Should You Move to Mexico? – Why Did Our Family of Six Make The Move?

Should You Move to Mexico? - Why Did Our Family of Six Make The Move?
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UPATED 7/16/18 – Our move to Mexico was not a quick decision or an easy decision. Most people wonder how and why we ended up here.  I wrote a little about this at the beginning of this blog, but in this post, I will detail the reasons we decided to move to Mexico. Maybe it will help you decide if you should make the move.

Should You Move to Mexico? - Why Did Our Family of Six Make The Move?

We are Independent, Adventurous, and Familiar with Spanish – Move to Mexico

Brad and I have always been independent and adventurous. We love to travel, especially me… I want to see the world! When Brad applied for Social Security Disability Insurance in 2010 due to the effects of his brain injury, we started to wonder what would come next for our family. With SSDI you can reside in most countries and receive your benefits via direct deposit to a US bank account. Over the next couple of years, while we waited for Brad’s benefits to be approved, we researched Spanish-speaking countries where the cost-of-living is lower than in the US. The American Dream for us was a daily financial struggle and Brad’s health couldn’t take it anymore.

We knew we loved the Spanish language and culture after spending three years prior, 2006 through 2009, in a Spanish Bible congregation. But that wasn’t enough. Fast forward to the year 2013. Brad’s SSDI was finally approved, after hiring a lawyer and standing before a judge. By then, I was pregnant with our fourth child. We were settled in Louisville, Kentucky. We had lots of “stuff” weighing us down. All of our family lived close-by. We were in a Bible congregation we loved… the dream seemed impossible so we put it in a box and packed it away in the back of our minds.

We Want to Do More in Our Bible Ministry – Move to Mexico

Several months later we had a visitor at our Bible meetings for a week of special activity. During this visit, we watched a new video at our Kingdom Hall. It featured couples that had moved to various countries to expand their Bible ministry. One couple had two children.

Brad and I locked eyes. We were thinking the same thing. The money would not be a problem if the cost-of-living was lower and we could stick to a budget. Brad’s income was fixed. If this family could do it, why couldn’t we? Well, we had four children, not two, and there was Brad’s health to consider. What if he had a terrible seizure and we needed our family? We left the dream packed in its box but this time it stayed in the front of our minds.

We are Tired of Stress and Materialism – Move to Mexico

We had a plan to buy a larger home, (probably not the smartest idea, with bad credit and bad health), move closer to our Bible congregation, and move away from the city schools. The following weekend we attended a three-day district convention covering many Bible topics. There were several talks that caught our attention, stressing the need to live a simple life and put God first. We knew this would bring us more happiness as a family. Buying a bigger, more expensive house would not bring us joy. We were tired of stress and materialism. Brad’s health was suffering. Despite being on disability, he still had to work part-time to pay the bills.

Brad talked to an old friend that was visiting from Mexico. Bill was in his 80’s and loving it there. We talked with a family living abroad in Nicaragua that was visiting for a few months. They have two small children. It wasn’t easy to move away, especially with kids, but it was possible.

We had been pondering this for a long time and praying for God’s direction. When we went back to our hotel, Brad told me, “Let’s do it. Let’s sell everything and move to Mexico.” We unpacked the dream that night and never looked back. Sure there were plenty of things to consider, such as health problems and schooling for the children, but it could be done. We were making the move.

Why Mexico? Why not? This was to be the start of a great adventure. Signing off, Tina

PS Now that you read Part One, go read Part Two!

95 thoughts on “Should You Move to Mexico? – Why Did Our Family of Six Make The Move?

  1. Brandy Roberts says:

    This sounds exciting. I always wished my family could do this, pick a destination and just set new roots. You have me excited for your journey, so I’m off to read post 2. I have to see what happens, lol.

    • Tina says:

      Thanks Brandy! It has been very exciting. I felt like I could fly when we left our driveway and began the trip down here in 2013. Of course now reality has set in but I still love Mexico and am glad we made the decision to move here :-)

  2. Shannon says:

    Hi! What a neat read!! My family is living in Argentina but my husband is Argentine and we met at my brother’s wedding in Argentina because he had met his wife doing missions. Your story reminds me of my sister and brother-in-law and their love for Spanish and they almost went to Mexico to do mission work but God had other plans for them. How have your children adjusted? I can imagine they have picked the Spanish up pretty fast. My children are 5 and 3 (twins) and the twins have been here longer than they were in the United States so I always tell people I think they know more Spanish words but my 5 year old is bilingual. It is neat how God works things out and how he laid that on your hearts (about going to Mexico) and how He kept pointing you in that direction until you answered His call!

    • Tina says:

      Shannon where are you from? How long have you been in Argentina? I hope that our kids are bilingual as well. That is the plan! They are learning but I feel like we might need to pick up the pace a bit! Maybe I need to work on this a bit more in the home!

  3. Nickida says:

    That has got to be an adventure of a lifetime. My parents moved us (seven kids and two parents) from Trinidad to America. I was 14 when we moved. I have to see what happens on your journey.

    • Tina says:

      Wow! Seven kids! That is amazing! Have you been able to return to Trinidad for visits? I hope the US has been a good place for your family :-)

    • Tina says:

      As far as language is concerned we are thinking about enrolling the boys in school! Sawyer would start this year but Tristan has a few more years to go… I am hoping if we do this they will quickly pick up on Spanish!

  4. chai g says:

    I wish I have the same courage to take a leap of faith. I know things will get better soon for all of us, no matter what. I’ll be praying for your strong faith and will to overcome any challenges that comes in taking that next step. Let me check on your part 2 post… take care

    • Tina says:

      Thank you Chai! It does take some courage and lots of prayer! It has not always been easy here the last year and a half but our decision still stands as a good one :-)

  5. Alli says:

    How exciting! My dream is to run away to a Caribbean island, get rid of all my winter stuff and live in a perfect climate year round. :) Until that happens, I do visit the islands every year to get my fix.

    • Tina says:

      Oh Alli, that sounds wonderful! I would love to live on the ocean but my husband does not do well with extreme heat. It literally messes with his head! But we are only three hours from the ocean so I suppose I can make do ;-)

  6. Sarah says:

    I think it takes a great amount of strength to follow your intuition about things such as this and how wonderful that you and your husband have each other in this journey. Many of us wish for a simpler life, but are distracted and don’t sit down to question what we really need. I wish you the best on this path.

    • Tina says:

      Sometimes you have to take a leap Karren. This seems to have been a good one thus far. We are enjoying the adventure, and I love being together as a family. Even though we do scream and yell sometimes ;-)

  7. Mary says:

    This will be such an interesting experience for your children. I like the idea of living somewhere without snow, but I don’t think I’d have the courage to do what you are doing. I look forward to reading more about your journey.

    • Tina says:

      Guess what Mary? We had hail today! My husband took a little video of it and put it on Youtube. The workers across the street were taking pictures with their cells because they had never seen hail before :-) And this morning I did see some snow high up in the mountains! Just a little dust on the peaks. It was pretty!

    • Tina says:

      This is my first time living outside the US Amy! I was born in Michigan and moved to Kentucky when I was 11. Now I am in Mexico! Who would have known???

  8. Kimberly Gauthier says:

    I love House Hunters International. I love the idea of moving away, living on a fraction of what it costs to live in our town and live in a beautiful new country. I don’t believe that I’ll ever leave, but I love hearing/reading about others who do this. I think it’s great that you’re doing it with your family.

  9. Meghan says:

    It sounds like you’re on an exciting adventure. I, personally, wouldn’t have chosen Mexico. I get such a bad feeling when I think of that country and all the political happenings and crime there. But, who knows, your blos may make me feel otherwise. :)

    • Tina says:

      Meghan you are not alone! I was not so sure myself but it’s seems to be a great decision so far. We have been here a year and a half and have not had any problems thus far. I hope it stays this way!

  10. Ashley Krout - i Find Hope says:

    What a wonderful adventure! Reading this makes me have a bit of wanderlust! We are working on building several income streams so we aren’t tied down to any one place and can travel to places for extended periods of time. It makes me so happy to hear when people “unpack” their dreams!

  11. Dash Kitten says:

    Kids learn brilliantly while they are small, and it stays with them all their lives. They don’t have the ‘baggage’ grown ups do they will have the best fun when you move!

    • Tina says:

      Part of this move was to unload some baggage and leave it behind in the US. It has been a relief in many ways leaving the old life behind. Kids are going well too :-)

  12. Charlie says:

    The beginning of your journey is very exciting. I look forward to reading more about your move and your life in Mexico. Our family lived in Sicily and Italy when our children were young and we’ve never regretted it. Life overseas was an adventure that gave us and our children a firsthand experience with other cultures. We had a wonderful time and reminisce all the time about the places we went and the things we did.

    Our family was also a homeschool family. (Our children are now grown adults.) Although, our two oldest children did go to public school overseas for awhile.

    Congratulations on making such a brave decision to live your life to the fullest. Enjoy your time in Mexico and make lots of beautiful memories.

  13. Kara says:

    I think you’re wise to consider enrolling your kids in school in Mexico, as you mentioned in another comment. Although homeschooling is great, your kids will soak up Spanish in a flash if they are enrolled in school there. They’ll also have many more opportunities to make friends, which is especially important in a new country.

    It sounds like a wonderful adventure!

    • Tina says:

      Thanks for the encouragement Kara. I will miss my little men, but it’s only half a day and I think it could be very good for them. We are keeping our eyes open for reasonably priced schooling.

  14. Ginger P. Arboleda says:

    I think the most difficult thing to do is really to uproot yourself (much more your entire family) from things that are comfortable. I salute you for having done it and for making this adventure!

    • Tina says:

      Making the decision was a little nerve-wrecking but once it was made we felt great :-) Of course I miss my family terribly but I am hoping to see them very soon.

    • Tina says:

      We are blessed and sometimes I have to remind myself of this! It is easy to focus on the bad when you are feeling down in the dumps, even here in Mexico.

  15. Heather says:

    It’s amazing how all the little things work together to bring you to one big decision. You can see God’s hand working in this.

    • Tina says:

      Heather it did all come together rather smoothly! It was amazing how things fell into place. I look back and I still believe it was with God’s direction.

  16. Kristina says:

    You are an inspiration. I would love to “start over” It’s a scary and difficult decision. I applaud you for making the big step.

  17. Tiffany says:

    This will be an experience for a lifetime for you! Living in a different country with such a different culture and values your children will likely grow up to be more well rounded individuals because they’ve been immersed in a completely different culture than their own. Bonus points: they will be bilingual which is a HUGE advantage in life! Congrats on making such a courageous decision!

  18. Tamara says:

    I admire you for your decision & your work. HE had a plan.
    I like that you said buying a bigger, ore expensive home would not create happiness. You are so right! We downsized over the summer & we are happy w/ our decision to do so.

  19. Renee S says:

    What a great move! I have a good friend that lives in Mexico. I have always wondered if a person on Social Security Disability could move to another country and still collect SSD and you have answered that question for me with your husband getting it.

    • Tina says:

      You never know if one day the US will change that law, but for right now, yes, you can live in most countries and still collect your SSI or SSDI. We are taking advantage of it while we can :-)

  20. Kimberly says:

    I admire your boldness. My husband has been wanting to move to Ecuador for several years. He went on a mission trip there once. We also have 4 children. We do homeschool, so that wouldn’t be an issue, but we are not on a fixed income like your family. My husband would have to find a new job there, and I have just never shared that desire with him. I know it disappoints him. I continue to pray that God will change my heart’s desire if it is truly where He wants us to be. Good luck to you all and God bless you.

    • Tina says:

      A friend once told me that happiness is a state of mind. I continue to remind myself of this. Especially when I am unhappy in my current situation wherever that may be. I hope everything works out for you guys one way or another :-)

  21. Maureen says:

    What a wonderful and purposeful adventure for your family. I must admit I do not have an adventurous spirit, and could never imagine moving abroad, but I know a few families who have made the leap and really are living happily ever after!

  22. Nathana says:

    I am impressed by your courage and faith. This month on my blog I am focusing on the character trait of courage, and I think your story defines courage in many ways! Praying that God blesses your family!

  23. Kim F. Hoyer says:

    Great read. We also have a family of six and are exploring the idea of a similar adventure. Just preliminary at this point…but this has been an inspiration to us! Thanks!

  24. Ruthie Lopez says:

    wow!! and my family and I moved from Mexico to US. For many many reasons, but we may go back to our roots.
    Of course, I´m reading part 2. Actually I´m subscribing to your blog!

    • Tina says:

      We have met several Mexicans who decided to come back to Mexico after being in the US for some time. They either missed their family, the country, or the slower lifestyle :-)

  25. Jen says:

    What a wonderful adventure! Life is too short to not follow your dreams, and you’re doing just that! I’m so excited for you and your family. I also love travel and always dreamed of living abroad, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ll have to live vicariously through your blog!

  26. Patti Barnes says:

    We came on holiday to Vancouver BC and decided on the second day that this was where we wanted to live & bring up our children. We returned to the UK & started the process straight away. Everyone thought we were crazy but once that decision was made – admittedly without very much thought at all – that was it, we were going. Now we have lived here 12 years, are Canadian citizens and have had two more children. Always follow what is in your heart!

  27. Bethan says:

    Congratulations – you’re an inspiration to anyone who wants to do anything big. I’ve dreamed about living abroad for years – thanks for the reminder to push ahead!

  28. Tanya says:

    I love this post! I’ve lived in Cali all of my life and I want so bad to relocate to another state. I admire you for making this move. I wish you and your family the best!

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