Pharmacist quits at fifty

In two thousand twenty-three, at fifty years old, a pharmacist left her career in California and moved to Ajijic, Mexico. Three years later, she is waking to bird calls and watching avocados grow in her backyard.

A rushed decision on housing

In late two thousand twenty-two, while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, she bought a one-way ticket to Ajijic and rushed to find a place. The only available house was larger and more expensive than budgeted, but she loved it and signed a yearlong lease.

Loud block parties forced a move

Soon after moving in, she discovered frequent, loud block parties in front of the house that lasted until early morning. She eventually broke the lease at a loss and moved to a quiet neighborhood away from the town center.

Extended stays beat quick visits

She needed months in Ajijic, not days, to explore neighborhoods and find one that fit her needs. A short resort stay will not show what it is like to live somewhere full time, as seasons and tourist cycles change traffic, noise, and prices.

Currency swings and surprise costs

The US-dollar-to-Mexican peso exchange rate dropped sharply in two thousand twenty-three, so her money did not go as far as expected. Inflation and surprise expenses, such as large repair costs and frequent flights home for family emergencies, added to her financial concerns.

Family bonds grew stronger

Before moving, she promised her mother weekly calls and twice-yearly visits. She kept managing her mother's medical appointments from afar and helped her move into an independent senior-living apartment. They now message almost daily and talk more than when she lived twenty minutes away.

Learning Spanish opened doors

She began taking lessons on Baselang, an online tutoring platform with native Latin American instructors. Though still far from fluent, she has talked soccer with her gardener, been invited to weddings, and gained a deeper understanding of Mexican culture.

Identity loss and rebuilding

With early retirement, her identity as a health professional disappeared overnight. She suggests weaning off your old profession by reducing reliance on work for identity while building a new one through classes, communities, or side projects before you retire.

“weaning off your old profession by reducing your reliance on work for your identity while building your new one through classes, communities, or side projects”

Mistakes became learning curves

Despite meticulous planning, things went differently than expected. She focused on the big pieces like housing, healthcare, and legal status, and accepted that smaller decisions might not work out perfectly. She now feels happier and more peaceful, learning to live in the moment.