WHY WE MOVED TO MEXICO 3 YEARS AGO

⬺ Health Care and Communication. Wall? What wall? There isn't one here that's for sure. At least not between people. I regularly text both my doctor and veterinarian with any and all concerns(and with two Doberman Pinscher puppies, there are many, ie when I panicked at 10PM because the dogs had eaten anti-freeze from an eye-cooling mask Danny left on the floor. My vet responded immediately and coached me through the hydrogen peroxide/charcoal solution). Another time she dropped our two huge dogs at my house because she heard I was on bed rest. They know me by name, I run into them at Chedraui, Pancho's Tacos... We hug and catch up like good friends. They are extremely accessible. Professionals here aren't run by fear of being sued, they give you hugs and say you'll be OK without any doubt. There is kindness in the health care. There is a freedom to this country that doesn't exist in the USA anymore. I dare you to come here and get to know your doctor and not become like family. One day you're in the hospital getting the best care you could imagine and the next you're enjoying beers and BBQ at the doctors house with their entire extended family like lost cousins found. Here is an article to read: MEDICAL TOURISM When I was in the ER for 5 days my two regular doctors came and saw me before and after their work day. I specifically remember the one doctor holding and warming my feet at the end of the bed while we chatted before they left for the night. Little thing yes, but I felt cared for and special. The ER staff wasn't understanding me so I would text my doctors and they would call and speak in Spanish for me to the ER unit. It's these little old fashioned things that fill a person up with hope for humanity. I text my pregnancy doctor about dying my hair, how to stay fit, anxiety, hopes dreams wishes... Anyway. All of it flies. My OB My Vet

⇸ Ocean. Do you want to snorkle with tropical fish or Whale watch or Release baby turtles? Puerto Vallarta has it all. Are you a kiteboarder like my sexy husband? The wind makes Bucerias an awesome kiteboarding spot 4-6 months of the year and there are hidden places to surf like La Lancha. KITEBOARDERS check it. If you're active you'll love the hike from the small town of Boca De Tomatlan down south. There are hours of hiking trails through the jungle on a cliff over the ocean. It's challenging and beautiful. One place along the way is a must go beach spot. The food and drink menu is as beautiful as their manicured beach, also they have parties with super cool DJ and yoga scene. There are rocky beaches up north for the champagne taste travelers such as my husband(or the uh-hem Kardashians who we saw at our last stay with St Regis) These waters are stunning but not as soft on the feets. The W, Four Seasons, St Regis, all here.

⬿ Weather. It's hot and sunny or it's hot and stormy with lightening and roaring thunder. The rain is warm and pours down like a good cry(everyone loves a good cry). The ocean is cool in the winter and warm in the summer. I float in the ocean for hours some days just staring up at the sky(cue margaritas). You only need one wardrobe, summer.  Oh and I saw my first waterspout over the ocean recently, I looked out for the tasmanian devel, he never showed. Water Spouts = Super neat PV weather

⇥ Food and dranks. How does drinking from a fresh coconut while laying in the sun sound? Or would you rather enjoy fresh donuts? Or an ice cream? You wanna add rum to that coconut(it's pretty much always happy hour here)? Not only are there so many options but men, women and children bring them to you on friggin silver platters... Literally. Right to your beach chair or towel or floatie. Steak, onion and cilantro on a fresh corn tortilla sound nice?! With spicy lime Serrano chili salsa on top?! For $.50 each?! There are taco stands every 10 feet. Pull up to any Mexican spot and hunger vanishes within the 30 seconds it takes for them to place chips and salsa in front of you while you figure out what flavor of mojito you want. If you forgot some fruits or veges at the grocery store don't fret, there are little fresh produce stands every corner on your trip home and the cost to help a local farmer is next to nothing. Oh and they're always so friendly and willing to explain foreign fruits. You don't need to know the word for sour when the facial expression is universal.

⬳ Police/Safety. How many random shootings have happened in the United States the last year alone? Children, women and men shot and killed randomly and no telling where it will happen next unfortunately. People are scared to come to Mexico... WHY? OK OK, some people are targeted for violence here, I'll give you that. Cartels, drug dealers and heavy drug users who don't pay off debts. Are you coming to Mexico to deal drugs? If so, buena suerte. If not, you're treated so amazingly. The Mexican people totally appreciate tourists because we bring heaps of money into the country. No one tryin ta' kill us here I got news for you. It isn't happening. I've been here three years and never one time have I feared for my safety. I have, however, felt unsafe plenty of times in cities I've traveled and lived outside of Mex. I traveled as a full time model and actress for nearly 20 years all over the world and I had some sketch situations that's for sure. Mexico is actually the place I've visited and lived where I feel the MOST safe. The scariest thing about living here is being pulled over in a car with US plates that is here illegally. This is what it is... I have paid off five cops now after being pulled over, and the total is about $40 USD. I didn't have my driver license, insurance, proof of ownership aaaaaand the license to have my car here legally expired two years ago. They pull you over, are friendly and you give them what your infraction would cost and off you go. Orrr... they'll just take what you have on you. One cop noticed I was pregnant and got so excited he let me go immediately saying "please drive so safely with that baby!!! How exciting". I was crying driving away, one part solely because I'm pregnant AF and the other part, I love the police and that was such a simple and kind exchange. I'm sorry if you think this is corrupt, Mexico isn't for everyone. Also, if some shit is going down, police put tourists as numero uno. They are so watchful and friendly, they look out, they care. Their economy depends on tourism so they treat us like gold, frankincense and myrrh.

⬹ Mexican people. Yes, sometimes tomorrow actually means next month. Once you adapt to that, you realize everyone is really enjoying their life. No work is so important that stress needs to take over happiness or mental health(or drinking Coronas on the beach). They have funny slang and a great sense of humor. The people here are so humble and helpful. They smile and offer everything always. Oh and everything is served with chiles or spice, especially candy. They love their families and put them first. You regularly see trucks on Saturdays and Sundays filled with kids and adults with their nailed in beach chairs to the pick up and coolers headed to the beach to hang out for the day. How sweet. Mexican People jajaaa

⬸ Bills. Things are more simple here... There are no two year contracts for cable internet n stoof like that. The phones, you pay them monthly but if you don't, it shuts off. The same phone bill that is $150/month in the USA is $20/month in Mexico. Same iPhone brah. If you want to cancel the cable, just stop paying it or go in and tell them. It doesn't affect your credit. So easy. Also, everything here is MUCH cheaper and you can get like uhhh unlocked US cable for $50/month for every channel. The guy assures me he pays for it so I enjoy 100's of channels of Sex n The City and Cartoon Network and all the other stuff I binge. Also, new movies?! We get them all. And there are loads of porn channels. Big Papi and I scroll to laugh at the titles so you can consider the porn extra free comedy channels I guess... TMI. Our hospital bills, rent, ammenities, food, gas, clothes, dog stuff... All about 1/7 what we paid in LA.

⬷ Beach. You can bring your dog to the beach, bring all the dogs!! because no one cares... And open liquor containers, bring your 3 cases of beer, your smokes and J. And your kids can go naked AF running around free as they should be. Police, once again, are so friendly, they aren't controlling every aspect of life FOR YOU. Your dog doesn't need a 3 ft but no longer than 3.5 foot leash. I have seen many places in US that tells you WHAT KIND OF LEASH you can have hahahaaa OK Yellowstone National Park, I'll just run to the nearby Petco and get that for you, no problem. I got a ticket on a beach in Malibu for my yorkie (Lenerd RIP you legend) for $350 because he was sitting in my purse. Sitting. In my purse. Yeah, thanks California, you're really chill. RIDICULOUS EXAMPLE

⬲ Rent. Our rent in downtown LA was $3500/month. Unfurnished. No bills included. Parking an extra $250/month. No cable heat or A/C, no furniture included, short term leases even more per month. Rooftop pool looked nice, not heated. It was freezing unless it's Sunday when it's packed with 100 frat boys peeing in it while binge drinking on their day off. (Also side rant, we left our lease early to move to Mehico and the guy at our apartment said he had found someone to rent it and not to worry. Now, years later we are getting bills from it and our credit is shite because of that. Rude.) Our rent here is $1400/month. This is luxury living. It's also primarily for seniors so everything is easy and posh. We proudly live in the movie Coccoon 3. We pay double what most our friends pay because we have two Doberman Pinschers and Big Papi has champagne taste. It includes... All furniture including king sized beds and flat screen TVs, cleaning lady twice a week(Consuelo, I LOOOVE her, so trustworthy and sweet as pie, props), fresh towels, sheets and soap twice a week, internet, cable and a Blockbuster section in the office with free rentals and board games), heated semi-olympic size pool, hot tub, huge dog park with filtered water drinking fountain, mini zoo, FREE A/C(usually about $200USD/month), yoga classes, full spa and services on site and more but let's move on I'm bored.

⬾ THE VIBE OF LIFE. We went full Mexican. It's chill, it's about family and friends, good food and relaxing. It's about waterfalls and exploring unique beach towns nearby. The air quality is superior and there is space to breathe, be and roam free. People get from A to B on their ATV's and Jet Skis, their sail boats or by horseback. It's fun, it's light, everyone wants to include and invite someone new to the party. Life here is last minute. Schedules aren't filled up with meetings and dinners, stuff and stress, but also this is very much how Danny and I choose to be. I'm sure you can fill up a schedule if you wanted to tho, there are plenty of other Americans and Canadians living this way here. For us it's like "hey you guys wanna meet for tacos tonight?" "Uhhh yeah sure, after we get back from fishing, we'll shoot a text when we can meet up". It's relaxed laid back, it's warm and it's simple. Free time is cherished and respected, it's filled with surf trips or beach beers n tanning. Now that we have adapted, there would be no way we could ever go back to what was before. No chance, gracias pero no gracias.

⬺ Language. We moved here speaking 5% Spanish. Now Danny is about 70% and I'm in at maybe 30% strong. You don't need to speak Spanish to communicate. Most people can speak English or you can easily, thanks to technology, download an app which translates for you! Boom, you're Mexican. CLICK HERE FOR APP

A lot of Americans are really upset over Donald Trump being president. Some people complain about him non stop, it's the center of their conversations. What a negative way to live when they have so much! So much that they could leave the country and make a new life but they choose to stay and complain. Think about how much energy and power they are giving the government in this. Energy goes where attention flows. People here simply work hard and come home and enjoy life. And they could find something to complain about, many things. The people here have less and appreciate more. They picked up on the massive amount of hate and made bracelets and hats that say "Fuck Trump" on them. They're turning our negativity into positive cash flow. There's a lesson here.

I deeply respect the place and people that is Mexico, thank you for your kindness to my growing family.  Baby boy is due 7-7 and will be born in this beautiful country under the palm trees. Mexico, we love you, we are here to stay.
Cresencio Manuel Victoria... You made it all possible.