Mexican Immigrant Leaves NYC Hustle Culture Behind

After chasing the American dream in New York City, a law student returns home to Mexico City to find a more sustainable life.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Santiago Barraza Lopez, a law student from Mexico City, moved to New York in 2020 to pursue the American dream. However, he found the demanding hustle culture in NYC to be unsustainable, leading him to leave the city two years later. Barraza Lopez reflects on how growing up in Mexico City's high-crime environment shaped his desire for a more balanced life, and how New York's intensity ultimately made him realize he needed to prioritize his own well-being over relentless ambition.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges faced by immigrants chasing the American dream, as well as the toll that New York City's fast-paced, high-pressure culture can take. It explores how one's upbringing and values can clash with the expectations of success in the US, leading some to ultimately reject the hustle in favor of a more sustainable lifestyle.

The details

Barraza Lopez, a native of Mexico City, enrolled in law school in New York City in 2020, eager to prove himself on what he saw as the world's biggest stage. However, he found the city's demanding schedule and relentless hustle culture to be overwhelming, pushing him to his limits. After two years in New York, Barraza Lopez decided to leave, realizing that the American dream he had chased was unsustainable for him.

  • Barraza Lopez moved to New York City at the end of 2020.
  • He left New York City two years later, in 2022.

The players

Santiago Barraza Lopez

A law student from Mexico City who moved to New York City in 2020 to pursue the American dream, but ultimately left the city two years later due to the unsustainable hustle culture.

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What they’re saying

“New York was exactly as advertised: expensive, intense, chaotic, and unapologetically demanding. It rewarded momentum and punished hesitation. Everything required effort: finding housing, building community, maintaining balance.”

— Santiago Barraza Lopez (businessinsider.com)

“I understood exactly what the city offered: access, intensity, momentum. I also understood exactly what New York and the American dream demanded in return: everything.”

— Santiago Barraza Lopez (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

Barraza Lopez has since moved to London, another global hub, where he hopes to find a more sustainable work-life balance.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges faced by immigrants chasing the American dream, and how the relentless hustle culture of a city like New York can ultimately lead some to reject that path in favor of a more balanced and fulfilling life.