I’m an American living in Mexico. I love it, but that doesn’t mean every day is perfect.

In November, I traded the hustle and bustle of city life in Newark, New Jersey, for the tropical climate and beautiful beaches of Tulum, Mexico. I’ve never been happier.

Even though I’ve lived here for less than a year, I don’t think I’ll ever move back to the US — but that doesn’t mean every day is perfect.

Here are some of my favorite and least favorite things about living in Tulum.

I’ve enjoyed the lower cost of living

My cost of living in Tulum is much cheaper than it was in New Jersey, in part because of the conversion rates between USD and Mexican pesos ($1 equates to about 19 pesos).

In Newark, I rented a two-bedroom apartment for $2,100 a month, but now, in La Veleta, I pay about $600 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

I’ve found that my groceries are cheaper too, especially when I shop locally. In the US, I would spend about $150 a week on groceries, compared to about $80 a week in Tulum.

My life in Tulum feels far more peaceful and relaxed

As a model, content creator, and host, I worked 12 hours a day while living in New Jersey.

Although I was filming, editing, applying to campaigns, and answering emails nonstop, I was barely making enough income to afford my rent, groceries, and bills.

If I didn’t pick up enough jobs, I wouldn’t be able to cover my living expenses. I felt stuck.

Meanwhile, I’ve found that the lower cost of living in Tulum enables me to work less. I can take my time creating and posting content, edit on a consistent but relaxed schedule, and listen to my body’s needs.

Although I don’t have quite as many opportunities in Tulum — yet — I enjoy my job more now because I have the free time to be creative and build a greater appreciation for what I do.

Outside work, I’ve also enjoyed participating in Tulum’s active wellness community through yoga classes and meditation circles. I love being surrounded by so many people who seem focused on inner growth, and I have found it to be very inspiring.

I feel more connected to nature, too

Living in Newark, I was used to luxury apartments and high-rise buildings lining the streets.

Meanwhile, in Tulum, nature feels like part of my experience everywhere I go, from riding down Avenida Tulum to eating at outdoor cafés.

Trees, vines, and other plants surround my apartment, so I feel connected to nature even when I’m home.

I also like that the beaches in Tulum seem to have clearer water and appear much cleaner than the popular ones I visited in New Jersey.

However, I miss having access to all of the same products I used in the US

Since moving to Tulum, I’ve realized that I took a lot of massive stores in the US for granted — it’s harder to find one-stop shops filled with tons of options here.

Although my groceries are cheaper now, I have to shop at more locations to get everything I need. In the US, I could go to one big supermarket.

It’s also much harder to stock up on my beloved makeup and beauty products.

Although Amazon ships here, there isn’t a Sephora in Tulum, so I have to travel an hour to Playa del Carmen to get things like Fenty Beauty foundation and my preferred edge control and mousse for my hair.

However, for most other essentials like toilet paper or protein powder, I’ve just switched to brands that are easily available locally.

I’ve learned to adapt to the different power grids and septic systems

Tulum’s infrastructure can be more inconsistent than what I was used to in Newark, in part due to differences in the city’s septic systems and electricity grids.

For example, in some areas, toilet paper shouldn’t be flushed because it can clog the pipes. In general, I’ve noticed the toilets here tend to clog more easily than they did back home.

Additionally, I’ve gotten used to frequent power outages (about three times a month) due to maintenance or storms. Fortunately, though, my power usually returns within a few hours.

Friends and others who’ve recently moved to Tulum have told me they’ve dealt with similar issues.

It’s not ideal, but I’ve learned to adapt. When these things happen, I either wait for the services to return or go to a local café for a few hours.

Still, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be

Despite the challenges, the peace, beauty, and community make living in Tulum worth it for me.

I’ve learned so much about myself since moving here, and I’m excited to continue building my brand and increasing my income.

Someday, I’d like to move to another country that’s even farther away from the US, but for now, I think Tulum is perfect for me and my journey.

Tulum doesn’t just feel like another adventure — it feels like home.

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