How I ended up living part time in Mexico City.
Prior to 2016, Mexico was never on my radar. I knew nothing about the country or the culture aside from what was portrayed in the media. Like all good stories, mine had something to do with a boy. A boy I had met in Tamarindo, Costa Rica while on vacation in 2015. What I thought was going to be a vacation romance quickly manifested itself into something a lot more. A connection that would change the trajectory of what I thought my life was going to be.
Four months after meeting my sexy lover boy in Costa Rica, we knew we had to meet again after months of online chatting. When I met him, he had recently left his home country of Argentina to start a new life. Somehow he had his sights set on Mexico and when he was ready to depart beautiful Costa Rica, he asked if I wanted to meet up with him. Uncertain but determined to see that face again, I blindly agreed to meet him in Mexico City which changed my life for the better. Like I said before, I knew nothing of Mexico, so I had nothing negative or positive to say. I was just excited to be reunited with my vacation lover boy. The thought of meeting up with someone in another country was exhilarating. I've never done something like this before, so I thought, why not?
Seeing and experiencing Mexico City for the first time is a memory I'll never forget. Because I had no prior opinion or expectation, I was as open as one could get. When I stepped out onto the streets the very first time to explore, to see, to learn, to eat, I was taken back in the most positive way possible. Being from New York, it is very hard to match the energy and vibe of the city. Traveling to over 30 countries and seeing so much, Mexico City was the closest thing that felt like home. Day one and I was hooked and I remember telling myself that trip, if I don't live in Mexico, I'd visit at least once a year until I did.
I kept that promise. At least once a year, but sometimes more, I'd fly down from New York. Seven months later I was back, and yes with my lover boy, but this time on the beautiful coast of Oaxaca in Puerto Escondido. Can we just take a moment, well I need a moment to remember what Puerto was in 2016 verse the last time I've been (two weeks ago) in early 2024. Major transformation. Anyways, I was back where I felt I belonged. I was obsessed with the beaches, with knowing and eating what an authentic taco was and just enjoying the slowness of beach life. This is what I saw for myself and I was determined to make it happen.
Year after year, trip after trip, I always found my way back to Mexico. Being the creature of habit I was, it was always Mexico City and Puerto Escondido with Tulum making an appearance once between 2016 and 2020. I knew I wanted to live in Mexico, but didn't know how and when to make this dream into a reality.
Not sure if you heard of it, but there was this global pandemic called Covid-19 that stopped the world in early to mid March in 2020. The last week of February going into the first week of March that year, I was vacationing in Aruba, planning my departure to Mexico City when I returned. Week after week, I continued to buy what I thought I would need while monitoring the state of the deadly virus that was running ramped throughout the world.
Well, as you probably guessed it, I did not leave for Mexico that month or many months following. My plan to live this life of adventure and uncertainty in that moment seemed dead. The world was in a constant state of being on edge while we were being scared or forced into staying put. At this point, I did what everyone else was doing which was nothing. I was disappointed but knew it would not deter me from eventually doing what I felt was right for me and my happiness. Despite the pandemic still going strong, in October 2020 I decided to take a three week trip down to Mexico. First because I was use to traveling almost every other month and just needed to get away, and secondly, I had promised myself to visit at least once a year and couldn't let a silly pandemic stand in my way.
Because we were still less than a year into the pandemic, my intentions of this trip was to refresh myself. To get away for a little bit and enjoy the country that has brought me so many happy moments and memories. I started in Mexico City, somewhere I felt comfortable and somewhat knowledgable of, then drove, yes drove from CDMX to Puebla. Something that I did not enjoy doing at all! I've driven a handful of times in Mexico, but driving in beach towns is vastly different and less crazy than driving in the city. When I tell you my hands were 10 and 2 the entire time with my seat pushed all the way forward for extra concentration. Rules do not exist in Mexico City when driving and I quickly learned that. After returning to Mexico City from Puebla, I took a flight to my favorite place in Mexico, Puerto Escondido, where I stayed for a week before flying back to the United States feeling rejuvenated. My solo trip was a success and reassured me that this was what I wanted in life.
October 25th, 2021 was the day I left with just my suitcase, savings and a one way ticket to Mexico City. I absolutely couldn't believe this was happening. I knew that if I didn't do it now, then when? I was debt free and had no responsibilities keeping in New York. It was my time and I knew it. I didn't know how long I planned to be away for, but everything that I thought I was going to do absolutely did not happen. Originally, I thought long term I'd end up somewhere in a bikini on a beach because I was Beach Bre. My plans were to start in Mexico City, set up a base there for a couple months while exploring other parts of Mexico, then finding my way to Puerto Escondido. Simple.
Well, non of that happened. As soon as I got to Mexico City, I was already connected with one of my best friends best friends. We immediately clicked and I was being introduced to many amazing woman, who at the time I wouldn't know would influence my decision to stay. The first few months I kept telling everyone that I planned to leave and wanted to end up somewhere on a beach. But each time I said that, I was met with doubts that I could actually leave such a vibrant and fun city. And they were correct.
I am from Westchester County, the suburbs north of New York City. I grew up going into the city. I worked in the city. I was and still am a city girl at heart. When I really thought about my buzzing social life in Mexico City and all the different things to do and people to meet, I questioned myself if it was actually realistic for me to live such an opposite life then what I'm use to. I think when we go on vacation we are constantly idealizing the "what ifs". I typically go on two types of vacations. The beach bum do nothing all day vacation or major city vacations in countries like Europe where there is an endless amount of things to see and do. I love Puerto Escondido. It allows me to be slower in my day to day, I am not as concerned about my appearance and I am on my phone a lot less (mostly do to the service). But I enjoy the lifestyle when I am living it. I honestly do not know what or how I would feel in a place where I loved, but felt like I wasn't being challenged, or limited with events/activities and so on. The more I thought about it, the type of personality I have and what I saw for myself on a day to day basis, I unfortunately came to the conclusion that beach life in this moment in time wasn't realistic for me. Slightly sadden by the this revelation, and the fact I brought 20 plus bathing suits from the U.S., I knew that I could give more and get more out of Mexico City. So I decided to stay.
I always tell people that Mexico City has something for everyone. Anyone can come here and find community in people. For a Latin country, this is one of the more diverse places I've been to where you see a lot more ethnicities. Being from America, New York specifically, it is harder for me to move throughout societies that are overtly homogeneous. So even though it's nowhere near the diversity level of The United States, I do appreciate that it feels like an international city with people from all over the world. I love that there's an abundant amount of events and activities to participate in where you meet locals and foreigners alike.
One of my favorite things about Mexico City and what I love doing with my friends is going to Art Galleries. And there are plenty. It is a great and fun way to leave the house during the week to engage in culture, meet people and have great conversations over free wine and mezcal. Like any other Thursday night, I went to a gallery with some friends and while there, I met a model. Long story short, he introduced me to his Agency's Director and just like that, as random as it was, I was now a signed Model working in Mexico City. After that, I just knew that I would be here for a lot longer than expect and I was okay with that. The idea of being a legal resident was a cool thought, and I now have my eyes set on permanent residency.
Almost two and a half years later, I have grown so much as an individual. I am more confident about myself and the decisions I've made and am going to make. I have fostered amazing relationships with both locals and foreigners. I am apart of a beautiful community that is committed to learning, integrating and just being authentically true to who we are and our biggest desires. I won't say that everything has been easy, but that's life. I choose to be here because I want to be here. I love being here and have ever since my first time 8 years ago. I have such a good feeling about my life and the countless opportunities that are coming my way. It only gets better from here and I cannot wait!
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