It was a bad move and I take full responsibility. I thought I had asked all the right questions during many interviews. I didn’t need a new job or have to move a year into Covid - February 2021.

Eight months later, I was selling, donating, tossing everything I had just moved - save clothing for warm weather and some life items I later realized I didn’t need. With five suitcases packed and my Pisces yearning for water - I set sail solo on four back to back cruises along the Mexican Riviera just as ships were going back into service.

As I sailed away from life as I knew it, I didn’t know if this was a rest, retirement, semi retirement and didn’t care. There was an idea to live in Mexico, solo travel beyond, not sure what else. The US dollar was strong, warm water and weather check check check.

BabZ | How’d she do that?

I paid less than $1,000US to live in Puerto Vallarta for eight months.

Every Tuesday, I got off the ship in Puerto Vallarta (PV) and looked for an apartment. I did research on neighborhoods so I understood walkability, transportation, access to water and beach. I found an apartment and an unexpected roommate.

Between signing the lease and moving in - the roommate changed their mind. That was a blessing that became an opportunity. I could afford the huge two bedroom two bath apartment, three blocks from the beach, huge balcony with aircon on on my own.

I had read about the Golden Girls Network in Washington DC - which grew to a nationwide effort now defunct. Thanks to active Facebook pages in PV, I asked if women looking to visit or live in PV would like to rent the extra bedroom and bath. I created a private FB page, invited people, they invited friends and next thing I know it was booked. I required a minimum of two weeks, most were longer stays. One roomie brought her family down from Canada for the holiday they missed because of Covid. I rented her the entire apartment and left on a two week cruise.

More on living in PV in another post. Have questions…email me and be sure to subscribe so you receive notifications of new posts.