A wild ride living through this and the wonderful lessons I learned…
In early 2018, one of my team members at the hotel I worked for walked into my office and said:
“Hey Burt!… I’m moving to Tijuana!”
I blinked. “Tijuana? 🤨 Is it worth it?”
He laughed. “You wouldn’t believe it, but yes.”
My healthy level of skepticism kicked in, but I had to see for myself. I got Global Entry and started making monthly trips across the border. Great food, better prices, live music, and beaches. The vibe was right, and the cost of living? Unreal.
That’s when I made the decision: I was going to move to Mexico.
Early 2019: I found a condo in Playas de Tijuana. Sold most of my furniture, packed up half my belongings, and drove south, excited to start this new chapter.
And then…
The owner gave the condo to someone else.
No backup plan. No place to go. You can imagine what I said.
I went to the beach to regroup with friends, and came back to find my car broken into. Gone: laptop, camera, books, clothes… passport.
Anxiety hit hard. I was "technically" homeless in Mexico, robbed, no passport, and I had a wedding party to attend in Cabo in a few days.
I thought about going back to the U.S., but my pride said: “No. You told too many people you were moving to Mexico.” 😂
So I sat down and asked myself:
“What do I absolutely need?”
Clothes, car, cash, credit card, great job in San Diego, Global Entry card, passport card, and iPhone.
I had everything I needed.
I became a semi-expert on immigration law that week. Cancelled my San Diego flight, rebooked through Tijuana (cheaper, domestic = no passport book needed), made it to Cabo, had a blast.
Came back, got a call from the same condo complex. They had a better unit. Higher floor. Lower rent. Took it.
I moved in…slept on an air mattress for three days, I had no TV, no furniture, no bed.
That following Saturday - new furniture arrived and I sat looking out at San Diego in the distance. I had freedom, a new home, and knowledge that I could handle anything.
That moment changed my mindset forever.
I’ve lived in Mexico ever since. No regrets. Just gratitude for what that chaos taught me:
Adapt fast
Stay calm and collected
Never let pride be the only reason you push forward - but it can be the spark to push past hard moments when failure is not an option.
Only in these moments do we really know what we’re made of - professional and personal life.
Share this story with someone you think it could get value out of it. Thanks for reading.
Photo (below) taken early summer morning in San Luis Gonzaga, Baja California Mexico. ☀️
First published on LinkedIn.