Gringa in Mexico

Been thinking about moving to Mexico? I thought about moving to Mexico for five years before I finally did it. Here’s how moving to Mexico four years ago has changed my life.

Four years ago, in September 2020, while much of the world was in COVID lockdown, I was in the final stages of moving from Texas to Mexico. On September 11, 2020, I crossed the border with my daughter, two dogs, and the belongings we deemed essential for starting our new life, all loaded up in my Ford Escape.

So much has happened in these four years that I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the noticeable and significant changes in my life since that pivotal move.

Quality of Life: My quality of life has improved significantly. I attribute much of this to intentionally designing an international life that I love. When in Mexico, I live just a five-minute drive from the beach where I go to walk and swim. I can get the personal care services that I feel I need that contribute to a positive outlook and improved sense of self, such as regular manicures, facials, and even bikini waxes, for an affordable price. I get to participate more in my life. Overall, I feel that the stress in my life is drastically reduced compared to when I am in the States.

Health: My health has improved immensely since moving to Mexico. One major factor is the affordability of services here. For example, I have a weekly hour-long session with my chiropractor, who I consider a holistic healer—a true saint. This session costs me just $30 USD and has significantly alleviated the chronic back pain I’ve had since I was 11. I also receive a 90-minute massage each week from the best masseuse I’ve ever encountered. After two years of seeing her, she understands my body so well that she customizes each massage to my needs and how I’m feeling that day. The total cost, including a generous tip, is $65.

Additionally, I have access to medications and quality healthcare without the high costs associated with big pharma in the U.S. It’s become clear to me that in the States, health is often a privilege for the wealthy. In Mexico, if I get sick, I can easily buy antibiotics from the pharmacy, and seeing a specialist costs about the same as an office co-pay in the U.S.

Food: I love cooking and primarily eat at home, preparing meals with fresh ingredients from a local fruteria. While I prefer to buy my meat from Costco due to some bad experiences with other grocery stores and carnicerias, I know that most of my fruits and vegetables come from local sources. Even when in the States, I rarely eat out, but I do so even less here. I might eat out or pick up food once a week, usually from one of two places that offer healthy, fresh food options that leave me feeling good. Fast-food restaurants are scarce in Mexico, and the few that exist are not easily accessible to me, so this really limits my opportunity to eat out on the fly (which is a great thing). I also avoid street food, including street tacos, preferring to eat tacos in a restaurant.

Exercise: My approach to exercise and movement has greatly improved. My goal is to engage in daily movement for about 30 minutes, six days a week. When in Mexico, I’ve come to love walking in the La Cruz Marina, which is, in my opinion, the most beautiful marina in the world, ocean swimming, and practicing Mysore, a variation of Ashtanga yoga. Instead of working out in gyms or studios, I usually walk along the La Cruz Marina or swim in the ocean, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. I also practice yoga at home. What could be better?

Improved Relationships: Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always valued spending time with family and friends, even when I lived in the U.S. However, since moving to Mexico, I’ve realized that while I always intuitively knew these things were important, the U.S. lifestyle often prevented me from truly living them out. Interestingly, living farther away from friends and family has helped me appreciate them more. When we do get together, we make the time count, and I think we also make an effort to make our time count and do more interesting things!

Balanced Perspective: When I moved from Texas to Mexico in September 2020, I was unhappy with the direction my life was heading and disillusioned with certain aspects of life in the U.S. At the time, it felt like I was running away or running towards something new. After four years of an international lifestyle, I’ve come to realize that every country has its pros and cons.

There are things I love about the U.S., like H-E-B (it’s a Texas thing, y’all), Amazon, Taco Bell, and Shipley’s Donuts. And there are things I love about living in Mexico, such as affordable beach living, local markets, and accessible healthcare. However, each place has its drawbacks too, and I think those are subjective to whoever is making the judgment, just like the benefits. What I’ve learned is that no country solves all problems—no place is universally better than another. It all comes down to personal preference.

Overall, my original move to Mexico and eventual creation of an international lifestyle has really changed me, in so many ways. It has given me the lifestyle I desired, which has brought tremendous happiness into my life. The most important areas of my life are all improved, and my satisfaction with my life is so completely different than it was before I moved.

The opportunities that present themselves to us when we open ourselves us to its possibilities can be life-changing.

Have you moved to Mexico, or are you thinking about it? Are you living an international and intentional life? Share your experiences, thoughts, or questions in the comments below!

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