Seeing the recent news that my former U.S. hometown has experienced its 17th homicide of the year makes me reflect on the questions I often hear from friends when I share my decision to spend most of my time in Mexico: “Is it safe?” “Aren’t you afraid?”

I never considered my move to Mexico a hasty choice or the town a scary place until those two questions started popping up regularly—but I feel the opposite. Mexico is filled with warmth and kindness, much more than I ever expected.

While decades of living in Austin, Texas, will always hold a special place in my heart, I consider the contrasts with my new home in Puerto Vallarta. Every month during my trips back to the U.S., it becomes more evident that I made a wise albeit quick decision. Describing the differences can be tricky, but I’d love to share some of the wonderful aspects of my decision to embrace this (perhaps questionable to some) adventure of moving to a different country where I didn't know a soul. We'll wrap up my story with the answer to “What do you miss most?”

1. What do I like and appreciate the most? The people. Ask anyone who's made the move to Mexico. What do you love most? The answer is almost always the people—the kindness, connections, and friendly spirit that value relationships over individual interests. There’s a beautiful focus on living in the moment rather than getting lost in what’s coming. I could write a whole book about it.

2. Then there’s the culture and rich heritage celebrated every day. The love for family and cultural traditions runs deep!

3. And let’s not forget about the weather! It is such a joy for me to live in a place where I can say goodbye to air conditioning and open my windows and doors day and night for most of the year.

4. The music, food, and art are just as vibrant as you might imagine! There’s a wealth of rich traditions expressed in so many colorful ways.

5. Here, money and status aren't the priorities. Respect, kindness, and meaningful relationships take center stage. Interestingly, hardly anyone has asked me what I do for a living.

6. I’ve also had the chance to dive deep into learning about history, culture, language, and the everyday life that makes this place so special. Want to challenge yourself? Learning a new language as an adult can be quite the adventure, especially for those of us with perfectionist tendencies!

7. Although I have a car, walking has become my favorite way to get around. It allows me to soak in every little moment, whether I'm heading to the bank, grabbing a coffee, or attending a lively event to photograph the always willing people.

8. "No te preocupe" (don’t worry) is a phrase I hear often. It reminds me to ease up on the details I sometimes get lost in and to let go of how things “should” be.

9. And last but not least, there is never, NOT EVER, a lack of people or events to photograph. Babies, abuelas, fiestas, and stories beyond stories to tell. It’s a bottomless well of opportunity.

I could keep sharing, but yes, I genuinely feel safe here. I’m never afraid, and embracing “no preocuparme” (not to worry) is a growth edge for me.

To answer the question, what do I miss most? Ironically, I miss the U.S. Postal Service. Here in Mexico, mail isn’t a thing and mostly doesn’t arrive—people prefer delivering in person or sending stuff via email. I miss the joy of sending birthday cards to family and friends. But honestly, that’s a small price to pay for this unexpected journey in a new country where I’m living life to the fullest!