The truth is, I’ve fallen in love with a lot of places during my world travels to 90 countries.
A few times, I was tempted to put down roots after making friends in Turkey or enjoying the incredible food in Southeast Asia.
I only had the confidence to settle down, however, after I experienced Mexico.
While I had the time of my life stepping into the unknown in all corners of the world, here’s why Mexico won me over.
I fell in love with the people and food in Southeast Asia, but the culture was too unfamiliar
Other travelers weren’t kidding when they told me the people I met in Southeast Asia would stay with me for a lifetime. The warmth and hospitality are unmatched.
While visiting Thailand, I fell in love with the food, Koh Tao for snorkeling and diving, and the gritty glitter of Bangkok.
When I got to Malaysia, it offered a multicultural food scene where I was feasting on roti canai for breakfast, laksa for lunch, and Chinese-style barbecue for dinner just by sticking to the restaurants on the same street as my Airbnb.
And, I can’t forget how great Malay and Indian food are in Kuala Lumpur.
While there was so much wonder and novelty to enjoy in Southeast Asia, I honestly felt that the culture was a little too far off from what I knew for it to ever truly feel like home.
Picking up enough words to engage in conversations left me feeling far more isolated compared with the easy conversations I’ve enjoyed in Mexico, thanks to the Spanish classes I took in school.
I made close friends in Turkey, but the plane ride home was too long
Turkey stands out in my mind for the tea and the hourslong conversations — sometimes with Google Translate — with strangers who soon became friends.
In Istanbul, I felt as if I were standing on a bridge between worlds as I toured sites dating back to Ottoman times.
My American mind had trouble wrapping around the fact that ancient mosques stood beside bustling cafés filled with young people with designer bags and the newest smartphones.
Outside the city, I visited the Turkish Riviera, mountains, and, of course, Cappadocia, known for hot-air balloon rides.
While Turkey was amazing, it felt more like a place to experience on vacation than a place where I could put down roots.
I really loved the idea of being at the crossroads of Europe and Asia here. But the 13-hour plane ride to get back home to see my family left a pit in my stomach.
I’d also be lying if I said global events didn’t sometimes make me worry about my safety.
I could see myself living in Asia, but the cost of living was too high
The excellence and attention to detail present in every facet of Japanese life have changed the way I approach everything. The same care is given whether making a cheap bowl of ramen or running a bullet train.
In Korea, Seoul’s energy kept me awake, with hiking accessible by public transportation. Taiwan’s night markets and food taught me I enjoy stinky tofu, beef noodle soup, and karaoke bars, even though I can’t sing.
My reason for choosing Mexico over the incredible countries I visited during my time in Asia wasn’t that I couldn’t see myself living there. For me, the cost of living in these places left a lot to be desired.
When I did some job searching, I found that salaries were quite a bit lower than in the US and wouldn’t offset the only slightly cheaper housing and public transportation.
While I did find Taiwan to be a bit more affordable, I knew that to have a decent quality of life I’d basically be in the same hamster wheel I’d been in while living in the US.
Meanwhile, my original stint in Mexico showed me that I could live much better than in the US for a fraction of the cost.
South America’s electric energy hooked me, but price fluctuations made it difficult to plan
In Argentina, my pulse was set to the tango that filled the streets after dark and the smoky asado aroma that wafted from porches.
In Peru, it was fresh ceviche and lomo saltado that made Chinese and Peruvian flavors dance in my mouth.
Colombia’s people welcomed me with open arms and endless conversation that lingered way past my bedtime.
If I hadn’t discovered Mexico, South America would have been my top choice to settle down.
Being in the Western Hemisphere comforted me in a way I don’t fully understand. I guess I was able to delude myself into thinking the 10-hour plane ride to get back to see family wasn’t that bad.
Ultimately, though, life in the South American countries I visited still felt too unfamiliar for me to see myself staying in the long term.
Plus, the constant price instability for everyday goods made it difficult for me to plan what the cost of living would be like.
While Mexico’s prices for basics do fluctuate slightly more than what I’m used to in the US, stickers didn’t give me whiplash the way they did in Colombia and Argentina.
Why Mexico became my home
In Mexico, Guanajuato gave me a sense of belonging that was absent from other places.
I was blown away by how affordable fresh produce, cultural events, and having a beautiful home could be.
I pinch myself each morning as I wake up to Guanajuato’s colorful, cobblestoned streets and rhythmic city sounds that are soothing instead of jarring.
I’ve also found the people to be open and welcoming to foreigners. Each morning, I walk down the street to buy tortillas, bolillos (fresh baked bread), and salsa from a vendor who has now become a friend.
The locals here are also very familiar with American culture. I love being able to reference television shows or music I enjoyed while growing up with people who shared the same experiences.
Plus, Mexico’s geographical closeness to the US makes me feel less guilty about moving away from my family because traveling back and forth is very easy and affordable compared with the other places around the world that I fell in love with.
Each place helped me find my home in Guanajuato
When people ask me when I’m coming back to the US, I find it hard to describe the contentment I get from living in a warm, vibrant community with a much lower cost of living.
Having traveled the world, I’m truly confident I couldn’t live this kind of life anywhere else. With a perfect climate year-round, friendly people, affordable living, and a small-town feel, Guanajuato is my forever home.
