Boy, was I wrong!

Julia Taylor (with help from her [Mexican] husband) has written an e-book on settling down in Mexico that is much more than a handbook for foreign travel. It’s a well-written and very personal guide for settling down to a long-term residency. The book is written in such a personal style in fact, that I’m perfectly comfortable referring to the author as Julia. Once I’d started reading the book it was difficult to stop. Were it a paper-and-print book there’d be dog-eared pages and whole sections highlighted for future reference. As it is, it being an e-book is a blessing for the reader since relevant passages can be easily retrieved, copied … and then printed [for personal use only]. In fact, we’ve customized the Rental Property Checklist (p. 119) in just this way so as to have it handy in the future when it’ll be most helpful.

Julia has already analyzed the pros and cons of whether one should rent, buy or build; is a house or an apartment more appropriate; in which type of neighborhood should the home be located; by what criteria should the landlord be evaluated? Having established this kind of framework in advance has given us a much better place to start when beginning the search process. Noticing neighborhood business locations is especially important when our method of transportation will be on foot. Back in Iowa a six-block road trip to the store was common and advanced planning for routine marketing wasn’t necessary. Recognizing the value of having and cultivating observant neighbors as a security measure is always a good thing but as expats in Mexico, it’ll be especially valuable. These are only a couple important tips that we’ve found in her book. But before I get too far along, let me back up a little.

Deb and I are approaching retirement age but not ready yet to give up the stimulation we’ve grown accustomed to in the U.S. We both hope to stay active, either through work or volunteering, as part of our future life-style in Mexico. That will require a certain amount of integration into the culture that we’ll find ourselves. We are both facing major life-style changes. I’m returning to a profession as TEFL instructor that was sidelined years ago. Deb’s career in the U.S. won’t translate too readily into the Latin culture. We are both eager to practice and improve our Spanish. Being practical is a trait we share and added income from active employment will also be welcomed. Knowing not only where we can contribute but how will be an important part of how we see ourselves and, just as important, how our vecinos view us.

Julia gives us detailed step-by-step instructions on diverse but inevitable situations. These include importing our cars, auto insurance that is not only necessary but required, licensing of both ourselves and the car and what to expect in the event of even a fender bender. She pays special attention to negotiating in traffic, which includes how to ‘nudge’ and how to get through ‘turnabouts’. Even though I don’t intend on driving in Mexico (a fact for which I’m even more grateful after reading this), this section kept my attention and gave me a lesson on the Mexican psyche and driving concepts that I’d never considered.

Likewise, while I have the good fortune not to have to experience the constant scheduling and indignities of bathroom etiquette for women, I hope that I’m a better person and a more understanding companion for having been exposed to what half of the world’s population has to endure. Julia covers what is often left unspoken thoroughly and tastefully. It’s easy for me to say but it’s no less a fact that sometimes life just isn’t fair.

While our specific situations don’t include a need for advice on Canadian documentation or how to register newborns, Julia includes very readable and needed sections on these topics. She also includes help in meeting such universal needs as telephone and gas service, water and taxis (including helpful phrases such as, “Cuanto cobra para ir a…”). There are useful sections on weather, festivals and celebrations, riding the bus, appropriate (and inappropriate) gestures and other diplomatic social skills that will set us apart from other less informed foreigners.

Her section on food and the fruits that we can expect to find is very welcome and is meaningful to everyone. Julia has taken much of the mystery away from the incredible variety of fruits available in Mexico and experimenting with new food will be more of an enjoyable adventure than a rite of passage to be suffered through.

Having lived in Ecuador for most of the last year, Deb and I are both familiar with the market experience and it was especially gratifying to notice that what we’d thought were our own personal reactions to certain realities of the market are in fact, common to other U.S. and Canadian shoppers. While the state of the floors in the market may not be any less unsanitary or distasteful, we can at least recognize it as commonplace, non-threatening and part of the overall market experience. Just don’t eat off the floor.

On a personal note, we have been offered (with exceptional terms) several potential homes in and around Puebla and because of this book we’re much better able to evaluate each offering with an eye to our future safety, comfort and well-being. Julia has shared her insight into what (and how) real estate is presented and what we should look for. We’ve got a checklist now and before even arriving in Mexico have asked pertinent questions regarding these properties. Even over the Internet we’re better able to assess the real value of what on the surface may seem to be outstanding deals. When we finally come face to face with what may be our future home, we’ll be more objective and better prepared to calculate the worth of what is being offered.

What Julia Taylor has done is put together a how-to book dedicated to relocating to Mexico. It is chock-full of useful advice and tidbits that are not found in travel guides and handbooks. She relates how we, as foreigners from the north, can learn and accept the cultural differences within which we’ll find ourselves down the road. By giving us a practical heads-up she’s paving the way for our healthy and safe entry into the Mexican culture. She also encourages us to be better neighbors and responsible members of our future communities.

The book doesn’t include every specific detail that is germane to Deb and my personal situations. It does contain enough specific material though to be spot-on relevant on a personal level. In addition to this there is a universal appeal and usefulness about the entire book to make it a valuable resource for anyone considering a move to Mexico.

Above all Julia recognizes the most important asset that we can all carry with us. In the early pages of her book, she offers what she calls, “The key to it all: Interpersonal Relationships”. The secret to a successful transition into a foreign culture is the willingness to cultivate human connections and become a part of our new community. If this is done successfully, and Julia Taylor certainly points the way for us, when faced with an unknown hurdle and we ask questions, we’re much more likely to get (and recognize) accurate and helpful information. This reminder to break out of our engrained isolation may be the most valuable piece of advice the author offers us. After having read Mexico: the Trick is Living Here, Deb and I are both better prepared to face our next challenges in Puebla, Mexico.

–Scott Hanel & Deb Neighbor
Cuenca, Ecuador June, 2008

Find out more about Mexico: the Trick is Living Here

According to the the Social Security Online Electronic Booklet you have three different ways to receive your benefits in Mexico:

1. Have a check mailed to you in Mexico.

2. Receive a direct deposit into your account in Mexico.

3. Receive a direct deposit into your account in the U.S. (and use a cash card to access your money).

For more information you can read the booklet to learn more about your rights, residency requirements for some recipients, and other topics.

Personally, I recommend option three for the majority of people from the U.S. Option 1 involves depending on the Mexican mail system, and while it’s not that bad, it’s smart to use it for things you don’t depend on. I get 98% of my mail here in Mexico, but I received one letter about two years after it was sent! Obviously when you retire in Mexico, you wouldn’t want the thing that comes two years late to be your social security check. Option number 2 involves the slippery slopes of banks in Mexico with their often non-existent customer service and their frequently high/surprise charges involved in currency exchange, receiving transfers, scratching your nose, etc. Each bank is different in Mexico and sometimes it’s hard to know ahead of time what exactly you will encounter with a particular transaction at your particular bank. I created a section on banking in my book, Mexico: The Trick is Living Here, that includes tips on how to choose a bank in Mexico based on your particular needs. Having a bank account in Mexico is a smart idea and you can use that section to help you once you retire in Mexico, but again, when it comes to receiving your social security payments there is nothing like a cash card (and online banking through the internet) so you can work with a bank you are familiar with in the U.S. Cash machines are widely available throughout Mexico and are the best way to access cash.

Well, there you go, you can check that worry about retiring in Mexico off of your list. What else do you need to know about living in Mexico?

Back to Letting Go of Materialism for a Simple Lifestyle in Mexico

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If you think you want to retire in Mexico, here’s another reason to plan it. The number 1 country for retirement abroad in 2007, according to InternationalLiving.com is Mexico. Of course, those who are already retired in Mexico aren’t surprised! “We give top priority to those things that matter most to anyone planning for retirement….” reports Laura Sheridan of International Living in reference to their yearly Global Retirement Index.

The Global Retirement Index considers 8 factors of common concern to retirees or those planning their retirements. The most weight goes to the 4 factors which will have the strongest effect on the retiree’s pocketbook. 75% of the Index weight goes to cost of living, health care, special benefits, and real estate. The remaining 25% is covered by entertainment, infrastructure, safety, and climate.

Quick Guide to the Global Retirement Index:
1.  Cost of living — 20%
2.  Health care — 20%
3.  Special benefits – 20%
4.  Real estate – 15%
5.  Entertainment, Recreation, and Culture – 10%
6.  Infrastructure – 5%
7.  Safety and stability – 5%
8. Climate – 5%

Learn what the retirement index can’t tell you.

Isn’t it nice when someone gives you statistically analyzed support for what your heart knows to be true? It’s a good idea to retire in Mexico.

Sheridan emphasizes Mexico’s Geographic/Climactic diversity as one of it’s greatest advantages as a retirement location because, “[E]verybody can find exactly what they want.”

As the Index tells us, Mexico perfectly combines low costs, geographic variety, modern convenience, pleasant climates, and, well … fun! Sheridan writes, “[w]hether your vision of the ideal retirement involves shopping, fishing, sunbathing, diving, biking, mountain climbing, parasailing, collecting crafts, visiting archeological sites, partying, going to concerts, attending the theater, or fine dining, in Mexico you can engage in all of these activities, and many more.”

Hey! You and your spouse can retire in Mexico together and both get what you want. Don’t have a spouse? There’s plenty to do in Mexico.

What about those “Special Benefits” which receive 20% of the index’s weight? Mexico allows people who are over 60 and hold valid residence visas to participate in its senior discounts program. Discounts are often up to 50% and are offered for services such as health services, bus and airline tickets, and admission to cultural events.

You haven’t yet reached retirement age? Perfect! As Sheridan stresses in her article, these factors weighed by the Index are factors which are important in retirement planning. If you dream of retirement in Mexico, then you can begin to take steps toward that dream today. For example, you could purchase real estate and begin planning your dream home. Don’t wait, though, because sometimes when a country becomes popular as a retirement haven real estate prices increase.

Finally, here’s what makes home-sweet-mexico.com special: The author reminds you that Mexico isn’t only about low prices and luxury living. Mexico is about growing and changing. About getting to know yourself better while learning a new language and culture. If you really want to retire in Mexico, take some time and enjoy Mexico. If you are going to pick the best retirement destination for you, you have a lot of fun traveling to do. (Remember, it’s a diverse country.)

source: http://www.internationalliving.com/retire/paid/09-01-07-top-heavens.html

Convinced you want to retire in Mexico? You can learn more about the real cost of living in Mexico here.

Back to Letting Go of Materialism to learn more about the lifestyle when you retire in Mexico.

Many people want to retire in Mexico because they have heard that the cost of living here is lower than in the U.S. or Canada. Mexico became famous for being cheap in the 60s and 70s and I have no doubt that it was. My experience from 2001 to 2007 (at the writing of this page) has been that cheapness is relative because buying power is relative. When you are spending dollars in Mexico your buying power is stronger than when you are spending pesos in Mexico, so in that sense the cost of living in Mexico is lower than up north.

Mexico is Not a Sunnier Version of the U.S.

A less than obvious factor that makes the cost of living in Mexico higher than we dream is that many things that we take for granted up north are not automatically in place in Mexico. For example:

• -Unsafe drinking water means that we must have a water filtration system or purchase bottled water.
• -Occasional contact with unsanitary water or food causes loss of productivity and incurs medical costs for treatment.
• -The monopolized telephone system charges outrageous prices causing people to avoid using the phone and thus generating the hidden costs of lost potential. People sometimes have to contract a variety of other services to meet their needs and thus expend extra time and money.
• -The relatively poor transportation system makes travel more time consuming and tiring. Though the excellent bus system probably more than offsets this cost.
• -The unreliable electrical system may create a need for alternatives.
• -The rampant class-ism creates a lack of customer service in industries nationwide.
• -Corrupt police and the Napoleonic Code of Law mean that in the case of an accident greater amounts of time and money may be required to deal with the legal effects.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Mexico is not a sunnier version of the U.S. It’s a developing country. The only way to truly calculate these “costs” in your life is to experience them and see for yourself before you decide to live or retire in Mexico. In my book Mexico: The Trick is Living Here I tackle the complex topic of cost of living in Mexico by giving descriptions of different lifestyle “levels” with estimated costs so that people can see where they might fall on the broad range between “living like a local” and “living in luxury.”

Here’s what one reader had to say about this humorous, practical e-book.

——–

“[I was impressed with] your ability to get right to the heart of what’s important in life, and especially to truly “see” the Mexican people. I don’t know if that’s because [your husband is Mexican], because you have been forced to immerse yourself, or just because you have extraordinary insight, but I think it’s the most important thing you have to contribute. I will tell you this: by far more important to me than the information re: how to register your car or get a FM3 visa, were things like:

* real life information on lifestyles,cost of living, and the average Mexican home

* the story of your personal healthcare experiences

* building your “posse” of people around you who make your tacos, do your laundry, etc.

* the importance of close relationships with your neighbors

* social graces like how to greet and say goodbye to everyone

* the section on the varieties of fruit and neat stuff like ice cream

* all the little glimpses of simple day-to-day life

“Nobody else provides that kind of information, and that’s what you are really good at.”

–Dave Brown, Colorado

If I Retire in Mexico Will it Lower My Cost of Living?

The most obvious factor that makes Mexico less cheap than we dream is that there are many places where prices are quite high. Ajijic, near Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, near Mexico City, and Cancun in the “Riviera Maya” are all examples of places in Mexico that have a high cost of living and they are certainly not the only ones. Obviously, the presence of a high percentage of Americans, Canadians, and other foreigners drives prices up (as well as the presence of lots of Mexico’s richest, too).

For example, renting a tiny house in Cuernavaca costs between $400 and $800 U.S. dollars a month. If $400 sounds cheap to you, then you need to understand what I mean by tiny. Tiny in Cuernavaca can be the size of a camping trailer, with no parking, an unreliable water supply, and usafe stairs. Would you pay $400 a month to live in a camping trailer in someone else’s back yard? That’s the way many of the least expensive places to rent are set up.

Of course, the best way to get a good sense for the true cost of living — for you as an individual with your own personal priorities and activities — is to rent in the area you’d like to move to for 6 months or so. That’s why I chose to present the different lifestyle “levels” in the cost of living section of my book. I try to give my readers an idea of whether or not they would find their new life in Mexico comfortable enough based on their financial resources.

You wouldn’t buy a car without first researching its safety, comfort, reliability, and gas mileage.

DON’T MAKE THAT MISTAKE WITH MEXICO.

There’s NO NEED to make planning to retire in Mexico like reading the newspaper through a glass of water when you can have REAL ANSWERS. Treat yourself to a book which will clear up your doubts. Click here to learn how.

The prices I give in my book are estimates that will give you ballpark ideas of how much it costs to live a certain way.

Dear Ms. Taylor;

Thanks for writing such an informative, enjoyable and readable e-book! The information you have provided is helping me with my planning for an extended stay, 2-3 months, in Mexico.

I don’t have a printer at home and I’m requesting permission to store an electronic copy of your book on my iPod until….

–Peter A Cassidy
British Columbia, Canada

Mexico is Expensive if You Aren’t Spending “Dolars”

Another factor that can make the cost of living in Mexico extremely high is to have to earn money in Mexico. High paying jobs in Mexico are rare and hard to find. Most jobs don’t pay enough to live on and often the hours are long and split shifts are common. To top it off, if you retire in Mexico, then you are probably over 50. Mexico is “ageist” and it’s increasingly hard to get a job once you pass about 40 years old. I suggest that you do not live or retire in Mexico unless you have some U.S. or Canadian dollars to spend — or are just on a one or two year lark and have a way to move back north.

See also The Cost of Living in Mexico Depends on Your Lifestyle for a useful way to figure out what your personal buying power will actually be once you live or retire in Mexico.

Cut The Negativity and Give Me the Facts, Please.

To help you figure out the cost of living in Mexico, click here to see a detailed grocery list.

Budgeting in Mexico

Click here to read some tips on budgeting when you retire in Mexico.

Click here to read about how much and how rapidly prices have been increasing (2007).

Click here to read a real-life case study of costs for an expatriate in Ajijic.

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By Michael Shepherd

Have you ever walked down a residential street at twilight as people have turned on their lights but not yet closed their curtains? The homes look so warm, cozy and inviting that you envy these strangers their ideal lives. For that is what they appear as you pass by on the outside, looking in. On such an illusion our ex-pat life is based.

Here is the link to Michael’s website:

An American-Irish expatriate couple share their Greek island experience by offering lodging and information including maps and photos. They provide content and links for Paros, the Cyclades, Greece and the world of living abroad. Learn more at: www.ParosParadise.com

As we have passed through various tourist areas my wife, Karin, and I have looked on the lifestyles of the locals and yearned for their apparent simplicity in the midst of splendor. It started on our honeymoon in Mexico leading us to host a Mexican exchange student a few years later which in turn lead us to visit his and a second student’s families in Mexico. The hook was set. Our experience as visitors, as honoured guests of the locals was vastly superior to that of mere tourists gawking at the quaintness of the culture.

Since then we have traveled in many countries and found something to like about each of them. We love the excitement, adventure, discovery, and romance of the foreign. We search for depth; we want to meet the real people not the jaded tourist industry personnel. Both of us are avid students; we learned and studied everywhere we went. We developed an international perspective and felt so worldly wise. Yet, by the time we got to England we struggled to keep a straight face the first time an English B & B matron asked us, “What time shall I knock you up in the morning?” Our minds were stuck in our teenage phrase for getting pregnant—”knocked up”.

Also we felt duty bound to improve attitudes towards Americans. The gap between perception and reality was first driven home to me when hosting a group of young Nigerian businessmen through Rotary International in Portland, Oregon. As they became comfortable with our open friendliness one hesitantly asked if they could see my gun. “My gun? I don’t own a gun!” They all exhaled, for they sincerely believed that they had to be extremely careful not to offend an American or he would whip out his pistol and shoot them dead. After all they had seen it many times in the cinema.

Now fast forward to our youngest child being 22 and out on his own, my 18 year old business humming along OK, and our middle age lifestyle getting boring. We do a house exchange for two weeks in England and find ourselves thinking why not live like this permanently. Back in our safe, comfortable surroundings of hometown, USA we fantasize at all the possibilities and begin researching the alternatives. Two years later we had bought a small grocery store in Ballydehob, West Cork Ireland—mortgaged to the very hilt.

Our family said we were foolish; our friends said we were brave. We replied confidently that we were following our dream but also had all the possible scenarios covered. Everything was planned to a tee. How right they were, how wrong we were.

Upon moving into our living quarters above our shop in a 200-year-old stone building in a picturesque village we discovered the glow of the fireplace off the wood paneling as seen from the street was a false front. We couldn’t get the #&@%# stove to stay lit in the coldest January the locals could remember. The shop assistant who was going to help us learn the trade didn’t show up our first morning. The Lotto organization decided our taking over was a good time to cancel the outlet. For the first year every week we learned a new and more frustrating difference between doing business in Ireland versus the States.

We also made a few social faux pas. For instance, during Karin’s first trip back to Oregon I stayed to mind the shop. Our helper was behind the counter chatting about Karin’s absence with a couple customers, John and Mary. I sauntered over to make the comment, “It certainly has made a difference in my pants!” They all froze for a long pregnant moment as I tried to figure out what I had said. Mary chuckled and asked, “Oh, how is that, Michael?” And it hit me. “My trousers that is, they have a lot more room,” I said as I thumbed the waistband to show them. Everyone laughed and changed the subject. (In Ireland pants refers to underwear, trousers to outer.)

One of our fruit and vegetable vendors, Paddy, was the flirty type. He wore tight jeans and was always making comments to and about our girls. Karin just ignored his occasional double intentres. So one fine sunny spring day Karin and I had gone to Schull for lunch. One of us had to be back at two to relieve our help. So Karin decided to stay and walk around the warm, pretty harbour with my encouragement that it would easy to get a lift back when she was ready. But when the time came, a couple cars passed without stopping and she felt very uncomfortable. So she started walking back into town and saw Paddy’s lorry. She went over to see when he would be heading back. She complained to him that no one would give her a ride. His mouth dropped open, he smiled, and said, “I’ll be glad too.” Then Karin remembered that here the common use of ride is sexual slang. Her face turned red and she back-tracked to “A lift, back to Ballydehob and my husband, who expected me an hour ago.” She sat next to the door with the young assistant in the middle.

But oh boy, did we enjoy the lifestyle. Young people complain about village life where everybody knows your every coming and going but we found it brought back our youth to know and be known. Karin would go on a “quick” errand up the street and be back 45 minutes later with all the latest gossip. On a busy day driving up the street was like being in a parade with all the waving. We loved the people, we loved the music, we loved the casualness of it all. I don’t have the ability to describe Ireland in fewer than 1,000 words. Suffice it to say, I know of no one who visited who did not immensely enjoy it.

Several friends and relatives were persuaded to holiday at our Irish dwelling. They saw that we worked hard to produce a living that would not be up to their standards back home. Yet they, as we so long ago in Mexico, recognized the joy of immersing themselves into a foreign culture.

MICHAEL’S STATEMENT ABOUT THEIR IRISH LIFESTYLE IS TRUE FOR MEXICO, TOO. CLICK FOR A DESCRIPTION OF 3 LIFESTYLE LEVELS IN MEXICO WITH GENERAL COST ESTIMATES.

Both in West Cork and in Paros we heard many stories of musicians, sailors and the like who came for a short visit and never left. Thus we were not alone in having succumbed to the delights of a beautiful life compared to a prosperous one. The everyday gorgeous scenery somehow wins out over suburban buildings and traffic.

After five years of operating losses we liquidated the business, made a profit on the property and began searching for a way to turn our hard won experience into an income. Our eyes drifted South to the land of Socrates, Plato and warm sun—where truly the locals must live a charmed life. Once in Athens the first two people I asked recommended Paros. So I quit asking and went there.

Once again we are spending the profits of our earlier life while struggling to make ends meet. During my regular afternoon swim at Livadia Beach with the beautiful bodies on the sand, the attractive buildings along the harbour and the mountains as a backdrop to the warm water and sun I thought: Lord help me remember this scene when I am old and poor in a public nursing home.

The cycle continues as we share our piece of paradise by operating a small guesthouse on the island of Paros. We help our guests enjoy their holiday and gain an insight to the Greek culture. They then return to their land of hypermarkets, traffic and high-paying jobs while we spend our winter with wind, rain and ouzo at ˆ4 per litre.

Karin and I are still wandering the residential areas peeking at the bougainvillea-covered terraces wondering what it would be like to live in that house. It has to end some time, I guess. We can retire as soon as I win the lottery.

Back to Letting Go of Materialism.

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Before you decide to live or retire in Mexico, let’s break your thought process down into all of the individual questions you will have to answer before stepping out your door to do a simple errand such as going to the bank.

 1. Where is the bank?

 2. How will I get there? Car, bus, taxi?

 2A. If by car, do I have gas?

 2B. Do I know the route?

 2C. Where will I park? Is the parking safe?

 2D. If by bus or taxi, do I have change or small enough bills?

 2E. Do I know which bus to take and where to get off the bus? / Do I know how to tell the taxi driver where to take me?

 3. What documents are necessary for the transaction I want to carry out? (Sometimes they are different from back home.)

 4. What Spanish phrases will I need to use to communicate my needs?

 5. Shall I take a book to pass the time on the bus or in line?

 6. Is there a bathroom nearby that I can use? (You may chuckle now, but this is often a major consideration for me before heading out on the bus to take care of various transactions.)

 7. Do I know how to get back home? (For example, where is the bus stop for the return bus route?)

 8. How long will this errand take me? Should I take water? Should I wear comfortable shoes? Will I need to eat before I come home? 

Do you really know what your lifestyle as an expatriate in Mexico might be like? People love this book.

“Julia,
I starting reading your book and I couldn’t put it down.  I loved it.
I chuckled at some of your experiences and felt your frustrations
at others.

I would like to interview you over the phone [for my web site].

Linda” (creator of secondactliving.com)

Add onto the above the fact that it’s hot, sunny, you consider personal safety measures, you sometimes feel like you stick out like a sore thumb banks are miserable places etc. etc.

All of the above questions are things you don’t even have to consider back home.  This is why it is critical when you live or retire in Mexico, that you take things slowly and do things one at a time. 

After 6 months to a year, you will find that you are equally as comfortable in your new surroundings as you were before you moved. Just know that it will take time—especially if you don’t speak Spanish before you become an expat.

Back to Some Things to Consider Before you Live or Retire in Mexico
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One reason to live or retire in Mexico is so that you can see things you wouldn’t see back home.

Yesterday I saw one of the loveliest things I’ve seen in a long time. I was in a two-story book store and glanced out the window, which overlooked the back yard of a large house next door.  

A young man was pushing a lawn mower back and forth accross the grass. On his shoulders was a little girl.

They were both very intent on the mowing. She leaned forward over his head, watching the work in progress. When he turned the mower, he would reach his hand up to her foot to help her ballance.

Every time I peeked out the window I would expect to see that she had gotten down, but they mowed the whole lawn together. A two headed mowing tower.

When you live or retire in Mexico I can’t promise you that you’ll see a two headed mower, but I do know that you will see lots of other precious sights.

I’d be VERY GRATEFUL if you would buy my e-book. I put a lot of care into making sure that it contains useful information and I’m sure you would enjoy it.

Back to A Simple Lifestyle in Mexico

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As I state on my home page, the decision to live or retire in Mexico will change your life for the better. What I want my readers to understand is that what makes the change a good one is the personal growth that it forces one to undergo. If you try to live or retire in Mexico and STAY THE SAME PERSON you will be crushed by anger and frustration, or lost in self-righteousness (or some such dreaded emotional quagmire).

Need to know more about your lifestyle as an expatriate in Mexico?
Click here to see a description of an e-book prepared by the author of this website.

Becoming an expat involves so many changes that one can feel completely overwhelmed. In her article below, Rhiannon Williamson shares some important points that you can consider even before you move. If you plan to live or retire in Mexico with a spouse, talk about them together.

I found point number 2 to be especially true for me. Just doing a simple errand, like going to the bank, is a major cognitive and emotional effort when you first get here (click here for a detail of what I mean) . As Williamson says, you are probably currently taking the familiarity of your current environment for granted.

Also, in regards to number 1, remember that you and your spouse are different people. I notice in my own family and friends when they come for extended stays with us, that each of them responds very differently to the various challenges of being in a completely new country. Be a good listener for your spouse; to live or retire in Mexico is not a bed of roses.

Starting a New Life Abroad

By Rhiannon Williamson

For some people starting a new life abroad is their ultimate dream come true, for others it’s a daunting but necessary lifestyle change brought about by a career move or a relationship requirement for example. Whichever category you happen to fall into one thing is for certain, starting a new life overseas is an incredibly exciting opportunity but one that requires courage and commitment – this article shows you how to find that courage and commitment to enable you to get the very most out of your brand new life.

1) Spousal Support

There are significant stresses and strains placed on a relationship during a move overseas. Chances are at least one in the partnership will be embarking on a new job, taking on different responsibilities and meeting new people…the other spouse may well have to take on the burden of getting accommodation sorted out, dealing with the necessary bureaucracy and getting the family unit into a routine alone. Both parties will be experiencing challenges and will need the full support and understanding of their partner, therefore you should take time out of your very busy lives to discuss your day, to share experiences and to give each other the critical moral support to keep plodding away at building the new life.

2) Coping With Change

Before you move abroad try and understand how you cope with change – if you adapt easily, make friends quickly, are not addicted to your routine then chances are you’ll find moving overseas a breeze! If on the other hand you’re shy, hate making the first move or need to know where everything is and which tasks you have to fulfill tomorrow you will need to prepare yourself mentally for your move. Don’t try and take on too many tasks in one day – where you might be able to achieve 15 different chores in one day currently, the slow pace of life in your new host country or even just the language barrier may well slow you down. See each achievement as worthy of celebration and don’t push yourself to settle in too quickly. Take each day at a time and at the end of the day look over even the smallest things you’ve achieved that day and give yourself a pat on the back!

3) Making New Friends

When you move abroad you may well be leaving behind a strong network of family and friends on whom you know you can rely. This support network is often something we take for granted but as soon as you relocate you’ll find you miss it a great deal. While it is essential you keep in touch with everyone back home with phone calls, emails and letters, it is also critical that you get out there and build a new network. The sooner you can get in a situation where you’re meeting new people the sooner you’ll be in a position to make friends and the sooner you’ll have people there who can support you, offer advice and even show you around the best bits of your new host country. So, take a deep breathe and go out to expat events or popular bars and start networking!

4) Finding Familiarity

Your new house will feel like a home when you are 100% familiar with it, your local surroundings and the people who live nearby. And while it is hard to speed up the familiarizing process too much, you can make an effort to ensure it is progressing as fast as it can! Find local shops, hairdressers, dentists, doctors, schools, pubs and restaurants straight away. Drive round, walk round and learn where all the amenities, facilities and services are in the local area. Get to know your way around easily, and then slowly but surely everything will seem so familiar to you that when you return to your house after work or a day away you’ll feel like you’re returning home -then you will feel 100% happy and secure in your new environment.

5) Getting Stuck In

The sooner you make that first trip in the car alone the sooner you’ll know your way around. The sooner you approach that group of strangers at the party the sooner you’ll make friends. The sooner you get the bureaucracy in motion the sooner you’ll be a legal resident. The sooner you look for work the sooner you’ll have financial security. You’ve made the decision to live abroad – so don’t put your new life on hold once you make the move – get out there, get stuck in and start living and loving your new life.

Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose many articles about living abroad and international property have appeared in publications around the world. Visit this link to read her latest articles about buying property in North Cyprus. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhiannon_Williamson.

Hopefully these ideas will start some thinking for you and/or open dialog between you and your spouse. Knowing these things ahead of time can help you be emotionally prepared and significantly reduce the effects of culture shock when you live or retire in Mexico.

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One of the joys when you live or retire in Mexico is the amount of time that you can spend outside.

As at many houses in Mexico, our washing machine and hot water heater are outside. We spend quite a bit of time going in and out of our house to use these appliances and are therefore in close contact with the stars, the cycles of the moon, the birds that visit our garden, and the neighbors.

Need to know more about your lifestyle when you live or retire in Mexico?
Click here to see a description of an e-book prepared by the author of this website.

At a friend’s house we sometimes go out onto their porch to do preparation work when we are cooking meals together. There is more room, a breeze, and a wonderful view out on their porch. That and the ants stay outside when they come to see what may have fallen down into their territory.

Choose Your House for Outdoors Access When You Live or Retire in Mexico

House hunting in Mexico should include considerations for how you will get outside to enjoy Mexico’s warm climate. A nice garden outside your kitchen or living area, if well-connected by an open doorway will add a lot to your ability to move in and outdoors.

Mexico’s weather is warm and sunny – sometime too sunny, so when you are selecting your home or planning your patio area, consider shade. You won’t go outside if you have to be in the full sun.

You Can Have a Container Garden When You Live or Retire in Mexico

If you don’t like gardening all that much, or choose to live or retire in Mexico in a house with a relatively small patio, you can still do a lot with potted plants. A container garden is fun to care for and you can purchase some beautiful pots made by traditional artists that add color and style to your patio area.

Ask around to see if there are greenhouses (viveros) where you can buy plants for your yard. Plants are a lot less expensive at the greenhouse where they are grown and you can ask the people who work there to tell you how to care for the plants that you select. It’s fun to experiment with new plant varieties that you didn’t have back home. It’s also sometimes nice to pick a familiar plant that will remind you of home and help you to feel connected to your previous life.

Live or Retire in Mexico With FLAVOR

Mexico’s year-round warm weather makes cultivating herbs a real option. We are able to enjoy pesto regularly because the basil in our yard just goes and goes. An additional pleasant surprise that came from the basil is that some hummingbirds like its flowers!

Garden for Humming Birds and Butterflies

I suggest that you select flowers that humming birds and butterflies like. We really enjoy watching these exquisite creatures visit our flowers. It will make you feel so blessed to be in sunny Mexico when you can enjoy their presence in your patio area. Just remember NOT to use PESTICIDES in your garden. Plant a variety of plants and use other organic gardening techniques.

Make Yourself a (Mosquito-Free) Reading and Chatting Area

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, when you decide to live or retire in Mexico, you decide to be part of a new community. Be available to your neighbors to chat. Leave your gate open sometimes, if the layout of your house lends itself to this. When people see you out and about in your patio area, they will stop to say hi. Greet them warmly, invite them to sit with you and enjoy some lemon aid or some cold beer.

When friends and family come to visit you, you will want to hang out in the shade in your patio area. On hot days, you may want to get out of your house and into the air. Taking a book out to a comfortable chair in the patio can be oh-so why you decided to live or retire in Mexico. BUT mosquitoes can quickly change your plans. If you can, see if you can invent a way to deter them. Maybe screen in an area, or buy one of those mosquito nets designed to go over a bed. Plant a citronella plant and rub the juice from its leaves onto your ankles. Buy smoke things to burn to scare them off (one brand is called “raidolitos”). Whatever you can think of, just remember that if you don’t use chemicals in your yard, there will be more birds to help you by eating all sorts of bugs.

As I write this, my husband is outside working on a carpentry project and chatting with a neighbor who has come by to “saludar.” They are breathing fresh air and maintaining social connections.

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Neighborliness is one of the nicest things about living in Mexico.  It is one of the main reasons to choose to live or retire in Mexico.

Neighborliness is Fun

Our neighbors are present for the little things such as laundry and purchasing tortillas. Chatting through the fence while I’m hanging clothes on the line makes laundry a social event — which is a great improvement over how it was before we moved to Mexico.  

Walking to the corner together to buy tortillas breaks the monotony and gives me a chance to get an update from my neighbor on the latest, which ranges from upcoming cultural events to hot sales at the grocery store.  

Need to know more about living in Mexico?
Click here to see a description of an e-book prepared by the author of this website.

Good Mexican Neighbors Help Out

My husband is building a box from scrap wood. As soon as Don Manuel heard the sound of the skill saw, he moseyed over to help out. My husband, who is skilled in the Mexican art of hospitality, quickly pulled out the beers and a plate of lemons and salt.  

The first two days our neighbor showed up, my husband made little progress on his box. He wondered out loud what he was going to do with Don Manuel, who wanted to make too many suggestions. The focus had shifted from the project to hospitality. So far neighborliness was slowing him down.

Today he was not going to be slowed down. I peeked outside and saw Don Manuel and he bent over the boards they were cutting, Don Manuel holding the board as my husband slid the skill saw through it. The next time I peeked out, Don Manuel wasn’t there. Later, I looked out again and they were both leaning over Don Manuel’s red chop saw! The lid of the box ended up being framed with mitered corners, a quality touch that couldn’t have been done without a chop saw.

“Planning” to Connect with Your Neighbors When You Live or Retire in Mexico

Our neighbors celebrate holidays with us, loan us tools, and keep us informed on infrastructure, such as whether or not the municipal water has been turned on. Their attention and generosity provides us with a safety net and source of fun.

When you Live or Retire in Mexico, how can you set yourself up so that you can enjoy Mexico’s neighborliness?  Mexicans interact with people with whom they are in regular contact.  You have to be available.

Be sure to say hello to people.  Beyond that, the type of house and community that you live in when you come to live or retire in Mexico effects your connection to your neighbors. Instead of a wall and solid gate, the entrance to our house is a chain-link fence. It doesn’t create a barrier between us and others. The neighbors can see us when we are outside. We don’t have privacy in our front yard, but we do have lots of opportunities to strike up conversations.

You can choose housing that allows you to see and talk to your neighbors. If you aren’t quite trusting enough to have a see-through fence, you could try a gated community that is open once you get inside.  

Also when you first live or retire in Mexico, remind yourself to make an effort at neighborliness. Give away plates of cookies. Stop and chat. Break out the beers or lemonade. If someone is unloading a truck, show up with your sleeves rolled up. If someone is sweeping, come out with your broom and dust pan. Mexico is the perfect place to enjoy neighborliness.

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