Many of us are looking at travel differently as we head towards retirement. With more free time on our hands, our travel dreams are within reach. Planning for longer travel time or even searching for a retirement location can be costly. But did you know that people all over the world would give you free accommodation…
We don’t regret moving to a new country, but living abroad isn’t all rainbows and butterflies every day. In the beginning, we struggled with the language, setting up internet and cable, getting lost countless times with Google Maps, and experiencing a car accident three days after buying a car. Most of the stories you hear…
Have you ever dreamed of living in a villa overlooking the Mediterranean? Or an off-the-grid ecolodge in the jungles of Costa Rica? Strolling through the vineyards of Tuscany? Or maybe a high-rise apartment in Bangkok with the best Asian food just steps away…The perfect country is out there for you, but which one? It’s surprising…
Christmas in Mexico is a festive and joyous occasion. Celebrations typically combine religious traditions with family gatherings, cultural customs, and a lot of noise. Though department stores start selling Christmas decorations as early as September, most towns will not start decorating in earnest until the second week of December. With mild temperatures, colorful architecture, and…
Moms teach us from an early age never to pay full price for anything. This life lesson extends from prom dresses to Black Friday deals. It’s also true if you live abroad. Mexico is known for its low cost of living and inexpensive food prices, but at certain times of the year, price tags are…
Our mornings start with a sprint down to the park. Once we arrive, I unclip the leash and jog around the park with Kiko leading the way. We are on a quest to find his best friend Guapo. He looks back at me with an encouraging grin and an expression that says “Keep going! You’re…
Tom and I had a discussion the other day about renting or buying. While we both agree it’s a good idea to rent for the first year or two when you arrive in a foreign country, we differ in opinion for the long term. While he prefers the benefits of buying a house, I like…
One of the reasons why we chose to live in Queretaro was because of its multicultural food scene. Queretaro’s restaurant scene may not be as well-known as Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende, but its flair for traditional, contemporary, and international cuisines cannot be denied. Queretaro has restaurants ranging from Korean BBQ and Indian…
Whether you are moving across the country or across the sea, packing can be overwhelming. How did you acquire so much stuff? If you’re lucky, your company will pay for most of the relocation costs. If you are doing this on your own, it’s time to “clean house”, decide what’s really important, and become a…
Eating while traveling is a given, but where should you eat? Tripadvisor and other review websites are great resources, but are they bolstered by tourists or locals? Around Jardin Zenea alone there’s plenty of choices easily within walking distance. You’ll see people in the parks eating ice cream and dancing. Visit around the holidays and…
**This post has been updated with known 2023 requirements from the Mexican government but still retains our 4-year experience getting both the temporary and permanent visa.** For our first four years, I shared our experiences of getting a temporary visa. In December 2021, we qualified for the permanent visa and are ecstatic that we never…
One of the most asked questions to any expat is “What’s the cost of living?” Mexico is a big country, and the cost of living can vary. Housing in cities with international airports are going to cost more than smaller towns an hour or so away. Meats and produce tend to be cheaper in Mexicothan…