Life is full of decisions.
Some are big.
Some small.
Choosing where to live when you decide the international life is for you is probably up there with the biggest decisions you’ll make.
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When I decided to leave the Navy and move overseas, I knew I wanted to try out a few countries in Central America before moving to Europe.
My first stop was Belize because they speak English and I wanted the landing to be soft.
I lived in a huge house meters from the water on the beach in Placencia, I started my days with mango madness smoothies before heading out to snorkel around the caves.
It was a laid-back paradise, but it didn’t tick all the boxes.
So I moved next door to Guatemala.
I spent two glorious years wandering the colourful cobblestoned streets of Antigua.
Each morning the crisp mountain air carried the sound of Iglesia de San Francisco’s (Antigua’s oldest church) tolling bells to my apartment as a charming alarm.
Walking through the city to teach English, the aroma of chocolate and coffee wrapped around me like a morning hug.
Even the little puffs of Mt Fuego's small volcanic eruptions became part of everyday life.
But the aspect of Antiguan life I treasured the most was the gentle Mayan lady who brought fresh flowers to my house each week.
After two years in the mountains, however, my beloved ocean was calling to me like a siren's song.
It was the Mexican Caribbean.
It was always in the back of my mind, but I had to go elsewhere to be sure.
But it was the Mexican people who sealed the deal for me.
Although the creole mix of Belizians are lovely, and the Guatemalans are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, Mexicans stole my heart.
Their warmth, welcoming attitude, and amazing culture felt like the home I’d always dreamed of.
Whenever I had dreamt of living abroad, these were the linchpins of those dreams.
Nine years later and Mexico still surpasses my expectations.
I feel safe.
I feel free…
And the happiest I’ve been in decades.
I had only planned to stay a year before moving to Europe.
It’s been almost a decade.
Why have I stayed so long?
I have a community here.
My neighbors are my family.
Sof and Ana, two young ladies who lived downstairs, are like my Mexican daughters.
Both veterinarians, they looked after my cats when I went on trips, and had keys to my place.
When an amazing job opportunity came up for them, they moved to Mexico City to work at an animal hospital.
But I’m still family.
Last September I flew to Mexico City for their wedding and was seated at the family table right beside Sof’s mother.
That’s the thing about Mexicans.
It didn’t matter that I was the only foreigner.
They just accept you for being you.
Even if my Spanish isn’t great, which it isn’t.
It doesn’t matter.
Patient and encouraging, everyone at that wedding made me feel understood and accepted.
In the Riviera Maya where I live, English is so widely spoken you can get by with little to no Spanish.
That was the thing missing in other countries.
No matter how beautiful, I felt like I was missing my tribe.
When choosing to live abroad I knew I needed to be surrounded by community, nature, cultural diversity, rich history, and great weather.
Mexico ticks all the boxes for me.
Learn more about an affordable retirement in Mexico
Learn more about an affordable retirement in Mexico
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