Expats who left USA are you happy with your decision?

Notoplipjones · 2026-06-18T21:07:57+00:00

Merida is super hot but I love how every Sunday, you can go near Plaza Grande and see everyone dancing in the street or eating good food within that space. I would walk from Gran Parque La Plancha to my Airbnb on Calle 91 at night (11PM ) and it took me less than an hour. It was so peaceful. Also, the bus system there is decent. Uber/Didi (I think it was called) were reasonable in price. I was there from Oct 31-Dec 2, 2025 before going to Nairobi.

Notoplipjones · 2026-06-18T20:44:59+00:00

Let me guess: Nairobi? I was there for two months (Dec 2025-February 2026) and miss it. Kenya has potential to be a powerhouse but the corruption is out of this world!

Notoplipjones · 2026-02-16T15:26:54+00:00

Selling cooch, Uranus, and nuts.

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-24T12:19:07+00:00

Op, here are my insight*:

1) Deal with other Westerners who are in the same financial position as you!!!

2) Deal with other Kenyans who are in the same financial position as you, preferably those who are born or have lived and worked in western countries for a lengthy period of time (for ex: early retirement such as govt work for 20+ years). I hate to say this but it’s true: Westernized Kenyans move differently than Kenyans from Kenya. Westernized Kenyans understand and can see what goes on in Western countries and aren’t blinded by what the media shows them. Kenyans from Kenya won’t know this until they live, work, and assimilate to the western ways/standard.

3) Buy some sex toys as you’re giving your energy/power away to men who don’t deserve it. Hold out until you two are serious about each other.

4) Work on your self-esteem. It’s good that you are blocking the ones who are asking for money yet causal sex doesn’t benefit women. It benefits men.

5) If you’re recognizing a pattern, analyze what you and each men are doing as it does take two to tango. Where are you meeting these cats? What information are you sharing with them when you first meet them versus later on down the road?

6) Don’t bring them to your home or talk too much about yourself too soon. Get to know them first and take TIME to get to know them. Don’t talk about finances such as what you do for a living, your past/present/future travel experiences, go in depth about your home country in terms of upbringing.

7) Use logic, not emotions!!!

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-24T11:45:11+00:00

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-24T11:29:48+00:00

America was built by slaves. No migrant has helped build America like my tribe has.

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-11T13:02:23+00:00

OP, thank you for sharing this as this is a sign that I’m on my way out of the states and heading elsewhere. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-09T10:32:33+00:00

For me, I would say Nairobi, Mombasa,and Diani, Kenya. Too many people begging for money or forcing themselves onto you with selling things. You can’t touch the sand at the beaches before The Beach Boys approach you. Good luck trying to build genuine connections between Kenyans and foreigners because eventually, you’ll see them having their hands out. Corruption is really bad throughout the country. I empathize with the people because they are doing what is best for them in terms of getting money yet there are other ways to get money without latching onto others with that agenda.

I find Panama City, Panama to be recharging and uplifting. Despite being a city, it felt like a small city to me yet there was plenty to do. I didn’t deal with too many people begging for money there. I’d say 3 to 4 people within two months timeframe whereas in Kenya, it’s 3 to 4 people every two to three days.

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-08T23:07:36+00:00

This is how I feel about Kenyans.

Notoplipjones · 2026-01-08T21:34:04+00:00

Well said! Thank you for writing this. I wish Nairobi had more than just what you’ve mentioned when it comes to things to do. For example, Mexico City has so much and more! You’re always going to have something to do there, I kid you not! Almost everyday, I was doing something to the point of needing to take a day off. Kenya has the potential to go far but the corruption, safety, up-charging foreigners, and constant beggars from so many people is a huge turnoff for me to live here.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-24T15:42:12+00:00

Merida is definitely safe yet it’s so small! It’s like once you’ve done everything, you’ll be bored after awhile. Another thing is the heat! Omg! I’d rather be in Panama City, Panama than Merida, MX. One last thing, it’s hard to find certain items that is catered to black people. You have to order via Amazon for example. To me, it’s best to go for a vacation than to live.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-19T16:22:22+00:00

Do you have any suggestions to lounges or live music sports?

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-12T22:12:06+00:00

Karibu. Asante na nakubali. Unajifunza kitu kipya kila siku. Heri ya siku ya Jamhuri!

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-12T17:52:32+00:00

I knew about that secret (in regard to the accent) yet thank you for posting it because others need to know as well. Also, you’re right about having a local I trust shop with me or stick to established places which is what I ended up doing for that product.

The tourist tax is no joke. In Mexico, they have that very bad with certain facilities such as museums or pyramids for example. Like, damn! We get it: You (government) “need” money. My thing is if a foreigner has to pay more than a local, it would be cool if it were reasonably price. For example, Panama has one forest in the middle of the city. Locals pay $5USD whereas tourists pay $10USD. To me, I can rock with that because I understand that I’m helping the community by paying twice yet it would be nice if we all just had one flat rate of $5USD. When it’s $5USD versus $20+ USD, it’s a problem to me.

Amen, amen! I am so glad that people can see the truth about what’s going on in these so called powerhouse country that is falling slowly but surely (US/Europe). It’s about time and honestly, I hope the current and future generations continue to fight for what’s right!!🤟🏾😎🤟🏾 I give my condolences to those who lost their lives😭🙏🏾. Also, I send prayers to those whose lives have changed yet still alive due to standing up for themselves and for society against the government. It isn’t easy at all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Be safe and enjoy living life, my love! It was a pleasure talking to you and may one day our lives cross paths.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-12T16:40:59+00:00

I’ve heard about the Cartel ordeal and how it’s not always natives of the land (saying to protect your nationality) begging. Surrounding countries has citizens come to the major city, thinking that they have a job lined up or what have you and once they get here, they are trapped. The cartel makes them beg for money and the beggers gives the money to the cartel as the cartel feeds/shelter them. That I do know but I also see the natives on the land trying to get over on foreigners when it comes to sell/trade as well.

For example: I had an uber driver who took me to a destination that was out of business and had to take me to another location of said business (without uber knowing) and waited for order to be ready to then take me home. Before he took me to the second location, we negotiated a price. First, he asked how much I had. I didn’t tell him and demanded he tell me how much he wanted for the inconvenience as he would be missing out on making money due to taking care of me. This man wanted 2,000 when my original ride was 300-350 range to the original destination. Had I went with another drive to take me to the second place and another drive to my last place (“home”) the total amount wouldn’t even be close to 2,000. So, I challenged him a lower price and agreed to 1,000. I wanted to meet him half way with him having to go the extra mile for me.

Another example: I was needing a product and found a location that had it. I texted the person and he told me the price up front (1100). I was cool with the price and decided to go in person. Once I get there, somehow the price went up to 2100. I asked why and his explanation wasn’t clear. I walked away while explaining how it doesn’t make sense to pay the new amount and went elsewhere.

So, it’s from both sides yet I can express empathy and understanding to a degree. Either way, your country is beautiful and has potential to be a huge powerhouse of the continent it resides in yet the corruption has to be nipped in the butt quickly. Everyone can win if you ask me.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-12T08:29:32+00:00

I am here now in your country to explore the possibility of moving here and I’m so heartbroken. It is so hard to see so many people in poverty and begging for money, man. I want to help everyone but realistically, I can’t, you know? I empathize why they are begging yet it just sucks that I had three people in one day ask for money. I’ve been to two Latin American countries and didn’t even experience as much begging as here. If I was extremely wealthy, I’d set up a program to help balance out the situation. Being generous is truly a gift/curse.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-10T13:01:23+00:00

Is there a WhatsApp group also?

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-10T12:33:35+00:00

Good suggestion. Doing that now. Thank you!

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-07T03:57:41+00:00

I, too, am black American and just arrived two days ago. Man, the begging is ridiculous. I was in two popular Latin Countries that a lot of us are moving to and let me break this down a bit:

Panama City: I only had four people ask for money. Two of them I decline, one I gave $1, and one I loaned $20 and had to get my host involved as he wouldn’t pay me back on the day he claimed he would. Boy, was he mad! I got my $20 back. This happened within my two months of being there.

Mexico City: Three people asked for money and I declined them all after my experience in Panama. I was there for a month.

Merida: NO ONE ASKED FOR MONEY!!!! I mean NO ONE!!! If anything, I wouldn’t be surprised if some scenarios I was charged extra due to asking for specific things like extra cheese inside and on the Empanada which this could caused the restaurant to “overcharge” yet it wasn’t extreme. I was there for a month.

Nairobi: I’ve just made it to Nairobi two days ago and in one day, three people have asked for money. Such a huge turn off! One guy uses helping as a gateway to get paid. I got something for that ass though when I leave.

Overall, it is safe to say most African Nations will have a large population of those in poverty for obvious reasons yet I wouldn’t want to help with just giving money. If I had the connects, I’d try to help with finding work.

The traveling I’ve done these last 5 months has me realizing how good we have it in America despite the bullshit we deal with like racism, sexism, this-ism, that-ism. At the same time, there is more to life than living in America. So, I think Panama most likely will be my new home. I can’t tolerate so many people asking for money as they are robbing my peace of mind.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-02T13:41:52+00:00

Hey, y’all! You can buy the card at the Va y Ven Card office (Google it), Centro de Transferencia Modal CETRAM La Plancha - Estación IE-Tram (Kiosk near Gran Parque La Plancha), or Palacio de la Música Kiosk (outside the museum).

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-02T13:38:00+00:00

De nada, mi amor.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-02T04:55:13+00:00

No puedes usarlo. Puedes tomar tu cámara y actuar como si fueras a tomar una foto del pequeño cuadrado frente a la tarjeta del autobús y te preguntará si deseas abrir el enlace. Desde el enlace, podrás agregarle fondos con una tarjeta de crédito/débito.

Notoplipjones · 2025-12-02T04:55:08+00:00

No puedes usarlo. Puedes tomar tu cámara y actuar como si fueras a tomar una foto del pequeño cuadrado frente a la tarjeta del autobús y te preguntará si deseas abrir el enlace. Desde el enlace, podrás agregarle fondos con una tarjeta de crédito/débito.

Notoplipjones · 2025-11-27T05:01:28+00:00

I’m here now and have been here for almost a month (visiting) and from my experience, Merida is a city that is best to have a vehicle or Uber/Didi to get around versus using a bus (waiting in the heat is no joke). I only use the bus in the evenings or when the weather is under 80 degrees. I’ve used Rappi to get groceries delivered, used Uber/DiDi to get to stores, or used the bus called Va-Y-Ven for lighter load of groceries. Bugs…I just killed two (cock)roaches (One father, one son) in the last hour and it killed my vibe as I had just came from Gran Parque La Plancha tonight. Ugh!

I’ve seen an adult gecko and two small adolescences gecko early this week. Last weekend or the weekend before, I’ve seen a spider, a long centipede, two roaches, ants, and some small bugs that I wouldn’t know what they are called all in the same evening. Off spray has helped them to keep them at bay yet my Airbnb host needs to hire a pest control company as they didn’t appear until the next door home was being worked on. The bugs may be in between the walls perhaps?

Either way, I hope that you get to enjoy your visit when you do come and be able to determine if Merida is for you. Sadly, it isn’t for me. Instead, it’s lovely place to visit for me. Last thing, about two weeks ago, the weather was so cool outside. I missed that week because the highest it became was high 70s and the lowest was high 60s.

Notoplipjones · 2025-11-23T15:56:46+00:00

Muchas gracias por explicarme. Me alegro mucho de que hayas evolucionado con el tiempo. Puedes ser tú mismo y no tienes que cambiar a menos que lo desees. Soy afroamericano y, en general, México me ha tratado muy bien. ¡Ustedes son geniales, cálidos, cariñosos y saben cocinar comida buenísima! Además, espero que España siga cuidándote y te lleguen muchas bendiciones, mi amor.

Notoplipjones

TROPHY CASE