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Post by DryCreek on May 20, 2019 20:37:43 GMT -5
This article popped up in my news feed recently, and I thought it was interesting. Aside from the laughable byline that more people might emigrate from the US to Mexico than vice-versa. yucatanexpatlife.com/migration-of-u-s-citizens-into-mexico-becoming-a-cultural-phenomenonI also came across a video by a retiree who experienced the good and bad of medical care in Mexico - the plus being that it’s remarkably cheaper; the bad being that his US insurance refused to cover the costs. And on a recent trip, I met a fellow from California who was running his US software consulting business remotely from Vallarta. That sounds cool. But the real point of this note is to poke northstarmom because she’s mentioned an upcoming relocation to Mexico, and see if she has the time / inclination to share her first-hand experiences with deciding to make the move. What inspired you / what unique things have you learned in planning the move / how’d you research where to go (or is that still fluid) / why Mexico vs other countries? I think some others have voiced a similar desire, but to other countries. Where? Why? Weather? Cost of living? Escaping politics? (good luck!) |
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Post by saarinista on May 21, 2019 16:31:15 GMT -5
I don't think concept of more people relocating to Mexico or other countries then staying here is laughable at all.
In fact, I personally know a couple who did that. Moved there from Atlanta. The cost of living is much lower in Mexico, they feel safe in their area and HEALTHCARE is cheap and accessible.
I'm sure not every part of Mexico is like that, and of course they're fortunate enough to have money they earned in the United States which probably gives them a better lifestyle than many Mexicans, but still.....
Mexico is not a wholly undeveloped country by any means. Nor are many of the other countries that people like to put down as being "less than."
Have you seen that TV show on HGTV about people house hunting to move to other countries? I've seen segments on people moving to Mexico and other places in Latin America, as well as pricier digs in Europe, Singapore and the like.
I have no plans to leave the US. But over the last couple years, for the first time ever, I've fantasized about it. There are lots of great places in the world.
That said, nowhere is perfect, but I will say I've been seriously considering going south of the Mexican border at least for some dental work. I'll definitely do it if I happen to be down there visiting a friend.
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Post by northstarmom on May 21, 2019 17:43:07 GMT -5
DryCreek said: "But the real point of this note is to poke northstarmom because she’s mentioned an upcoming relocation to Mexico, and see if she has the time / inclination to share her first-hand experiences with deciding to make the move. What inspired you / what unique things have you learned in planning the move / how’d you research where to go (or is that still fluid) / why Mexico vs other countries?"
I decided to move because I was very unhappy with what is going on in the U.S. and I also -- for good reason -- felt unsafe in the U.S . I pledged to leave the U.S. and told post SM partner that he was welcome to join me but whether or not he did, I was leaving. At first, we considered Panama because International Living magazine had said they were the #1 destination for expats. Panama uses U.S. dollars for currency, and I could use their VA hospital that's affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. The pictures looked great, and we were planning to move there until I learned that the reason that you can put toilet paper in the toilet there is that the toilets dump straight into the ocean. Ugh.
So, then I decided to check out International Living's second choice country, which was Mexico. I'd been there several times before and liked it. So, my guy and I made 3 trips there, found it beautiful, lots of arts and other cultural events, and it was easy to meet people and the cost of living is 30% below the U.S. Medical care -- including Cialis-- is much cheaper then the U.S. and many fo the doctors are U.S. trained and
speak excellent English. The doctors also make house calls. My guy abdominal pain during our last visit, and --since he had had a heart attack 10 years ago -- I insisted that he see a doctor. We went to a private clinic. Within 10 minutes (and with no insurance paperwork to fill out), he was seen by a doctor, who examined him, diagnosed him with food poisoning and had a nurse give him a shot. Then the doctor sat with him while he got an IV. The doctor was with him about 40 minutes. After my guy got the IV, he felt great. The bill for all of that was about $40! We see why lots of people in the U.S. go to Mexico for medical and dental care.
We also liked Mexico's s being closer to the U.S. than is Panama so it will be easier for us to see friends and relatives in the U.S. and for them to see us. We found a lovely place to live that has a more moderate climate than where we now in the deep south. And we can pursue our arts interests there. If we eventually need assisted living, the facilities in Mexico are very affordable. A friend, who is a medical social worker, placed her disabled adult son in one there. HIs disability check is equivalent to the cost. Because most Mexicans take care of their own disabled and elderly relatives, most of the people in assisted living places in Mexico are from the U.S. or Canada, so there are plenty of English speakers to connect with. Consequently, in about 3 weeks, we'll be living there.
Ironically, I had thought my ex was nuts when he chose to retire in Asia, but now I think he made a good decision to retire outside of the U.S. in a place where the cost of living is much lower. Never imagined I'd be following in his footsteps by moving abroad.
I do believe that the article DryCreek linked to (which was a Mexican publication's rewrite of a Washington Post artice) is correct in that more Americans are heading to Mexico than Mexicans are heading to the U.S. I believe that based on what I've read about, for instance, the composition of the immigrant caravan.
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Post by DryCreek on May 21, 2019 19:51:22 GMT -5
Awesome - thanks for the comments!
I think the challenge with trying to escape politics is that they’re scandalous everywhere, but I think it’s easier to accept when you feel more like a guest. The cost of living, healthcare, and assisted living are very real benefits from what I see - so much so that healthcare tourism is an industry. I work with a Mexican national who’s also a naturalized US citizen, and he also plans to move back to retire.
I’ve subscribed to International Living in the past to get a pulse on ex-pat living. Their country of choice always seemed to be wherever they had some deal going that they were promoting. I couldn’t ever tell which one really drove the other, and if their “best country” ranking was legit. I think it was Panama before Mexico; they seem to be fond of Ecuador more recently, and even Colombia.
As for the stats, I agree that the current caravan wave seems to be from countries south of Mexico. Not that it’s particularly important, but the article called out about 750K (more likely 1.5M) US citizens living in Mexico - that didn’t surprise me, but rather the corollary that there are fewer than 1.5M Mexicans living in the US.
I’ll also agree that all of Mexico as not as it’s stereotyped in the US. Even spicy food isn’t universally a thing there.
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Post by saarinista on May 22, 2019 2:39:10 GMT -5
Don't get me going about the better health care in Mexico...
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Post by lessingham on Jun 3, 2019 8:08:08 GMT -5
I read an interesting article about retiring abroad. The author cautioned that you take 80% of your troubles with you, so it is not the fresh start you imagine. I worked with a young Mexican guy at university, he was a real eye opener. He defied the lazy stereotype and was bright and a great conversationalist. He also was a great cook, showing the multitude of great local dishes and breads.
Myself, I fantasise about Thailand for the climate and the food. But a bloke of my age would be scammed, suckered and bled dry by the local ladies of negotiable virtue.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2019 9:10:28 GMT -5
I read an interesting article about retiring abroad. The author cautioned that you take 80% of your troubles with you, so it is not the fresh start you imagine. I worked with a young Mexican guy at university, he was a real eye opener. He defied the lazy stereotype and was bright and a great conversationalist. He also was a great cook, showing the multitude of great local dishes and breads. Myself, I fantasise about Thailand for the climate and the food. But a bloke of my age would be scammed, suckered and bled dry by the local ladies of negotiable virtue. That outcome could suggest that your virtue may also be negotiable  |
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Post by lessingham on Jun 3, 2019 12:32:18 GMT -5
Blow in my beer and I'll follow you anywhere!
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Post by northstarmom on Jun 3, 2019 14:20:28 GMT -5
“Myself, I fantasise about Thailand for the climate and the food. But a bloke of my age would be scammed, suckered and bled dry by the local ladies of negotiable virtue.”
My ex accepted paternity for a Thai child that it ended up wasn’t his. When he finally got the child dna tested, he had paid almost $10 k child support....
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Post by northstarmom on Jun 4, 2019 13:01:01 GMT -5
We’ve bid farewell to friends and now are on the road heading to Mexico.
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Post by worksforme2 on Jun 4, 2019 17:49:50 GMT -5
We’ve bid farewell to friends and now are on the road heading to Mexico. Via con diose northstarmom.. |
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Post by sadkat on Jun 4, 2019 19:26:58 GMT -5
We’ve bid farewell to friends and now are on the road heading to Mexico. Have a safe trip and keep in touch! |
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Post by elkclan2 on Jun 6, 2019 3:28:09 GMT -5
Enjoy Mexico! A guy I went to high school with (so not really retirement age) has just moved to Mexico with his wife.
My partner and I live in London and will do until we (at least) retire. We're looking at moving to Wales. We just want to live closer to rocks. He says once we retire we'll have more time for sex. :-) Which I think is hilarious, because to be honest, I'm probably getting close to my upper limit of how much sex I want. I can't believe I'm actually in this position!!! It's fab.
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Post by saarinista on Jun 7, 2019 15:48:39 GMT -5
We’ve bid farewell to friends and now are on the road heading to Mexico. That seems like a really quick move to me. But I'm not a fast mover, either. Enjoy your new digs! |
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Post by northstarmom on Jun 7, 2019 17:55:48 GMT -5
It’s not a quick move. We’ve been planning it since 11/16. Took that long to get our ducks in a row especially post sm lover’s getting his house in shape to sell. Hurricane damage and other house problems delayed us.
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