I Moved Abroad Solo After Empty Nest — Three Countries, One Year, Total Reset

Plan A: Guadalajara — What Really Happened in My First Year Abroad as an Empty Nest Single Parent.

In my first year as an empty nest single parent abroad, my Plan A was to build a new life in Guadalajara, Mexico. When I couldn’t make it work, that plan exploded into 3 countries, job struggles, and a complete restart.

This 21-minute recap shows what my year really looked like: five months of daily life in Guadalajara, plus the detours, challenges, and surprises that came with starting over abroad after empty nest.
If you’re a single parent in your 40s–60s thinking about leaving the U.S. after the kids move out, this is the honest version of what that first year abroad can really look like.

In this video, you’ll see:
• Daily life in Guadalajara as an empty nest single parent
• Why I had to leave Mexico and where I went next
• What I loved (and struggled with) in Belize and Guatemala
• Making a MAJOR career decision while in Belize
• What I’d do differently, planning my next home base

Chapters:
00:00 — On The Road Again
00:06 — Tucson Airport
01:00 — Puerto Vallarta Vacay
02:05 — My Life in Guadalajara
10:24 — Leaving Mexico Sin Oferta de Empleo
11:12 — Four Weeks in Belize and a Major Pivot
17:09 — Onward to Guatemala
18:11 — Eighteen Days in Antigua
20:11 — Last stop of 2025: Guatemala City

About The SPEND Channel:
If you’re a single parent empty nester in the USA, and you’re serious about living abroad for the first time, this channel is for you. I share my real experiences, mistakes, and lessons as I explore potential countries, including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and beyond.

More videos to watch next on my channel:
• My experiences living abroad as an empty nest single dad
• Cost of living and healthcare comparisons for Americans thinking about moving overseas
• Step-by-step planning for your first move abroad as a single parent

Subscribe to follow the journey and start planning your own escape from the empty nest.

Visit The SPEND Channel online: https://thespendchannel.com
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Tags:
#singleparent #emptynester #digitalnomad #expatlife #slowtravel #travelvlog #solotravel #singledad #tefl #middleaged #careerpivot #teachingenglishabroad #thespendchannel #mexico #belize #guatemala