When I left the U.S. for Mazatlán, Mexico 15 years ago, I had stars in my eyes. Everything about this place seemed wonderful, and since retiring a few years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy them to the fullest.

To many people, the expat life seems like such a big unknown. But in reality, your day-to-day life won’t be that much different than it is right now. You might not find it to be exactly what you expected, though, and there will still be some downsides.

But those things weren’t deal-breakers for me. In fact, when people ask about my experience, I tell them I’m never moving back to the U.S. Here’s what I love about living in Mexico, and why it’s the perfect place to retire:The food is fantastic

The food is fantastic

Mexican cuisine is so much more than tacos and burritos. That weather we love is good for growing tropical fruits and vegetables, as evidenced by the abundance and affordability of avocados, mangos, pineapples, limes and coconuts.

In Mazatlán, seafood is king. Some iconic dishes the city is known for are aguachile (raw shrimp marinated in lime juice, chilies and salt) and ceviche (raw fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice, with tomatoes, cucumber, onions and jalapeños).