Life in Mexico (rentals, condo, buyers)

[lakechapala]

http://www.lake-chapala.com

[pigeonhole]

It's absolutely gorgeous, but it must be expensive to live there.
Is it possible to swim in the lake? '(I'm a passionate swimmer)

[nmweatherman]

I am retired and get a monthly fixed income from the VA and SSR. In my opinion things have really gotten terrible in the USA as far as trying to make it on a fixed income while the country his heading for yet higher taxes on everything and looking at indebting all of us unto the 3rd and 4th generations. Soon...mark my words...inflation will skyrocket. In other words, I have lost any and all optimism about this country's future and I have absolutely no trust nor faith in Obama and his ilk to lead compassionately and/or intelligently. At the start of 2008, last year, I realized I wanted out, to become a refugee and find a place where my monthly income would go a lot farther. I naturally thought of Mexico first. I knew there are a lot of ex-pats there.

I do not want to flee the US just to hang out with ex-pats. Many of them live in secluded or gated or in-bred communities, and they have a bunch more money than I'll ever see. I couldn't afford to live where and how they live in any event. I thought a might find a medium-sized city or town (with services, like banks and shopping and restaurants, maybe a hotel or two). Internet access would be nice, too. But just as I was looking at the Mexican Consulate building here in Albuquerque as I went by it, Mexico began erupting in horror stories of drug cartels, vicious murders and kidnappings, hijackings, robberies, etc. etc. I have watched the country disintegrate (IMHO) from New Mexico.

I guess Mexico is now out. I don't think I could handle corrupt police and corrupt federales, or being kidnapped, or getting caught in some crossfire.

It gets worse, because not too many countries in South America are sympatico with refugee gringos either. There's Chavez of Venezuela, Ortega of Nicaragua, Honduras just fell and Bolivia isn't fond of us either. It kinda looks like I'm trapped in a country where I can slowly starve to death like so many elderly and/or retired folks on fixed incomes.

In the past all I've seen personally were the usual bordertowns, Tijuana and Nogales, but I know they do not represent the interior of Mexico. Last year I dearly wanted to go find that dream town to retire to in Chihuahua or Sonora, but I have given up that plan, that dream now. With the economy here going down the drain every day, the tourist spots in Mexico are virtually empty as are the restaurants and etc. People are afraid to go there or can't afford to anymore. Cabo San Lucas is virtually empty.

Looks like I will have to think hard and come up with a Plan B or a Plan C...

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by nmweatherman

Looks like I will have to think hard and come up with a Plan B or a Plan C...

Have you considered Argentina or Chile? I've been looking into those for quite a while. I've had quite a few tell me that Uruguay might be a good choice, too. My situation is a bit different because wherever I go, I still have to make money and support myself. But you may look into one of those for Plan B or C.

[Steve Bagu]

I would say to weatherman not to give up on Mexico. All the crime being committed is upon locals who deal in drugs etc...not Americans.

I'm retired here south of Rosarito 13 yrs and live in a local community with NO American neighbors.

Have NO problems...close to SD for my VA medical needs...grocery shopping etc...for whatever.

Sure...there are conclaves of Americans and they are theft bait galore and for those who do not want or care to learn a little Spanish. They isolate themselves...and some hang out at the bars all afternoon and shoot the breeze (at least near me they do). Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Check out Rosarito and south to Puerto Nuevo where I'm at...you'll be surprised.

Steve

[nmweatherman]

Thanks for your response. There is a lady working near where I leave who is from Nicaragua, and she told me "no no no no, not Nicaragua. I will tell you when is safe to go!"

She recommended Costa Rica.

I have been learning Spanish for sometime now. Heck, it helps even in Albuquerque. I know it is respectful to go to another country and speak to people in their language, not expect them to speak in yours...!

I think Argentina and/or Chile would be too far south for me (for the same reason Canada is 'way too far north).

I will Google her suggestion and the ones you mentioned to learn as much as I can. If I leave the USA (and I'm not alone thinking of this now) I want to know as much as I can, 'cause I won't be coming back.

But...right now...honestly...I would not feel safe in Mexico.

[Baja Boomer]

Weatherman, I understand your fear about Mexico, I really do. But please don't give up on it entirely yet. It's a big country, something like 3 times the size of Texas, and over all is as safe as any other country. The violence there is concentrated in areas where rival cartels are fighting over traffic routes and the military is hunting them down.

It's a little like being afraid to live in the USA because of the crime rate in Detroit.

There are many areas in Mexico where gringos live quite happily and safely without enclosing themselves behind gated walls and without risking getting caught in a crossfire or being targeted for kidnapping or otherwise risking life and limb. Some of them are even quite close to the US border, though of course where you might want to live would be influenced not just by how much money you have but by what kind of climate/scenery/activities you like.

Just as a few for-instances, you can live safely and inexpensively in places like San Felipe, Baja , San Carlos, Sonora (also see their forum at San Carlos Sonora Mexico Message Forum ); Manzanillo, Colima; Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa Zihuatanejo - A completes Touristic Guide of the wonderful destiny of zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, Troncones, Barra de potosi, Patzcuaro, México and http://www.ixtapa.net/)-- and there are many more. You never hear about them in the news. Why? Because nothing really bad ever happens there. People, locals and expats alike, just live their everyday lives as they do anywhere else in the world.

By all means explore Costa Rica, Panama, other places that might be good for you. But give some of the places linked above a good strong look to see if any of them might fit the bill for you.

Fear is a powerful thing, but don't let it rule your life unnecessarily. Most of Mexico is as safe as most of New Mexico is safe. There are areas of Albuquerque you wouldn't want to live in or visit at night, there are areas of Old Mexico to avoid, too. That's just how it. is. Don't count us out. I think you could be happy here.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by La Socialista Romantica

And animals grow up much more naturally. For example, my grandma's chihuaha runs around the streets, or dirt paths, really...has no doggie clothes, or shoes, or a stroller. She lives outside of the house, knows her place. There, animals are animals. Orange County dog owners can really learn from a Mexican dog owner.

Most of these roaming Mexican dogs only live for a few years, not to mention
have numerous puppies who also live short and hard lives. This is nothing to brag about.

[MV IA girl]

Hello,
Im a girl from Iowa and am thinking about relocating to Sante Fe. I have lost my job in Ia and have a great opportunity to come there and take care of some very special folks up in years. Any advice for a single 40 somthing lady???

[Jill61]

I say go for it! When I moved to Mexico, I just wanted the experience of living "abroad" for a few months, and I ended up staying over a year and a half. I might've stayed longer if certain circumstances would've been different. I've never been to Mexico City, but there's some information about the Santa Fe district, here: Santa Fe (Mexico City) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Good luck!