While I tried to lower my expectations that becoming an ex-pat would be as simple picking up and moving, I took the opportunity to begin the tedious process of researching, fact finding, and gathering information. One of the first things I learned is that there is a huge amount of information available online regarding the process. The problem is that a lot of it is subjective, opinion based, and just plain wrong. Let’s start with the Facebook groups. I joined Puerto Vallarta Gays: Everthing Gay You Need Or Want To Know. HUGE WASTE OF TIME! There were mostly posts about where to hang out, where to get an AirBnB in the Zona Romantica, and just about every other superficial matter you could imagine. The other issue with this group is that posts frequently devolve into ad hominem attacks. There was clearly and absence of a moderator. Another Facebook group I joined was Brothas & Sistas in Puerto Vallarta (aka The Village). One of the little known facts I discovered during my research is that there a burgeoning population of African American ex-pats moving to Mexico. This group was representative of those who have chosen PV as their home. I found this group to be very helpful and it seemed to be an outlet to network. There are entreprenuers offering their services (restaurants, products, etc.) and announcements for local get togethers. I established contact with the moderator and found her to be particularly welcoming and willing to offer advice. I also joined two other groups – Ex-pats in Mexico, and U.S. Ex-pats in Mexico. The Ex-pats in Mexico group was predominantly Canadian. These groups typically involve people asking about the immigration process, how much does it cost to live there?, is it safe to drive?, yada, yada, yada. It’s amazing how many people will take advice from someone on Facebook rather than go directly to the source. So if you get stopped in Mexico by law enforcement, or customs is your defense going to be I was advised by someone on Facebook? (insert eye roll!). If you are planning a move to Mexico, you’ll need to first find out about the immigration process. To receive Temporary Residency, you have to make an appointment with the Mexican Consulate in your city. You are required to prove solvency. Each Consulate in major U.S. cities has the requirements available online at their websites (and they vary by city). If you are approved for Temporary Residency, you will receive a sticker on your passport and you then have 6 months to complete the process in Mexico. There is a wealth of information about this process at Mexican Law.com https://mexlaw.com/10-things-need-know-temporary-visa-mexico/#:~:text=Temporary%20Resident%20Visa%20is%20intended,wish%20to%20stay%20in%20Mexico. The Facebook groups frequently have posts from people that have encountered problems and are seeking advice or guidance from others. Here’s the thing: Just because someone that applied for TR in San Francisco, California had a smooth sailing experience doesn’t mean that you will have the same experience applying in Dallas, Texas. We immediately recognized that it would be worth the investment to find a Mexican immigration attorney to make sure we did things properly. I’ll provide more information about that in my next chapter!