My mornings are filled with the sweet songs of birds – doves, kiskadees, and roosters – as I wake up to the tranquility of San Antonio Tlayacapan. It’s a far cry from Mazatlán, the bustling Pacific coast city where I lived for 18 years, but it was time for me to leave.
Mazatlán had changed beyond recognition since I moved there in 2006. The laid-back beach town I once knew was now overrun with tourists, lined with towering condo towers, and plagued by traffic, infrastructure issues, and noise. I yearned for a simpler lifestyle, surrounded by nature and fewer crowds.
That’s exactly what I found in San Antonio Tlayacapan, where my rent is just 9,000 pesos ($460) a month, including water. My electricity bill is around $12, 5G internet costs $29, and my cell phone plan is about $17 with free international calls.
As a semi-retired writer, my days are busy with freelance work, book writing, and consulting for expats navigating their journeys abroad. But when I’m not typing away on my computer, I enjoy quiet activities like sharing meals with friends, walking along the lake, and exploring the area.
The local markets are a treasure trove of fresh produce – asparagus, figs, berries, and farm-fresh eggs are all affordable and plentiful. I mostly eat a plant-based diet, but sometimes I treat myself to chicken from a local farm. There’s even a Walmart and Soriana grocery store nearby, but I prefer shopping at smaller local stores and weekly outdoor markets for fresher produce and lower prices.
As the sun sets over my new home each afternoon, I feel grateful for the tranquility that eluded me in Mazatlán. It may not be forever – I’m already dreaming of living part-time in Sicily or southern Italy and visiting my kids and their families in the US. For now, San Antonio Tlayacapan is my haven, and I’m thankful to have found it.
Source: CNBC
