. >>> cnn's raphael romo looks back on his life and work. ♪ >> reporter: by the time he won the nobelze in 1982, he was already an acclaimed writer. his works had already been published in multiple languages. garcia marquez would later tell adoring audiences that he always wanted to be a writer. >> translator: i knew that i was going to be a writer. i wanted to be a writer. i had the disposition, the energy, the ability to be a writer. i was always writing. i never thought about being something else. i never knew that i could make a living with this. >> reporter: his novel "100 years of solitude" published in 1967, made him a literary star. it sold more than 30 million copies throughout the world during his lifetime. it put a spotlight on the genre known as magical realism which reality and fiction clash, making it difficult for the reader to tell where one begins and where one ends. his association was highly valued by world leaders. he had a special bond with cuba's castro and the cuban people, often visiting the island and appearing in public with the communist leader. also a scree

raphael romo checked in to why. >> here we are. >> reporter: a toast with friends sitting by the pool in the backyard and enjoying unbeatable weather. it's the life sarah dreamed of, a life she found abroad. >> there's lots of people who have done it, and everybody likes it. >> reporter: the 63-year-old and her 70-year-old husband mike are both american retires from minnesota. they have been enjoying the warm weather and beaches for more than six years. sarah organizes activities for expats. >> we have lots of friends in our expats groups and we have happy hours, we have wine and appetizers, we have coffeys in different neighborhoods. we get together at different restaurants. >> reporter: medical care is another factor they considered when deciding to move here. >> the accessibility to the doctors is something that we just never experienced in the u.s. and from what we understand, it's getting more difficult, not less. >> reporter: many doctors and dentist officers cater to foreign clientele. medical care here and in general in mexico is much more affordable than in the united states.