What it’s like to move to Mexico, Greece and Costa Rica

On Sep 30, 2021

For many, 2020 will be remembered as a year they spent at home.

Others took a different path. They packed their bags and moved to places that many only dream of visiting.

Here’s how they feel about their decision one year on, in their own words.

From Boston to Napa Valley, California

Name: Ian O’Reilly
Occupation: Sommelier

Before the pandemic, I was employed as a beverage manager in Boston. The restaurant where I worked closed in March of 2020, and I was subsequently laid off. As I reflected on my career, I realized I no longer wanted to work in restaurants. The hours and lifestyle had taken a toll. I began to explore the possibility of moving to Napa Valley, California, to be on the agricultural side of the wine business.

My girlfriend — who is also an advanced sommelier — and I moved to the town of Napa in September of 2020 with our two dogs. I had no job, and I quickly realized the job market was extremely limited due to the pandemic.

Ian O’Reilly moved to Napa Valley without a job; he now holds two positions in the wine industry.

Courtesy of Ian O’Reilly

At that point, I was hired to host online wine tastings at Virtual With Us. For the first time in my life I worked exclusively from home. I was connected with several other sommeliers from around the country who had lost their jobs in restaurants. Given the caliber of people on the team, I was thrilled to be included.

Last April, I took a job as a logistics manager at a start-up wine company in Sonoma but continued to host online events. The marriage of the two really brought my wine experience full circle. I now manage an inventory of fine and rare wines by day but I get to talk about them as a virtual sommelier.

I’m working less hours and having way more fun. Plus, the cost of living in Napa is about half of that in downtown Boston.

At this point, I have no intention of leaving. I am a permanent resident of vacationland.

From New York City to Greece

Name: Peter Despotopoulos
Occupation: Marketing director

In New York, I was the vice president and managing partner of a custom millwork shop. I decided to move because I was genuinely unhappy there. I always felt drained and exhausted. I hated my job and line of work.

Most importantly, I felt like the cost of living did not correspond to the quality of life. I was drowning in debt because everything I enjoyed doing was expensive — Knicks games, fine dining, concerts. The pandemic exposed New York City as this really expensive, densely populated area with no natural beauty and limited options for simple pleasures.

The cost of living in Greece is much cheaper than New York.

Peter Despotopoulos

Marketing director, Moro

In New York, I rented a one-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a new luxury 60-unit building in the Long Island City/Astoria area. I now rent a two-bedroom apartment in a six-unit modern building in an affluent part of Athens called Voula — an area known as the “Athens Riviera.” I have a pool, and the beach is a…