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mexigrl

May 8, 2003, 6:34 PM

Post #1 of 12 (1196 views)

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Why do my posts get no replies?

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Hi,

Just wondering, since I am new to this board, why my previous post on the Best Place to Live in Mexico had almost no responses? I joined this service because it would seem that there are a lot of knowledgeable and experienced people out there. I put a lot of information in my post, including personal, so that you would get some idea about me. Maybe I put too much? Is there anyone who can give me ideas on how to post so that I actually get some replies?

Gee, I feel like the last kid left in gym class ;(

Thanks,

Mexigrl

P.S. - My previous post is located at http://www.mexconnected.com/...;;page=unread#unread

(This post was edited by mexigrl on May 8, 2003, 6:36 PM)

Esteban

May 8, 2003, 7:33 PM

Post #2 of 12 (1180 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Why do my posts get no replies?

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Mexico is big country....like 1/3 the size of the US. Your criteria was pretty confining. Living on 1300 a month in Chapala sounds pretty marginal. Wanting to live near a community of norteamericanos seems limiting. There are literally hundreds maybe thousands of towns/cities/ areas that could be great for you. It all depends on so many things; so many personal things. You really didn't give that much information about yourself. What are you looking for besides climate and a norteamercano community? Have you travelled through central Mexico? I'd reccommend a two month trip around the highlands of central Mexico.

mickeyz

May 9, 2003, 9:44 AM

Post #3 of 12 (1144 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Why do my posts get no replies?

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OK, now I am a little confused.

You suggested she travel around the Highlands for a couple months (sounds like fun!), but what other communities meet her requirement of a norteamercano community? (Besides Lakeside area and San Miguel?)

Just curious. Thanks!

mexigrl

May 9, 2003, 11:19 AM

Post #4 of 12 (1126 views)

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Re: [mickeyz] Why do my posts get no replies?

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Thanks for answering Mickey and Esteban. I felt I gave quite a bit of information about myself but perhaps need to offer more. I have lived in Mexico twice before, once in Manzanillo when I was 23, and this past winter in Cancun. One of my main concerns in coming to Mexico again will be health care. I do not need constant attention, however if the need arises I would want to know that there was good medical care nearby. I am not yet fluent in Spanish but am taking courses and can speak in limiting amounts now. Being 39 years old one of my other concerns would be my age. I would love to be in a mixed community that includes all ages and backgrounds. I would also be interested in working while there to make some extra income. I have been researching and it would seem that the $1300 month is enough to live off of, in a fairly frugal way. I also have savings that I can touch when and if I need to.

Where I am really looking for advice is in the following areas:

Would there be enough variety in the Chapala communities to include me, given my age and desire to work?

Are there other areas that have some US/Canadian presence, even if not as large as Chapala?

Health care and your thoughts on emergency services in various communities?

Any other thoughts, ideas, or experiences would be welcome as right now I only have my own past experiences and my research to go on.

Gracias muy amable,

Mexigrl

mickeyz

May 9, 2003, 11:43 AM

Post #5 of 12 (1120 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Why do my posts get no replies?

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OK, first off I am researching areas like you are, so I am in NO WAY as informed as people that actually live there! But I can tell you that most anything you want to know about the Lake Chapala area is on these forums and on the Mexconnect site in general. Just do some searches. There is a ton of information on every subject you asked about.

I have researched this to the point of being...well, maybe over the edge! But I know the only way to really find out is to go and experience.

As far as cost of living issues, you may want to take a look at the January issue of Mexico Insights Living at Lake Chapala. www.mexico-insights.com They had a break down of different families expenses and I think a couple of them were single women. This may be of help to you. I think it is pretty clear there is a wide range of "lifestyles" depending on what you can afford and how you want to live.

For us, we are going to go rent for a couple months and see how we feel about things. It is like my Granny always said "You can get opinions about how an apple tastes, or you can taste the apple for yourself!"

Here is to tasting the apple!

Esteban

May 9, 2003, 3:20 PM

Post #6 of 12 (1106 views)

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Re: [mickeyz] Why do my posts get no replies?

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I'm not suggesting any other communities. What I'm suggesting is that it's better to look for yourself and possibly, she may find a place to "fit in". San Miguel and Chapala aren't the only places where norteamericanos live. Those place are just overrun with gringos and highly publicized. Other places, gabachos live a more covert existence. They probably don't want their villages/towns/pueblas overrun with an influx of people from articles seen on CBS or printed in the New York Times. Going there, driving around and exploring is the ONLY way you can find those out of the way, off the web, out of the mainstream media places that will turn your life around. Including those pristine places that will cost you a lot less to survive.

mickeyz

May 9, 2003, 4:01 PM

Post #7 of 12 (1099 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Why do my posts get no replies?

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OK, got it.

My question is just do you have any good suggestions of other areas that are as you say not overrun with gringos and highly publicized. I guess I could just go out and drive around looking, but some suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It can be a daunting task and to have someone such as yourself to offer suggestions of places is so helpful.

I think this is exactly what Mexigirl is asking for, is just some feedback and suggestions of where she might explore as possibilities.

Yes, then one would just have to go and check it for themselves and see if it felt right for them.

Thanks Esteban, your feedback and suggestions are appreciated.

Esteban

May 9, 2003, 4:59 PM

Post #8 of 12 (1089 views)

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Re: [mickeyz] Why do my posts get no replies?

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Nope, no suggestions. Mainly because I'm an ocean, hot and humid dweller. I've driven the whole coast of Mexico and into Guatemala. I know there are hundreds of places on or near the coast that could make me happy. When people from the north think of Mexico, they forget the thousands of other towns that dot the country. Why? Because there isn't a lot of information about them. That's why you have to look for yourself. Plus, finding that shangri-la is only partially in reality. The other part is in your mind and that part plays a huge role in determining whether a place is suitable for living. If you aren't ready for paradise, you won't find it. I'm still not convinced there are definitive reasons why people move to Mexico when, in a Zen sort of way, paradise may be found exactly where you stand at this moment. I can tell you I like to surf in warm water. I can tell you I like living near the ocean for a variety of reasons but deep inside, sometimes it puzzles me. Is it the culture, the people, the color of the buildings or is it because I had a relative who was a chef for Maximillian? I don't know for sure what drove me here. Maybe I'll discover it someday. In the meantime, in the present, right now, I'm headed down to have a beer and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Then, I'll go over to the Museo de Arte for some music presented by the latest arts festival.

(This post was edited by Esteban on May 9, 2003, 5:00 PM)

raferguson

May 9, 2003, 6:16 PM

Post #9 of 12 (1079 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Why do my posts get no replies?

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I remember the original post as being pretty limiting. As far as areas with lots of norteamericanos, the big numbers are in San Miguel de Allende, the Lake Chapala area, and the beach resort towns. Most of the residents of Mexico on this board live in one of the places with lots of norteamericanos. There are small pockets of norteamericanos elsewhere, but you have to look, and they may not be organized as an expatriate community.

Most of the norteamericanos living in Mexico are retirement age, I believe. For most people not of retirement age, money is the issue, salaries in Mexico are very low, maybe 10% to 15% of the USA, while costs are often similar to the USA, and work permits may not be easy to get. A few people have managed to arrange their lives to effectively telecommute, getting US wages working for US organizations while living in Mexico, the best of both worlds. A few more work for north American companies at their Mexico facilities and get US wages, but the companies usually prefer to hire cheaper Mexican professionals.

Figuring out what to do with your life is always a challenge, but a double challenge in Mexico, I think. You either have to have money coming in, like a pension, or have a job that pays decently. What kind of volunteer or paid work can you do in a country where you do not speak the language well? Teaching English, of course, but beyond that you need to be creative. I have some sympathy for the problem of what to do with your life when you grow up, being in the process of reinventing myself in the last year or so.

I personally would not want to live in a town dominated by norteamericanos, and living a month in San Miguel de Allende recently only confirmed my view. San Miguel has a lot going on, lots of cultural events, but the expatriate scene did not seem attractive to me. I usually tend to spend my time in Mexico in places with few norteamericanos, but then I speak good Spanish.

If you want to hear about other places in Mexico that may be worth considering, I suggest you subscribe to the AIM newsletter, and maybe buy some back issues. Mexico is a very big country, and they cover a different city or cities in each issue. For towns that would probably be good to live in that aren't on most people's list, try Zacatecas ZAC, Fresnillo Zacatecas, Tepic Nayarit, Veracruz VER, Colima COL, Valladolid Yucatan, Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas, Queretero QTO, San Luis Potosi SLP, Tlaxcala TLA, etc. Not all of these towns have great climates, but I think that each has its merits, and I don't think that any of them would be bad places to live. I certainly can think of some Mexican towns where I would not live on a bet, but in most cases you could figure this out for yourself in a visit of a few hours or less.

For those planning to live in Mexico, perhaps the best source for information, especially on the cost of living, is the AIM (Adventures in Mexico) newsletter. It has a practical focus, with each issue covering a different town or area. $19 per year, Apartado Postal 31-70, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 45050, Mexico. (My 2002 renewal included an envelope addressed to 1761 Hotel Circle S, Suite 100, San Diego, CA, 92108, USA). Ask for the back issue list.

I may be meandering here and missing part of the point of your posts, but perhaps some of this is of interest.

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

mexigrl

May 9, 2003, 7:04 PM

Post #10 of 12 (1073 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Why do my posts get no replies?

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Thanks for offering more specific information, very helpful. I do have a monthly income of $1300.00 coming in so work would be more for personal satisfaction and a little extra $$. I am currently working a little in human services here so I am sure there would be many options to volunteer to keep busy.

While living in Cancun (which I know isn't typical of Mexico) I had a hard time finding opportunities to volunteer, it did surprise me. I would guess that because the standard of living in Cancun is above the national standards there just isnt as much need as in other communities.

My goal is to become fluent in Spanish. My earlier post mentioned that my boyfriend lives in Mexico City. He speaks English and I speak a little Spanish to him. I did have a tutor while in Cancun and do plan on continuing the learning process.

Part of my main reason for coming back to Mexico is my pure love for the country and people. I have about 15 years of experience in traveling in Mexico and years of long lasting relationships with people there. Most of my friends are in Cancun and I have decided I really want to try somewhere else. So, I guess, this leaves me as a single woman moving alone and looking for insights ;)

My illness has taken an emotional toll on me in many ways. I have a very positive attitude and am lucky to be doing quite well. However, it did make me realize that I need to stop and smell the roses (or bouganvillia). Where could there be a better place to step off the treadmill?

Thanks for your input!

Mexigrl

Chumley

May 10, 2003, 1:13 PM

Post #11 of 12 (1027 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Why do my posts get no replies?

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Go to the San Miguel/Guanjuato forum and read the post concerning Saavedra. I think that might help.

Madam ZZ

May 10, 2003, 4:58 PM

Post #12 of 12 (1008 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Why do my posts get no replies?

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You lived in Cancun. Did you check out Isla Mujeres or any of the small towns off the road to Tulum? there are also residential suburbs in Cancun that have nothing in common with Cancun and towns on the way to Merida, which by the way, is also an option.