What is it really like living in Mexico beyond the vacation experience? In this episode of Live by Design - Mexico Edition, host Taniel Chemsian sits down with Alex Krotkov, a long-time expat in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, to share honest insights on adapting to a new culture and building a meaningful life abroad.

Alex explains what surprises most foreigners when they move to Mexico - from adjusting to a slower pace and different infrastructure to understanding healthcare options and daily life realities. They discuss the importance of open-mindedness, flexibility, and choosing the right community when relocating, whether you’re considering a beach town like Puerto Escondido or a cultural hub like Oaxaca.

If you’re planning on moving to Mexico, researching Mexico expat life, or wondering how to successfully adjust and thrive long term, this episode offers practical advice, real stories, and grounded expectations to help you design a fulfilling life under the Mexican sun.

Key Moments:

05:31 Adjusting to a slower lifestyle

08:19 Adjusting to different environments

11:21 Choosing the right neighborhood

16:38 Exploring hobbies and big decisions

18:03 Embracing curiosity and life changes

20:44 Connecting with others and gratitude

How to contact Alex Krotkov :

Website Alex Krotkov.com

Email: hola@alexkrotkov.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.krotkov.photographer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.krotkov/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krotkov.weddings/

Feeling overwhelmed about buying in Mexico? Chat TCP, our AI-powered assistant, guides you to stress-free homeownership. Click here to start using Chat TCP: https://tanielchemsian.com/chat-tcp/?utm_source=youtube_lbd_mex

Want to own a home in Mexico? Start your journey with confidence - download your FREE “Buyer’s Guide” now for expert tips and clear steps to make it happen!

Click here - https://tanielchemsian.com/buyers-gui...

Discover why everyone is falling in love with Puerto Vallarta real estate: https://tanielchemsian.com/puerto-vallarta-real-estate/

Join the ‘Taniel Chemsian Properties’ YouTube channel to learn what you need to know about Puerto Vallarta real estate. https://www.youtube.com/@TanielChemsian

Join our ‘Live By Design: Mexico Edition’ podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VfClD5...

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/032...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livebydesignmexicoedition

Contact Information:

Email: info@tanielchemsian.com

Website: https://tanielchemsian.com/

Mex Office: +52.322.688.7435

USA/CAN Office: +1.323.798.8893

What happens when life forces you to start over - with almost nothing? In this episode of Live by Design – Mexico Edition, host Taniel Chemsian sits down with Alex Krotkov, a Russian expat who arrived in southern Mexico with just $300 and built a completely new life in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.

Alex shares how he navigated uncertainty, adapted to a new culture, learned Spanish, and found opportunity in unexpected places - from the small beach town of Zipolite to the growing expat community in Puerto Escondido. His story highlights the realities of living in Mexico as an expat, including integration, community support, and the mindset required to rebuild from scratch.

This episode goes beyond typical retirement conversations - it’s about resilience, adaptability, and designing a life on your own terms. Whether you’re exploring Mexico expat life, considering a move for adventure, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation offers real stories, honest perspective, and powerful lessons on creating a new beginning in Mexico.

Key Moments:

04:34 Oaxaca: Mexico’s Cultural Treasure

08:18 "Embracing Change and New Paths"

10:05 "Finding Clay, Kilns, Community"

13:51 "Turning Life Around: Perseverance"

17:13 "Growing Town, Limited Infrastructure"

19:59 "Puerto Vallarta's New Highway"

How to contact Alex Krotkov :

Website Alex Krotkov.com

Email: hola@alexkrotkov.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.krotkov.photographer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.krotkov/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krotkov.weddings/

Feeling overwhelmed about buying in Mexico? Chat TCP, our AI-powered assistant, guides you to stress-free homeownership. Click here to start using Chat TCP: https://tanielchemsian.com/chat-tcp/?utm_source=youtube_lbd_mex

Want to own a home in Mexico? Start your journey with confidence - download your FREE “Buyer’s Guide” now for expert tips and clear steps to make it happen!

Click here - https://tanielchemsian.com/buyers-gui...

Discover why everyone is falling in love with Puerto Vallarta real estate: https://tanielchemsian.com/puerto-vallarta-real-estate/

Join the ‘Taniel Chemsian Properties’ YouTube channel to learn what you need to know about Puerto Vallarta real estate. https://www.youtube.com/@TanielChemsian

Join our ‘Live By Design: Mexico Edition’ podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VfClD5...

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/032...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livebydesignmexicoedition

Contact Information:

Email: info@tanielchemsian.com

Website: https://tanielchemsian.com/

Mex Office: +52.322.688.7435

USA/CAN Office: +1.323.798.8893

Are you a Gen X or Baby Boomer in the United States or Canada feeling burned out, stressed, and wondering if life could feel different?

In this video, Taniel Chemsian, founder of Taniel Chemsian Properties in Puerto Vallarta, shares an honest conversation about something many people quietly ask themselves: is there a better way to live?

If you’ve ever considered moving to Mexico, retiring in Puerto Vallarta, or buying a condo in Mexico, this video helps separate fear, media noise, and common myths from the reality of life here.

Many Americans and Canadians are discovering that Puerto Vallarta offers a different pace of life, a strong expat community, beautiful oceanfront living, and a lower cost of living. It’s not about escaping life; it’s about intentionally designing a life that feels better.

If you’re researching Puerto Vallarta condos for sale, buying property in Mexico as a foreigner, retiring in Mexico from the U.S. or Canada, or living in Puerto Vallarta full-time, this video is for you.

Feeling overwhelmed about buying in Mexico? Chat TCP, our AI-powered assistant, guides you to stress-free homeownership. Click here to start using Chat TCP: https://tanielchemsian.com/chat-tcp/?utm_source=youtube_lbd_mex

Want to own a home in Mexico? Start your journey with confidence - download your FREE “Buyer’s Guide” now for expert tips and clear steps to make it happen!

Click here - https://tanielchemsian.com/buyers-gui...

Discover why everyone is falling in love with Puerto Vallarta real estate: https://tanielchemsian.com/puerto-vallarta-real-estate/

Join the ‘Taniel Chemsian Properties’ YouTube channel to learn what you need to know about Puerto Vallarta real estate. https://www.youtube.com/@TanielChemsian

Join our ‘Live By Design: Mexico Edition’ podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VfClD5...

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/032...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livebydesignmexicoedition

Contact Information:

Email: info@tanielchemsian.com

Website: https://tanielchemsian.com/

Mex Office: +52.322.688.7435

USA/CAN Office: +1.323.798.8893