What's the real story with living in Mexico?

Yes, that has been my experience also, and being a retired medical professional, I can be a tough customer to please. He spoke 3 languages and was responsive to all the medical issues I asked about. Sadly standard medical practice was not enough for my family member  who died as a result of a  drug side effect related to the treatment of cancer. Even so I could find no fault with the doctors skill or the amount of concern and attention he gave.

Sorry to hear that.
I sense that you didn't think rushing to the states might have changed the outcome before the incident in question.

Same meds, same effect, less TLC, possibly a lot less skill.

Like what if I may ask?

I'll take your word about the relative difficulty of starting a business.  Now that you mention it,  the relatively few businesses I know are cash only and charge net prices.  Do they pay IVA?  I wouldn't know.

katzgar :

I agreed early on in this thread to what you just said.  renting a house or condo is pretty safe compared to actually owning real estate and homicide in both countries is generally easily avoided as it tends to be drug related. I can assure starting a business legally in Mexico is pretty complicated which is why many businesses just arent legal.  I think you are naive about the relativity of opening businesses.  There are areas of mexico safe to retire to which allow limited exposure to ones assets.  How do you handle health care?

I'll take your word about the relative difficulty of starting a business.  Now that you mention it,  the relatively few businesses I know are cash only and charge net prices.  Do they pay IVA?  I wouldn't know.

That's very confusing. There is the original topic, now today there is a totally different topic being discussed. Hope someone knows what's going on, because I don't see how the relative difficulty of starting a business has anything at all to do with death and health care.

The topic is about living in Mexico which is very Broad

Dr.s intenship in Mexico is 4 years for a GP and 5 years for a specialist and both write an exam and have to pass then 1 year of "free" service to the socialized medical system to be able to become a full fledged DR. in Mexico to hang out a plaque and practice medicine. The "Credula" [permission to practice and licensed] is only given after 1 year of free service, even dentisits have to do this.It is not exactly "free" service". My wife´s nephew is doing it now and he passed the exam for becoming a Dentist and gets paid by the government $250.00 pesos per month.

jillamon :

Hi,  I have wanted to move to  Mexico for 10 yrs.  I have a small business in Colorado and won't have alot of income if I sell it.  I have considered Lake Chapala, Merida, and several other places , and can't decide.  I am leary to go alone as a single, senior woman. I  don't have the time to travel to Mexico and look because I would have to close my business and lose that income.  I don't want alot of humidity but want to explore the Yucatan and the Mayan ruins and was wondering if I could find a town where it is drier in that region. Any Ideas for me. Jillamon

Consider San Miguel de Allende. The reason I suggest this is that there are many other single expat women that live here and some have lived here for many years. Very safe. And of course, there is no great requirement here for Spanish. It always helps though.

The climate is perfect (well it can be a bit cool during the night, but comfortable in doors) but no humidity problems. You could even consider opening a business here: many expats have. This town tends to focus on the arts in a big way. Although many hear of Chapala as the place to go, I think San Miguel is much nicer and there is a lake here as well. Because San Miguel is more "gringoized" it tends to be a bit more expensive similar to what, I have been told, is the case in Lake Chapala.

If you want a beautiful but out of the way place consider Tequisquiapan: Very beautiful, very quiet, friendly, very safe for women even at night, not as many expats and less expensive living than in San Miguel.

jillamon :

Travelight,          Thank you for your words of wisdom.  I have been to the Carribean coast and Matzatland.  I don't want to live in either of them.  I haven't traveled there since the mid 90s .  I am considering WWoolfing to cut back on expences while I look around .   I am think somewhere near Lake Chapala .  I wanted the Yucatan because of the Mayan history and the coast. I can move around according to the climate and explore MX and other countries south eventually .  I am trying to find someone to travel with but am having a hard time finding a kindered soul with the time and means.  Jillamon

Don't worry about finding a kindred spirit to travel with: Just do it!  You will be happy you did.

Also, consider house-sitting while looking for a place. I had someone come from Canada to look after my cat while I was away for a month. This cost me nothing and it cost her nothing (other than the cost of her meals and her flight down here and back). Great way of visiting different places and keeping the costs down. She uses http://mindmyhouse.com (which is where I posted my ad).

katzgar :

no i do not hate mexico but people need to understand what they are getting into.  switching the demon to me is the oldest third grade trick in the book so stop it. Mexico had 26,037 homicides and the US had 14,827 homicides in 2012.  mexico has roughly a third the population of the US.  facts are facts are facts. I posted the corruption ratings above so read them this time.  I know how corrupt it is from looking into buying a business in Tulum, ridiculous corruption.  There.  Corruption is at very similar levels in either Belize or Mexico.

Statistics are "statistics". Be careful how they can influence your decisions. They also can be VERY misleading.

The stats you have posted say nothing of where in Mexico (or in the US). They say nothing of the way it is now. They say nothing about how these homicides occurred. All of these things, and possibly more,  are important to know about if considering them.

The only things that concern me are (these are all area specific):  1)  Is there a high rate of violence in the area I am considering living in?  2)  Are there any significant natural threats?   3)  Is the health care good?    4)  Is the cost of living something I can afford?   5)   Can I find a comfortable place to live?

That's about it.  And I can safely say YES to all of my questions in many locations in Mexico.

Normoldguy :

Hi Everyone
Don't really know where to start...Lived in Montreal my entire life. went to school here, got married to my high school sweetheart at 22 yrs old...(way too young)...managed to stay married for 46 difficult years,,and its time to move on.
I've been considering moving to a warmer climate where I could live off my measly pension...and I'm definitely considering Mexico..and as soon as possible...but I need help and advise...What's the real story with living in Mexico? What are safe expat areas? What's the chance of finding someplace to share with some one  (a room mate)? I know there are many things I need to learn and do before |I can even consider the move..so I welcome what ever advise you can offer .

You posted this almost a year and a half ago and the latest posts have little to do with your original request for info. I hope you have found something by now and maybe you are now living in Mexico. I certainly hope you made that choice. It is a wonderful place to live and certainly is much easier on the pocketbook than living in Canada. I, too, have a meager pension and am living quite happily here. Good luck in your quests.

Good for you! I admire your guts and joy for life 👍

katzgar :

my understanding is there are no intern programs in mexico so young doctors only have book learning.

In Mexico an internship is required to become a doctor.

check out my posts.  I moved to Playas on the spur of the moment,  didn't know anyone, didn't speak
the language, didn't know ANYTHING.  I was 75 at the time.  No real worries, except to being  ripped off by some expat I met on the blog who offered to help, until I caught on to what was happening.
11 years and counting.  GO FOR IT!  Be open to the adventure, expect some difficulties but be cool, most nationals are friendly and want to be helpful....just use common sense.  It something seems to good to be true.......BIG RED FLAG!

Are there any expats living in Loreto. Would like to ask a few questions please

Rick

Hi Ann-I would love to know about your drive. I am currently living in San Miguel and am planning on driving from the Bay Area around 12/28 and most likely will be doing it by myself. I am tired of all the horrible danger stories and I loved your "can-do" attitude!! Thanks and have a wonderful day.

Hi, I wrote a book about just that. It's pretty popular, so you might find it helpful. Not sure if I can post a link here, but if you go to Amazon, search for Livin' In Mexico: The Real Story.

Goodluck!

I am not really qualified to respond. I am not sure where San Miquel is in relationship to the border.  I would personally not make the drive but then I am a little old lady.  Traveling  anywhere south and eyond Ensenada one must be wary.  My son has made the drive to Cabo several times from Southern Cal with an older (on purpose)  large truck based  camper  laden with surf boards and towing a non descript dune buggy and I worry every time.  He is 6'4 and  weighs about 180.  I have no statistics but I do know that there are 'banditos' alive and well today.  My son has a taser spray which I am not sure is even legal in Mexico and he has a large club (made from a tree branch on his dash), I would have a Mexican cell phone and know the areas where there will be  no reception.  I wouldn't travel at night and I wouldn't drive an expensive late model car.

Other than that I don't know what to suggest.  My former DIL and her new husband are building a home near Rosarito.  They both drive late model  Mercedes and I am urging them to think about this.  Her husbands wants to be able  drive the Mercedes on return trips to California but I think that is a mistake.  Elder expats especially need to avoid anything that suggests "I have money". I was even advised not to wear my Ohio State sweatshirt when walking on the beach in the early mornings at Playas      I wish you well and if you are a person of faith, I would ask for 4 angels on every  "corner:' of the vehicle  and as directed that we do every day, "put on the whole armor of God"!.

I have lived in Mexico for the past 27 years and its the best! You have more problems in the states than you would have ever thought of here. But yes you do have to get used to the culture here, and just don't leave your brains at the border! You have to use common sense here as you would anywhere else. I have built a home here and it came out incredible, as a matter of fact I am selling it and moving to Lake Chapala, I am presently in Cabo San Lucas. I sell real estate and you do have to pay attention to what ever you do here. I love it here and wouldn't want to live in the states again, as you don't get much for you money there anymore!
Just come on down and enjoy life in the sun!

Hope you had a good drive!
Most people that try and scare you about the drive have never done it, and are just parrotting something that they have heard from someone else who has never driven in Mexico either!
I have driven the Baja around 25 times and have never had any trouble, I  drive on the mainland same thing no trouble. You don't want to drive at night because of animals on the roads, nothing more than that. In the past years in the states I have had my problems on the roads that no one ever talks about. If you travel in the south, Mississippi, Georga, Tennessee, or even in northern Florida!
So far Mexico is as safe as any other place you might want to travel. And beautiful!

bandido01 :

Hope you had a good drive!
Most people that try and scare you about the drive have never done it, and are just parrotting something that they have heard from someone else who has never driven in Mexico either!
I have driven the Baja around 25 times and have never had any trouble, I  drive on the mainland same thing no trouble. You don't want to drive at night because of animals on the roads, nothing more than that. In the past years in the states I have had my problems on the roads that no one ever talks about. If you travel in the south, Mississippi, Georga, Tennessee, or even in northern Florida!
So far Mexico is as safe as any other place you might want to travel. And beautiful!

Well yes Bandido, but animals are not the main reason to not drive at night. More importantly  the lighting at night is usually very bad, people walk in the street and can not be seen, you cant see the baches and topes at all and some of them are tire or axle killers, forget reading signs for streets at night. Some signs don't exist, or are hard to see in daylight. For sure. It's safer over all to be in the hotel well before dark, and yes there could be animals, but I have never encountered them as a road hazard, except for a bull standing on the road in full daylight.. driving in many parts of Mexico for 6 years.

Want small town, learning Spanish, retired. I am looking for a moderate climate, not over 100f. Beach is not my thing, love the mts. Safe to walk around durring the day, and sleep at night. (unless there is a festival) Want to rent a house. I have three cats.
Looking at jalisco. Any input appreciated. retired, health ok

bothner06 :

Want small town, learning Spanish, retired. I am looking for a moderate climate, not over 100f. Beach is not my thing, love the mts. Safe to walk around durring the day, and sleep at night. (unless there is a festival) Want to rent a house. I have three cats.
Looking at jalisco. Any input appreciated. retired, health ok

Look up Coatepec, Veracruz.  Population a bit bigger than small town.  In the foothills close to highest peak in Mexico, temp may get down to 50's in winter, mid to high 80's in summer.  humid.  Fits your description in other respects.  Americans in area are dispersed.  The town of Xico hat higher elevation is more like in the mountains.  Lot's of natural beauty, friendly people, relaxed environment.

bothner06 :

Want small town, learning Spanish, retired. I am looking for a moderate climate, not over 100f. Beach is not my thing, love the mts. Safe to walk around durring the day, and sleep at night. (unless there is a festival) Want to rent a house. I have three cats.
Looking at jalisco. Any input appreciated. retired, health ok

Also there have been major problems in Jalisco, So G.G's plan would probably be a safer plan.