My Story - Lisa Cobham
From the streets of San Miguel de Allende.
From Wandering to Welcoming 🚶🏾♀️🌄☀️👫
For a decade, I lived out of a suitcase, my heart always packed with curiosity. I touched down in the UK, danced under the African sun, wandered the cobbled streets of Eastern Europe, and got deliciously lost in Colombia, Portugal, Spain, and the vibrant soul of South America. I explored every country in Central America, one by one. My life was a series of one-way tickets, wild guesses, language barriers, and magical moments that made it all worth it. And yet—no matter where I went—I kept coming back to Mexico. Over and over again.
Now, I live here. On purpose. With purpose. And my journey was the foundation for what eventually became In The Know Mexico, a relocation service I built with my whole heart for those who want to live better, not just differently.
The Beautiful Shock of the Unknown 🌴🥭
I arrived in Mexico for the first time overwhelmed and exhilarated. The ocean sparkled like a jewel, the air was warm, and it felt like Mother Earth herself wrapped her arms around me every time I ate a mango fresh off the tree. But it wasn’t easy. It was real. And it required every ounce of courage I had.
I didn’t have a guide. No one gave me a list of what to do or how to settle in. So, I turned everyday tasks into mini missions.
“Today I’m going to find rice, beans, and milk—and pay for it in pesos.”
“Today I’m going to get a SIM card and make my phone work, even if I have to use hand gestures (Google Translate didn’t exist).”
“Today I’m going to get on a train in a country where every sign is in French and still find the Eiffel Tower.”
Every country came with its own code to crack—its systems, social rhythms, languages, and customs. At times, it was overwhelming. But I loved every moment of it. It shaped me. And it taught me how to live in a place, not just visit it.
Why I Kept Coming Back to Mexico 💖🇲🇽
There was something about Mexico that just… made sense. Not perfect. But possible. Affordable. Accessible. Kind.
It’s easy to get to and from the U.S.
It’s easy to find community.
It’s easy to learn Spanish because people are patient and generous with you.
It’s easy to feel joy in the streets—through music, food, conversation, and celebration.
And once I let myself belong here, Mexico gave me everything I was missing:
🌿 Healthy food that didn’t cost a fortune
🏥 Healthcare I could afford
🎭 Entertainment and hobbies that lit me up
👫 A community that understands—particularly those of us who have lived under the weight of capitalism and know there’s another way to be.
A Life Reinvented 🎒👣🌎
After all my travel, trial, and error, I created In The Know Mexico to share what I’ve learned—not because I read it in a book, but because I lived it.
I know what it’s like to be in a grocery store unable to find butter and you feeling ridiculous for not knowing how to ask for it.
I know the concern of handing your passport to a bus driver when crossing the boarder and praying they don’t forget to give it back.
I know the high of figuring out the ATM by yourself in a country where nothing is in English.
And I also know how good it feels to finally get it right. To thrive. To feel like a resident. To call Mexico home.
That’s why I help others do this now. To ease the transition. To cut through the red tape and confusion. To help people skip their concerns and go straight to freedom. With In the Know you don’t have to spend forever figuring it all out like I did. 🛬📲
Living abroad isn’t for everyone. But if you feel the call to live differently—to live fully—just know that it’s not a crazy dream. It’s a decision. And it might just be the best one you can make.
☀️ With love from Mexico,
Lisa
