Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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There are two reasons for Norteanos to retire to Mexico. No more.

Climate
Money

Anyone who tells you otherwise is delusional or, worse, a phony.

Papirex

May 7, 2006, 5:45 PM

Post #2 of 42 (3094 views)

Re: [Bubba] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Well, someone here is delusional Bob.

I met my Mexican wife in Cordova, Alaska. When we first began discussing marriage, she told me she did not want to become an American citizen, and she did not want to spend the rest of her life in The United States.

I told her that I had been to Mexico several times and I liked it there. I told her after my retirement we could live in Mexico.

Climate and money had nothing to do with it. After living in Alaska for several decades I can take any kind of climate thrown at me. I have enough income to live comfortably, anywhere I want to in The US. Life would be empty without her though.

I moved to Mexico because I love my wife and I keep my promises.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by RexC on May 7, 2006, 6:16 PM)

Bubba

May 7, 2006, 6:54 PM

Post #3 of 42 (3068 views)

Re: [RexC] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Well, OK, Rex. Your point is well made.

I suppose I should have stated that the climate and cost of living is what attracted me to this land. I have become quite fond of this place over the past five years and I suspect that I would find Cuernavaca equally charming.

There are times when I think that France would have been a better choice but then relatives tell me the sun did not appear for any sustained period of time from December ´till April of this year and I know in my bones that I could not abide that dreadful climate. I just wish people would stop pretending that Mexico (or any other place) is more than it is. It is my good fortune to live, while I am able to so do, in this land of eternal sun and moderate temperatures. While I am here I neither exalt nor defile the place by my presence. I´m simply here - nothing more.

waltw

May 7, 2006, 7:57 PM

Post #4 of 42 (3052 views)

Re: [RexC] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Being married to a Mexican citizen that longs to return to the motherland would be a 3rd reason.

I wouldn't "retire" to Mexico for any one of the reasons below, but combine them, and they do add up.
Below is my delusional list:

1) People with strong, extended family ties.
2) People with stong ties to their land and a pride in their history and culture.
3) The mercados
4) Arts and crafts
5) A foreign country geographically close to the US.
6) The chance to practice Spanish 24 hours a day.
7) Readily available public transportation.
8) Ability to survive without a car. (In the suburb outside Dallas where we currently reside, there isn't even a bus line that goes through.)
9) Related to #2 are a whole host of positive effects, besides just health. (People walking translates to meeting/greeting neighbors, friends, aquaintences, etc., translates to community. (In the US there's nobody outside, much less walking - at least in the suburbs I pass through daily.)
10) In Dallas, people work there. People don't live there. Drive through Dallas on a Sunday, and it's like the suburbs - a ghost town. Nobody's there. That's why I find many US cities and towns less colorful and much more devoid of character, than their Mexican counterparts.
11) Archetecture.
12) History
13) The zocolo where everyone can go and watch people, free of charge. (Sorry, a US Mall is no substitute. There is no 18th Century Cathedral in the mall.)
14) More corazon

I have an addiction to Mexico, but I like the US too.
The longer one stays in one country, the more one misses the other.
This is both a blessing and a curse.

arbon

May 7, 2006, 8:08 PM

Post #5 of 42 (3043 views)

Re: [Bubba] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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"in this land of eternal sun and moderate temperatures."

http://www.wunderground.com/...amp;req_statename=NA

Yesterdays weather,..Guadalajara Don Miguel, Max Temperature 87 °F
Min Temperature 51 °F
It would also appear that near Lake Chapala the daily temp can vary by more than 30º F in any 24 hours. (tell me what time of day you thought it was "moderate")

Even a watch or clock that has stopped, is correct twice in 24 hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TlxcalaClaudia

May 7, 2006, 8:25 PM

Post #6 of 42 (3032 views)

Re: [Bubba] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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...and the family if you married into a Mexican one of course.

Claudine

Rolly

May 7, 2006, 8:47 PM

Post #7 of 42 (3018 views)

Re: [Bubba] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I came in search of a new adventure to liven up my retirement years. It's been great.

Rolly Pirate

sfmacaws

May 8, 2006, 2:18 AM

Post #8 of 42 (2987 views)

Re: [Rolly] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I think Rolly has hit on a really good reason. Retirement can mean you settle down and wait to die or that you go out looking for new challenges and things that keep your brain stretching. Moving to a new country, getting used to a new culture and learning a new language will keep you thinking and entertained.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

prorader

May 8, 2006, 5:36 AM

Post #9 of 42 (2970 views)

Re: [Rolly] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I am 59, my wife is 42, and our son is 16. we live in central NY and have a wonderful home, 13 acres 2 mountains full of hard wood, a 25 ft wide trout stream that runs through out the property, a 2200 sq ft house, 4 bdrms, 21/2 baths, 2 fireplaces, 6 skylights and hardwood floors all on a dead end road. It has been called a little bit of heaven, so what is WRONG?

1. It is, as I write 46 degrees in May that breaks down to about 6 months out of the year it is COLD.
2. New York is expensive, property taxes even with a VA discount is $5,000 a year, with a 8.6 % sales tax, an income tax.
3. This area is not a very friendly place.
4. I am COLD.

Why move to Mexico
1. I am not ready to stay locked up and need an adventure
2. My wife is the worlds biggest door mat, she will help anyone, or animal anytime, anywhere, she is an Optician, and a Veterinary Tech, she also does signing and crafts.
3. Our son reads and writes music, and plays by ear, he did play the violin for 5 years but because of the High School that he goes to he has quit playing music, and grades have gone down, he is bored, he is an outcast, and he does speak some Spanish he was born in San Antonio, TX and went to school where he was the only Gringo and loved it. Richard needs an adventure and a challenge.
4. I am the glue and the drive that makes it all work.

We are coming as soon as heaven is sold.

(This post was edited by prorader on May 8, 2006, 5:37 AM)

Bloviator

May 8, 2006, 5:51 AM

Post #10 of 42 (2966 views)

Re: [sfmacaws] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I'm not really sure why we moved to Mexico. While we could afford to live comfortably most places with the exception of Manhatten, SF, and a few other super high price places, we wanted to move out of Southern California to a place where our money would go farther, where the pace of living was slower, and where we could have easy access to our family.

We considered Wilmington NC and the surrounding area. Then the hurricane came. We considered Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, and then the hurricane came. It became obvious to us that for the sake of the inhabitants, we should not consider the coastal South.

My wife and I happened to meet in the Tijuana airport a lot of years ago when we were both going to PV. For a number of years we went to PV for our anniversary. A couple of years ago, my wife decided that it was too hot in PV for the trip. I had heard of Ajijic and we came. It met our needs.

It is a three hour trip from family, climate is great - but only marginally better than the climate in SoCal - (I came from San Clemente, CA which also claims "the world's best climate." They lie), money goes a long way, there is something about the place that I can't explain, but can feel (Read Judy King's sample article Mexico Insights http://www.mexico-insights.com/comp.). The Mexican housing here is super interesting (although new housing unfortunately tends to California oppulent and McCastle).

I love walking through the village, stopping for a beer, and just talking to people. I love traveling in Mexico. I love the fact that the Guad airport is a half hour away and I can go anywhere from there. I especially love the fact that the cost of living leaves me enough to go to those places I want any time I want. I very much enjoy communicating on this forum. I know I could do it from anywhere, but I don't think it would be the same or that I would do so.

I am not among those who think Mexico is perfect and the Mexican people are wonderful and can do no wrong. I think that people who gush over the two are delusional. Nevertheless, it is as nice here as I could want and I do enjoy learning about the people and the different culture. I'm terrible at
Spanish, but I really enjoy the challenge of learning a new language.

One final important reason why I like living in Mexico is that I cannot work here easily. I've retired before and ended up going back to work out of boredom. When I work it consumes me and leaves little time for other things I want to do.

(This post was edited by dlyman6500 on May 8, 2006, 5:57 AM)

prorader

May 8, 2006, 8:09 AM

Post #11 of 42 (2923 views)

Re: [dlyman6500] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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WELL STATED, it is nice to have nice sometimes, thanks

PeggyS

May 9, 2006, 1:10 AM

Post #12 of 42 (2815 views)

Re: [Bubba] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Nursing homes. As I have said before, the 24/7 nursing care is quite remarkable.

Here in Florida, the prices are sky high, the patients are locked in their rooms, and kept out-of-it on drugs. They rarely are out in the fresh air.

My late husband was a Marine hero, a captain for a top airline and a Mensa member when he was diagnosed with a terminal disease at age 45. Alzheimers.

After some years as the caregiver, I knew that he had to have professional care, and I started to look at nursing homes. We traveled monthly to Guad./Ajijic so that we could check places out, and he would be comfortable there.

A VA hospital/nursing home was being built in FL and a Marine officer phoned to tell me that my husband would be on the top of the list. I asked where his room would be, and he said that it would be in the Alzheimers wing of the mental ward. Windows and doors barred. I asked how often he would be allowed out in the fresh air, and he answered, "Excuse Me?" in disbelief.

After having flown myself all over Mexico in past years (since a kid in 1967 in my own plane), I had a pretty good idea of the different towns and what they had to offer. Ajijic/Chapala had the best nursing homes that I knew about. I chose a lovely one where my husband had his own room and bath and could go out on the grounds whenever he wished. The food was fantastic, the gardens were lovely, and most of the patrons were simply retired.

My husband's last years were great - super nursing care and doctors' visits, freedom and a beautiful place to live.

I, on the other hand, lost most of my friends who returned to Canada and the states - Carl and Lorena, Don and Teresa, etc. I realized that visiting is not the same as living here, so after my years in Ajijic, I am SO GLAD to be back home.

May 9, 2006, 8:18 AM

Post #13 of 42 (2766 views)

Re: [Bubba] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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When we were looking for a retirement place I had a few criteria other than climate (which was VERY important) and money (not critical):

Having been diagnosed with macular degeneration, and not knowing how long I would be able to drive, I wanted to be able to live in a semi rural area and still have access to public transportation. As it turns out the macular degeneration has been stopped in its tracks -- so far -- with vitamin therapy.

My family is half hispanic and I am more comfortable in this culture. I've spoken Spanish all my life, and feel at ease here.

Now that I'm here, I know it was the right choice. I keep finding myself saying to my husband, "I LOVE this place."

May 9, 2006, 12:39 PM

Post #14 of 42 (2715 views)

Re: [PeggyS] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Peggy that was indeed a warm and touching story. You mentioned flying all over Mexico around 1967 and found Ajijic/Chapala area as having the best nursing home. I think of it in terms of probably affordability at that time and something more important is the devotion imbued in Mexican heritage where in most cases, reliance and care of family ties is part of the fabric hardly overlooked when caring for family and especially their elderly. I’ve been to restaurants and homes in Mexico and even here in the US where affection and care is so visible, especially in some of the even larger families. In reflections, this too is touching and understandable how perhaps you felt comfort in your nursing home of choice even way back then.

I have an inclination to believe that down south such still exists and yes, care of loved ones in an open warm atmosphere can be very comforting to the heart. You did well and I wish you the very best. Incidentally, where do you now call home?

May 9, 2006, 1:43 PM

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Re: [Georgia] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Its good hearing vitamin therapy positively benefited you so well. I have a very close relative with the same affliction who can partially see when he looks sort of sideways. As of late he’s been declining my invitations to baseball games he enjoys tremendously because of his inability to see clearly anymore. I try to coax him by perhaps instilling the dynamic spirit of the crowd atmosphere, just to get him out but it appears he’s becoming more and more reclusive. Is there some vitamin formula you’ve used or continue to use that you’d be willing to share? I quite frankly have not heard of this, nor did any of the doctor’s I’ve taken him too, even mention it.

If you’d feel best sending a PM, please feel free to do so. It would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.... Smile

May 9, 2006, 5:16 PM

Post #16 of 42 (2659 views)

Re: [Oscar2] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I'll post it here so everyone can benefit. My eye doctor for years said that some people claimed that vitamins helped with dry macular degeneration, but he said he just didn't know, that I could try it, wouldn't hurt. I was lackadaisical about it. Then, after a good 11 year study on AREDS (age related eye something or another, in other words, macular degeneration) a formula was demonstrated to show a benefit in 25% of those who took it. Some had a reversal, in other it just halted the degeneration. In my case it halted the degeneration. The particular formulation tested is sold by Bausch and Lomb under the name Ocuvite Preservation. I thought 25% was pretty significant since there was no other treatment available.

May 9, 2006, 7:08 PM

Post #17 of 42 (2628 views)

Re: [Georgia] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I contacted the Costco pharmacy and they issue a 3 month supply of Ocuvite Preservation for $27.00. 2 tablets per day is an easy routine which hopefully will bring a welcomed benefit. Thanks again, Georgia.

May 9, 2006, 7:48 PM

Post #18 of 42 (2616 views)

Re: [Oscar2] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Is that here in Mexico or in the US, Oscar?

May 9, 2006, 9:18 PM

Post #19 of 42 (2594 views)

Re: [Georgia] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Georgia, the 150 tablet price quoted is US. Out of curiosity, what's the price down south?

roni_smith

May 10, 2006, 5:48 AM

Post #20 of 42 (2558 views)

Re: [Georgia] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I strongly recommend that anyone with Macular Degeneration or other retinal disorders check out the Foundation Fighting Blindness. My wife has retinitis pigmentosa, and the Foundation has been very helpful, primarily (for us) for its research and treatment updates and the ongoing research programs that they fund.

Google it.
------
Planning for Mexico Move Blog

Bloviator

May 10, 2006, 6:03 AM

Post #21 of 42 (2554 views)

Re: [Oscar2] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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Does anyone know if they are available at Costco in Guad? If not, where?

May 10, 2006, 6:41 AM

Post #22 of 42 (2545 views)

Re: [Oscar2] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I haven't found them here. I always just bring in a good supply from the US>

May 10, 2006, 8:38 AM

Post #23 of 42 (2508 views)

Re: [dlyman6500] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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I'm not to clear on how Costco's in Guad operate nor what their exact store policies are but I've found for direction, speaking to the store manager quite effective as to how to get a certain product into the store.

For pharmaceuticals, approaching someone in management within that department, they tend to special requests and/or can order what is normally carried in the US.

One thing about Costco in the US found extremely valuable is their very liberal refund and exchange policy. No matter, for just about any reason, a total refund is tendered, including shipping and/or freight charges on mail order if one is dissatisfied with their particular purchase. Does this policy exist in Guad?

Gringal

May 10, 2006, 11:14 AM

Post #24 of 42 (2465 views)

Re: [prorader] Why Should One Retire to Mexico?

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You're cold there in Heaven, huh? Mexico can fix that.

I'm up here at 6500 ft. in the glorious Bahio where we allegedly have "eternal springtime". Yesterday afternoon the patio thermometer (in the shade) registered over 100 F. It's even more springlike today, heading for 102. Of course, "it's a dry heat". Me, I'm waiting for the cooling monsoons. Soon, soon.

Bubba's question of "why" elicited some interesting answers beyond climate and money. Family and adventure are good. I liked yours. We often dream of places like the one where you live, but so often the reality doesn't fulfill us. Maybe it's the nature of mankind to be like the bear that goes over the mountain, simply to "see what he can see". Keeps the bear moving and thinking. That's got to be good.

Welcome to Mexico. Bring cool clothes.

Mark Landes

May 10, 2006, 7:45 PM

Post #25 of 42 (2386 views)