Why I Left Mexico and Moved Back to Jamaica
In April of 2024, I filmed an episode of House Hunters International about my journey of living in Merida, Mexico and finding a suitable home for my family. By the time the episode aired in October of that same year, I already knew I would be leaving Mexico within a few weeks.
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So what happened to cause that sudden shift? this video explains it well.
Why I Left Mexico
As I explain in the video, my mom was on her way back to Mexico to live with me when she was denied entry into Mexico. I did not want to live in a country that would treat my mom how she was treated so just like that, I was gone.
I was probably bored anyway. The truth is that the lifestyle in Mexico, while luxuriously soft and aesthetically pleasing, lacked the deep friendships and the nightlife I’m used to. So it wasn’t a hard decision for me to leave. Mexico, specifically the city of Merida, is a great retirement option. But for where I am in life right now, especially as a single woman, Merida wasn’t it.
Why Jamaica?
When I revealed on my YouTube channel and my socials that I was leaving Mexico, there was a barrage of suggestions of other countries I could try. The truth is, I was also tired of the travel lifestyle. I had moved a few times in Mexico and wanted to set up a home base again. Where I had a nice kitchen and nice things and a welcoming space curated by me.
My travels taught me that the nomadic lifestyle is not what my soul craved. I still want to travel this world. But perhaps a few weeks at a time. Not for months on end out of a suitcase with limited things.
I also started to recognise how little time I had left with munchkin under my roof as a budding teenager who’s already excited about her college days, I felt she wasn’t steeped enough yet in her Jamaican culture. I wanted her to finish high school in her home country before we took off again on any long-term travels or before she leaves the nest.
So here we are.
How’s the Transition Been?
We spent three months in the USA and we’re now coming up on three months back home and I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed this place. I am so happy to be home.
Munchkin’s transition has been a little harder. She doesn’t have many friends here, and getting back into school at this time of year was a no-go. She loves her tennis lessons and has told me she doesn’t mind being back in Jamaica, so I’m sure once we get her settled into school in September, things will go back to where we left off before our big Mexico adventure.
We have some travels coming up for the summer to keep her occupied until then. During those travels, I will be setting up home to mimic what we had before, a comfortable living. Right now, we are holed up in a small space, which I am grateful has offered us a soft landing back home.
Any Regrets on Moving to Mexico?
Absolutely none. It was on my wish list for so long that I am happy I dared to pull the trigger and try it when I did.
It showed me a different lifestyle. I learned things about myself and my family that I may have been blind to here. I know my desired travel style now. And now I know how much I love Jamaica, how much I love being Jamaican, and how much I want to live nowhere else.
The longing to move abroad has vanished. I wouldn’t have known that unless I went. Now, I am eager to stay and build Jamaica into a better place for munchkin and future generations.
This island is a gem, and I am fortunate to be able to call it home.
