Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

Nutibuddy

Jul 22, 2003, 5:43 AM

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FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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I have been researching Mexico by computer, reading books on it for the last 3 years, although I have never gone. I have finally made "my decision" to move to Mexico. I would like to live in the Ajijic/Lake Chapala area. I really do not have any questions, as I have been looking at these boards off and on for 3 years also. I will be arriving next year, sometime around next summer.

See you then,

Kathleen :) :) :)

(This post was edited by Nutibuddy on Jul 22, 2003, 5:44 AM)

sandykayak

Jul 22, 2003, 8:45 AM

Post #2 of 10 (486 views)

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Re: [Nutibuddy] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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I'm new to the board, Kathleen. I've been researching Lakeside for the past 18 months, visited for a week a couple of weeks ago and for the first time was not anxious to return to Florida.

I was like.... can't someone sell my house and send me the money and my dogs?

Unfortunately, gotta hanga around for 5 more years till I hit the big six-two (smaller than the bigger six-five if i were to stay in the US).

Does everybody know all about you/your plans/where will you live. Feel free to share..i'm like the other fellow who said he reads everything about MX voraciously.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

Nutibuddy

Jul 22, 2003, 8:56 AM

Post #3 of 10 (482 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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There are a few people I have talked to that live in Mexico, but I really haven't discussed much about it on the boards. I live in France right now, so I can't just drive or take a quick plane ride. I am just going to have to bide my time and wait until I have the resources to go and then just do it. I realize you are new to the boards....good luck to you and your adventures.

Kathleen :) :) :)

(This post was edited by Nutibuddy on Jul 22, 2003, 10:33 AM)

Jerry@Ajijic

Jul 24, 2003, 6:55 AM

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Re: [Nutibuddy] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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If either of you have made up your mind to move to Mexico you might consider geting a FM3 and applying for IMSS. IMSS has a 2 year "waiting period" for some preexisting conditions and it might be good to get this "waiting period" clock started. Also if you get your IMSS coverage and then come down with something you are covered without any further waiting.

sandykayak

Jul 24, 2003, 8:18 AM

Post #5 of 10 (391 views)

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Re: [Jerry@Ajijic] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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that's a good point, Jerry. still too early for me though. However, I thought that you had six months after the FM 3 was approved. Anyone know what the period is?

Another problem would be having to prove your income prior to approval. I won't have it til after i retire at age 62.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

Nutibuddy

Jul 24, 2003, 8:24 AM

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Re: [sandykayak] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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All you would have to do is save your bank statements, unless I am mistaken. It worked fine for me to live in Germany and France.

Kathleen :) :) :)

miguelblanco1

Jul 27, 2003, 4:40 PM

Post #7 of 10 (329 views)

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Re: [Nutibuddy] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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I imagine if you have read a lot about Mexico, somewhere along the line, some of these books and such have mentioned that one should not move to Mexico without having visited there for an extended period first. Even visiting there for 2-3 weeks is not the same as living there for 4-6 months. THAT's when you get to know how it is, what it's like, to live there.

I would be very reluctant to recommend someone move to Mexico without trying it on for size, first. There are many things about living in Mexico that many people will not like, and there is no "paradise". There are trade-offs, and many find that the trade-offs are worth it, that it is "better" to live in Mexico and deal with it's problems as opposed to the problems one currently deals with in one's home country.

If there's any way at all you can swing it, I would recommend an extended visit in Mexico prior to buying property or moving one's things lock stock and barrel to Mexico, or any other "3rd World" (or is it "2nd world"?) country.

Bubba

Jul 27, 2003, 5:01 PM

Post #8 of 10 (325 views)

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Re: [miguelblanco1] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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Mexico is it!

My wife is French and I am an Alabamian. When we decided to retire three years ago, we considered many alternatives including the Northern Californiia wine country where we lived at the time. Coastal Alabama and the Loire Valley were very attractive options open to us. I will tell you that you cannot beat the Mexican Highlands. If you don't like it here you are predestined to be miserable.

Nutibuddy

Jul 28, 2003, 5:43 AM

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Re: [miguelblanco1] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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You are correct....I do know that I should "try out" Mexico, except I live in France. I will not pay that much money to come out for a little while to explore, etc. I would go lock,stock and barrel.

Kathleen :) :) :)

sandykayak

Jul 28, 2003, 1:37 PM

Post #10 of 10 (267 views)

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Re: [miguelblanco1] FINALLY MADE MY DECISION

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Have just finished re-reading Blue's Midlife Mavericks book and one of the things that hit me in the face was someone's suggestion that before relocating you have to face, among other things, your "fears."

I thought what my fears were, and could only come up with one: I am petrified of growing old in the US without megabucks. A friend of mine's mother has Alzheimer's. Sister is taking care of mom and my friend goes over twice a week to relieve her. They just checked on a "facility" for her and the cost is $5,000 a month.

Other retirement options I've heard of go from $2,000 to $4,000 a month.

The research I've done so far in MX comes up with an average of $1,000/month. And one of the "gals" in the book says she receives excellent care, trips to GDL etc. for what would cost 3 -4 times as much in the US, which pretty much jibes with what I've found out.

When you're single (and expecting my kids to take care of me is cruel and unjust punishment...for all of us!), you don't have a spouse or SO to count on. You're IT...and have to make plans accordingly.

I prefer to grow old in a country where they respect and care for their "senior citizens." And, obviously, my SS & pension will allow me to pay for care without having to "spend down." (Currently, if I'm not mistaken, you're not allowed to have more than $2,000 cash if you want to get into a government facility. And I've heard some hair-raising tales so that is my most dreaded option.)

Without going into the dubious quality of the care, I heard of a lady who, after signing over her SS, was given $34 a month "spending money."

I grew up in Venezuela and my mother is from Ecuador. Thanks to Chavez, Venezuela is going down the toilet.

Que viva Mejico!!!!!
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque