My Impulsive, Brave, and Ultimately Wise Move to Puerto Vallarta

The coin—with its cut-to-fit sticky notes reading “Mexico” on one side and “Not Mexico” on the other—spun through the air.

When it landed, Heather Shoning already knew which side would be up.

She also knew that the giddy excitement she felt when she thought about moving to Mexico was real.

Still, she tossed the quarter a few more times—just to see. She’d wanted a sign, and there it was, again and again.

This pull toward Mexico wasn’t new. Puerto Vallarta had been her go-to sanctuary for over 15 years—through marriage, the birth of her two daughters (now twenty-somethings), and eventually, divorce.

After Heather’s marriage ended, she pondered what was next. Her college-age daughter, with the simple wisdom of youth, had an idea:

“I’m bored, Mom. We should move to Mexico.”

Going All-In

Puerto Vallarta—with its sunny beaches, mouthwatering tacos, and breathtaking sunsets—had always felt like home. And now, with that coin repeatedly landing on ‘Mexico,’ Heather decided to take the leap.

“I went all in, as I tend to do with most things,” she admitted. While most people test the waters by renting, she knew the area, and immediately started house-hunting with a real estate agent friends in PV recommended.

As a freelance writer and editor, she could work from anywhere, making the transition even easier. Plus, years of vacationing there gave her a clear vision of what she wanted—and what she didn’t.

“I didn’t want to move to Mexico to live with expats in a building that looked like a condo in Anytown, USA. I wanted Mexico—bright colors, Saltillo tiles, arches, traditional metal-framed doors and windows, and Mexican neighbors,” she said.

She found exactly that. An $86K fixer-upper perched on a hillside where the city meets the jungle. And with stunning views of Banderas Bay.

Adventures in Real Estate

“We spent the first solid year in a glorified state of camping,” she said. “For nine months, no hot water heater. No tinaco (water storage tank), which meant that when the city water shut off, so did mine. After one particular storm, I didn’t have water for nine days.”

But $35K later, Heather’s entire home has been remodeled with conveniences like a modern bathroom, laundry room, and storage. The best part? She’s added a third floor with a rooftop terrace.

To complete her Puerto Vallarta vision, Heather plans to add a pool and restore the front facade of the property. She estimates another $40K for the project.

Ocean views from a cliffside dream home for about $160K all-in… You’d be hard-pressed to find that in the US.

But that gorgeous ocean view comes at a price…

“My house is 90 steps up from the closest street,” she laughed. “It’s not all that fun when you’re hauling Costco groceries up trip after trip, but my calves look amazing these days!”

The Daily Rhythm

Heather’s daily life now? Not so different from before—but far more fulfilling and affordable. She pays about $750 a month total for utilities, groceries, dining out, and simple luxuries like manicures, massages, and a cleaning service.

She starts her mornings working from home, then walks into town, stopping at her favorite spots away from the tourist crowds. She’s built a sense of community in her neighborhood—at the lavandería, the tienda, the coffee shop. Even when she goes downtown, it’s nearly impossible not to run into expat friends.

Living in Mexico full-time isn’t quite the same as vacationing…

The challenges with learning Spanish have been an ongoing hurdle.

“My Spanish is awful, which is really embarrassing,” Heather admitted. “I spend an inordinate amount of time practicing conversations in my head, only to freeze when I try to speak. Thankfully, people in my neighborhood forgive easily.”

Impulsive Reinvented as Brave

As a creative, thinking and daydreaming are part of the process. Now, Heather has the perfect place for it.

She used to dismiss it when people called her brave—chalking it up to impulsiveness.

“Maybe even stupidity,” she once thought.

But not anymore.

“I now see the strength, the will, and the determination I’ve gained. I’m happy, knowing that whatever I decide, I can do.”