Does anyone have advice for someone thinking of moving to Mexico?

Question

I'm a 64-year old woman thinking of moving to Mexico (from California). I'm an experienced independent traveler, speak a little Spanish, and can accept the laid-back culture of Mexico. I have a small monthly income for life, although I can teach English and am credentialed and experienced.

One concern I have is how to get my stuff there! Moving companies are very expensive, and I don't want to take much, just clothes, books, kitchen stuff, and the computer.
I don't think I should take my car down. Driving is too weird or dangerous, and having a car in Mexico a big pain, from what I've read.

Can one ship things down by UPS?

Also, can anyone recommend smaller towns, somewhere on or near the Pacific coast, with some ex-pat's but still affordable?

Thank you to anyone who responds.

Answer 1

"Not even one day and one night! " Excuse me, but Pete is wacko!

I also am a 64 year old Californian who plans to move to Mexican within a year. I have travel extensively in Mexico and have never had a problem with the police. I have visited San Miguel six times including three stays of over a month not only did I not have any problems let alone on a daily basis, no friend Mexican or expat ever mentioned a problem.

All the police problems that I have heard about in Mexico involved driving a car.

You find a lot of info on moving to Mexico at http://www.rollybrook.com/how_to_move_to_mexico.htm

It sounds like the 64 year old nurse above would be a good contact for you.

Another could be another 64 year old who has this blog http://mylifeinchacala.blogspot.com/

Maybe we can start a club. At our meetings, we can sing "When I'm Sixty-Four." Paul McCatney is also now 64.

You'll find my website at http://www.larpman.com/index.html where I have a lot of info on busing.

The best online forum is found at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=17

Answer 2

We live here in Mazatlan and love it! It does take a certain type to live here, though. You have to realize you are in a diffrent country with diffrent rules, customs, etc. As far as shipping UPS, it would be very expensive, besides the shipping costs, you will have to pay tariffs on everything. There are moving companies that will come down here, but they are pretty expensive as well. It is best to drive and pack the car. Driving here is really no big deal, just get mexican insurance and a sticker at the border. I don't reccomend highway driving at night, not so much for crime, but because of road conditions. It is not unusual to suddenly come across a big pothole or a donkey in the middle of the road. Just go with the flow and realize that this is not the US.....things are definately diffrent, sometimes in a good way, sometimes bad. There is corruption here of course, but not directed at expats. If you get pulled over, give the cop 200 pesos (approx 20 USD) and go on your way. Bribery, yes, but there is no court date and it does not show up on your insurance! I cannot vouch for all the cities, but the locals here in Mazatlan are very open and easy to make friends with. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I'll try to help!
[e-mail]
Also this lady has a website listing several blogs, and the one below that is my blog.

http://mexico-in-english.blogspot.com/2006/06/veracruz.html
http://www.poolds.blogspot.com/

Answer 3

HI I am 64 and have spent many years in Mexico and America I have used every mode of transportation you are right best not to drive you don't need a car Mexico has a good bus system. I would not buy rent. I spent Lot's of time in Oaxaca many friends ex-Pat's prob. now but it will get back to normal it's a good place also in the state of Oaxaca coast Porto Escondido small has all you need not as many $ to do Lot prices are good I would spend a month in Oaxaca city ride the bus over and down the mt. spend week or so on the beach back to Oaxaca city you have Lot's options go have fun. Travel light.

Answer 4

Hi...I am 64, retired nurse, have lived in Mexico for a year and a half now. I live just outside a small town, less than 30 min. from very large city...low cost of living here Have learned most ot the "ins and outs" of living in Mexico. I drove down in my car, brought personal items, few household things, bought furniture, other needs here. To ship by ups , i believe would be very expensive. Having car here is Not a big problem. Where I live is not touristy and is quite safe. Would be glad to communicate with you about more details if you would like to email me.

Answer 5

Well i must say you are very adventurous! A move to Mexico is a hard change! I suggest UPS for all of you belongings. I know the when my family moved from Florida to NH we used UPS to ship all of our belongings. It was nice and easy. As for the move i suggest that you do some research on what part of Mexico you want to live in. Once you decide on a town look at Houses or apartments, you will want to know how far away everything is from where you will live to decide if you want to bring your car or not. My last tip for you is before you leave you will want to learn enough Spanish to communicate with the people around you.

Answer 6

Same age but a male and am living on the Pacific coast in a small beach town between Manzanillo and Vallarta. Very happy with it so far but must admit the summers are warm on the coast. You should be able to contact me thru my websites or Yahoo if you like a little more indepth info - both good and bad.

http://sparks-mexico.com/costalegre/
http://melaque.blogspot.com/

Answer 7

We travel by car to mexico every other year. We live in northern California, we travel to Michoacan (it takes us between 36-40hrs to get there. We have never encountered any problems on the way. Have you thought of taking a family member with you if you decided to travel by car. Maybe someone could come to help you get situated, and you could pay for their flight back. Good luck, hope it works out.

Answer 8

There is a big community of US in Chapala close to Guadalajara in Jalisco, also you can go to Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco also or cuernavaca... like every country has is ups and downs but just because one person (pete k) has a bad experience doesnt mean that every american will have bad experiences. You are welcome in my country!

Answer 9

My best advice to you is: Think again! I spent a total of
14 months in San Miguel de Allende, in central Mexico.
It was the very worst year and two months of my entire
life, bar none!

I, too, once thought its culture was a "laid back" one.
!Pero, ninguna tal cosa! (But, no such thing!)

The first thing anyone with half a brain ought to realize at
the drop of a sombrero is, the culture of that south-of-the-
border country isn't a "laid-back" one at all. It is, in fact,
the epitome of corruption!

Por un examplar: el policia take bribes on a daily basis.
(Just one example, I suppose, of Mexico's poverty.) And
they like to find any sort of excuse to harrass Americans.

(Californians--I'm one of those too, just like you--seem
to be the ones they hate most of all.)

No, if you're bright--and you've already told me that you're
on a limited income, which is something else we have
in common--then you wouldn't want to take even all of
Bill Gates's money to spend any time in Mexico. Not even
one day and one night!

Buena suerte. !Tu necisidad este, si usted quiere ir alli!
Good luck. You need that, if you want to go there!

Answer 10

Think about the laws and the differences >You might not think of these things then when u get there u night be dissapointed.remember the us is one of the richest countries!!

good luck !!!listen to your heart!