Judi: Getting From Here to There

Kent and I sold our cars before moving to Mexico. We chose to live in an area where we could get around without one—and so far, that decision has opened up a whole new way of experiencing daily life.

BIKES: We have e-bikes, and when we go grocery shopping, we fill the cargo baskets. Whatever the quest, we can bypass traffic and travel easily on the bike path in this lakeside community.

Riding through town is an adventure all its own. We weave around parked cars, delivery trucks, pedestrians, and stray dogs. There are many cross streets where traffic lights may—or may not—be present. We were told that traffic rules are often treated as suggestions here, but we’ve also found that many drivers are surprisingly courteous and give us the right of way. We each have a bell—and we use it often. Once we leave the busier areas and head into the countryside, the ride becomes quieter, more relaxed, and simply fun.

MOTORCYCLES: They are everywhere. I’ve seen up to four people on one motorbike—often a parent with children of different ages. At first, my “north of the border” sensibilities were a bit shocked. Now I understand it differently; gas is expensive, cars are not always affordable, families do what they can.

BUS: Another common way to get around. Buses range from very worn to quite comfortable, but they all serve the same purpose—getting people where they need to go. We’ve taken local buses a few times, and they work just fine. There are stops near our home, making it easy to hop on whenever we choose.

TAXI: Our main taxi guy is Roger. We met him last November during our scouting trip and reconnected with him shortly after arriving here. He’s helped us in all kinds of ways—including moving our suitcases, a bass guitar, and everything else we brought with us from our Airbnb to our rental home.

When we go out at night or need to travel farther than we want to bike, we call Roger. If he isn’t available, he’ll often send a family member. I’ve come to appreciate the ease—and the trust—that comes with having someone like Roger we can rely on.

HORSE: One of the more unique ways people get around here is on horseback. It’s not unusual to see someone riding through town, the sound of hooves echoing on cobblestone streets. What feels remarkable to me is completely ordinary here. We’ve seen riders stop at a store, buy a large bag of feed, toss it over the horse, and head on their way. It’s simply part of life.

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ON FOOT: And then, of course, there is walking. This has become one of my favorite ways to move through our days. One neighborhood we enjoy is called Six Corners. Many homes there have small attached tiendas, offering everything from snacks and drinks to laundry soap, bread, fruits, and vegetables. There are also specialty shops—ice cream, clothing, fresh tortillas, toys, and more. As we walk, we greet people in Spanish, and they greet us in return. From there, we can continue on to the lake, where a long, curving boardwalk offers beautiful views, cool breezes, and a place to slow down.

Walking allows us to notice more. To be present. To take in the details that might otherwise be missed.

Living here has opened our eyes to the many ways people move through their lives—and through their communities. For us, learning to slow down and experience those differences has been one of the greatest joys of this journey.

— Judi

READ KENT’S APRIL 26, 2026 POST