Retire in Mexico
Dr. David Ellsworth
November 02, 2007
I retired in Mexico 13 years ago and that’s more than enough time to know what I’m talking about. I made all the mistakes a gringo in Mexico typically makes and I learned from each one. I learned Spanish and the social customs that makes one welcome among the people. In looking back, I can honestly say that it was the best decision of my life.
What makes retirement in Mexico logical? The economy, of course, and the sense of peace and tranquility. But those can be minor factors if one is not willing to make the right decisions from that first day. Here’s some of the facts one needs to know about living comfortably in Mexico.
1. You do not need to live near the ocean. It will always be there and you can visit it whenever you wish. The cost of living in coastal areas is almost 100 percent higher than in other areas.
2. Live in a smaller village but near to a city. Prices drop dramatically in villages because the economy needs to serve the local populace. In cities where there is foreign industry, prices rise accordingly.
3. Learn Spanish as quickly as possible. You are at the mercy of everyone if you cannot communicate. What’s more, it’s not that difficult when you are surrounded by the language.
4. Do not try to live in an area where there are other Americans. That might sound comfty but you pay for it dearly as an influx of Americans immediately impacts the economy and drives prices upward. If you want an example, visit Baja California.
5. Learn to adapt. Learn to enjoy Mexican food but feel entitled to not like things that you honestly don’t enjoy. I don’t like menudo, tripas or pozoli and everyone in my village knows it. No problem. Learn the music, traditions, culture . . . fit in.
There is an organization of Americans living in Mexico that has a low price for providing a package for people interested in retirement in Mexico. Each member of the organization must have lived in Mexico a minimum of ten years. They invite interested persons to come to a beautiful village in Mexico for their vacation.
Interested Americans stay in a five-star hotel and spend five days learning about life in Mexico as well as visiting the nearby city. In that city they will find
three malls, 32 hospitals and clinics, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Best Western, Crowne Plaza, Hampton Inn, Marriott and other top brand hotels. Two MacDonalds, Burger King, Karls Jr., Dairy Queen, Tony Roma, Applebees, Kentucky and Church’s Fried Chicken, Wendys, Chilis, Dennys, 2 Subways, Sirloin Stockade, 3 Pizza Hut& 3 Dominos, Baskin Robbins, 2 Walmart, Sams, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Alpha Romeo, Audi, Nissan, Toyota, Cadillac, Lincoln & Mitsubishi agencies, Sears, UPS, an Internatinal Airport, American and Continental Airlines, 7 museums, Montgomery Ward, 4 live performance theaters, 42 movie theaters with 95% of all movies in English. doctors of all specialties, more than 100 dentists with the famous low cost of dental care in Mexico, parks and plazas and literally, everything you would want or need.
All this is only 90 minutes away from the village on a super highway.
The package includes your visit, hotel, tours and trips, guides and consultations. If after that the vacationers decided that retirement in Mexico is for them, it also includes finding a home to rent or buy, negotiating the best rent or price, arranging for bringing their car into Mexico, arranging all the immigration documents, Spanish lessons in their own home, contracting someone to clean house and perhaps cook, locating a contracting a gardener, connecting the electricity, telephone, internet, etc. and all the services needed to begin to live in complete comfort below the border.
Visitors are shown various villages with their unique characteristics. One should remember that villages are safer places to live and have their individual flavor of life that is truly Mexico.
Representatives of the organization can accompany the newcomers on their first treks to the grocery store to make shopping easier. They offer to be companions to the new residents on their first excursions into the society of Mexico and to expand their language skills and meet new friends. During that time lessons are given in the do’s and don’ts of Mexico. And incidentally, just to be certain that one has a little extra cash, your representative will show you how to open a business and operate it for a good profit.
A woman hired to clean house will cost about $35 per week. The gardener will cost about $20 per month. Water and garbage collection runs about $3.50 per month. Gas costs about $100 for five or six months.
All services are available. One has an option of cable television with several channels in English or to buy a dish that provides channels from all over the world. The dish has a startup price of about $300 but it is almost cost-free after that. Internet is available through cable or telephone service but cable is cheaper. Everyone has a cellular telephone in Mexico. There are packages with the telephone that provides for a one price service including calls to the U.S.
If one wants diversion there are many opportunities to travel or visit other locations. In Mexico City there are theaters with Broadway quality shows. The Copper Canyon train ride is worth taking and there are countless museums, botanic parks and beaches to enjoy. The secret is to stay off the tourist trail and to witness the beauty that most Americans never see. Only six hours by car, one can go from the village to the Huasteca area that is a deep jungle with monkeys, parrots, tropical waterfalls, etc. One can visit Parral, Chihuahua, a five hour drive, to learn everything about Pancho Villa. Thousands of miles of virgin beaches await exploration and deep sea fishing does not cost an arm and leg.
Those interested should drop a note to dr.david@mexicomail.com. and learn more about this new way of life that offers peace and contentment and promise.
What makes retirement in Mexico logical? The economy, of course, and the sense of peace and tranquility. But those can be minor factors if one is not willing to make the right decisions from that first day. Here’s some of the facts one needs to know about living comfortably in Mexico.
1. You do not need to live near the ocean. It will always be there and you can visit it whenever you wish. The cost of living in coastal areas is almost 100 percent higher than in other areas.
2. Live in a smaller village but near to a city. Prices drop dramatically in villages because the economy needs to serve the local populace. In cities where there is foreign industry, prices rise accordingly.
3. Learn Spanish as quickly as possible. You are at the mercy of everyone if you cannot communicate. What’s more, it’s not that difficult when you are surrounded by the language.
4. Do not try to live in an area where there are other Americans. That might sound comfty but you pay for it dearly as an influx of Americans immediately impacts the economy and drives prices upward. If you want an example, visit Baja California.
5. Learn to adapt. Learn to enjoy Mexican food but feel entitled to not like things that you honestly don’t enjoy. I don’t like menudo, tripas or pozoli and everyone in my village knows it. No problem. Learn the music, traditions, culture . . . fit in.
There is an organization of Americans living in Mexico that has a low price for providing a package for people interested in retirement in Mexico. Each member of the organization must have lived in Mexico a minimum of ten years. They invite interested persons to come to a beautiful village in Mexico for their vacation.
Interested Americans stay in a five-star hotel and spend five days learning about life in Mexico as well as visiting the nearby city. In that city they will find
three malls, 32 hospitals and clinics, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Best Western, Crowne Plaza, Hampton Inn, Marriott and other top brand hotels. Two MacDonalds, Burger King, Karls Jr., Dairy Queen, Tony Roma, Applebees, Kentucky and Church’s Fried Chicken, Wendys, Chilis, Dennys, 2 Subways, Sirloin Stockade, 3 Pizza Hut& 3 Dominos, Baskin Robbins, 2 Walmart, Sams, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Alpha Romeo, Audi, Nissan, Toyota, Cadillac, Lincoln & Mitsubishi agencies, Sears, UPS, an Internatinal Airport, American and Continental Airlines, 7 museums, Montgomery Ward, 4 live performance theaters, 42 movie theaters with 95% of all movies in English. doctors of all specialties, more than 100 dentists with the famous low cost of dental care in Mexico, parks and plazas and literally, everything you would want or need.
All this is only 90 minutes away from the village on a super highway.
The package includes your visit, hotel, tours and trips, guides and consultations. If after that the vacationers decided that retirement in Mexico is for them, it also includes finding a home to rent or buy, negotiating the best rent or price, arranging for bringing their car into Mexico, arranging all the immigration documents, Spanish lessons in their own home, contracting someone to clean house and perhaps cook, locating a contracting a gardener, connecting the electricity, telephone, internet, etc. and all the services needed to begin to live in complete comfort below the border.
Visitors are shown various villages with their unique characteristics. One should remember that villages are safer places to live and have their individual flavor of life that is truly Mexico.
Representatives of the organization can accompany the newcomers on their first treks to the grocery store to make shopping easier. They offer to be companions to the new residents on their first excursions into the society of Mexico and to expand their language skills and meet new friends. During that time lessons are given in the do’s and don’ts of Mexico. And incidentally, just to be certain that one has a little extra cash, your representative will show you how to open a business and operate it for a good profit.
A woman hired to clean house will cost about $35 per week. The gardener will cost about $20 per month. Water and garbage collection runs about $3.50 per month. Gas costs about $100 for five or six months.
All services are available. One has an option of cable television with several channels in English or to buy a dish that provides channels from all over the world. The dish has a startup price of about $300 but it is almost cost-free after that. Internet is available through cable or telephone service but cable is cheaper. Everyone has a cellular telephone in Mexico. There are packages with the telephone that provides for a one price service including calls to the U.S.
If one wants diversion there are many opportunities to travel or visit other locations. In Mexico City there are theaters with Broadway quality shows. The Copper Canyon train ride is worth taking and there are countless museums, botanic parks and beaches to enjoy. The secret is to stay off the tourist trail and to witness the beauty that most Americans never see. Only six hours by car, one can go from the village to the Huasteca area that is a deep jungle with monkeys, parrots, tropical waterfalls, etc. One can visit Parral, Chihuahua, a five hour drive, to learn everything about Pancho Villa. Thousands of miles of virgin beaches await exploration and deep sea fishing does not cost an arm and leg.
Those interested should drop a note to dr.david@mexicomail.com. and learn more about this new way of life that offers peace and contentment and promise.
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