I’m James and I’m leaving the ‘American dream’ in my rear view to set out and explore the world we all live on but rarely see much of! I share my love for new travel adventures, scuba diving, wildlife encounters and discovering new cultures with blog posts, photos and videos at www.escapingabroad.com.

1. Why did you move abroad?
Since before I can remember I always wanted to explore other cultures and travel to far away places. But after college I found myself sitting in an office all day working. I was caught up in the materialism that surrounds us and couldn't afford to do the things I really wanted. So I gave it all up and left to seek a different lifestyle.

2. How do you make a living?
I unintentionally chose a career that is compatible with a nomadic life. Since I was a young teen I've been dabbling in different areas of internet work such as web design, programming and marketing. I'm fortunate enough to keep doing that work anywhere in the world that has an internet connection!

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
Since an internet connection is needed for work I'm always connected to family and friends back 'home.' Facebook has made it incredibly easy to communicate and share back and forth.

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in Mexico?
The freedom to do things I couldn't previously. Because Mexico's cost of living is so much cheaper than back in my home country I'm able to work considerably less and focus more time on the things that are important to me.  

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in Mexico?
Living in a place where very few people speak the same language you know can get frustrating and lonely at times. But instead of letting it get me down it serves as motivation to imrpove myself and learn something new, Spanish!

6. What do you miss most?
Many might have trouble being away from friends and family for long periods of time – but I've always been able to handle that distance well. The hardest part of leaving, and that I miss most is my dog! Even though my family takes great care of him he's the one thing I never get used to being away from.

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
Meeting people is so easy. This area has a large expat community and the Mexican people are very welcoming and friendly. I meet people all time just walking on the street or hanging out at a restaurant.

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
When I first got here the slower paced lifestyle was foreign to me. So were a lot of the menu items in the local's diets.

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
This one is easy! Everyone thinks Mexico is unsafe and dangerous. That's like calling the entire United States dangerous because of Detroit. After months of living here and traveling around by bus alone, I haven't witnessed any crime or felt threatened at all.

10. Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
The cost of living is much lower and that's made it possible to spend my time enjoying the outdoors and making memorable experiences instead of being glued to my computer working constantly.

11. What advice would you give other expats?
Don't let fear of the unknown stop you from pursuing your dreams.

12. When and why did you start your blog?
I started the blog after my first abroad to Belize. That experience changed me profoundly. I had a new outlook on what I really wanted in life and was ready to take the risks needed to try it. I started following popular travel bloggers like Nomadic Matt and Johnny Vagabond. With my background in internet work it was a no-brainer to give the blogging thing a shot! I love sharing my adventures and hopefully inspiring others to get out and travel more.

James's Blog, Escaping Abroad

Find out more about being an expat in Mexico with Easy Expat's
Guide to Mexico City

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