Welcome!

Since moving to Mexico almost 20 years ago, my life has been full of joy. Some of that comes from my many interactions with readers and viewers who are curious about living in Mexico or who are on an expat journey themselves. At first, these were unexpected exchanges and relationships, but now they are an integral part of my everyday life and who I am. I feel privileged that so many people trust me, and I take the responsibility seriously. If I can help someone achieve their dream, or be a little happier, then I feel like I’ve done some good in the world.

Some of you may know “my Mexico story” from reading articles I’ve written or seeing videos about my life. But I’m no different than any of you. It was on a wing and a prayer that I followed a long-held dream of living in a more tropical climate after visiting Mazatlán on a random vacation. And when I got there, I stumbled through all the same issues as any “newbie”expat: not knowing the language or how things were done, missing my family, friends and community so deeply it hurt, doubting that this decision was the right one. Looking back now, I guess I just tried to take it one step at a time, trusting that tomorrow was another day and that eventually I would have a better handle on everything.

And that’s what happened!

I made friends and found community. I learned more of the language, and I learned how to laugh at myself speaking like a toddler. “Poco a poco” things began to make sense. Not yet retired (I’d just turned 50), I drew on my journalistic skills and experience and started an English monthly magazine, to share information with the expat community about the wonderful, welcoming city of Mazatlán. It was beloved from the first issue and became a bridge between the local and foreign communities.

One of my goals and dreams in moving to Mazatlán was to start an actual farmers’ market, and so, with the assistance of a board of growers, locals and interested expats, I founded the Mercado Organico de Mazatlán (MOM), a weekly open-air market where local farmers sell their organically grown produce and products. It celebrates its 12th anniversary this year.

Then, suddenly, the muse called and I found myself moving to Lo de Marcos, a tiny rural town on the jungle coast in Nayarit, about six hours south of Mazatlán.

During an 18-month sabbatical, I found myself inspired by the beauty and tranquility to compile my first book, “Why We Left: An Anthology of American Women Expats.”

After its publication I moved back to Mazatlán, where I focused on surfing, freelance writing, book promotion, and doing my best to practice the art of relaxation. (Much easier said than done!)

Ever since fourth grade, when I wrote my own versions of Aesop’s fables, writing has been something that felt natural to me. It’s who I am in the world, and the gift I have to give. As an adult, my career as a journalist allowed me to experience, write about and share great food, amazing places, fascinating people and unique events. It’s an exchange that is deeply satisfying to me, and I hope, to you, too.

I’ve been a regular Contributor to CNBC’s “Make It” since 2020, and you can find my newest articles and videos about living in Mexico there. CNBC (the web presence of the enterprise) just released a new video about my life in San Antonio Tlayacapan, a small pueblo between the towns of Chapala and Ajijic, where I moved earlier this year.

It’s on Lake Chapala, near Guadalajara, away from the coast and almost in the middle of the country. Why did I leave Mazatlán, you may be wondering? Well, you’ll have to watch the video to find out! (Spoiler alert! After a year as a landlubber, I moved back to Mazatlan to be near the ocean and my big community of friends.)

My work has also appeared in numerous expat and travel publications, including International Living, Mexico News Daily, and Mexperience, as well as newspapers and magazines in Santa Cruz, California, where I worked as a journalist, writer and editor for 20+ years. Wallace Baine, at The Good Times, where I used to work, wrote a wonderful story about my journey when my book first came out.

Stepping out from behind my desk, this year I began offering Expat Consultations, personalized video meetings to assist you in your expat journey. I’ve created a menu of options with different price points, tailored specifically to your needs and questions. If this is something that interests you, shoot me a message and I’ll send you the details.

I’m really excited about my newest project, a series of books about expat living in several other countries: Italy, Costa Rica, Portugal, and of course, Mexico. The first one, “Going Expat Mexico” was published in December 2024 and is available on Amazon as a paperback and eBook. Stay tuned for Italy!

My Life in Mazatlan

This video from CNBC was made a few years ago, but shows my life in Mazatlan pretty accurately. Bear in mind that costs have changed since it was made! There’s still quite a bit of practical info as well as some beautiful shots of the town, though. Just click on the photo below and it will take you to the link.

And this is my original Introduction that tells a little about my life, how I decided to move to Mexico, and what it was like for me for the first several years.

Hi, I’m Janet Blaser and I’m glad to see you here! It’s still kind of thrilling to say “I moved to Mexico.” It’s been 18 years now, since I left my comfy, familiar life and community in Northern California and drove by myself to start my new life in a foreign country. Some sort of bravado or naivete (or, as my friends would say later, courage), allowed me to pooh-pooh concerns about all the unknowns— culture, language, customs—and head off nonetheless.

Off I went! With my little Toyota packed to the gills, it took me four days to drive from central California to Mazatlan, Sinaloa, where I’d rented an apartment.

I’d been working in the newspaper and publishing industries for almost 30 years, in and around Santa Cruz, California. I loved being part of my community in that way, discovering interesting and unique people, places and things and then sharing that info with my friends and neighbors. I worked as a writer, editor, proofreader and columnist at daily, weekly and monthly newspapers and assorted other publications and projects. Somehow I always ended up writing about some of the most fun things in life: food, music, arts and entertainment.

Me interviewing Tiny Tim when I worked for the daily newspaper in Santa Cruz. Remember him?

And then the internet “happened” and all of that changed. Suddenly my career path seemed to be heading toward a cliff. I wasn’t sure what to do…I was 50 – who would hire me?!

A random vacation took me to Mazatlan, a bustling city on Mexico’s west coast that I instantly fell in love with and could imagine as home. Perhaps more importantly, I had a classic “Aha!” moment when I saw the opportunity to start my own business: an English monthly magazine for the thousands of expats, snowbirds and tourists that lived in or visited Mazatlan. There was so much going on, and almost no information in English.

M!, the magazine I published monthly for 10 years, filled a niche in the expat community – and was also a bridge between the local and foreign cultures.

So that’s what I did, on a wing and a prayer, moving within six months to Mazatlán to start a new life. I published a successful and beloved monthly magazine for 10 years and also started the city’s first organic farmers market, which still happens weekly from November to April. I feel blessed and full of gratitude that I had the chutzpah to step out of the proverbial box and follow my dream. I’m living a life I couldn’t have even dreamed of , with a level of constant happiness I’d never experienced before.

In 2017 I started working on “Why We Left: An Anthology of American Women Expats,”my first book. The 27 essays in this unique anthology are written by “regular” women about their “regular” lives and how they decided to change everything and move to Mexico. In simple, engaging words straight from the heart, the contributors to Why We Left share their plans and preparations, hardships and challenges, joys and satisfactions as their new lives in Mexico unfold. If I do say so myself, the book is a great read! It’s interesting, humorous and informative all at the same time.

Since the book was published, I’ve heard from literally thousands of people who’ve shared their Mexico experiences and been inspired and enlivened by the stories in Why We Left. It’s intensely satisfying for me to read their comments and learn about their lives. Somehow, it seems being a foreigner, an expat, and an immigrant makes us all humble and very human. I hope you enjoy the book and that it encourages you too, to follow your dreams. And if that leads you to Mexico – bienvenido and welcome!