Texas dwellers abandon their $200,000 salary and Texas residency, relocating to Mexico, expressing no remorse: "We've never experienced this level of freedom"
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Bianca Ramos and her husband, both Mexican-American, made a bold decision in 2024. After living and working in Austin, Texas, for several years and earning a combined annual income of over $200,000, they chose to relocate to Mexico in search of a simpler and freer lifestyle.
The birth of their first child in 2021 was a turning point for the Ramos family. Despite their financial success, they felt stressed, exhausted, and unhappy with the relentless pursuit of the traditional American dream and corporate success.
In Mexico, they downsized their lifestyle and income but gained significantly more time with their children. Bianca, who previously worked in human resources with a focus on inclusion and diversity, now works part-time remotely and supplements her income by creating digital content. Her husband, who was in sales, has taken up day trading, a financial activity with weekly fluctuating gains.
One of their monthly expenses, rent, is less than their former mortgage, as they now pay $1,300 a month to live in a two-bedroom apartment in Playa del Carmen. They also receive $2,400 a month from renting out their U.S. home.
While certain branded items, like clothing or shoes, can be more expensive in Mexico, the Ramos family has managed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. They still have a nanny for their children and a pair of cars, but have opted for a smaller four-bedroom house compared to their previous residence in Austin.
Bianca admitted that she was initially afraid her family would think they had failed for moving back to Mexico. However, she has come to realise that she bets on her project, on her kids, and on a simpler life. She concluded that she has never had this much control over her time.
In Mexico, people ask about your family or invite you for a beer, unlike in the U.S. where they ask what you do for a living. This cultural difference has allowed the Ramos family to adapt and enjoy their new lifestyle.
Two years of planning went into this move, and the Ramos family is happy with their decision. They have gained personal autonomy and a new, more personal definition of success. Despite their previous ambitions to climb the corporate ladder — including Bianca's goal to become a VP of HR — the move has allowed them to prioritize family and personal well-being over salary and status.
- Bianca and her husband, diverted from the traditional American dream, turned to wealth management and personal finance strategies, such as day trading and part-time remote work, to sustain their lifestyle in Mexico.
- Embracing a more laid-back lifestyle, they continued to invest in fashion-and-beauty, acquiring certain branded items, yet chose a smaller home in the Garden-and-Home category to balance their expenses.
- Education-and-self-development became a significant part of their priorities, opting to spend more time on their children's education and personal growth rather than ascending corporate ladders.
- With an improved work-life balance, Bianca focused on developing digital content and fostered relationships with like-minded individuals, building a network in her new community.
- The culture shift in Mexico, characterized by a greater emphasis on personal interactions, has brought them friendship, camaraderie, and a disheartening dismissal of status-driven work, reinforcing their belief in the importance of personal and family well-being.
