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They sold their starter home, got rid of nearly everything, and pointed their lives toward Mexico with a dog and a whole lot of unknowns. Chris and Deanna Hahn join us from San Miguel de Allende just one month after making the move from the Los Angeles area, and they share what the jump actually feels like when the spreadsheets end and real life begins.

We talk about what first opened their eyes to living abroad, why they chose adventure over waiting for the “perfect” retirement timeline, and how family dynamics shift when your kids are grown but still close to home. They walk us through downsizing without a storage unit, selling cars, choosing whether they really need a vehicle in Mexico, and what it’s like to build a new rhythm in a city where walking, markets, music, and chance conversations can turn an ordinary day into something memorable.

We also get practical about the questions everyone asks when you say you’re moving to Mexico: healthcare and safety. Chris and Deanna share what they’re learning about insurance before Medicare, private medical care, pharmacy access, and why they feel safe walking at night in San Miguel. Along the way, we dig into culture shock in both directions, the slower pace at restaurants, the joy of speaking even imperfect Spanish, and the mindset shift that makes this lifestyle sustainable: letting the fear of regret outweigh the fear of change, because nothing is forever and you can always pivot.

If you’re researching expat life in Mexico, retiring abroad, digital nomad logistics, or the real cost of living and daily routines in San Miguel de Allende, this conversation will help you picture your next step. Subscribe for more stories like this, share the episode with someone planning a big move, and leave a quick review so more future roamers can find us.

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