Our Story: Finding our Rhythm in Mexico
After the rush of moving and the thrill of first impressions, reality has begun to settle in. Those first couple of weeks felt unreal—magical, freeing, and reminiscent of a vacation. But as we exchanged conversations with locals curious about our origins (and quick to share their recommendations), something clicked. We aren’t just passing through. This isn’t a getaway. We’re here to build a life in Mexico, and Querétaro is the first chapter of that journey.
As we near our first month here, we’re slowly transitioning from travelers to residents. That shift has been exciting, but it hasn’t been without its challenges.
Adjusting to Daily Life
Before this move, we worked hard to live a more balanced and health-focused lifestyle. We cooked most of our meals at home, grocery shopped for fresh ingredients, meal-prepped for the week, took evening walks with our dog, and even started reading together before bed. We had also cut back drastically on screen time.
Since arriving, though, much of that routine came to a screeching halt. Downsizing from a spacious home to a compact loft has reshaped the way we live day-to-day.
Our current place is a two-story loft with the basics: a full bathroom, a small kitchen with a single sink, a two-burner electric stove, a mini fridge (think hotel-sized), a microwave, and about two feet of counter space that somehow has to hold all our kitchen essentials. After not living in an apartment for nearly half a decade, it’s been quite the adjustment.
Cooking has been one of the bigger challenges. Limited space and storage means we can only keep a few groceries at a time. Still, we’ve managed! Breakfasts have been our sweet spot—avocado toast made with fresh avocados from the market and bread from a local bakery, or simple eggs and fruit. Sandwiches and pasta have also become staples. We’re eager to lean more into cooking at home with local produce, but for now, we’re happily exploring the neighborhood restaurants and cafés. The freshness and variety of the food here feels so different—lighter, brighter, and far more satisfying than many meals we had back in Texas.
The Space Challenge
Cooking isn’t the only hurdle. Without closets or dressers—just a small clothing rack—we’ve been living mostly out of suitcases. While we’re both naturally organized, the lack of storage has tested us. Clutter piles up fast, and we’ve learned how much our environment impacts our mindset. Every few days we’re reorganizing clothes, tucking away bags, and reminding ourselves to practice patience.
On the bright side, this experience is teaching us what we actually need to feel balanced at home. And soon, things may shift. We’ve put in a formal interest on an apartment in Centro with everything we’re craving: plenty of natural light, a full-sized kitchen, a spacious bedroom with a wall-to-wall closet, two bathrooms, and best of all—an outdoor area for us (and our pup, once he joins us here). Until then, we’re practicing gratitude for what we do have, while looking forward to a space that feels more like “us.”
Rolling With It
We’ve laughed about how this current setup feels like being back in our twenties, when minimal furniture and makeshift arrangements were just part of life. But now that we’re older, things like a supportive mattress and decent pillows matter so much more. The body aches are real! Still, we’re rolling with it, knowing this stage is temporary and part of the bigger journey.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about the rental process here in Querétaro—what to look for, what to expect, and who can help along the way. For now, we’re finding our rhythm, one small adjustment (and one avocado toast) at a time.