Expat Life

My Appendix Tried to Kill Me: Appendectomy Cost in Mexico

What 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, came home and went to bed. At 2…
Best Mail Forwarding Service: How to Get Your Mail While You’re Living on the Moon

So, 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 to get our mail. So, it’s a good…
How to See a Doctor in Mexico: Healthcare Costs & Options

For 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. Not only is healthcare in Mexico inexpensive, but…
The Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Puerto Vallarta

Living 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 knew it, we realized it was checking off…
17 Crucial Things to do Before Moving to Another Country

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 of moving overseas, you’re not alone. It’s tough to…
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

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 on Reddit. To answer the question for ourselves, Mark…
Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going? (Part 2)

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 middle without explaining how I got here. So, I’m…
Living in Puerto Vallarta: The Vibe, the Safety and All the Tacos

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 it. We’ve been living in Puerto Vallarta since January…
Adjusting to Life in the US: My Rants and My Raves

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 coming back to the US and slipping back into…