
So, that’s where I’m at. It’s a big, scary, exciting maybe. Wish me luck!
