By Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN

(CNN) — As a single mother of three “living paycheck to paycheck” in California, Janet Blaser had become resigned to constantly worrying about paying her bills and always “feeling less than.”

However, she began reevaluating her life after a series of events led her to take a “random vacation” to Mazatlán, Mexico in April 2005.

“I really wanted an adventure,” Janet tells CNN Travel.

Less than a year later, she relocated from Santa Cruz, California, to the vibrant city, situated along Mexico’s west coast.

“It’s home now,” she adds.

‘I felt invisible’

So what led Janet, originally from Long Island, New York, to pack up her life and move hundreds of miles away?

“My mom was ill and dying,” she says. “And she really, really encouraged me to follow my dream

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