How I Made The Move

So many people have asked me why I decided to move to Vallarta and how I managed to do it. The "mechanics" of such a huge undertaking were quite daunting at first but as you will see, everything worked out fine in the end. I thought the story might be worth including in my blog for those of you who are dreaming of doing such a thing. So here is the "Reader's Digest" version.

I first went to Acapulco, Mexico with my ex-boyfriend in 1995, 1996 and 1998. After we broke up, we made a pact not to return there without each other but I knew I loved Mexico! I had friends who used to go to PV every year, twice a year, and they always raved about it. In November 2000, a girlfriend and I decided to go. I liked PV better than Acapulco and went back April and November 2001, April, August and October 2002 and January, February, April and October, 2003.

Over the course of all those trips, I made a lot of friends in PV, both locals and tourists. After the first anniversary of 9/11, I had sort of an "epiphany" and I decided I wanted to do something different with my life so I made the decision to go. I started saving money. I took on a part-time job in addition to my regular full-time job (I've been a litigation assistant for 20 years). I rented out my condo to a friend and moved into smaller, cheaper rental accommodations. A year later (on October 4, 2003), I took my tenth trip to PV and stayed.

I met an American couple who were buying a condo in PV at the same time I was moving down. Not being ready to move down themselves, they agreed to rent it to me. After I arrived, I found a job at VIVA through a friend who was already working there and I got my FM3. I stayed until the end of April 2004, at which time I moved back to Toronto and got a job working at the same law firm for the summer. I also moved back into my former rental accommodations here. Now I'm heading back to Vallarta this Sunday. My job is waiting for me, I've got new accommodations lined up and I will be staying until mid-April 2005.

It took a year to plan. I budgeted $1000US per month for six months so I saved $6000US before going, just in case I couldn't find a job. Because I ended up working, I actually came home with money still in the bank! And after working all summer here, my bank account is quite pudgy again. It took a bit of planning, a bit of networking, a bit of luck and a lot of discipline but it was worth it. I have the best of both worlds! If you are thinking about doing it, I will be more than happy to help in any way I can. Just send me an email ...