Expat Life

17 Crucial Things to do Before Moving to Another Country

Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia Tearing your hair out looking for a genuine list of things to do before moving to another country? You’ve clicked on the right page. If you’ve been dreaming about life in a land far, far away for years but suddenly feel overwhelmed by the nitty gritty…
5 de Diciembre Puerto Vallarta: Insider’s Neighborhood Guide

Want to stay in an authentic neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta? The 5 de Diciembre Puerto Vallarta neighborhood is charming & the ideal place to stay.
11 of the Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Expats

Discover the best cities to live in Mexico for expats & what sets each apart. Read insider tips and realistic advice from an American expat in Mexico
Is Puerto Vallarta Safe? 25 Insider Tips for Staying Safe

Is Puerto Vallarta safe for tourists and expats? Yes! But you need to know where to go & how to stay safe. This insider guide will keep you safe.
How to Find Puerto Vallarta Long Term Rentals

Looking for Puerto Vallarta long term rentals? It’s not easy. But this post shows you the exact steps you need to find your dream home in paradise.
Puerto Vallarta vs Playa del Carmen: Choosing Your Paradise

Last Updated on October 23, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia Puerto Vallarta vs Playa del Carmen—which beach town reigns supreme? It’s a question that is hard to answer—the answer is different depending on what you are looking for. Are you a digital nomad? Retiree? Or just looking for a vacation destination? It’s even a massive subject…
Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going? (Part 2)

Last Updated on March 10, 2023 by Kirsten Raccuia The longer it’s been since I last wrote a blog, the harder it is to start. I realize I suck at telling my own story. Like, who cares? But I want to continue working on this blog, and I can’t just start a story in the…
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta: Best Areas & Places {2024}

Not sure where to stay in Puerto Vallarta? Don’t worry. These are the best areas and hotels for your vacation from an insider who lives here.
Living in Puerto Vallarta: The Vibe, the Safety and All the Tacos

Last Updated on October 23, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia Want to know what it’s like living in Puerto Vallarta? You’ve come to the right place. While I don’t know Mexico as well as Malaysia, this is not my first rodeo in the country. I’ve spent quite a bit of time here and have always loved…
Adjusting to Life in the US: My Rants and My Raves

Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Kirsten Raccuia EASE OF COMING BACK We’ve been home for about a month now, although it feels like it’s been much longer. And not in the dreadful sense of something that feels like it’s been forever because of how draining it has been. I have to say that…
Dear Malaysia, Did You Really Just Kick Us Out?

Last Updated on August 22, 2021 by Kirsten Raccuia In my last blog, I wrote about how Mark and I were planning to leave Malaysia temporarily. Go to the US and Mexico and see how we feel, come back to Malaysia with new eyes. Feeling better, refreshed and regrouped. We were going to be gone…
Dear Malaysia, We Love You, but We’re Giving You a Time Out

Last Updated on August 21, 2021 by Kirsten Raccuia Dear Malaysia, You’ve been so good to me. You’ve taught me about the world. You’ve taught me about patience. About kindness. About privilege. About friendship. About sadness, loss, and love. But you’ve also taught me about frustration. Anger. Racism. Inequality. Persistence. You’ve taught me a lot.…