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<br /> In the early 20th century, most glass production happened in factories. Even individual glassblowers making their own personalized designs would do their work in those large shared buildings. The idea of "art glass", small decorative works made of art, often with designs or objects inside, flourished. Pieces produced in small production runs, such as the Lampwork figures of <keyword id="4370830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="stanislav-brychta">Stanislav Brychta</keyword>, are generally called art glass.<br />
<br /> By the 1970s, there were good designs for smaller furnaces, and in the <keyword id="6356955" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-states">United States</keyword> this gave rise to the "studio glass" movement of glassblowers who blew their glass outside of factories, often in their own studios. This coincided with a move towards smaller production runs of particular styles. This movement spread to other parts of the world as well. And in India, you can now see a lot of work happening, thanks to a few dedicated artists who are passionate about glass.<br />
<br />
However India still lacks proper streamlining of the art form, be it through museum or workshops. Most artists have their own workshops where they work from and generally dependent on hospitality sector for commercial activities.<br />
<br /> Modern works of glass art can be seen in a dedicated glass museums and museums of contemporary art. These include the <keyword id="4370833" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="chrysler-museum">Chrysler Museum</keyword> in Norfolk, Virginia, the <keyword id="4370832" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="museum-of-glass">Museum of Glass</keyword> in <keyword id="110951" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tacoma">Tacoma</keyword>, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Toledo Museum of Art, and Corning Museum of Glass, in Corning, NY, which houses the world's largest collection of glass art and history, with more than 45,000 objects in its collection. The Museum of Fine Arts in <keyword id="6368596" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="boston">Boston</keyword> features a 42.5 feet (13.0 m) tall glass sculpture, <keyword id="4370831" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lime-green-icicle-tower">Lime Green Icicle Tower</keyword>, by <keyword id="319392" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dale-Chihuly">Dale Chihuly</keyword>. In February 2000 the <keyword id="4370834" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="smith-museum-of-stained-glass-windows">Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows</keyword>, located in <keyword id="6354604" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chicago">Chicago</keyword>'s <keyword id="4370836" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="navy-pier">Navy Pier</keyword>, opened as the first museum in <keyword id="20819" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="America">America</keyword> dedicated solely to stained glass <keyword id="6354717" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Windows">windows</keyword>. The museum features works by <keyword id="1036527" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Louis-Comfort-Tiffany">Louis Comfort Tiffany</keyword> and <keyword id="4370835" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="john-lafarge">John Lafarge</keyword>, and is open daily free to the public.<br />
<br />
In India, here are the leading glass artists who are pushing the glass ceiling:<br />
<br />
<em>(Image credit: Glass Sutra by Reshmi Dey. Sourced from the artist)</em><br />
<br />
<br />

These artists are re-inventing the contemporary glass art in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tim Davidson lives in a 270-square-foot <keyword id="1747991" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Tiny-House">tiny house</keyword> on wheels.</li><li>After moving around in the tiny house for two years, he purchased a private <keyword id="6406610" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="island">island</keyword> in <keyword id="6357385" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="florida">Florida</keyword>.</li><li>There he added a second tiny house, which has an octagon shape designed to withstand hurricanes.</li></ul><p>Tim Davidson's father gave him 60 days to move out of his family's vacation <keyword id="6363870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="home">home</keyword> in Florida.</p><p>Davidson had been living in the home for over a year when his family decided it was finally time for him to have his own place.</p><p>Like any 20-something moving out, Davidson considered his options. Houses were too big and too expensive, but Davidson wanted to invest his money in a property.</p><p>So he bought a <a href="https://www.insider.com/couple-dogs-traveling-around-navajo-nation-van-life-2021-2">tiny home</a> that would meet both his space and financial needs.</p><p>That was four years ago. Now 31, Davidson has purchased two <a href="https://www.insider.com/couple-built-shipping-container-tiny-home-with-suspension-bridge-2021-2">tiny homes</a> where he lives on a little island in Sarasota, Florida.</p><h2>In 2017, Tim Davidson was given a move-out date that started his tiny-home journey</h2><h2><div type="image" title="DSC_9453" height="801" width="1068" msid="81660802" hostid="261"></div></h2><p>Initially, Davidson considered buying a traditional-size home. While he was house hunting, he realized that a large home meant unused space, unnecessary belongings, more taxes, and more money. Davidson just wanted the necessities: a bedroom, living area, small kitchen, and access to the outdoors.</p><p>A <keyword id="9121649" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tiny-home">tiny home</keyword> felt like the answer; plus, he'd be saving money.</p><p>"That was a huge benefit of tiny living, from the financial standpoint of it," he told Insider. "I can pay this off faster than a traditional home and get everything I need with no wasted space."</p><p>With his move-out date quickly approaching, Davidson <a href="https://www.insider.com/review-i-would-trade-nyc-apartment-for-tiny-home-lifestyle">tested the lifestyle switch</a> he was about to make by living in a tiny house in Florida for two weeks.</p><p>The trial was a success, and he bought his own tiny home through the construction company <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anewbeginningtinyhomes/">A New Beginning Tiny Homes</a> for about $70,000.</p><p>By the 60-day mark, Davidson had moved into <a href="https://www.tiffanythetinyhome.com/">Tiffany</a>, his 270-square-foot <a href="https://www.insider.com/couple-lives-mid-century-modern-bus-tiny-home-wheels-2020-12">tiny house on wheels</a>.</p><h2>Davidson nicknamed his 270-square-foot tiny home Tiffany</h2><div type="image" title="DSC00789 01 01" height="919" width="1226" msid="81660805" hostid="261"></div><p>In May 2017, Davidson moved into his home with two boxes of belongings.</p><p>"I just dove right into the minimalism," he said. Davidson estimates that he got rid of 80% of his stuff.</p><p>Davidson quickly fell in love with the 1920s-Craftsman-style home, which he named <a href="https://www.tiffanythetinyhome.com/">Tiffany</a> because of the Tiffany-style light fixtures throughout.</p><p>In the lofted bedroom, there are two glass sconces made with colorful glass designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Across from the bedroom is another loft, with two more sconces. Similar lights also hang in the bathroom, living room, and kitchen downstairs. And two stained-glass windows scatter vibrant hues across the home.</p><div type="image" title="Untitled design   2021 03 17T125857.544" height="900" width="1200" msid="81660808" hostid="261"></div><p>The light fixtures had already been installed by the time Davidson bought the home.</p><p>"It was like a calling to me," he said of the lights in the home.</p><p>Davidson and his father work in the lighting industry. Growing up, his father made Tiffany light fixtures, so Davidson has childhood memories of his dad bringing home Tiffany light prototypes that would mesmerize him and his mother. Seeing similar fixtures in the tiny home, Davidson felt as if it was meant to be.</p><p>Davidson said he quickly grew into the space, but all he was missing was a permanent place to station his home. For the first two years he spent living in the tiny house, Davidson moved between destinations, visiting different <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-isolated-destinations-in-the-us-road-trip-rv-owners-2020-7">campgrounds</a> and tiny-home festivals.</p><p>Then, he found a "rusty piece of gold" in Sarasota.</p><h2>He bought a 1.5-acre private island to park his home</h2><div type="image" title="Address Here 2" height="1498" width="1997" msid="81660811" hostid="261"></div><p>Davidson found a listing for a 1.5-acre island on <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-do-in-florida-planning-a-trip-2019-4">Florida</a>'s west coast about two years ago. Davidson said Shellmate Island had been for sale for years but the seller was asking for an "astronomical price." After some negotiating, however, he purchased it for about $200,000.</p><p>Originally a true island, it's now an inland peninsula thanks to a little dirt road that leads to the property.</p><p>When he purchased the island - which Davidson has nicknamed Rusty Gold - it was overgrown and used to store old RVs. But Davidson turned it into a livable place by bringing in extra dirt to create a foundation and working with the city to set up utilities.</p><p>Today, the island is filled with <a href="https://www.insider.com/extraordinary-fruits-around-the-world-2019-3">tropical fruits</a>, such as mangoes, avocados, mulberries, lychees, pineapples, and figs.</p><p>"It's a beautiful piece of land," Davidson said. "It's totally private and surrounded by Brazilian peppers."</p><p>Davidson had everything set, but then Florida's <keyword id="16422" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="hurricane">hurricane</keyword> season shifted his priorities.</p><h2>His 2nd tiny home has an unusual shape designed for hurricane season</h2><div type="image" title="IMG_20201129_090455_553" height="1049" width="1398" msid="81660816" hostid="261"></div><p>Hurricane Irma was the first major hurricane Davidson experienced living in Florida. And though the hurricane didn't hit Sarasota badly, it made Davidson reconsider shelter.</p><p>Davidson, who grew up in Ohio, said he quickly became aware that evacuating wasn't easy with thousands of others also trying to leave. So if he wanted to be stationary for future hurricanes, he'd need a stronger home to withstand powerful hurricanes.</p><p>He bought another tiny home - this time, 320 square feet, for about $90,000 - that's meant to withstand hurricanes and strong winds thanks to its unusual octagon shape. Designed by <a href="https://www.deltechomes.com/learn-more/hurricane-resistance/">Deltec Homes</a>, the octagonal shape is meant to prevent wind from building up pressure and destroying the structure.</p><div type="image" title="tiffany the tiny home" height="1000" width="1333" msid="81660819" hostid="261"></div><p>Inside the home - which Davidson sometimes rents out on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F33166918%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1616603193_RZy6D5YqMHJ2WVOx%26guests%3D1%26adults%3D1">Airbnb</a> to help pay for his living expenses - there's no wasted space. The bedroom area takes up about half of the space, while the other half consists of a living and dining area, kitchen, and bathroom.</p><h2>Davidson has no regrets</h2><div type="image" title="IMG_20200421_114054" height="900" width="1200" msid="81660822" hostid="261"></div><p>Davidson said the first night in his tiny house felt like a momentous life event.</p><p>"I was nervous, but I was excited," he said. "There are certain moments in life where you're like: 'OK, this is a big step. I'm doing something drastic in my life.'"</p><p>So far, Davidson hasn't second-guessed living in a tiny home and says it's one of the best decisions he's made.</p>

What life is like for a man who has 2 tiny houses on his own private island in Florida

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Rimowa is best known for its sleek aluminum luggage that starts at $1,430.</li><li>The suitcase maker is one of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bernard-arnault-appoint-more-children-lvmh-board-alexandre-frederic-delphine-2024-1">LVMH's</a> fastest-growing brands.</li></ul><p>HBO's hit TV series "Entourage" has had a big influence on John Baptist's life.</p><p>The show ended in 2011. But it's one of the reasons he, 36, moved to Los Angeles — and why he's dropped about $5,800 to buy three Rimowa suitcases.</p><p>If you don't recognize the brand's name, you might know its iconic grooved aluminum luggage.</p><p>The cheapest model goes for $1,430, while the largest rings in at $2,450. There are also more niche variations, like a 12-wine bottle suitcase, which costs $9,900, and a new $2,125 cross-body bag.</p><p>Despite —or maybe because of — its price, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alexandre-arnault-profile-tiffany-rimowa-lvmh-2021-7">Rimowa's</a> shiny four-wheeled bags are now a common sight in the overhead bins of business-class cabins and airport lounges.</p><p>But when "Entourage" was still on the air, the show's characters and celebrities were the only people Baptist saw toting the industrial-chic bags. (These days, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gq.com/gallery/rimowa-celebrity-suitcases-nyc-exhibition">icons like</a> Martha Stewart, Rodger Federer, and Billie Eilish are fans too.)</p><div type="image" title="John Baptist carrying two pieces of Rimowa luggage." height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465437" hostid="261" sizebytes="227378"></div><p>It's what lured him — a lifestyle content creator and real estate flipper — to the brand and why he eventually "splurged" to buy his first Rimowa, the $2,175 aluminum trunk, about 1 ½ years ago, he told BI.</p><p>He's since purchased a second trunk for his girlfriend and a $1,430 carry-on luggage for himself.</p><p>"This is a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-adult-summer-camps-new-hot-vacation-2024-9">status </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-adult-summer-camps-new-hot-vacation-2024-9">symbol</a> for me," Baptist said. "It's the same thing as my Goyard wallet. I achieved purchasing it, and it's a necessity for me now."</p><h2 id="534279f8-c9d9-4e4f-9140-b1ad8dff14f2"><strong>LVMH acquired the now-126-year-old German company in 2016</strong></h2><div type="image" title="person walking in front of Rimowa store" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465451" hostid="261" sizebytes="262786"></div><p>Rimowa may not be as talked about as LVMH's 74 other iconic brands like Fendi, Louis Vuitton, or Tiffany and Co., but it certainly holds its ground in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-bernard-arnault-owner-louis-vuitton-lvmh-net-worth">Bernard Arnault's world of luxury</a>.</p><p>LVMH's revenue dipped just over 1% in the first half of 2024 amid a slowdown in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-goods-sales-slow-clothes-shoes-china-bain-company-travel-2024-6">demand for luxury goods in China</a>. But Rimowa continued "excellent momentum," LVMH <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.lvmh.com/en/publications/good-results-for-lvmh-in-the-first-half-of-the-year-despite-the-prevailing-environment">said</a>.</p><p>A spokesperson told Business Insider that the luggage maker is now one of its parent company's fastest-growing brands. It has expanded its presence from Europe and Asia into North America, with the US now one of its top markets.</p><h2 id="92b12dfb-1dcb-43f2-8587-e6daf895ae5f"><strong>German engineering — luggage style</strong></h2><div type="image" title="rows of Rimowa suitcases on display" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465446" hostid="261" sizebytes="146082"></div><p>Rimowa gave rise to two of the largest hard-shelled luggage trends when it debuted its aluminum luggage in the 1920s and its polycarbonate options eighty years later.</p><p>Since then, myriad competitors like Away, Samsonite, and Tumi have unveiled similar styles — most for a fraction of Rimowa's price.</p><p>With other options on the market, you might wonder why it's worth splurging on a suitcase that costs double that of a flight to Europe. After all, Rimowa's iconic bags were absent from Good Housekeeping, Travel and Leisure, and Wirecutter's 2024 best luggage lists. </p><p>To understand why they've become a cult classic, its biggest fans say you have to try one of these bags for yourself. And it's fine if they break — Rimowa offers a lifetime warranty.</p><h2 id="ebb410e9-305c-483e-b244-e9798486bdd2"><strong>Rimowa's 3 Ws: Wheels, warranty, and wear</strong></h2><div type="image" title="composite of 3 photos of Rimowa suitcases" height="1490" width="2979" msid="113465452" hostid="261" sizebytes="435122"></div><p>Tania Antonenkova, a Miami-based luxury content creator and self-described "Birkin woman," said Rimowa is the sole reason she can't <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dior-italy-labor-investigation-contractors-lvmh-armani-luxury-bags-2024-7">boycott LVMH</a> as she'd like to.</p><p>Antonenkova, 32, has been a loyal Rimowa collector for five years. She estimates she and her husband have purchased more than 17 of its suitcases. "It's literally a closet full of Rimowa," she told BI, noting that she's spent about $6,000 on the company.</p><p>Antonenkova flies two to three times a month and goes on at least three long-haul flights a year, often for work (in tech sales). She generally sticks to the polycarbonate Rimowas — the iconic aluminum ones are heavier, have broken her nails, and snag her purses and clothes.</p><div type="image" title="Tania Antonenkova surrounded by Rimowa pieces of luggage" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465439" hostid="261" sizebytes="175070"></div><p>She believes the quality of Rimowa's products declined after LVMH acquired the company. Still, no other luggage maker can compare to its quality, comfort, and convenience.</p><p>"When you travel a lot, you want it to be as pain-free and hassle-free as possible," Antonenkova said, noting that she's partial to Rimowa's interior compartments and wheels.</p><p>It's a sentiment other fans share.</p><div type="image" title="close-up of Rimowa luggage locks" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465447" hostid="261" sizebytes="128124"></div><p>Carter Smith, 19, told BI that he considers the wheels on his months-old Rimowa aluminum carry-on "the best in the industry." The bag's durability, auto-close handle, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-gen-z-travel-debt-affirm-klarna-credit-cards-2024-8">status symbol</a> title have also been big positives.</p><p>Smith, a consumer tech content creator, travels two to three times a month. He doesn't consider himself a luxury traveler — he's more of a "try to get an exit row" than a first-class or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/success-rise-of-premium-economy-comfort-affordable-luxury-2024-7">comfort-plus</a> flyer, according to his TikTok <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@carterpcs/video/7343427339667148078">review</a> of the luggage.</p><p>The thought of buying a high-end suitcase had never crossed his mind. That is, until he spotted a Rimowa in the wild (Las Vegas) two years ago, a moment he remembers vividly.</p><div type="image" title="Rimowa luggage in store" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465441" hostid="261" sizebytes="230368"></div><p>He thought the shiny luggage looked cooler than his previous one from Away. And while he called the cost of his new suitcase "a little insane" — $1,550 after tax and shipping — he decided to max out his credit card for the purchase.</p><p>However, his sentiment on travel splurges remains the same: "I'm walking to the back of the plane with my beat-up Crocs, my $2 Haines t-shirt, and my Rimowa," Smith told BI.</p><p>Fitting for a tech guy, he did note that his bag is not as technologically advanced as other luggage options. There are no integrated chargers, for example, and the lock on his suitcase is manual.</p><p>However, he has no complaints — it's "timeless."</p><h2 id="c913e996-fc5c-4291-a0d4-eca8eeb9f09d"><strong>Rimowa creates its products with a 'design to be repaired ethos'</strong></h2><div type="image" title="inside of Rimowa bag" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465448" hostid="261" sizebytes="323754"></div><p>Rimowa's decision to offer a lifetime warranty on products purchased after July 2022 "put a new level of urgency on achieving repairability," Bonnet-Masimbert told BI. "If you offer a lifetime guarantee, any break is a cost to your company."</p><p>According to Rimowa's CEO, the company analyzes the repairs it performs every week and tweaks the design to prevent future incidents.</p><p>The warranty policy and quick repairs have greatly benefited travelers like Vanessa Garoute, a 30-year-old Los Angeles-based hairstylist. Drawn to the durability and sleekness of Rimowa, she has purchased six pieces — three for herself and three for her boyfriend — since 2017.</p><p>She now considers herself a lifelong Rimowa customer.</p><div type="image" title="composite of Vanessa Garoute with luggage and more luggage on hotel cart" height="1073" width="1431" msid="113465449" hostid="261" sizebytes="172174"></div><p>Garoute has considered competitors like Béis and Away. But once Rimowa implemented its lifetime warranty, "it was over," she said. "Rimowa won."</p><p>And for good reason — she's had two of her carry-on Rimowas repaired, once after her 10-year-old aluminum one cracked on a flight back from France and another after an airline broke a wheel off of her "essential lite" luggage.</p><p>The Rimowa store fixed the former in five minutes — despite her having purchased it before the lifetime warranty policy went into effect — and gave her a new suitcase for the latter.</p><p>"The amount of money people spend in replacing their luggage all the time, they might as well just invest in one that will repair itself," Garoute told BI. "Yes, it's expensive when you swipe your card, but after that, you'll never swipe it again."</p><div type="image" title="aluminum Rimowa suitcase with stickers" height="1725" width="2300" msid="113465443" hostid="261" sizebytes="344552"></div><p>Just don't bring your luggage in for repairs when it inevitably gets scuffed up.</p><p>Rimowa's CEO said he would rather see his products scratched up — or, as he said, "carrying the scars of all the travels" — than in pristine condition.</p><p>Think of it as "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/style/fashion/jane-birkinifying-tiktok/">Jane Birkinifying</a>" your luggage. The more you've traveled and beat it up, the better — even if you end up "hyper-fixating on every little piece of damage" on your more than $1,500 purchase, as Smith said.</p><p>"People on social media are really mean about Rimowa," Garoute said. "But I don't know any Rimowa lovers who don't buy more than one. I will have them for the rest of my life."</p>

This $1,400 luggage is the hottest quiet status symbol for celebrities and wealthy travelers. The more beat up it looks, the better.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Earlier this year, I decided to <a href="https://www.insider.com/moving-from-us-to-mexico-what-surprised-me-2021-7">move from the US to Mexico</a>, and the transition was very positive.</li><li>I've experienced better medical care, work-life balance, and general quality of life in <keyword id="11933000" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mexico" source="Orion">Mexico</keyword>.</li></ul><p>On May 21, I left the US and moved to Mexico to seek a <a href="https://www.insider.com/moving-from-us-to-mexico-what-surprised-me-2021-7">better, more peaceful quality of life</a> free from <a href="https://www.catalyst.org/research/structural-racism-black-americans/">structural racism</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/advice-for-buying-and-fixing-up-a-used-van">No matter where I move</a>, I always enter the new journey with an open mind and heart, and I try to be understanding and accepting of customs that may be different from my home country.</p><p>Here are some of the things the surprised me when I moved to Mexico:</p><h2><strong>The weather is drastically different depending on what region of the country you're in</strong></h2><p>Many people think the weather is warm and tropical everywhere in Mexico, but the country has a varied climate. </p><p>The weather in Mexico City is comparable to a mix between San Diego and Seattle. It can be warm and sunny, but during the rainy season, the temperatures drop and the sun barely shines.</p><p>It's been a bit cooler than I expected, but I'm still very pleased with the weather overall.</p><p>In Mérida, the first city I stayed in before transitioning to Mexico City, the temperatures can reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit with high levels of humidity to match. I love the heat, but it's not for everyone. </p><h2><strong>Mexico has a diverse topography to explore</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="amber wading in water holding a waling stick in mexico" height="1155" width="1536" msid="87724369" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>The landscape of Mexico has a little bit of everything, from <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-mountains-in-the-world-2018-4">mountains</a>, volcanoes, and deserts to waterfalls and oceans.</p><p>Mexico City is at the base of a large bowl surrounded by <a href="https://en.mxcity.mx/2016/04/mexico-citys-mountains/">two mountain ranges</a>, the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental. I can see the beauty of the mountains from my living room on clear days.</p><p>There are also 48 <a href="https://en.mxcity.mx/2016/04/mexico-citys-mountains/">active</a> volcanoes. The closest volcano to Mexico City, Popocatépetl, is about 43 miles away.</p><p>For many Mexican residents and tourists, another must-see destination is Las Grutas Tolantongo, a natural set of heated pools and springs. The water is heated from within the mountains and flows out for visitors to enjoy. </p><h2><strong>I can access many of the same shops and restaurants as I did in the US</strong></h2><p>If you're missing a taste of home, there are so many options. Since <keyword id="11915966" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="moving" source="Orion">moving</keyword> to Mexico, I've seen TGI Friday's, Chili's, <a href="https://www.insider.com/eating-every-subway-sandwich-review-and-photos">Subway</a>, Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Shake Shack, <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-buy-for-one-person-at-costco-cheap-2021-11">Costco</a>, Walmart, and many others.</p><p>Popular stores like Forever 21, H&amp;M, Tiffany &amp; Co, and Louis Vuitton are also located around the country. It's a common misconception that all of these "luxuries" will be stripped away once you leave the US.</p><p>I personally enjoy going to more local shops, markets, and restaurants, but it's nice to have the option.</p><h2><strong>The traffic isn't nearly as bad as I expected for a metropolitan city </strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="amber standing in the middle of a street in mexico" height="866" width="1152" msid="87724372" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Before moving to Mexico City, I researched what it'd be like to <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-road-trips-in-the-world-2018-7">drive there</a> and concluded that I couldn't comfortably do it. It seemed extremely hectic.</p><p>Now that I'm living here, it doesn't seem nearly as bad, especially when compared to driving in <a href="https://www.insider.com/places-to-visit-in-new-york-travel-ideas-2019-2">New York</a>. I haven't quite worked up the courage to try it yet, but it was reassuring to see that it's possible.</p><p>I haven't seen any accidents either, which is a drastic difference from generally seeing at least two wrecks a day in Arizona.</p><p>Drivers often make right turns from the left lane, and it's not uncommon to see many people cutting across various lanes. But if you pay close enough attention, everyone flows with each other. </p><h2><strong>Not knowing Spanish hasn't been detrimental to surviving in Mexico</strong></h2><p>One of my biggest worries about <a href="https://www.insider.com/apps-for-traveling-dont-speak-the-language-2018-7">learning a second language</a> is that people may judge or critique my speaking skills, as unfortunately often happens in the US to non-English speakers.</p><p>But not being completely fluent in Spanish hasn't been as much of a hindrance as I expected because many people live by the slogan "give a little, get a little." As long as you try, people will generally be open to chatting with you the best that they can.</p><p>I always try to speak as much Spanish as possible with others, but it's nice to know that I won't be ridiculed for any mistakes made along the way.</p><p>My Spanish lessons help with increasing my speaking confidence, but the kindness of others helps just as much.</p><h2><strong>Public transportation is easy to navigate and even has sections dedicated solely to women and children</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="women and children's section of the subway in mexico" height="1155" width="1536" msid="87724377" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Mexico City has a large <a href="https://www.insider.com/testing-public-transportation-in-japan-vs-america-differences-subway">public-transportation system</a>. You can access just about any area of the city, which is a great perk since I don't plan on purchasing a car.</p><p>In an effort to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=727165187424991">minimize the level of sexual harassment</a> women experience, the first few carts of the train are dedicated to only women and children. This makes the ride feel both safer and more comfortable.</p><p>The bus system is also extremely reliable, with several centralized stops. </p><h2><strong>It's generally fine to shower and brush your teeth with tap water, but you can't drink it</strong></h2><p>Coming from the US, it can be a shock to many that you <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/is-tap-water-safe-to-drink#in-mexico">shouldn't drink tap water in Mexico</a>. <a href="https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/dont-drink-from-the-tap-in-these-10-countries">The Centers for Disease Control</a> advises against it for tourists and visitors. </p><p>While traveling to different countries with similar restrictions I wasn't cooking often, so I didn't really notice how hard it made it. Since relocating to Mexico, I've had to learn how to properly clean my meats and fruits.</p><h2><strong>Love is everywhere around you, and the PDA is off the charts</strong></h2><p>It's not uncommon to see couples straddling in the park or cozying up for an intimate make-out session. The love overflows in abundance and makes for a light-hearted, easy-going environment.</p><p>At first, it was a huge surprise to me, but now it's beautiful seeing how many people genuinely care for each other and aren't afraid to show it.</p><p>In non-romantic relationships, I've seen grandchildren holding the hands of their elders and giving them hugs and kisses. I've also seen parents swinging their toddlers between them, sharing laughs, and showering them with kisses.</p><h2><strong>There's an abundance of parks, one of the most famous being Bosque de Chapultepec</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="amber longing on a bench in a part in mexico" height="1536" width="2048" msid="87724380" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Even though Mexico City is a huge metropolitan area, there are plenty of parks spread throughout the city.</p><p>One of the most popular parks for tourists is Parque Mexico, which is home to live music, skating lessons, salsa lessons, dog training, and fitness areas.</p><p>Locals and tourists alike rave about the world-famous Bosque de Chapultepec, which is said to be <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-28-tr-32347-story.html#:~:text=In%20a%20city%20of%20magnificent,%2C%20arguably%2C%20finest%20urban%20park.">almost twice the size of New York's Central Park</a>. It offers paddle boating, museums, a zoo, and plenty of food stands for a quick lunch.</p><p>One of my personal favorite parks is Parque Hundido, which offers running lanes, a large dog park, and a floral clock in the middle of the park. </p><h2><strong>Mexico is extremely dog friendly</strong></h2><p>I always joke that you see <a href="https://www.insider.com/vets-answer-questions-about-dogs-that-youre-afraid-to-ask">more dogs</a> than children in certain areas of Mexico City. </p><p>People treat their dogs like a true addition to the family, and many of them are trained to be off-leash, sporting the cutest shoes and accessories.</p><p>They have so much autonomy to run on their own, but I rarely see them losing sight of their owners.</p><h2><strong>The work-life balance is noticeably different from the US</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="amber at the Frida Kahlo museum in mexico" height="1155" width="1536" msid="87724381" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>It's always <keyword id="12234933" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="surprising" source="Orion">surprising</keyword> how many people I see out on a random Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon spending time with their loved ones or working on their personal hobbies. For many in the US, that's a luxury.</p><p>Here, although work is still important, it doesn't feel like the center of reality.</p><p>More priority is placed on living and enjoying life as opposed to constant productivity. </p><h2><strong>Medical care is more affordable and accessible even without health insurance</strong></h2><p>Since moving to Mexico, I've prioritized my personal health. When choosing to see a dentist, massage therapist, chiropractor, or therapist, I've been able to make and schedule an appointment within a week or less.</p><p>This is drastically different from my experience in the US, where I've waited weeks to simply be referred to a specialist. As a Black person, I also feel medical care in the US is greatly lacking due to <a href="https://tcf.org/content/report/racism-inequality-health-care-african-americans/?session=1">racial discrimination and prejudices</a>.</p><p>It's affordable to see doctors in Mexico without health insurance, plus they've genuinely cared about the outcomes of their service and treatment. My doctors give me the space to ask questions, and they constantly ask how I'm feeling and if everything makes sense. </p><p>It's a priceless experience to be treated with care and dignity, especially in a vulnerable space.</p><h2><strong>You can and should eat the street food</strong></h2><p>Some of the <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-make-good-tacos-at-home-2019-3">best tacos</a> I've had in the city have come from street carts on the side of the road. Many mornings I walk to the park and grab a fresh cup of juice for about $1 and a chicken torta for about $1.75.</p><p>In my neighborhood alone, there are probably close to 30 food stands offering tacos, sandwiches and tortas, gorditas, elote, and freshly squeezed juice - all at extremely affordable prices.</p><p>A pro tip is to go first thing in the morning or at lunchtime to ensure that your food is fresh and hasn't been sitting out long. </p><h2>There's a great appreciation for the arts</h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="amber at a museum in mexico" height="1152" width="1536" msid="87724382" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Mexican art is super vibrant and creative, as illustrated in the many street murals throughout the city and in popular museums such as Frida Kahlo Museum and the Modern Art Museum.</p><p>So many of the people I've interacted with are writers, artists, musicians, and photographers. </p><p>As a <a href="http://www.instagram.com/thedreamerslens">photographer</a> and creative writer myself, it's been one of the greatest surprises. The country has a special way of encouraging and inspiring you to tap into your creative abilities.</p><h2><strong>My skin color doesn't solely define who I am or how I'm treated</strong></h2><p>Being Black is a different experience depending on both the cultural and political views of the country you're in. Additionally, the treatment I've received visiting somewhere as a tourist is completely different from living in a local neighborhood.</p><p>In the US, I often felt like <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/06/03/10-things-we-know-about-race-and-policing-in-the-u-s/">I had a constant target on my back</a>. Being Black in Mexico has been nothing short of peaceful, welcoming, and accepting.</p><p>The greatest surprise wasn't that people in Mexico were kind, but that my levels of stress and anxiety from living in the US have become nearly non-existent. </p><h2><strong>I haven't once regretted my decision to move to Mexico</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="amber perched in front of colorful street murals in mexico" height="1152" width="1536" msid="87724384" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Expatriating to Mexico has been one of the greatest decisions I've ever made for my health, my professional career, and my overall quality of life.</p><p>I've learned more about Mexican and Mayan cultures, traditions, and daily lifestyles, and it's presented me with the opportunity to <a href="http://www.thedreamerslens.com">teach and consult others</a> on what it's like to be an expatriate.</p>

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