Expat Life

My Appendix Tried to Kill Me: Appendectomy Cost in Mexico

Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 11:00 amWhat started as food poisoning ended in an emergency appendectomy. Here’s exactly what the surgery and hospital stay cost me in Mexico. Saturday night was like any other fun night in Puerto Vallarta. We went to a BBQ, met some new people, had a couple of drinks,…
Best Mail Forwarding Service: How to Get Your Mail While You’re Living on the Moon

Last updated on June 29th, 2026 at 05:41 pmSo, here’s the deal. We’re thinking about moving to the moon. I hear it’s mean-people-free, and Katy Perry says there’s excellent internet there. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating…maybe. But in case I’m not, and we find a lovely little condo with a view of Venus, we still need…
How to See a Doctor in Mexico: Healthcare Costs & Options

Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 11:26 amFor many of us Americans, affordable healthcare feels like a bad joke. It’s an oxymoron. A unicorn. It’s no wonder some people pack their bags and move abroad. Affordable healthcare wasn’t the reason we left America in 2013, but it’s definitely been a huge perk living overseas.…
The Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Puerto Vallarta

Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 11:29 amLiving in Puerto Vallarta feels like stepping into a postcard, except the colors are brighter, the air is saltier, and there’s always a cheap taco nearby. When we came here in 2022, we had no intention of staying. But it slowly grew on us, and before we…
17 Crucial Things to do Before Moving to Another Country

Last updated on November 21st, 2024 at 03:42 pmTearing 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 of…
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 August 26th, 2026 at 10:44 amPuerto 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 on…
Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going? (Part 2)

Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 12:01 pmThe 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 middle…
Living in Puerto Vallarta: The Vibe, the Safety and All the Tacos

Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 12:04 pmWant 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 it.…
Adjusting to Life in the US: My Rants and My Raves

EASE OF COMING BACK Last updated on October 6th, 2023 at 04:18 pmWe’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 coming…