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ndardarian

Jul 20, 2011, 11:25 AM

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How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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I just wrote a new blog post on how to be a successful expat in Mexico. I thought it might help some people considering taking the plunge but I also hoped successful expats might comment with any of their own points to consider.

http://www.countdowntomexico.com/...-a-successful-expat/

I live in Mazatlán, moved here from the Pacific Northwest and have been blogging at Countdown to Mexico for five years.

Thanks to all.

Nancy
Blogging since 2007 about life in Mazatlán, Mexico
Blog: http://www.countdowntomexico.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/CountdownToMexico

(This post was edited by Rolly on Jul 20, 2011, 11:29 AM)

Rolly

Jul 20, 2011, 11:38 AM

Post #2 of 14 (1895 views)

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Re: [ndardarian] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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I have been following your blog, off and on, for a long time. I think this essay is an excellent addition.

In reading the comment section, I found this one that I think is worth repeating:

I always tell folks who ask me about moving here this.
Are you the kind of person who will go around making comparisons and saying things should be done the way you are used to, or are you the kind of person who will wake up in the morning and say “I can’t wait to figure out how that is done here!”
Being truly curious and interested in a culture different from your own makes all the difference.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

cookj5

Jul 21, 2011, 5:49 PM

Post #3 of 14 (1753 views)

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Re: [ndardarian] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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Great list of things to consider. I often get inquiries through my blog about moving here and I will reference your list.

I especially liked: "Don’t move away from home thinking your problems will be miraculously cured. They won’t. It might even make things worse!"

Or, another way to say it: Wherever you go, there you are!

It's always better to move someplace in quest of something rather than to run away from something. You may or may not find what you are looking for, but whatever you are trying to escape will probably catch up to you. As Satchel Page said: "Never look back, somethin' might be gainin' on you."

ndardarian

Jul 21, 2011, 6:00 PM

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Re: [cookj5] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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Dear cookj5,

Thanks so much for your comments, I seem to have struck a chord with this post.

I looked on your profile for your blog url but it wasn't listed, would you want to share your blog address with us?

Thanks again,

Nancy
www.countdowntomexico.com
Blogging since 2007 about life in Mazatlán, Mexico
Blog: http://www.countdowntomexico.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/CountdownToMexico

jrpierce

Jul 21, 2011, 7:06 PM

Post #5 of 14 (1725 views)

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Re: [ndardarian] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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Nancy, that was a good post. If people would stop to think systematically before they moved to Mexico, I think lots of mistakes would be averted. My wife and I probably overdid our prep (friends in Mexico said they'd never known anyone who did as much research as we did), but we've never looked back (3 plus years and counting). It has been a marvelous experience!

Jim

sioux4noff

Jul 21, 2011, 8:48 PM

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Re: [jrpierce] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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jrpierce, we also did loads of research and because of that we found few if any stumbling blocks along the way. Maybe it takes some of the romance or adventure out of things, but if we had it to do over again, we'd do the same.

jrpierce

Jul 21, 2011, 9:26 PM

Post #7 of 14 (1687 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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And I bet we both know of others who acted on a whim, and saw their romantic adventure turn into a mess!

mazbook1

Jul 22, 2011, 10:09 AM

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Re: [cookj5] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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Another VERY complete aid to being a successful expat in México is Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado's book, Magic Made in Mexico: Live Your Dream…in Mexico. Over half of the book is given over to "The Alphabet or Adapting to life in México: A to Z" that distils 35 years of doing just that herself and also what she has learned in working with other expats in México over that 35 years. There's nothing else like it! It's a nearly timeless "go-to" book on the subject.

HarryinNM

Jul 24, 2011, 4:23 PM

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Re: [mazbook1] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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The flavor of this thread is so right on. It has been a particular peeve of ours -- in the several places we've lived NOB -- that far too many new arrivals (most anywhere) try to convince "the locals" that "the way it is in__________ is so much better, so you need to try it." It simply never works for those people. So the best advise to those who wish to relocate is to find a place that appeals to you exactly the way it is. Leave "wherever" behind and engage -- as fully as you can -- with your new community and environment.

La Isla

Jul 24, 2011, 5:23 PM

Post #10 of 14 (1407 views)

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Re: [HarryinNM] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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In Reply To

So the best advise to those who wish to relocate is to find a place that appeals to you exactly the way it is. Leave "wherever" behind and engage -- as fully as you can -- with your new community and environment.

Well, no place will appeal to anyone "exactly the way it is". The thing to keep in mind is, Can I deal with those aspects of the culture that I find annoying or confusing, without losing my sense of humor?

HarryinNM

Jul 24, 2011, 5:33 PM

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Re: [La Isla] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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You are right, of course. I really do not usually think in such black and white terms. Thanks for your clarification.

Another test for newcomers anywhere seems to be to ask them "how were the people where you came from?"
Regardless of how negative or positive the answer, the accurate response is, "Yup, we're about the same here."

Vichil

Jul 24, 2011, 5:55 PM

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Re: [HarryinNM] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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This reaction is very comon for people who have never lived in different places. When my nephew came to live with us one summer, I fined him every time he said in Lille it is this way. He had to give me a dime every time. The second time he came he was over comparing places.
I remember doing the same thing when I was 11 and was sent to spend a month with a German family.
I would think that by the time you are a grown up you would have gotten over this constant comparison with the place you came from.
My favorite was hearing a woman from Kansas, exclaim, "it just remind me of Kansas" as we were on HWy 101 in California. I told her I did not know the Pacific reached so far and she said "oh without the Pacific of course"..That one I could not believe...

La Isla

Jul 24, 2011, 6:32 PM

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Re: [Vichil] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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Quote

This reaction is very comon for people who have never lived in different places.

Before I moved permanently to Mexico in 2007, I had lived in England, Spain and Mexico for varying periods of time, from a summer to a couple of years. I´m sure that all of these experiences have helped make my move to Mexico fairly painless and quite enjoyable most of the time.

cookj5

Jul 24, 2011, 10:56 PM

Post #14 of 14 (1344 views)

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Re: [ndardarian] How to Be a Successful Expat in México

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In Reply To

Nancy, our blog is "Jim and Carole's Mexico Adventure" the url is:

http://cookjmex.blogspot.com/

It's a photo-journal of, oddly enough, our 4 year (so far) adventure living full time in Ajijic, Mexico, including visits to ancient ruins, colonial cities, fiestas, indigenous culture, hiking, and a lot more. Enjoy!

(This post was edited by Rolly on Jul 25, 2011, 3:26 AM)