September 18, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I'm joined by my husband Alex as we reflect on our first month living in Mexico.
We discuss the unexpected challenges and surprises we've encountered during the first month of living abroad as second-generation Mexican Americans. Plus, we unpack five key surprises that have reshaped our perspective on life in Mexico.
Join us as we navigate this new chapter and offer insights for anyone considering a big move abroad.
For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode137
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Why healthcare in Mexico completely shocked us (in the best way possible)
- The truth about Mexican private schools and why I've never felt more comfortable dropping my kids off
- How Mexico is both cheaper AND more expensive than we expected
- The work-life balance revelation that's changing how I think about integrating family and career
- Moments when we feel like complete outsiders, despite being fluent Spanish speakers and looking like we belong
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jessica (00:00):
And that's the thing, like this isn't a vacation.
(00:02):
This isn't like paradise.
When people often think aboutMexico, you know, this, we're
hustling just like everyone elsehere in Mexico, like the true
Mexicanos here mm-hmm.
We're hustling just as if wewere in the United States.
So it, it's not like we havetaken a break.
I.
Do think though that the essenceof time is a lot different.
(00:25):
Mm-hmm.
And these five differentunexpected things that we have
experienced so far has been kindof, um, different, I would say,
than in the United States.
Mm-hmm.
But overall, I think that wehave transitioned, well, we're
doing a good job.
Yeah,
Alejandro (00:41):
yeah.
We're good.
Pat ourselves on the back.
Jessica (00:43):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, this was,
Alejandro (00:46):
everybody thought we were crazy for doing this.
I mean, we probably are, but Imean, I feel fine.
The kids feel fine.
Jessica (00:52):
Yeah.
We're all good.
Yeah, we're good.
We're all good.
(02:01):
Welcome to the Viva AMI podcast.
I'm your host, Jessica Cuevas,and today I have a very special
guest.
If you don't know this man, thisis my husband Alex, and I
decided to bring him on the showtoday because.
This episode is part of ourLiving in Mexico series, on the
(02:23):
podcast and on YouTube.
The reason why I wanted to bringAlex here on the show is to
share with you all how.
Been, it's literally been amonth since we moved to Mexico,
specifically here in LeonGuanajuato.
We are currently in our housethat we are renting for this
(02:45):
year, and right now our kiddosare sleeping, so this is a great
opportunity for us to have thisconversation and to share with
you all just.
What has been going on thiswhole month, and specifically
five things that have been kindof unexpected to us as we have
been in this transition andliving outside of the United
(03:07):
States for the first time.
So.
Thank you, Alex, for being hereon the show.
Once again,
Alejandro (03:13):
thank you for having me.
Jessica (03:14):
yeah, We've been living here for a month now.
A little bit over a month, Iwould say, at least here in this
house since we rented it.
I don't know about you, but doyou think you're out of the
honeymoon stage or do you thinkwe're still in the honeymoon
stage?
I don't
Alejandro (03:30):
think it's even fair to call it a honeymoon stage
right now.
Honestly.
Ever since we left Chicago, iteven felt like a job, you know?
But everything that we had tocarry the kids, the cat, the
legal processes.
Contract that we had to sign theback and forth your
grandparents.
So no, again, it was nohoneymoon.
Jessica (03:51):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I guess I could see your pointlike, yeah, it's been nothing
but logistics.
Mm-hmm.
It's been nothing but kind ofrestarting our lives yeah.
Alejandro (04:00):
New country.
Yeah.
And
Jessica (04:01):
in a new country.
It has been a transition.
It has been, yeah.
Definitely a big learning curveand.
And yeah, I don't necessarilythink that it has been a
honeymoon.
No.
I think it, it's just been alearning experience and a very
different experience for both ofus, and we've definitely learned
a lot from this.
(04:22):
But now that we have completedour first month, I think I feel
this level of.
I don't know that we, we feel alittle bit settled in, I think.
Yeah.
You know?
Yeah.
Everything is unpacked.
The kids are in school now, sonow they're getting into a new
routine.
I have a lot of free time, whichis nice, but I'm also now being
(04:45):
strategic with my time in termsof, you know, with my business
and also other side jobs that Ihave gotten and, you know, being
able to have a little bit offree time for myself.
And also for you, I mean,nothing has kind of changed in
that part.
Alejandro (05:02):
No.
The only thing that has changedis just a different location.
I'm still stuck in a room doingmy doing, you know, my nine to
five, but yeah,
Jessica (05:09):
yeah,
Alejandro (05:10):
yeah.
Jessica (05:11):
And that's the thing, right?
Like a lot of people have beenreaching out to me via dms on my
Instagram account, and they'vebeen asking, oh, how's it going?
does it still feel like avacation?
Are you still feeling likeyou're in cloud nine?
You know, and, and yes.
(05:33):
Even though I, I guess I doshare the, the cool things about
our life here in Mexico.
I mean, I would say that we'vedefinitely had some very
challenging times.
Mm-hmm.
Especially in the transition ofmoving into a house that.
Unfortunately, the landlordshaven't been fully,
Alejandro (05:52):
yeah.
Uh, that's, that can be like awhole nother segment because I
think we could probably go likethree hours as to like, what's
been going on here, but Yeah,yeah, yeah.
It hasn't, been the easiesttransition to move into this
specific spot.
Jessica (06:08):
So yeah, and I think it's because of the landlords
who, they haven't been verycooperative in terms of
maintenance issues and obviouslybecause we are renting.
And we did sign a legalcontract.
And the contract specificallystates, you know, the, the
things that the landlord el isin charge of and what we are
(06:31):
responsible for as, um, rentersass.
Mm-hmm.
Yes.
As s we're learning ins, ins,ENCS, Encino, and, and so yeah,
we, we signed a legal contractit's called, which is another
way of just making it legal.
(06:53):
Um, more legitimate in usrenting this.
Space.
And in fact, we weren't able tosign just us because we don't
own property in Mexico.
And so we had to get, uh, mygrandpa to cosign because he
does own land.
He has his own house here withmy grandma near us, like about
(07:17):
an hour away.
And so.
Uh, he was our, what's itcalled?
Alejandro (07:23):
Co-signer.
Jessica (07:24):
Co-signer.
Uh, Val Val.
Yes.
He is our val.
So a lot of new language thatwe're learning.
Mm-hmm.
And so, so yeah.
So that's kind of like a quicksnapshot of just like our
transition moving into thishouse.
But I think we shoulddefinitely, Reserve some time
(07:44):
later on for another podcast toshare what it's like, you know,
to, uh, rent a, a house here ina different country.
Yeah.
In a different country.
Because it's definitely very,very different.
Alejandro (07:56):
Super different to the point where you have to have
somebody else has collateraljust so that you can live in
another house.
Yeah.
Jessica (08:04):
But which is a good thing because that way we're not
just any.
Americans, even though yes, weare Mexican Americans and now
we're dual citizens of bothMexico and the United States.
But it definitely givesperspective that perhaps some
landlords are not requiring acollateral like what we had to
(08:27):
do.
And that's what causesgentrification.
Um, and gentrification in itselfis another episode that we'll
definitely talk about, uh,because I've definitely been
called that.
And I don't know who I amreally.
So for this specific episode, Ithink we're definitely going to
share five things that have beenkind of unexpected to us.
(08:49):
And this is part of, also partof your questions that you sent
to me on Instagram.
And if you have any otherquestions about our life here in
Mexico, please feel free toreach out.
In fact, we are thinking about.
Creating more content.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, specifically on YouTube toshare with you all just like
(09:09):
what it's like living in Mexico,especially as second generation
Mexican Americans.
So the first thing that.
You know, we've been thinkingabout as we transitioned over,
is healthcare and, and howaccessible it is here and even
affordable here in Mexico.
So, Alex, can you tell us alittle bit more because you have
(09:32):
had a little bit of experience.
Alejandro (09:34):
Oh, both of us.
But uh, yeah.
So when was it?
It was like about before thekids started school, they, here
in Mexico, obviously waydifferent.
So I was very surprised that wehad to get.
Blood work for both kids, right?
Mm-hmm.
And then, uh, we took'em and itwas what, like$80 of blood work,
80
Jessica (09:54):
pistols.
Alejandro (09:57):
So it was a lot cheaper than I initially
thought, but yeah.
80 pistols for, for each kid,right?
Jessica (10:04):
Yeah.
It was 79 pistols, but it waslike a school special, so.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Alejandro (10:09):
Yeah.
So it was, it, it was cheap.
I couldn't believe it, you know?
And, um.
Yeah.
Some people have this notionthat Mexico's a third world
country, right?
That there's, the technology'snot even available here bs.
This hospital was like superamazing, right?
They had like this infraredcamera where you can actually
see the veins in the kids' arms.
(10:31):
I've never seen that back in theStates.
Mm-hmm.
So that completely blew my mind.
No.
If anything,
Jessica (10:36):
they would like poke them so many times to find the
vein, and that causes more.
I don't know.
Just like anxiety for the littlekids.
Alejandro (10:43):
Yeah.
Oh yeah.
In my personal experience too, Ihad a appointment with a
dermatologist, got me in likethat, um, consultation,
everything said and done.
I paid like$50, which is a copayback in the States.
Right.
Depending on your insurancecoverage.
But, um, yeah, I mean, so farhealthcare has been pretty easy
here.
Jessica (11:02):
Yeah.
Super
Alejandro (11:02):
affordable and, um.
Yeah, I mean, I have nocomplaints.
I've just been surprised as tohow advanced you can say that
this third world country is.
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (11:13):
Yeah.
And obviously we are lucky tolive in a city.
Mm-hmm.
You know, like Leon again, LeonGuanajuato is what, like the
sixth largest city in Mexico.
So we're very lucky andfortunate to have a lot of
options.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, from clinics to.
Even for me, I, it's kind ofembarrassing, but I went over to
(11:37):
a nail salon to get my nails andmy pedicure, and unfortunately
the nail tech wasn't able to domy pedicure just because she was
like, you're toenails areunhealthy, and she referred me
to a clinic that this isliterally the title.
So it's a clinic specificallyfor your feet and the health of
(12:02):
your feet.
So it's not a podiatrist.
It's kind of like a medical spa,I would say.
And I've never seen that in theUnited States.
And in fact, I have gotten mypedicures in the US and no one
has told me anything.
And I think I've had this likeissue for a very long time.
And I mean, TMI, it's like somekind of.
(12:24):
Fungal kind of
Alejandro (12:26):
that is too much.
Yeah.
Jessica (12:29):
But it is important, yeah.
That, you know, for not just thesafety of the, the nail salon
where they literally rejectedme, but it's also for my health
because otherwise I would not beable to grow nails in the future
like toenails in the future.
So, uh, I found that veryinteresting that I didn't have
(12:49):
to get, like a referral from myPCP mm-hmm.
My primary care.
Physician to then refer me to apodiatrist.
And a podiatrist is only goingto give me medications.
And what I have gotten are justlike topical gels and they do it
on site.
Like I didn't even, I don't evenhave to do it.
Like it's, it's a five monthtreatment and every month I have
(13:11):
to go.
The aspect of healthcare here inMexico so far, it has been
feasible.
It has been accessible.
Mm-hmm.
Now we do have two little boys.
We are aware that if they wereto break, uh, an elbow or
something, then that's somethingthat we're exploring to see
whether to get like privateinsurance, because there is
(13:33):
private insurance here inMexico.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, but if, because the kids forthe most part are in school for
the majority of the time.
Mm-hmm.
Through their school tuition,they automatically get covered
if an incident were to occur.
So let's say if they're in theplayground and Mateo, because
(13:54):
they always falls, this kid isvery clumsy.
If he ends up breaking, I don'tknow.
Which it will happen.
Which is stop, no, don't jinxit.
Gosh.
But let's say if it were to cometo like a situation where he has
to go to the emergency room, uh,his school already covers that.
Oh, well we have to pay, is adeductible.
(14:16):
And that's like 600 pesos Ibelieve,
Alejandro (14:18):
around there somewhere.
Yeah.
Jessica (14:19):
And, and he would basically be covered, so.
Alejandro (14:24):
600 peles is nothing.
It was like what?
Like$35,$40?
Jessica (14:28):
Yeah.
Which is again, another copay.
And we don't have insurance herein Mexico, so like it's not just
a copay, right?
About like in this case, payingthe deductible, but we're also
not spending an additionalamount of money on premiums, on
monthly premiums and all of thatcompared to the us.
So it's definitely a lotdifferent
Alejandro (14:50):
for sure.
Yeah.
Agreed.
A hundred percent.
Jessica (14:53):
So the second thing that has been a little bit
unexpected
Alejandro (14:58):
is, is the school.
Jessica (14:59):
Mm-hmm.
Alejandro (15:00):
It's the school here in Mexico.
Jessica (15:03):
Yeah.
Schools are definitely differenthere in Mexico than in the US
Alejandro (15:08):
and for us, we have both of our kids in private
school.
Mm-hmm.
Um, that was one thing that Idid not want to even discuss.
I'm just like, I, I, I'm notsaying that the public schools
are bad, right.
But, um.
If we're gonna be here,obviously the one, number, one
priority for me at least, wasgonna be a good education for
the kids.
Jessica (15:27):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it also allows for kids whoneed, uh, public education'cause
it is for free mm-hmm.
For them to have that access,you know, and for us, we have
the choice, right?
We have the decision to put themin private school.
And so I think definitely a bigdifference is that there's.
(15:49):
Higher standards of educationhere.
I think families, childrenconsider education very
seriously.
Like it is a privilege toacquire an education, and
therefore all the kids are inuniform.
And for the most part, a lot ofthe schools in Mexico, whether
they're private or public, kidshave to wear school uniforms,
(16:12):
and they're very specific ontheir uniform.
Mateo technically goes to Al,which is like daycare.
It's kind of like a guerilla,like, uh, a child daycare
center, but it, it's pretty muchfocused on social emotional
learning.
Mm-hmm., And it's academicbased.
It's not just someone takingcare of your kids.
(16:33):
But school in that aspect, it'slike, okay, you have to present
yourself well.
And appreciate your educationand, and really be sort of fully
integrated in this, environment.
Mm-hmm.
And I attended the first kind ofPTA, I think, I don't know how
(16:53):
they call it.
I think it's LA at bay FA orsomething.
Um, but it's similar to theschool's, PTA and I kid you not,
like almost every parent wasthere.
Mm-hmm.
And I was very shocked because Iwas a part of the Diegos PTA in
Chicago when he was in pre-Kthree, and I literally counted
(17:18):
how many parents it was likefingers, maybe like four or
five, 10 the most.
Yeah, in some meetings, but.
Yeah, like there is this essenceof like, families being very
involved and wanting to beinvolved.
We went to a es, you know, apart of, um, cia, the Mexico,
(17:39):
and there were so many families.
Yeah.
And even though they pay fortuition, they were still willing
to contribute even more by, youknow, paying a little extra for
these tickets for the, and so.
I think families valueeducation.
Not that I'm saying thatfamilies in the United States
don't value education, but it'salmost like we take it for
(18:01):
granted.
Like we take, um, certainresources for granted, like the
PTA, right?
That this is your opportunity tovoice out your opinions and
wanting to make change in theschools, you know, and even
dressing up your kids, right?
Like, I didn't iron my kids'clothes and now I have to, you
know, so there's this like.
(18:23):
Different standard in, in theeducation system.
Mm-hmm.
And also, one of the things thatis a lot different is that our
kids don't get to experienceshooting drills or lockdowns,
that is not even a conversationhere in Mexico.
Diego did tell me that they didlike a fire drill.
(18:46):
But that's to that extent.
And so the fact that we'resending our kids in a school in
Mexico makes me much more likerelaxed.
I don't get
Alejandro (18:57):
comfortable.
Jessica (18:58):
Yeah.
Much more comfortable.
We don't get to worry as much,especially with everything
that's going on in in the UnitedStates.
So I think that gives usdefinitely a peace of mind
Alejandro (19:08):
and appreciation too.
For sure.
Jessica (19:11):
Yeah.
Yeah.
The third one is,
Alejandro (19:14):
yeah, Mexico is expensive than expected.
Yeah, definitely.
Um, and not to say that Mexicois like super bougie or
whatever, that it'sunaffordable.
It's just that we came here.
Well, at least for me, when,when we came here, I, I was
still under the impression thatit was gonna be like how we came
(19:35):
here and just threw money leftand right, right.
When we were on vacation.
No, it's not like that.
Right?
Even though yes, it is.
Affordable housing is superaffordable, the food is super,
some food, right?
Mm-hmm.
It's affordable for the mostpart.
We are spending a lot less moneyhere than we are in the United
States, but again.
It's still super expensivecompared to like Los STOs,
(19:58):
right?
Where you can basically feedyourself for like two months on
like a hundred dollars and here,no, it's not like that.
Mm-hmm.
Um, one thing for me that Ifound crazy that it still blows
up, man to this day, right?
Car maintenance, when we went toWalmart, a quart of oil here is
(20:18):
$25 one quart of oil.
That just like, and
Jessica (20:24):
what, what's it like usually, and in the
Alejandro (20:25):
us?
In the US obviously it's alittle bit different, right?
Depending if it's conventionalor synthetic.
Synthetic in the US is like,what?
Like for one quar is like 10,$12maybe.
Jessica (20:36):
Oh wow.
Alejandro (20:37):
Roughly, if not a little bit less, but um, yeah.
And also too anything that'sright.
Like anything that's high class,if you will.
Is expensive.
Clothing, name brand.
Clothing is expensive.
Shoes, certain shoes.
Shoes.
Nike's are hella expensive here.
Mm-hmm.
Um, what else is expensive here?
Jessica (20:59):
Gas.
Alejandro (21:00):
Gas is insanely expensive.
We had, we drive a little, uh,mid-size s SUV v, roughly.
It's about a 16 or 17 gallontank.
We go to Costco.
We don't leave Costco withoutspending like at least a hundred
dollars to fill it up.
Jessica (21:12):
Mm-hmm.
When in the United States itwould be like$60 equivalent.
So.
Alejandro (21:17):
So gas is definitely expensive over there.
Yeah,
Jessica (21:18):
it is.
And so it ends up balancingitself.
I mean, would you say that ourmoney?
Alejandro (21:29):
Yes, definitely.
Mm-hmm.
It definitely does.
Yeah.
'cause we can go out basicallylike almost every day and we
still have.
The metal leftover.
Yeah.
Right.
Jessica (21:36):
But we definitely don't do that.
Alejandro (21:38):
Yeah.
No.
Jessica (21:38):
Yeah.
And we've been intentional oflike buying groceries at, uh, a
marketplace.
So we go to and Mercado AbBastos, which is like pretty
well known for, merchantssupplying.
The food to local restaurantsmm-hmm.
And businesses.
And so it's like a direct toconsumer type of, market.
(22:01):
So we definitely get the foodpretty cheap.
Mm-hmm.
Um, compar, if we were to go tothe local grocery store is la
HEB, you know?
Mm-hmm.
Uh, or Walmart.
And, and unfortunately, withhaving these.
Type of, chains like you'remissing out on, like going to El
(22:22):
Mecado and, you know, gettingthings for significantly less in
amount.
And so we're really fortunateto, have known of this place
through my friend, who we methere in Leone.
She's also from the UnitedStates, and her husband's from
Leone.
We have connected with them andthey have been showing us around
(22:42):
as far as where to get the, thebest deals specifically for
food, because I would say thatfood can get pricey depending on
where you Yes.
Buy it from.
Alejandro (22:50):
Yeah, for sure.
Like it was definitely a shockerfor me when we first went to the
grocery store.
I was thinking, oh, it's gonnabe dirt cheap.
Right.
No.
We walked out of there the firstday we were like, we spent like
$150,$160 on groceries.
Jessica (23:02):
Yeah.
Which is.
Still a little cheap comparedmaybe like, what,$60 cheaper
than what we would traditionallyYeah.
Spend, I think it's hasn't beenas expensive.
Alejandro (23:16):
Yeah.
Significantly cheaper.
Yeah.
Yeah, for sure.
Jessica (23:19):
Yeah, and we'll definitely talk more about that.
I think that this is animportant topic about, uh, just
like the cost of living here inMexico and how that impacts us.
I've definitely received a lotof questions about work, so I
think that that in itself isgoing to be another episode
because We are lucky thatbecause we are landlords
(23:44):
ourselves.
Mm-hmm.
So we own property in Chicago,whatever we get left over from
the rent, it goes essentiallyback to this rental that we're
living in here, in this house.
And you have a US
Alejandro (23:57):
job.
Yeah.
Jessica (23:57):
Yeah.
And, and I found a contract, uh,work and as well as freelance
work, so it.
You can find your way aroundliving here in Mexico, but it
just depends on what your jobrequires.
And if you have any additionalside money, like real estate,
(24:17):
then that's another way to getthrough.
Alejandro (24:21):
And there's plenty of jobs here too.
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (24:22):
Yes.
Like
Alejandro (24:23):
there, there's no shortage of jobs here.
No.
Um, it just really depends onwhat you want your lifestyle to
be.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, like for us, obviously they.
We have two kids, right.
Private school.
There's no way for me to leavemy job even though I want to,
but No.
Um, but you
Jessica (24:39):
might, you never know.
You might find something hereand, and we're both Mexican
citizens, right?
And, but everyone keeps tellingus no res.
Mm-hmm.
It's much better.
Which
Alejandro (24:52):
true in a way, but
Jessica (24:54):
I get, but again, it all depends.
Alejandro (24:56):
Yeah.
Because like your situation.
Again, like for me, like how Imentioned in the beginning of
this video, it, it hasn't reallychanged for me.
Right.
Work routine.
I wake up, I'm stuck until hereuntil three o'clock.
Right?
So that's almost a whole daygone.
Just working.
So, and here, I mean I can'tspeak on how it is to have a job
(25:16):
here, but from what I seepeople, it's definitely a lot
more lenient than it is in theStates.
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (25:21):
Which that segues to work life balance.
Alejandro (25:23):
Work life balance.
Yeah.
Something I know nothing about.
Jessica (25:27):
I know you're still living the American life, man.
Yeah.
But.
And again, this was somethingthat we talked about and so
we're trying this out for ayear.
Mm-hmm.
And then, you know, where cantell him to, where do his own
pizza place, like a Chicagostyle pizza place?
Alejandro (25:42):
Something that is not here.
Jessica (25:44):
No, no.
Pizza's a lot different.
We can talk about food.
Yeah, sure, for sure.
Specifically pizza.
Alejandro (25:49):
We just found a decent pizza place here.
Napoleon style pizza.
But yeah, we'll save that foranother segment.
Jessica (25:58):
He's got a lot to say.
Oh
Alejandro (25:59):
yeah,
Jessica (26:00):
yeah.
But it's specifically aboutworklife balance, I think.
The way that La Cultura here inMexico, it's all centered around
people's lives and family.
And so I find it veryinteresting, and I'm sure that
you already know this,especially if you've gone to
Mexico or anywhere in LatinAmerica and even Spain because I
remember seeing this get.
(26:21):
You know, that's what, 3:00 PMto like 6:00 PM or sometimes
it's as early as 1:00 PM to 3:00PM Just depends.
But a lot of businesses closeand that way families can focus
on their families and they getto eat together and beat
together for that amount oftime, and then they can reopen
(26:44):
their businesses until close.
So that's something that hasbeen very interesting in in
witnessing.
and so for you, I know that wealways think about work life
balance, like having this extratime aside mm-hmm.
Besides your nine to five.
But I feel like here, work lifebalance, you're integrating
that.
Mm-hmm.
You know, like if you have ajob, you're integrating this
(27:07):
like schedule into your familyor into your kids' schedule, and
that's what surprised mespecifically about the kids'
school is that.
You see so many parents pickingup their kids.
Mm-hmm.
Like it's not the nanny, or eventhough I have seen that, but
it's the parents, like I seenthem dropping them off and then
(27:28):
they're picking them up andthey're in professional work
year.
Mm-hmm.
Compared to the United Stateswhere you're trying to find, you
know, who's gonna pick up my,you know, PTO time or you, you
are using your PTO time, oryou're probably using your lunch
hour.
And so that's what makes itinteresting, um, that there is
true work-life balance.
And I'm, I'm seeing it in a waythat it is fully like, kind of
(27:52):
like integrated, I would say.
Mm-hmm.
Within your personalprofessional life, instead of
just separating the two.
Yeah, for, if that
Alejandro (28:02):
makes sense.
And it also depends too, on thecompany.
Jessica (28:04):
Alright.
And then the fifth unexpectedthing that we've experienced so
far here in Mexico is that thereare moments when we feel like
outsiders.
So by that, how would you definethat?
Alejandro (28:23):
Um, definitely the language for me.
We grew up as Spanish speakers.
Both of my parents, they onlyspeak Spanish at home.
I thought that my Spanish wasgood, until we got here to the
city.
I've had the dermatologist callme out.
I'm like, how do you know?
She's like, I'm like, ah, okay.
(28:45):
The maintenance guy here saysthat.
I have a weird accent.
It is been a few people thathave commented on the way I
speak Spanish.
So that was kind of hurtful,but, so that's when I felt like
an outsider.
Jessica (28:57):
But even like for me, I think your Spanish is.
S
Alejandro (29:01):
better than yours?
No.
No it's not.
I'm sorry,
Jessica (29:04):
but you do have an accent and that's fine.
But yeah, it, it does make itinteresting, like, oh my gosh,
like today when I went to thegym, I saw kettle bells and I
was like.
Are these in pounds or inkilograms?
And the reason why I wanted toknow this was so that I can
track that in, in an app that Ihave.
(29:25):
And so I went to the front deskand I was like.
And then they looked at meweird.
They were like, ah, now I, weknow where you're coming from.
Mm-hmm.
So even like the conversions,right?
Mm-hmm.
Like for the kids' school, theywere asking how tall the kids
were, how much do they weigh?
Well, we can't say that they are40 pounds.
(29:48):
Mm-hmm.
Or that they are three feettall.
Right.
Because that's not used here.
And I think that that is such anunfortunate part, especially
coming from the United States.
That that is not a universallanguage, like in terms of
measurements and, uh, weight andall of that.
Like, no one is gonna get youunless you're from the United
(30:09):
States.
Um, so I think that's when Ifeel like an outsider where,
That's when I don't feel like.
I'm a part of this, country.
Yeah.
Because of the way that we weretaught.
Unfortunately,
Alejandro (30:23):
another big debt giveaway for us is our license
plate.
Yes.
Jessica (30:26):
Yeah.
Alejandro (30:27):
People know that we're outsiders just by looking
at the car.
'cause we used have Chicagolicense plates.
We don't know what was gonna,what's gonna happen yet with
that truck, but, mm-hmm.
We'll see.
Jessica (30:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right now we have the permit,the tip.
Uh, but yeah, we have untilJanuary and we're gonna revisit
this in November and figure outif our car is, if we're able to
re, well.
Most likely we'll renew itagain, or we can legalize it if
we wanna be here long term or ifwe wanna keep the car here.
(30:57):
Yeah.
Because Or whenever we comeback, but yeah, I think as far
as the feeling like an outsider,that has been a big.
Component, just like thelanguage and even the way that
people articulate themselves isa lot different.
Mm-hmm.
You know, I wish that, the wordscan come out easily, but there
are definitely times when I'mlike, oh, how do I describe
this?
Like, and so, and people get it.
(31:21):
They understand we're not theonly foreigners here.
Yeah.
You know, but that makes us feellike.
Decia.
Mm-hmm.
We look like we are from here.
Right.
We're brown folks once they hearus talk.
Yeah.
Or once they see us drive
Alejandro (31:38):
our
Jessica (31:38):
truck.
Like
Alejandro (31:38):
it's almost
Jessica (31:40):
he was told that.
Alejandro (31:43):
Yeah.
Jessica (31:43):
So, yeah.
It, it does make you still feellike you're not a part of this.
And, and even my grandma, like,you know, my grandparents have
been here for 20 plus years.
They retired, they built theirhouse here in Mexico, in El
Rancho, and.
She still sometimes struggles,like she remembers the first
time she asked her crazy glueand she literally asked the
clerk like, oh, s crazy glue.
(32:07):
And so she described it and hewas like, oh.
But she didn't know that thatwas the brand or the word, you
know?
And, and so yeah, so it, it hasbeen an adjustment, I would say.
Is there another.
Way that you're feeling like anoutsider.
Alejandro (32:26):
No language.
That's pretty much language.
Just a language.
That's pretty much it.
That is pretty much it for me.
I already feel like home,honestly.
It is pretty, me personally,it's pretty easy for me to
adapt.
Jessica (32:38):
Yeah.
Alejandro (32:38):
So, yeah.
Yeah.
Jessica (32:40):
I think overall, like we're out of that honeymoon
phase, even though it didn'tfeel like a honeymoon, there
Alejandro (32:44):
was no honeymoon phase
Jessica (32:46):
here.
No.
It was just like, you gotta goto work.
And that's the thing, like thisisn't a vacation.
This isn't like paradise.
When people often think aboutMexico, you know, this, we're
hustling just like everyone elsehere in Mexico, like the true
Mexicanos here mm-hmm.
We're hustling just as if wewere in the United States.
So it, it's not like we havetaken a break.
(33:08):
I.
Do think though that the essenceof time is a lot different.
Mm-hmm.
And these five differentunexpected things that we have
experienced so far has been kindof, um, different, I would say,
than in the United States.
Mm-hmm.
But overall, I think that wehave transitioned, well, we're
doing a good job.
(33:29):
Yeah,
Alejandro (33:29):
yeah.
We're good.
Pat ourselves on the back.
Jessica (33:31):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, this was,
Alejandro (33:34):
everybody thought we were crazy for doing this.
I mean, we probably are, but Imean, I feel fine.
The kids feel fine.
Jessica (33:40):
Yeah.
We're all good.
Yeah, we're good.
We're all good.
And, and just take this as asign, like if you've ever wanted
to, Move outside of the countryor try something different with
your family.
Like this is your opportunity todo que I.
We've definitely gotten a lotof, um, just like.
Words of wisdom from those thathave always wanted to move to
(34:01):
Mexico but never did because ofX, Y, Z.
And so they see this as a wayfor us to feel inspired by what
they probably missed out on.
And vicariously, experiencingthis with us.
And so just do it.
Just do it.
Yeah.
Alejandro (34:17):
Yeah,
Jessica (34:18):
just do it.
Alejandro (34:19):
For sure.
Jessica (34:20):
Well, Alex, you're here on the show.
Any final words of advice?
Alejandro (34:25):
Uh, not advice, but I'll just say we will definitely
try to bring you guys morecontent as far as YouTube goes.
It is just very difficult tokids.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, again, just like howJess said, we're hustling every
day.
Right.
Routine hasn't changed.
Mm-hmm.
The only thing that has changedis just the country.
But, um, yeah, we'll definitelytry to, you know, just record
what we do every day here.
(34:46):
A typical day in the life of a.
Family of four in Mexico.
Jessica (34:49):
Mm-hmm.
Yes.
Alejandro (34:51):
But, um,
Jessica (34:52):
yeah, and let us know if there are any specific
questions.
I am answering dms and I'manswering dms through this
platform, through the podcast,YouTube.
And so if you have any specificquestions about.
Anything related to our Vidahere in Mexico, please ask away
because I think it's not justfor us to showcase you what our
(35:14):
lives are, but it's also toinspire you to consider a change
like this.
Because you never know.
Like life is too short.
Alejandro (35:21):
Exactly.
It is always better to know whatis instead of what could have
been.
Jessica (35:25):
Mm-hmm.
Alejandro (35:26):
So
Jessica (35:26):
there you go.
Alejandro (35:27):
You have any interest in moving somewhere else?
Like the Nike Science says, justdo it.
Jessica (35:33):
You've mentioned Nike a lot.
This is not sponsored by Nike,
Alejandro (35:37):
but they can.
Jessica (35:40):
All right, Ami, well thank you so much for listening
and I'll catch you in the nextepisode.
Peace.
And that's the thing, like this isn't a vacation.
(00:02):
This isn't like paradise.
When people often think aboutMexico, you know, this, we're
hustling just like everyone elsehere in Mexico, like the true
Mexicanos here mm-hmm.
We're hustling just as if wewere in the United States.
So it, it's not like we havetaken a break.
I.
Do think though that the essenceof time is a lot different.
(00:25):
Mm-hmm.
And these five differentunexpected things that we have
experienced so far has been kindof, um, different, I would say,
than in the United States.
Mm-hmm.
But overall, I think that wehave transitioned, well, we're
doing a good job.
Yeah,
Alejandro (00:41):
yeah.
We're good.
Pat ourselves on the back.
Jessica (00:43):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, this was,
Alejandro (00:46):
everybody thought we were crazy for doing this.
I mean, we probably are, but Imean, I feel fine.
The kids feel fine.
Jessica (00:52):
Yeah.
We're all good.
Yeah, we're good.
We're all good.
(02:01):
Welcome to the Viva AMI podcast.
I'm your host, Jessica Cuevas,and today I have a very special
guest.
If you don't know this man, thisis my husband Alex, and I
decided to bring him on the showtoday because.
This episode is part of ourLiving in Mexico series, on the
(02:23):
podcast and on YouTube.
The reason why I wanted to bringAlex here on the show is to
share with you all how.
Been, it's literally been amonth since we moved to Mexico,
specifically here in LeonGuanajuato.
We are currently in our housethat we are renting for this
(02:45):
year, and right now our kiddosare sleeping, so this is a great
opportunity for us to have thisconversation and to share with
you all just.
What has been going on thiswhole month, and specifically
five things that have been kindof unexpected to us as we have
been in this transition andliving outside of the United
(03:07):
States for the first time.
So.
Thank you, Alex, for being hereon the show.
Once again,
Alejandro (03:13):
thank you for having me.
Jessica (03:14):
yeah, We've been living here for a month now.
A little bit over a month, Iwould say, at least here in this
house since we rented it.
I don't know about you, but doyou think you're out of the
honeymoon stage or do you thinkwe're still in the honeymoon
stage?
I don't
Alejandro (03:30):
think it's even fair to call it a honeymoon stage
right now.
Honestly.
Ever since we left Chicago, iteven felt like a job, you know?
But everything that we had tocarry the kids, the cat, the
legal processes.
Contract that we had to sign theback and forth your
grandparents.
So no, again, it was nohoneymoon.
Jessica (03:51):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I guess I could see your pointlike, yeah, it's been nothing
but logistics.
Mm-hmm.
It's been nothing but kind ofrestarting our lives yeah.
Alejandro (04:00):
New country.
Yeah.
And
Jessica (04:01):
in a new country.
It has been a transition.
It has been, yeah.
Definitely a big learning curveand.
And yeah, I don't necessarilythink that it has been a
honeymoon.
No.
I think it, it's just been alearning experience and a very
different experience for both ofus, and we've definitely learned
a lot from this.
(04:22):
But now that we have completedour first month, I think I feel
this level of.
I don't know that we, we feel alittle bit settled in, I think.
Yeah.
You know?
Yeah.
Everything is unpacked.
The kids are in school now, sonow they're getting into a new
routine.
I have a lot of free time, whichis nice, but I'm also now being
(04:45):
strategic with my time in termsof, you know, with my business
and also other side jobs that Ihave gotten and, you know, being
able to have a little bit offree time for myself.
And also for you, I mean,nothing has kind of changed in
that part.
Alejandro (05:02):
No.
The only thing that has changedis just a different location.
I'm still stuck in a room doingmy doing, you know, my nine to
five, but yeah,
Jessica (05:09):
yeah,
Alejandro (05:10):
yeah.
Jessica (05:11):
And that's the thing, right?
Like a lot of people have beenreaching out to me via dms on my
Instagram account, and they'vebeen asking, oh, how's it going?
does it still feel like avacation?
Are you still feeling likeyou're in cloud nine?
You know, and, and yes.
(05:33):
Even though I, I guess I doshare the, the cool things about
our life here in Mexico.
I mean, I would say that we'vedefinitely had some very
challenging times.
Mm-hmm.
Especially in the transition ofmoving into a house that.
Unfortunately, the landlordshaven't been fully,
Alejandro (05:52):
yeah.
Uh, that's, that can be like awhole nother segment because I
think we could probably go likethree hours as to like, what's
been going on here, but Yeah,yeah, yeah.
It hasn't, been the easiesttransition to move into this
specific spot.
Jessica (06:08):
So yeah, and I think it's because of the landlords
who, they haven't been verycooperative in terms of
maintenance issues and obviouslybecause we are renting.
And we did sign a legalcontract.
And the contract specificallystates, you know, the, the
things that the landlord el isin charge of and what we are
(06:31):
responsible for as, um, rentersass.
Mm-hmm.
Yes.
As s we're learning ins, ins,ENCS, Encino, and, and so yeah,
we, we signed a legal contractit's called, which is another
way of just making it legal.
(06:53):
Um, more legitimate in usrenting this.
Space.
And in fact, we weren't able tosign just us because we don't
own property in Mexico.
And so we had to get, uh, mygrandpa to cosign because he
does own land.
He has his own house here withmy grandma near us, like about
(07:17):
an hour away.
And so.
Uh, he was our, what's itcalled?
Alejandro (07:23):
Co-signer.
Jessica (07:24):
Co-signer.
Uh, Val Val.
Yes.
He is our val.
So a lot of new language thatwe're learning.
Mm-hmm.
And so, so yeah.
So that's kind of like a quicksnapshot of just like our
transition moving into thishouse.
But I think we shoulddefinitely, Reserve some time
(07:44):
later on for another podcast toshare what it's like, you know,
to, uh, rent a, a house here ina different country.
Yeah.
In a different country.
Because it's definitely very,very different.
Alejandro (07:56):
Super different to the point where you have to have
somebody else has collateraljust so that you can live in
another house.
Yeah.
Jessica (08:04):
But which is a good thing because that way we're not
just any.
Americans, even though yes, weare Mexican Americans and now
we're dual citizens of bothMexico and the United States.
But it definitely givesperspective that perhaps some
landlords are not requiring acollateral like what we had to
(08:27):
do.
And that's what causesgentrification.
Um, and gentrification in itselfis another episode that we'll
definitely talk about, uh,because I've definitely been
called that.
And I don't know who I amreally.
So for this specific episode, Ithink we're definitely going to
share five things that have beenkind of unexpected to us.
(08:49):
And this is part of, also partof your questions that you sent
to me on Instagram.
And if you have any otherquestions about our life here in
Mexico, please feel free toreach out.
In fact, we are thinking about.
Creating more content.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, specifically on YouTube toshare with you all just like
(09:09):
what it's like living in Mexico,especially as second generation
Mexican Americans.
So the first thing that.
You know, we've been thinkingabout as we transitioned over,
is healthcare and, and howaccessible it is here and even
affordable here in Mexico.
So, Alex, can you tell us alittle bit more because you have
(09:32):
had a little bit of experience.
Alejandro (09:34):
Oh, both of us.
But uh, yeah.
So when was it?
It was like about before thekids started school, they, here
in Mexico, obviously waydifferent.
So I was very surprised that wehad to get.
Blood work for both kids, right?
Mm-hmm.
And then, uh, we took'em and itwas what, like$80 of blood work,
80
Jessica (09:54):
pistols.
Alejandro (09:57):
So it was a lot cheaper than I initially
thought, but yeah.
80 pistols for, for each kid,right?
Jessica (10:04):
Yeah.
It was 79 pistols, but it waslike a school special, so.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Alejandro (10:09):
Yeah.
So it was, it, it was cheap.
I couldn't believe it, you know?
And, um.
Yeah.
Some people have this notionthat Mexico's a third world
country, right?
That there's, the technology'snot even available here bs.
This hospital was like superamazing, right?
They had like this infraredcamera where you can actually
see the veins in the kids' arms.
(10:31):
I've never seen that back in theStates.
Mm-hmm.
So that completely blew my mind.
No.
If anything,
Jessica (10:36):
they would like poke them so many times to find the
vein, and that causes more.
I don't know.
Just like anxiety for the littlekids.
Alejandro (10:43):
Yeah.
Oh yeah.
In my personal experience too, Ihad a appointment with a
dermatologist, got me in likethat, um, consultation,
everything said and done.
I paid like$50, which is a copayback in the States.
Right.
Depending on your insurancecoverage.
But, um, yeah, I mean, so farhealthcare has been pretty easy
here.
Jessica (11:02):
Yeah.
Super
Alejandro (11:02):
affordable and, um.
Yeah, I mean, I have nocomplaints.
I've just been surprised as tohow advanced you can say that
this third world country is.
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (11:13):
Yeah.
And obviously we are lucky tolive in a city.
Mm-hmm.
You know, like Leon again, LeonGuanajuato is what, like the
sixth largest city in Mexico.
So we're very lucky andfortunate to have a lot of
options.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, from clinics to.
Even for me, I, it's kind ofembarrassing, but I went over to
(11:37):
a nail salon to get my nails andmy pedicure, and unfortunately
the nail tech wasn't able to domy pedicure just because she was
like, you're toenails areunhealthy, and she referred me
to a clinic that this isliterally the title.
So it's a clinic specificallyfor your feet and the health of
(12:02):
your feet.
So it's not a podiatrist.
It's kind of like a medical spa,I would say.
And I've never seen that in theUnited States.
And in fact, I have gotten mypedicures in the US and no one
has told me anything.
And I think I've had this likeissue for a very long time.
And I mean, TMI, it's like somekind of.
(12:24):
Fungal kind of
Alejandro (12:26):
that is too much.
Yeah.
Jessica (12:29):
But it is important, yeah.
That, you know, for not just thesafety of the, the nail salon
where they literally rejectedme, but it's also for my health
because otherwise I would not beable to grow nails in the future
like toenails in the future.
So, uh, I found that veryinteresting that I didn't have
(12:49):
to get, like a referral from myPCP mm-hmm.
My primary care.
Physician to then refer me to apodiatrist.
And a podiatrist is only goingto give me medications.
And what I have gotten are justlike topical gels and they do it
on site.
Like I didn't even, I don't evenhave to do it.
Like it's, it's a five monthtreatment and every month I have
(13:11):
to go.
The aspect of healthcare here inMexico so far, it has been
feasible.
It has been accessible.
Mm-hmm.
Now we do have two little boys.
We are aware that if they wereto break, uh, an elbow or
something, then that's somethingthat we're exploring to see
whether to get like privateinsurance, because there is
(13:33):
private insurance here inMexico.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, but if, because the kids forthe most part are in school for
the majority of the time.
Mm-hmm.
Through their school tuition,they automatically get covered
if an incident were to occur.
So let's say if they're in theplayground and Mateo, because
(13:54):
they always falls, this kid isvery clumsy.
If he ends up breaking, I don'tknow.
Which it will happen.
Which is stop, no, don't jinxit.
Gosh.
But let's say if it were to cometo like a situation where he has
to go to the emergency room, uh,his school already covers that.
Oh, well we have to pay, is adeductible.
(14:16):
And that's like 600 pesos Ibelieve,
Alejandro (14:18):
around there somewhere.
Yeah.
Jessica (14:19):
And, and he would basically be covered, so.
Alejandro (14:24):
600 peles is nothing.
It was like what?
Like$35,$40?
Jessica (14:28):
Yeah.
Which is again, another copay.
And we don't have insurance herein Mexico, so like it's not just
a copay, right?
About like in this case, payingthe deductible, but we're also
not spending an additionalamount of money on premiums, on
monthly premiums and all of thatcompared to the us.
So it's definitely a lotdifferent
Alejandro (14:50):
for sure.
Yeah.
Agreed.
A hundred percent.
Jessica (14:53):
So the second thing that has been a little bit
unexpected
Alejandro (14:58):
is, is the school.
Jessica (14:59):
Mm-hmm.
Alejandro (15:00):
It's the school here in Mexico.
Jessica (15:03):
Yeah.
Schools are definitely differenthere in Mexico than in the US
Alejandro (15:08):
and for us, we have both of our kids in private
school.
Mm-hmm.
Um, that was one thing that Idid not want to even discuss.
I'm just like, I, I, I'm notsaying that the public schools
are bad, right.
But, um.
If we're gonna be here,obviously the one, number, one
priority for me at least, wasgonna be a good education for
the kids.
Jessica (15:27):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it also allows for kids whoneed, uh, public education'cause
it is for free mm-hmm.
For them to have that access,you know, and for us, we have
the choice, right?
We have the decision to put themin private school.
And so I think definitely a bigdifference is that there's.
(15:49):
Higher standards of educationhere.
I think families, childrenconsider education very
seriously.
Like it is a privilege toacquire an education, and
therefore all the kids are inuniform.
And for the most part, a lot ofthe schools in Mexico, whether
they're private or public, kidshave to wear school uniforms,
(16:12):
and they're very specific ontheir uniform.
Mateo technically goes to Al,which is like daycare.
It's kind of like a guerilla,like, uh, a child daycare
center, but it, it's pretty muchfocused on social emotional
learning.
Mm-hmm., And it's academicbased.
It's not just someone takingcare of your kids.
(16:33):
But school in that aspect, it'slike, okay, you have to present
yourself well.
And appreciate your educationand, and really be sort of fully
integrated in this, environment.
Mm-hmm.
And I attended the first kind ofPTA, I think, I don't know how
(16:53):
they call it.
I think it's LA at bay FA orsomething.
Um, but it's similar to theschool's, PTA and I kid you not,
like almost every parent wasthere.
Mm-hmm.
And I was very shocked because Iwas a part of the Diegos PTA in
Chicago when he was in pre-Kthree, and I literally counted
(17:18):
how many parents it was likefingers, maybe like four or
five, 10 the most.
Yeah, in some meetings, but.
Yeah, like there is this essenceof like, families being very
involved and wanting to beinvolved.
We went to a es, you know, apart of, um, cia, the Mexico,
(17:39):
and there were so many families.
Yeah.
And even though they pay fortuition, they were still willing
to contribute even more by, youknow, paying a little extra for
these tickets for the, and so.
I think families valueeducation.
Not that I'm saying thatfamilies in the United States
don't value education, but it'salmost like we take it for
(18:01):
granted.
Like we take, um, certainresources for granted, like the
PTA, right?
That this is your opportunity tovoice out your opinions and
wanting to make change in theschools, you know, and even
dressing up your kids, right?
Like, I didn't iron my kids'clothes and now I have to, you
know, so there's this like.
(18:23):
Different standard in, in theeducation system.
Mm-hmm.
And also, one of the things thatis a lot different is that our
kids don't get to experienceshooting drills or lockdowns,
that is not even a conversationhere in Mexico.
Diego did tell me that they didlike a fire drill.
(18:46):
But that's to that extent.
And so the fact that we'resending our kids in a school in
Mexico makes me much more likerelaxed.
I don't get
Alejandro (18:57):
comfortable.
Jessica (18:58):
Yeah.
Much more comfortable.
We don't get to worry as much,especially with everything
that's going on in in the UnitedStates.
So I think that gives usdefinitely a peace of mind
Alejandro (19:08):
and appreciation too.
For sure.
Jessica (19:11):
Yeah.
Yeah.
The third one is,
Alejandro (19:14):
yeah, Mexico is expensive than expected.
Yeah, definitely.
Um, and not to say that Mexicois like super bougie or
whatever, that it'sunaffordable.
It's just that we came here.
Well, at least for me, when,when we came here, I, I was
still under the impression thatit was gonna be like how we came
(19:35):
here and just threw money leftand right, right.
When we were on vacation.
No, it's not like that.
Right?
Even though yes, it is.
Affordable housing is superaffordable, the food is super,
some food, right?
Mm-hmm.
It's affordable for the mostpart.
We are spending a lot less moneyhere than we are in the United
States, but again.
It's still super expensivecompared to like Los STOs,
(19:58):
right?
Where you can basically feedyourself for like two months on
like a hundred dollars and here,no, it's not like that.
Mm-hmm.
Um, one thing for me that Ifound crazy that it still blows
up, man to this day, right?
Car maintenance, when we went toWalmart, a quart of oil here is
(20:18):
$25 one quart of oil.
That just like, and
Jessica (20:24):
what, what's it like usually, and in the
Alejandro (20:25):
us?
In the US obviously it's alittle bit different, right?
Depending if it's conventionalor synthetic.
Synthetic in the US is like,what?
Like for one quar is like 10,$12maybe.
Jessica (20:36):
Oh wow.
Alejandro (20:37):
Roughly, if not a little bit less, but um, yeah.
And also too anything that'sright.
Like anything that's high class,if you will.
Is expensive.
Clothing, name brand.
Clothing is expensive.
Shoes, certain shoes.
Shoes.
Nike's are hella expensive here.
Mm-hmm.
Um, what else is expensive here?
Jessica (20:59):
Gas.
Alejandro (21:00):
Gas is insanely expensive.
We had, we drive a little, uh,mid-size s SUV v, roughly.
It's about a 16 or 17 gallontank.
We go to Costco.
We don't leave Costco withoutspending like at least a hundred
dollars to fill it up.
Jessica (21:12):
Mm-hmm.
When in the United States itwould be like$60 equivalent.
So.
Alejandro (21:17):
So gas is definitely expensive over there.
Yeah,
Jessica (21:18):
it is.
And so it ends up balancingitself.
I mean, would you say that ourmoney?
Alejandro (21:29):
Yes, definitely.
Mm-hmm.
It definitely does.
Yeah.
'cause we can go out basicallylike almost every day and we
still have.
The metal leftover.
Yeah.
Right.
Jessica (21:36):
But we definitely don't do that.
Alejandro (21:38):
Yeah.
No.
Jessica (21:38):
Yeah.
And we've been intentional oflike buying groceries at, uh, a
marketplace.
So we go to and Mercado AbBastos, which is like pretty
well known for, merchantssupplying.
The food to local restaurantsmm-hmm.
And businesses.
And so it's like a direct toconsumer type of, market.
(22:01):
So we definitely get the foodpretty cheap.
Mm-hmm.
Um, compar, if we were to go tothe local grocery store is la
HEB, you know?
Mm-hmm.
Uh, or Walmart.
And, and unfortunately, withhaving these.
Type of, chains like you'remissing out on, like going to El
(22:22):
Mecado and, you know, gettingthings for significantly less in
amount.
And so we're really fortunateto, have known of this place
through my friend, who we methere in Leone.
She's also from the UnitedStates, and her husband's from
Leone.
We have connected with them andthey have been showing us around
(22:42):
as far as where to get the, thebest deals specifically for
food, because I would say thatfood can get pricey depending on
where you Yes.
Buy it from.
Alejandro (22:50):
Yeah, for sure.
Like it was definitely a shockerfor me when we first went to the
grocery store.
I was thinking, oh, it's gonnabe dirt cheap.
Right.
No.
We walked out of there the firstday we were like, we spent like
$150,$160 on groceries.
Jessica (23:02):
Yeah.
Which is.
Still a little cheap comparedmaybe like, what,$60 cheaper
than what we would traditionallyYeah.
Spend, I think it's hasn't beenas expensive.
Alejandro (23:16):
Yeah.
Significantly cheaper.
Yeah.
Yeah, for sure.
Jessica (23:19):
Yeah, and we'll definitely talk more about that.
I think that this is animportant topic about, uh, just
like the cost of living here inMexico and how that impacts us.
I've definitely received a lotof questions about work, so I
think that that in itself isgoing to be another episode
because We are lucky thatbecause we are landlords
(23:44):
ourselves.
Mm-hmm.
So we own property in Chicago,whatever we get left over from
the rent, it goes essentiallyback to this rental that we're
living in here, in this house.
And you have a US
Alejandro (23:57):
job.
Yeah.
Jessica (23:57):
Yeah.
And, and I found a contract, uh,work and as well as freelance
work, so it.
You can find your way aroundliving here in Mexico, but it
just depends on what your jobrequires.
And if you have any additionalside money, like real estate,
(24:17):
then that's another way to getthrough.
Alejandro (24:21):
And there's plenty of jobs here too.
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (24:22):
Yes.
Like
Alejandro (24:23):
there, there's no shortage of jobs here.
No.
Um, it just really depends onwhat you want your lifestyle to
be.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, like for us, obviously they.
We have two kids, right.
Private school.
There's no way for me to leavemy job even though I want to,
but No.
Um, but you
Jessica (24:39):
might, you never know.
You might find something hereand, and we're both Mexican
citizens, right?
And, but everyone keeps tellingus no res.
Mm-hmm.
It's much better.
Which
Alejandro (24:52):
true in a way, but
Jessica (24:54):
I get, but again, it all depends.
Alejandro (24:56):
Yeah.
Because like your situation.
Again, like for me, like how Imentioned in the beginning of
this video, it, it hasn't reallychanged for me.
Right.
Work routine.
I wake up, I'm stuck until hereuntil three o'clock.
Right?
So that's almost a whole daygone.
Just working.
So, and here, I mean I can'tspeak on how it is to have a job
(25:16):
here, but from what I seepeople, it's definitely a lot
more lenient than it is in theStates.
Mm-hmm.
Jessica (25:21):
Which that segues to work life balance.
Alejandro (25:23):
Work life balance.
Yeah.
Something I know nothing about.
Jessica (25:27):
I know you're still living the American life, man.
Yeah.
But.
And again, this was somethingthat we talked about and so
we're trying this out for ayear.
Mm-hmm.
And then, you know, where cantell him to, where do his own
pizza place, like a Chicagostyle pizza place?
Alejandro (25:42):
Something that is not here.
Jessica (25:44):
No, no.
Pizza's a lot different.
We can talk about food.
Yeah, sure, for sure.
Specifically pizza.
Alejandro (25:49):
We just found a decent pizza place here.
Napoleon style pizza.
But yeah, we'll save that foranother segment.
Jessica (25:58):
He's got a lot to say.
Oh
Alejandro (25:59):
yeah,
Jessica (26:00):
yeah.
But it's specifically aboutworklife balance, I think.
The way that La Cultura here inMexico, it's all centered around
people's lives and family.
And so I find it veryinteresting, and I'm sure that
you already know this,especially if you've gone to
Mexico or anywhere in LatinAmerica and even Spain because I
remember seeing this get.
(26:21):
You know, that's what, 3:00 PMto like 6:00 PM or sometimes
it's as early as 1:00 PM to 3:00PM Just depends.
But a lot of businesses closeand that way families can focus
on their families and they getto eat together and beat
together for that amount oftime, and then they can reopen
(26:44):
their businesses until close.
So that's something that hasbeen very interesting in in
witnessing.
and so for you, I know that wealways think about work life
balance, like having this extratime aside mm-hmm.
Besides your nine to five.
But I feel like here, work lifebalance, you're integrating
that.
Mm-hmm.
You know, like if you have ajob, you're integrating this
(27:07):
like schedule into your familyor into your kids' schedule, and
that's what surprised mespecifically about the kids'
school is that.
You see so many parents pickingup their kids.
Mm-hmm.
Like it's not the nanny, or eventhough I have seen that, but
it's the parents, like I seenthem dropping them off and then
(27:28):
they're picking them up andthey're in professional work
year.
Mm-hmm.
Compared to the United Stateswhere you're trying to find, you
know, who's gonna pick up my,you know, PTO time or you, you
are using your PTO time, oryou're probably using your lunch
hour.
And so that's what makes itinteresting, um, that there is
true work-life balance.
And I'm, I'm seeing it in a waythat it is fully like, kind of
(27:52):
like integrated, I would say.
Mm-hmm.
Within your personalprofessional life, instead of
just separating the two.
Yeah, for, if that
Alejandro (28:02):
makes sense.
And it also depends too, on thecompany.
Jessica (28:04):
Alright.
And then the fifth unexpectedthing that we've experienced so
far here in Mexico is that thereare moments when we feel like
outsiders.
So by that, how would you definethat?
Alejandro (28:23):
Um, definitely the language for me.
We grew up as Spanish speakers.
Both of my parents, they onlyspeak Spanish at home.
I thought that my Spanish wasgood, until we got here to the
city.
I've had the dermatologist callme out.
I'm like, how do you know?
She's like, I'm like, ah, okay.
(28:45):
The maintenance guy here saysthat.
I have a weird accent.
It is been a few people thathave commented on the way I
speak Spanish.
So that was kind of hurtful,but, so that's when I felt like
an outsider.
Jessica (28:57):
But even like for me, I think your Spanish is.
S
Alejandro (29:01):
better than yours?
No.
No it's not.
I'm sorry,
Jessica (29:04):
but you do have an accent and that's fine.
But yeah, it, it does make itinteresting, like, oh my gosh,
like today when I went to thegym, I saw kettle bells and I
was like.
Are these in pounds or inkilograms?
And the reason why I wanted toknow this was so that I can
track that in, in an app that Ihave.
(29:25):
And so I went to the front deskand I was like.
And then they looked at meweird.
They were like, ah, now I, weknow where you're coming from.
Mm-hmm.
So even like the conversions,right?
Mm-hmm.
Like for the kids' school, theywere asking how tall the kids
were, how much do they weigh?
Well, we can't say that they are40 pounds.
(29:48):
Mm-hmm.
Or that they are three feettall.
Right.
Because that's not used here.
And I think that that is such anunfortunate part, especially
coming from the United States.
That that is not a universallanguage, like in terms of
measurements and, uh, weight andall of that.
Like, no one is gonna get youunless you're from the United
(30:09):
States.
Um, so I think that's when Ifeel like an outsider where,
That's when I don't feel like.
I'm a part of this, country.
Yeah.
Because of the way that we weretaught.
Unfortunately,
Alejandro (30:23):
another big debt giveaway for us is our license
plate.
Yes.
Jessica (30:26):
Yeah.
Alejandro (30:27):
People know that we're outsiders just by looking
at the car.
'cause we used have Chicagolicense plates.
We don't know what was gonna,what's gonna happen yet with
that truck, but, mm-hmm.
We'll see.
Jessica (30:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right now we have the permit,the tip.
Uh, but yeah, we have untilJanuary and we're gonna revisit
this in November and figure outif our car is, if we're able to
re, well.
Most likely we'll renew itagain, or we can legalize it if
we wanna be here long term or ifwe wanna keep the car here.
(30:57):
Yeah.
Because Or whenever we comeback, but yeah, I think as far
as the feeling like an outsider,that has been a big.
Component, just like thelanguage and even the way that
people articulate themselves isa lot different.
Mm-hmm.
You know, I wish that, the wordscan come out easily, but there
are definitely times when I'mlike, oh, how do I describe
this?
Like, and so, and people get it.
(31:21):
They understand we're not theonly foreigners here.
Yeah.
You know, but that makes us feellike.
Decia.
Mm-hmm.
We look like we are from here.
Right.
We're brown folks once they hearus talk.
Yeah.
Or once they see us drive
Alejandro (31:38):
our
Jessica (31:38):
truck.
Like
Alejandro (31:38):
it's almost
Jessica (31:40):
he was told that.
Alejandro (31:43):
Yeah.
Jessica (31:43):
So, yeah.
It, it does make you still feellike you're not a part of this.
And, and even my grandma, like,you know, my grandparents have
been here for 20 plus years.
They retired, they built theirhouse here in Mexico, in El
Rancho, and.
She still sometimes struggles,like she remembers the first
time she asked her crazy glueand she literally asked the
clerk like, oh, s crazy glue.
(32:07):
And so she described it and hewas like, oh.
But she didn't know that thatwas the brand or the word, you
know?
And, and so yeah, so it, it hasbeen an adjustment, I would say.
Is there another.
Way that you're feeling like anoutsider.
Alejandro (32:26):
No language.
That's pretty much language.
Just a language.
That's pretty much it.
That is pretty much it for me.
I already feel like home,honestly.
It is pretty, me personally,it's pretty easy for me to
adapt.
Jessica (32:38):
Yeah.
Alejandro (32:38):
So, yeah.
Yeah.
Jessica (32:40):
I think overall, like we're out of that honeymoon
phase, even though it didn'tfeel like a honeymoon, there
Alejandro (32:44):
was no honeymoon phase
Jessica (32:46):
here.
No.
It was just like, you gotta goto work.
And that's the thing, like thisisn't a vacation.
This isn't like paradise.
When people often think aboutMexico, you know, this, we're
hustling just like everyone elsehere in Mexico, like the true
Mexicanos here mm-hmm.
We're hustling just as if wewere in the United States.
So it, it's not like we havetaken a break.
(33:08):
I.
Do think though that the essenceof time is a lot different.
Mm-hmm.
And these five differentunexpected things that we have
experienced so far has been kindof, um, different, I would say,
than in the United States.
Mm-hmm.
But overall, I think that wehave transitioned, well, we're
doing a good job.
(33:29):
Yeah,
Alejandro (33:29):
yeah.
We're good.
Pat ourselves on the back.
Jessica (33:31):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, this was,
Alejandro (33:34):
everybody thought we were crazy for doing this.
I mean, we probably are, but Imean, I feel fine.
The kids feel fine.
Jessica (33:40):
Yeah.
We're all good.
Yeah, we're good.
We're all good.
And, and just take this as asign, like if you've ever wanted
to, Move outside of the countryor try something different with
your family.
Like this is your opportunity todo que I.
We've definitely gotten a lotof, um, just like.
Words of wisdom from those thathave always wanted to move to
(34:01):
Mexico but never did because ofX, Y, Z.
And so they see this as a wayfor us to feel inspired by what
they probably missed out on.
And vicariously, experiencingthis with us.
And so just do it.
Just do it.
Yeah.
Alejandro (34:17):
Yeah,
Jessica (34:18):
just do it.
Alejandro (34:19):
For sure.
Jessica (34:20):
Well, Alex, you're here on the show.
Any final words of advice?
Alejandro (34:25):
Uh, not advice, but I'll just say we will definitely
try to bring you guys morecontent as far as YouTube goes.
It is just very difficult tokids.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, again, just like howJess said, we're hustling every
day.
Right.
Routine hasn't changed.
Mm-hmm.
The only thing that has changedis just the country.
But, um, yeah, we'll definitelytry to, you know, just record
what we do every day here.
(34:46):
A typical day in the life of a.
Family of four in Mexico.
Jessica (34:49):
Mm-hmm.
Yes.
Alejandro (34:51):
But, um,
Jessica (34:52):
yeah, and let us know if there are any specific
questions.
I am answering dms and I'manswering dms through this
platform, through the podcast,YouTube.
And so if you have any specificquestions about.
Anything related to our Vidahere in Mexico, please ask away
because I think it's not justfor us to showcase you what our
(35:14):
lives are, but it's also toinspire you to consider a change
like this.
Because you never know.
Like life is too short.
Alejandro (35:21):
Exactly.
It is always better to know whatis instead of what could have
been.
Jessica (35:25):
Mm-hmm.
Alejandro (35:26):
So
Jessica (35:26):
there you go.
Alejandro (35:27):
You have any interest in moving somewhere else?
Like the Nike Science says, justdo it.
Jessica (35:33):
You've mentioned Nike a lot.
This is not sponsored by Nike,
Alejandro (35:37):
but they can.
Jessica (35:40):
All right, Ami, well thank you so much for listening
and I'll catch you in the nextepisode.
Peace.
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