It is with mixed emotions that we officially announce our retirements and move to Mexico. We are continuing the next chapter of our lives on January 13, 2026.
We sold our house.
We sold 90% of everything we owned; furniture, household items, clothing, etc. The car is next (if you know of anyone). Finally, we will organize everything we will be bringing with us, including our beloved dog, Journey, and heading to our new home.
Many of you close to us know this has been our dream for many years. We’ve done the visits, lived like locals in simple apartments, taken the public transit, done the grocery shopping – and most of all, done the research – YEARS of research. This is not something we are doing on a whim. Timing was always fluid. It started as 2030, then 2028, then 2026. This last month was really tough; a major push to sell all our stuff and our house. We closed on November 3rd and moved in with friends in Riverside. To say this has been stressful is an understatement but we are feeling welcome in our temporary home.
Next – On January 13th, we will be picked up by 2 men in a Mercedes Sprinter Van so Danny, Journey and I can enjoy a leisurely 2-1/2 day drive with everything we will be bringing with us to live comfortably for an undetermined number of years in furnished rentals across the country of Mexico.
For the first 6 weeks we will be in a 4BR/3BA 2-story townhouse in a gated community with a shared pool located in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo. This is located approximately 20-25 minutes south of the Cancun Airport. This first house is about 3 kilometers from the Caribbean Sea in this growing fishing village. After that, we just secured a lease on a 2BR/2BA home starting March 1st thru September 30th. It is a beautiful home, filled with Mexican charm, with a yard and private in-ground pool, located only a few blocks from the first home (closer to town and beach)! See below for a couple of pics!
While we are here, Danny will turn his “tourist visa” into Permanent Resident status as my spouse (more on that process in another post) and we will secure our RFCs – which is a tax ID. With that, we will purchase a vehicle. I will secure a Mexican Driver’s License. The cool thing I hear about having a DL issued in the state of Quintana Roo, is the DEEP discounts on hotels and resorts in the area (Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum)! We can’t wait to test that out. Puerto Morelos will be our “home base” to explore the rest of the state, along the coast for 8-1/2 months.
Here is a list of places and activities we plan to see and do during our time in Puerto Morelos:
- Isla Mujeres – where we celebrated Danny’s 50th birthday – a 20-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen (next town over). We will swim with Whale Sharks in June!
- Isla Holbox – a tiny island that is still rustic; sand roads, no cars, and my hope to see the Bioluminescence phenomenon and walk a mile to a massive sandbar at low tide.
- Cozumel – the biggest island in the country. I’ve been a few times but Danny has yet to experience it. We will snorkel from here for sure as this is located along the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world.
- Bacalar and the Lagoon of 7 Colors. A few hours drive down the coast and slightly inland. Freshwater lakes, beaches and a chill vibe. We are really looking forward to this.
- Tulum – the most overrated destination in Mexico or paradise? We shall see.
- Cenotes! Freshwater underground pools created when the meteor that killed the dinosaurs (for real) hit the Yucatan Peninsula. They can be fully enclosed, fully open or all types in between. Once you’ve done it, you crave it again and again.
- A quick weekend in Belize? Yes, please! I have been twice and love, love love, San Pedro is…la isla bonita…
- Check out small towns in the area…Leona Vicario, El Cuyo, Akumal and any others we stumble upon.
If any of those sound cool to you, drop us a line and let us know! You can join us (fly into Cancun) or just follow along on our adventures. If you received this blog via an email – we have already added you to our newsletter list.
Stay in touch!
In today’s world, it is easy to stay in touch with loved ones near and far. We will do our best to stay engaged with everyone as we start this new chapter. We are keeping our phone numbers and you can find us easily on WhatsApp!
Freyja 708.359.3239 – Danny 773.415.5641
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Hasta la próxima…
