North America Chevron. Mexico Chevron. Mexico City Chevron. This is part of Why I Moved , a recurring series about Americans building a life abroad.
For cannabis and food writer Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey , a winter-sun whim turned into a decade in Mexico City. In , a particularly frigid November in Brooklyn was brutal enough to have her seriously consider leaving the United States for warmer pastures. It was very much a gut feeling. There's just something really electric about this city. It just felt right. I needed a break from being, like, a human icicle.
I wanted more sunshine. I was probably yearning for the West Coast, in particular; a few years before coming to Brooklyn, I was living in California. So a jump to Mexico made a lot of sense. That desire for warmth is a big part of why I moved. He was in a punk band that toured in Mexico City when he was younger, and he kept in touch with everyone he met there. So when we arrived, a lot of his friends became my close friendsโpoets, artists, thinkers.
It was beautiful, having a sort of soft landing, a great community to fall into. Though our relationship didn't last, my love affair with Mexico City did, and I still live here on my own. That required speaking to an immigration lawyer , someone who knew all about the necessary paperwork.
After having temporary residency for two years, I got my permanent residency. The next step would be to pursue things like citizenship and a passport.
