Questions for the Author

For more information go to http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/guadalajara/GeACS.htm where you can register with the Guadalajara Consulate and sign up for their newsletter.

December 31, 2005 --- Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

December 31, 2006 --- Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

December 31, 2007 --- Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

My advice is to go ahead and get one right now.

For the long version of the story go to my links page and look under the History heading.

In many of the gringo-heavy retirement locations you'll find that a few community organizations, churches and local restauranteurs will offer Thanksgiving dinners to celebrate the occasion; some free, some with a reasonable price tag.

This year I celebrated with a mixed group of a few gringos and Mexicans at the Fenix Hotel in Cuyutlan. The owners, Geoff and Olivia, prepared a delicious turkey dinner, offered drinks, and a wonderful dessert at no charge.

You can read more about Cuyutlan at http://www.cuyutlandirectory.com and you can contact my hosts at orpr_fenix@hotmail.com. Olivia is a lovely Mexican lady who speaks English and Geoff is a gringo who usually has no trouble with the language.

http://www.mediks.com (Guadalajara)
http://www.sanjavier.com.mx (Guadalajara)

This is not an endorsement of any of these facilities.

On a personal note, I receive chemotherapy down here and they're eliminated the lung tumor that the US doctors predicted would kill me by now. I also had a deviated septum repaired and cosmetic surgery to align an oft-broken nose and to tighten up sagging eyelids and big bags under my eyes.

I'm very pleased with both the work and the cost.

To begin your research I suggest signing up for the free online relocation seminar offered by Canadians in Mexico. Go to http://www.canadiansinmexico.com and click on "Free Seminar."

THEY can help!

Here's a partial list of community-based activities and institutions in which many participate:

Cruz Roja (Mexican Red Cross), churches of many denominations and their many projects and activities, orphanages, animal rescue organizations, Overeaters Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Neurotics Anonymous (I swear this is a real group), Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, garden clubs, Bridge clubs, adult education classes, dance classes, special needs children's programs, art classes, writers groups, teaching English to children, ham radio clubs, bird watching clubs, ecology groups, genealogy groups, and Spanish language classes.

Then there are the American Legion, Masonic Lodges, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Navy League, Rotary Club, and Lions Club as well as a number of organizations geared toward specific geographical heritage concerns.

Others go back to work, but earnings are usually small. Common fields of expat employment are real estate and timeshare sales (shudder), advertising sales, computer related work, musical entertainment or teaching English, art, writing, and photography. Don't plan on making a living at any of these except teaching English in certain areas.

Some expats open businesses but the competition is just as stiff (or stiffer) down here as it is where you live now. Don't think you'll be a success with a restaurant or bar (these seem to be at the top of many idea lists) unless you have extensive experience and a superior product, backed up by a great or unusual presentation.

And some of us actually just gracefully accept retirement and have fun. In many areas you can find organized activities that will keep you active and involved such as softball, tennis, volleyball, Tai-Chi, Yoga, water resistance exercises, and organized walking groups.

Travel, whether with a tour guide or on your own is very popular, and always interesting.

I don't hold myself out as an expert on everything about living and traveling in Mexico, nor do any of the folks whose books, newsletters, websites, etc., I suggest you look at. Each of you has your own questions and concerns, and I want to help you locate
the specific information sources that will be of most benefit to you.

When you buy multiple books you may encounter a bit of info overlap but each publication offers some information you won't find in the others. Writers are as diverse as you readers, and we each have our own ideas of what's important or entertaining, and we each have our own style of presenting that information.

The better informed you are, the fewer problems you'll have. My job, as I see it, is to help you with your
preparations and these are folks I feel comfortable referring you to.

In January, 2004, the rule regarding importing desktop computers changed. I asked a number of legal authorities, including several Mexican Consulate reps in the US for clarification but received little help. Chris Potters of "Mexico Insights" http://www.mexico-insights.com is fluent in Spanish and was able to translate the new regulations from the Aduana website. Here's her message:

"In the past, an international passenger into Mexico was allowed to bring only a laptop computer as part of his/her baggage. Used desktop computers were not allowed in the country under ordinary travel circumstances.

According to INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración), the customs regulation covering the importation of used desktop computers changed as of January 2004; an individual is now allowed to import one desktop computer into Mexico without payment of duty.

In spite of the change in the importation rule for desktops, it may be that some custom's agents at some border crossings may not be aware of the new regulations."

A: No, but care and treatment in those facilities may be lower in cost than comparable civilian hospitals.

An exception to my "no" is that if you're a veteran with at least 0% VA service connected disability rating you are eligible for reimbursement of all treatment costs related to that disability while living or traveling outside the US.

Go to http://www.mexico-insights.com for more information. There is also an article about the Foreign Medical Program that Teresa and I wrote for a Baja newspaper at http://www.gringogazettenorth.com or look at http://www.playamayanews.com for the Cancun version or contact VA Health Admin. Center, Foreign Medical Program (FMP), POB 65021, Denver, CO 80206-9021, USA, Tollfree 1-800-733-8387, Telephone 1-303-331-7590, Fax: 1-303-331-7803; e-mail: hac.fmp@med.va.gov. You can also go to http://www.va.gov/hac and select Foreign Medical Program from the navigation bar to access more info.

When you move to Mexico all of your VA records should be moved to the Houston VARO since that office handles all VA related matters, excluding the FMP, for veterans residing in Mexico. For more info contact: Dept. of Veterans Affairs Regional OFfice (362/21), 6900 Alemeda Rd, Houston, TX 77030-4200, Telephone 1-713-791-1444 x3386, Fax: 1-713-794-3818, e-mail: houstonfsi@vba.va.gov.

A: Great question! I don't know the answer because there is no single source of dependable information for all the myriad questions folks up NoB or elsewhere have. Don't despair though, I have a few suggestions. First, anytime you access a source consider a few things before you buy everything being offered.

1. If a person is offering advice, find out where they live, and if they're actually residing in Mexico, how long have they been here? AARP Magazine recently published an article on retiring to Mexico written by a non-retired first-visit tourist. The incorrect and misleading cover blurb read "Retiring in Mexico. No money? No problem!" Just because an article is printed in a high-circulation publication does not necessarily mean the information contained therein can automatically be trusted or believed. Be discriminating. In an e-mail, the writer, Barry Golson, a former Playboy Magazine Interview Editor, told me that those lines were added by the editorial staff. We do not hold him responsible for their sins!

2. Ask questions of folks who currently live in the specific area(s) you're interested in relocating to. Mexico is at least as diverse, if not more so, than your home country so you need to get information from the people who can tell you what to expect in differing places. If you approach them correctly many folks will be happy to answer a few questions. Just don't abuse them with an expectation of long involved treatises on all things. I know you wouldn't, but your neighbor's been known to. Also try message boards and forums. Here's where you'll find the folks who can answer (both on the forums and privately) many of your questions. For a list of many, go to Don Humphrey's website at
http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/sundog/kicking.html. There are also a number of forums on
http://www.mexconnect.com, a pay site but well worth the small fee in my opinion. (Disclaimer: I write a monthly column for Mexconnect.) If you're not sure where you might want to end up just get a map and do some armchair exploring. Once you've isolated an area you can do an http://www.Google.com search for more information.

3. If a business is offering advice, what are they trying to sell you? Bless me and my suspicious nature but I'm always a bit leery of advice and suggestions offered up by real estate companies, tour guides, hotels and B&Bs or timeshare touts.

4. Buy area guides written by folks who live and/or work in the places they write about. Some that I recommend are on the An Extra Helpin' page within my website.

5. Once you've identified an area you're interested in, subscribe to local publications. Some are available online. You can learn a lot about a place by reading advertisements. Or even by the lack of publications in an area.

6. Buy "Head for Mexico!" You'll be amazed how many questions you don't have a clue about asking. You're contemplating a move to a whole other country and you need a good guide as to what to expect. And I'm not selling anything but information!

A: YES!!! but legally year-round only if your benefits are at least $1,000 per month (subject to change) for a single person or $1,500 for a couple. The Mexican government set these figures to make sure you have sufficient monthly income to qualify for the FM3. If your SS is less than the amount required by the Mexican government but you have other sources of monthly income that combine with the SS benefit to raise you over the threshold you'll be okay. They don't care where your money comes from as long as it's steady and legally sufficient.

Check out http://www.AjijicLaw.com for more info. As far as the reality of living down here on that income, in most of the more popular gringo retirement gulags you'll need to be frugal and learn to live more like the savvier locals. That means searching out the best possible rental deal, shopping at the same places your Mexican neighbors do instead of buying more expensive brands imported from the U.S. or Canada, and determining what luxuries and conveniences you can live without. In my opinion you'll still be happier, healthier, and enjoy a better quality of life in Mexico than where you are now. The possibility of a lower cost of living draws many folks to the country but for me the real attractions are the people, the culture, and the relaxed pace of daily life. As for the cost of living; it varies, as you might expect, but many of the budgets folks make up neglect a few items, or offer vague statements such as "Dining out?$50.00 a month", without explaining how often or at what level they dined. For instance, sometimes I'll go over to Chapala for a 20 pesos (about US $2.00) sidewalk supper and other times I might blow as much as 120 to 150 pesos ($12.00-$15.00) for a meal and drinks in a semi-decent area restaurant. My favorite daily all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet costs 40 pesos ($4.00) which includes everything but the tip. At my favorite upscale local eatery the Canadian owner offers up daily specials for around 80 to 95 pesos ($8.00-$9.50) and unusual and unusually good sandwiches (with sides) for about 48 to 55 pesos($4.80-$5.50). For a look at some actual budgets you might try
http://www.mexico-insights.com
or http://www.mexconnect.com.

Here are a few things to consider: Rent; food for home preparation (include the cost of initially stocking your pantry with staple goods); dining out occasionally; electricity; gas for cooking and heating water; gas for your car; insurance for your car; a bit set back for car maintenance and repair; local bus fare if you choose to come down without a car; occasional home repairs (you may be responsible for some of these); clothing (they do wear out down here, too); laundry; medicine and medical care; health insurance premiums; haircuts and beauty shop visits; replenishing cosmetics; beer, liquor, and cigarettes (if you indulge); occasional travel (either in-country or to make a return visit to your home country); books, magazines, and/or newspapers; internet service and repairs (unless you rely on a cybercafe--which will still carry a charge); computer repair and supplies; enough money left in your bank account to get out of the country if you need to; cleaning products and supplies for both you and your home; pay for your gardener and/or maid (if you choose to employ someone); pet care, food and occasional vet care (if you're so inclined); cable or satellite TV; the occasional frivolous purchase of something you can't live without; the occasional serious purchase of something you can't live without; annual renewal of your immigration documents; telephone and/or callback service; church and/or charitable contributions; membership fees for expat organi-zations; and the debate rages but on occasion you may be faced with a request for a small bribe (the infamous mordida) to make an impending traffic fine go away; dental work; bed linens, pillows, and towels; mail box rental; the Christmas bonus for your maid/gardener; tools, supplies, and equipment for your maid/gardener to use; renter's insurance if you feel the need; and a few bucks set aside for those surprises that always seem to wreak havoc with our well-laid plans. Other than suggesting these things to think about I realize this answer doesn't offer much concrete help.