steveh2112
American expat in Thailand
Forum posts
40
About me
American
Registration: 19 September 2017
morelia by Thecolorguy
Someone was telling me that Morelia is a very nice city with a pleasant climate. Can anyone fill me in on living there?
I was in Morelia yesterday and its a nice city, but in terms of look and feel, Guanajuato and SMA are far nicer. And they are all really cold at night as is Mex city where I am now. I have felt totally safe walking around at night in every place ... Read More
using US ATM cards in supermarkets, cash back? by steveh2112
hi, can i use my US ATM cards in supermarkets and cash back with no fee like i do in the states? thanks.
i'm guessing opening a mexican bank account is not easy if you are just visiting and no fixed address Read More
Exploratory trip January 2018 - Mérida-Cancun-PDC-Akumal by Jan2017
We plan to travel down mid-January 2018 to compare these areas to decide where we will settle initially. For the exploratory trip we think hotels that are not on the beach would be cheaper and make more sense, but we aren’t sure of the best ...
yes, i'll all booked from mexicali to playa del carmen, jan-feb. i'm not booking anyplace on the way back yet, do that after i've got to know the place better the other thing i like about staying airbnb is i can use the kitchen. eating ... Read More
Traffic in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in Thailand, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend people to ...
Phuket traffic sucks and the further south you go, the more it sucks. if you want to go somewhere, ride a bike Read More
Exploratory trip January 2018 - Mérida-Cancun-PDC-Akumal by Jan2017
We plan to travel down mid-January 2018 to compare these areas to decide where we will settle initially. For the exploratory trip we think hotels that are not on the beach would be cheaper and make more sense, but we aren’t sure of the best ...
why bother with hotels, i'm all booked with airbnb, a fraction of the price and i get to meet the locals and find out what the place is really like, from the natives Read More
using US ATM cards in supermarkets, cash back?
hi, can i use my US ATM cards in supermarkets and cash back with no fee like i do in the states? thanks. Read More
driving around mexico, where to stay if you don't have a booking by steveh2112
i'm planning a big motorcycle tour of mexico starting January and i will book some airbnbs but i don't want to book too far ahead because i want to keep my travel plans open. if you just show up in a random town or city, can you find a ...
thanks mexicogc, that's really good info. i was thinking about bringing a tent too just in case but never though i could camp outside a hotel, good idea. nice list of places to visit too, i need to start compiling a list of places to go in ... Read More
driving around mexico, where to stay if you don't have a booking by steveh2112
i'm planning a big motorcycle tour of mexico starting January and i will book some airbnbs but i don't want to book too far ahead because i want to keep my travel plans open. if you just show up in a random town or city, can you find a ...
thanks, yes i'm delaying my trip until after the holidays, i figure end of dec going to booked or expensive. and i guess i need to speak better spanish than i do now but i'm working on that Read More
driving around mexico, where to stay if you don't have a booking
i'm planning a big motorcycle tour of mexico starting January and i will book some airbnbs but i don't want to book too far ahead because i want to keep my travel plans open. if you just show up in a random town or city, can you find a ... Read More
Homesteading/rural living outside of San Miguel De Allende? by kris-bliss
Hi all, my family (me, hubs, 2 small kids) WERE planning on buying land in the high desert of Arizona, building a straw bale home, and starting a permaculture garden. Once that is set up nicely, we planned on travelling for a few months out of the ...
kris-bliss so you are in Irvine too?, small world. I am renovating my friends place near Irvine, Silverado Canyon. he has a lot of land as I mentioned but the house is little more than a shack. i'm converting it to a real 2 bed house. the ... Read More
Homesteading/rural living outside of San Miguel De Allende? by kris-bliss
Hi all, my family (me, hubs, 2 small kids) WERE planning on buying land in the high desert of Arizona, building a straw bale home, and starting a permaculture garden. Once that is set up nicely, we planned on travelling for a few months out of the ...
yep, $160k is nuts, my friend has 4 acres and a house he bought that last year near Irvine O.C. for $250k. i guess you saw this http://sanmiguelrealestate.com/real-estate/for-sale/property/1888/sosnavar i guess you need to speak spanish, drive ... Read More
Homesteading/rural living outside of San Miguel De Allende? by kris-bliss
Hi all, my family (me, hubs, 2 small kids) WERE planning on buying land in the high desert of Arizona, building a straw bale home, and starting a permaculture garden. Once that is set up nicely, we planned on travelling for a few months out of the ...
no idea, i live in Thailand, I haven't moved to Mex yet. but i am going to try a new forum with more activity Read More
Homesteading/rural living outside of San Miguel De Allende? by kris-bliss
Hi all, my family (me, hubs, 2 small kids) WERE planning on buying land in the high desert of Arizona, building a straw bale home, and starting a permaculture garden. Once that is set up nicely, we planned on travelling for a few months out of the ...
there isn't much activity on this forum is there? Read More
Mexican country side by Itobys
I would like to move to a small village in Mexico where the air is fresh and no pollution. I want to grow my food and have a slow peaceful life. I am not a big fan of museums or things like that. Just want some greenery and peace. What would be the ...
yep, it sounds idyllic. i've become a big fan of a low footprint lifestyle, too many years of buying stuff just to break the boredom. my only concern i think, is growing stuff to eat is more complicated than many people expect. i think getting ... Read More
is anyone building their own house in Mexico?
i kind of suck at retirement, i can't just sit and read a book or go for long walks on the beach and all that BS, i need to keep busy. in Thailand, i bought land (ok, technically my wife did) and built a house (with a team of about 20 workers) ... Read More
Mexican country side by Itobys
I would like to move to a small village in Mexico where the air is fresh and no pollution. I want to grow my food and have a slow peaceful life. I am not a big fan of museums or things like that. Just want some greenery and peace. What would be the ...
check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIMQbWudYjk that guy grows his own stuff, maybe you can contact him and Jerry Brown's channel is great for Mex info i would guess you need to think about climate and water. if you are growing ... Read More
immigration rules question when visiting from US by steveh2112
hi, sorry if this has been asked before, but i can't find it. if i come from the US i understand i get 180 days free visit right. what if i return to the US on day 179, turn around and come right back to Mexico? can i do that? is there a ...
thanks but that link is not what i was expecting at all. i thought the tourist visa (FMM) was free on entry to Mex and always 180 days. i'm planning a 6 month motorcycle trip, if i get less than 180 days on entry it will really mess up my ... Read More
immigration rules question when visiting from US
hi, sorry if this has been asked before, but i can't find it. if i come from the US i understand i get 180 days free visit right. what if i return to the US on day 179, turn around and come right back to Mexico? can i do that? is there a ... Read More
what's the dating scene like for middle aged, expat men in Mexico? by steveh2112
i'm newly single, 57, fairly fit, not great looking but ok. what are my chances of meeting up with and socializing with either expat or local women in the popular expat location like PV, Chapala, SMA, Yucatan? I've read on the internet ...
thanks, here in Thailand, expat men outnumber single expat women by i would guess 100:1 and rubytue60, i would love to meet up with you if we are in the same place at the same time. i'm making my big move in the fall of next year and planning ... Read More
what's the dating scene like for middle aged, expat men in Mexico? by steveh2112
i'm newly single, 57, fairly fit, not great looking but ok. what are my chances of meeting up with and socializing with either expat or local women in the popular expat location like PV, Chapala, SMA, Yucatan? I've read on the internet ...
thanks for the reply, do you mind if i ask, is your partner expat or Mexican? when you say 'Yes, it is true (at least in Chapala) that there are more women then men', is that expat, Mexican or both? thanks Read More
what's the dating scene like for middle aged, expat men in Mexico?
i'm newly single, 57, fairly fit, not great looking but ok. what are my chances of meeting up with and socializing with either expat or local women in the popular expat location like PV, Chapala, SMA, Yucatan? I've read on the internet ... Read More
motorcycles, buy, rent or import? by steveh2112
i'm planning an extended stay in Mexico, based mostly around Yucatan area but would like to take a few trips, Belize, Guatemala, Pacific coast maybe. I prefer to travel by motorbike but not something huge, 250cc or less would be fine for me as ...
after much thought i've decided to motorbike down from san diego, through la paz, PV, lake chapala, SMA, and on to the Yucatan. its a hell of a long road trip but i have 6 months so i think no problemo. i'm planning to try get to know some ... Read More
Why have you chosen the place to live that you have chosen. by travellight
People thinking about moving to Mexico often are not sure what would be the best place for them. Those of us who have chosen a place to live in might help with those decisions by sharing our process, Each of us has made a decision to live in a ...
this is a great topic. one thing that occurs to me about mexico is the huge variety of places to hang your hat, and they all sound interesting a worth a visit. i'm thinking of basing myself in the Yucatan because i like a tropical climate in the ... Read More
I want to live on a sail boat in Mexico, or Anywhere ? by Wind_Rider
I am concerned about the cost of a live aboard sailboat, I see some fancy RICH marina's advertised on the Net.. I just want to live Free.. I have a decent retirement coming, however if this is out of my comfort zone.. Anyone out there got ...
anchoring off shore in a protected bay is probably the way to go, i've seen people do it all over the world. thing is you will need power and water but its easy to by on solar and wind these days since LED lights use very little power. water is ... Read More
please help with visa rules by steveh2112
i have a US passport, i understand i can enter without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, then i can extend in 30 day increments for $25 a pop (is that $US or $Belize?). is that correct? suppose i want to go to Mex or Guatemala at the end of the 30 ...
thanks billdoesbelize, this helps a lot. i'm used to the Thailand way of doing things where you pop across the border to Malaysia for 5 mins and get a new 30 days thai visa on return, so good to know about the exit tax. that obviously makes the ... Read More
please help with visa rules by steveh2112
i have a US passport, i understand i can enter without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, then i can extend in 30 day increments for $25 a pop (is that $US or $Belize?). is that correct? suppose i want to go to Mex or Guatemala at the end of the 30 ...
ok thanks. actually i'm thinking mexico may be a better option for me to live in, better visa rules, cheaper cost of living, availability of more stuff like import foods etc. so i'll probably just coming to visit Belize periodically anyhow, ... Read More
motorcycles, buy, rent or import?
i'm planning an extended stay in Mexico, based mostly around Yucatan area but would like to take a few trips, Belize, Guatemala, Pacific coast maybe. I prefer to travel by motorbike but not something huge, 250cc or less would be fine for me as ... Read More
Belize vs. Playa del Carmen by steveh2112
just curious if anyone with experience of both places and has any thoughts about pro and cons of one vs. the other. i notice airfares to Cancun are very cheap, $280 from LA vs. $550 to Belize. it looks like food and entertainment may be a bit ...
thanks for that article https://costamayalife.com/2014/06/06/belize-versus-mahahual-mexico-part-1/ very interesting, the whole series Read More
Belize vs. Playa del Carmen by steveh2112
just curious if anyone with experience of both places and has any thoughts about pro and cons of one vs. the other. i notice airfares to Cancun are very cheap, $280 from LA vs. $550 to Belize. it looks like food and entertainment may be a bit ...
thanks, i should have mentioned the entire Yucatán peninsular in the title of my post, not just Playa. what about social life Merida vs. Belize as to the other reply that posted a link to volunteers getting raped and shot, unfortunately bad ... Read More
Belize vs. Playa del Carmen
just curious if anyone with experience of both places and has any thoughts about pro and cons of one vs. the other. i notice airfares to Cancun are very cheap, $280 from LA vs. $550 to Belize. it looks like food and entertainment may be a bit ... Read More
please help with visa rules
i have a US passport, i understand i can enter without a visa and stay for up to 30 days, then i can extend in 30 day increments for $25 a pop (is that $US or $Belize?). is that correct? suppose i want to go to Mex or Guatemala at the end of the 30 ... Read More
buying or importing a small motorcycle or scooter by steveh2112
hi, i'm thinking about moving to Belize. I currently live in Thailand and everyone gets around on scooters here, mostly honda's and yamaha, i have 3 myself. looking at Belize classifieds its seems the scooters are expensive Chinese rubbish, ...
wow, "gas is about US$5.50 a gallon here right now". that's why i want a cheap scooter, 125cc ish. i like to travel around, maybe even over to mex or guatamala some times, and i like the independence of having my own transport. Read More
buying or importing a small motorcycle or scooter by steveh2112
hi, i'm thinking about moving to Belize. I currently live in Thailand and everyone gets around on scooters here, mostly honda's and yamaha, i have 3 myself. looking at Belize classifieds its seems the scooters are expensive Chinese rubbish, ...
thanks, i expect the Chinese bikes are the way to go, easy to fix locally and i'm not a mechanic so i'd rather leave it to someone who is. Read More
buying or importing a small motorcycle or scooter by steveh2112
hi, i'm thinking about moving to Belize. I currently live in Thailand and everyone gets around on scooters here, mostly honda's and yamaha, i have 3 myself. looking at Belize classifieds its seems the scooters are expensive Chinese rubbish, ...
good to know, thanks. it doesn't look there is a big second hand market for bikes in BZ online, compared to places like Thailand and Viet Nam. but it sounds promising that when i get there i should be able to find something. what about owing a ... Read More
buying or importing a small motorcycle or scooter
hi, i'm thinking about moving to Belize. I currently live in Thailand and everyone gets around on scooters here, mostly honda's and yamaha, i have 3 myself. looking at Belize classifieds its seems the scooters are expensive Chinese rubbish, ... Read More
US expat in Thailand thinking about Belize
hi all, i'm from the UK but now US citizen and semi-retired in Thailand for 12 years now, 58 years old. I'm starting to get a bit worn out with Thailand and my marriage (to a Thai) isn't in great shape so i'm thinking about somewhere ... Read More