moving to mexico
Jul 28th, 2016, 03:00 PM
#21
I agree with Christina 100% about everything.
And I think the best (most practical) thing you have said so far is: <I want to start vacationing to find an area I like.>
I believe that's what you need to focus on (getting some experience on your own in Spanish-speaking countries) rather than worrying so much about making friends over the internet.
(my backstory...) I hope to live in Mexico at least part-time after I retire. But I have vacationed in Puerto Vallarta since the early 90's 1-2x/year (~27 trips in all). On the Baja I spent a few weeks each in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. I've taken various Spanish classes about a dozen times so far. And read and post daily on a couple of travel forums (here and at Trip Advisor). Watch Univision (Spanish cable TV channel).
And I think the best (most practical) thing you have said so far is: <I want to start vacationing to find an area I like.>
I believe that's what you need to focus on (getting some experience on your own in Spanish-speaking countries) rather than worrying so much about making friends over the internet.
(my backstory...) I hope to live in Mexico at least part-time after I retire. But I have vacationed in Puerto Vallarta since the early 90's 1-2x/year (~27 trips in all). On the Baja I spent a few weeks each in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. I've taken various Spanish classes about a dozen times so far. And read and post daily on a couple of travel forums (here and at Trip Advisor). Watch Univision (Spanish cable TV channel).
Jul 28th, 2016, 05:42 PM
#22
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Re - Working for an internet based company that's based out of the US and other countries allows you to work anywhere in the world. You pay is generated in the US and sent to your US bank account. You then withdraw the money from an ATM.
This is the easiest way to work in another country. No permits required. There's quite a few FB groups that offer jobs and talk about these things. I have quite a few friends who do this. The money's not great but it's better than you'd make working for a non professional type of company in Mx. That and the money earned is USD. USD goes pretty far in Mx.
The second easiest is to get yourself incorporated (this is what I did)and work for yourself. Getting a work permit is a little more complicated but it is doable. There are many companies that help you push the paperwork through.
To do any of the above you'd need to show that you live in Mx. That often requires showing things like a utility bill in your name.
In my case, I did tons of online networking and did have a support group on the ground before arriving. Expats know what it's like to be dropped into another planet. I found them to be my lifeline.
Baldone, One can also wait 3 years as a temp resident and automatically become a perm resident. This means that you don't have to show higher income.
This is the easiest way to work in another country. No permits required. There's quite a few FB groups that offer jobs and talk about these things. I have quite a few friends who do this. The money's not great but it's better than you'd make working for a non professional type of company in Mx. That and the money earned is USD. USD goes pretty far in Mx.
The second easiest is to get yourself incorporated (this is what I did)and work for yourself. Getting a work permit is a little more complicated but it is doable. There are many companies that help you push the paperwork through.
To do any of the above you'd need to show that you live in Mx. That often requires showing things like a utility bill in your name.
In my case, I did tons of online networking and did have a support group on the ground before arriving. Expats know what it's like to be dropped into another planet. I found them to be my lifeline.
Baldone, One can also wait 3 years as a temp resident and automatically become a perm resident. This means that you don't have to show higher income.
Jul 28th, 2016, 06:23 PM
#23
Cybor, yeah I'm aware of the perm/temp options. It was just a bit much to elaborate on at the moment. One bennie of being able to qualify for perm from the get-go, is that you automatically qualify to work (in your own business) should that opportunity arise without getting the lucrativa. If the OP is looking medium term to move wherever, she should, if she's serious, be able to reach either $ goal I would think in a few years time. Again, I'm speaking only of Mexico, cuz that's what I know.
Kind of an interesting read on living abroad is the 4 hour work week. http://fourhourworkweek.com I had already established a recurring revenue business by the time I read it, but there was still some good ideas.
As far as proving proof of domicilio, at least here in Guanajuato state, a lease is acceptable and even showing a utility bill in the landlord's name has been accepted. INM I think recognizes that many expats rent rather than own.
456, I know a couple of expats that were in the hearing aid business in the states, and since they were certified there, that certification was valid in Mexico. They opened an office quite easily and within a short time were doing quite well.
Kind of an interesting read on living abroad is the 4 hour work week. http://fourhourworkweek.com I had already established a recurring revenue business by the time I read it, but there was still some good ideas.
As far as proving proof of domicilio, at least here in Guanajuato state, a lease is acceptable and even showing a utility bill in the landlord's name has been accepted. INM I think recognizes that many expats rent rather than own.
456, I know a couple of expats that were in the hearing aid business in the states, and since they were certified there, that certification was valid in Mexico. They opened an office quite easily and within a short time were doing quite well.
Jul 28th, 2016, 08:15 PM
#24
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Baldone, You remind me that it's often easier if one has a little extra $$$ to have a lawyer handle one's transitional visa paperwork. You save yourself a lot of headaches if you pay someone 100. or so to push the paperwork through.
The idiosyncrasies vary a lot from minute to minute. Utility bills are a huge thing here. That said, it may be because electric high here. Perhaps that's why most landlords have their tenants put the utilities in their name. I'm not sure if that's the reason as like any bureaucracy there's no rhyme or reason for the things they do.
The idiosyncrasies vary a lot from minute to minute. Utility bills are a huge thing here. That said, it may be because electric high here. Perhaps that's why most landlords have their tenants put the utilities in their name. I'm not sure if that's the reason as like any bureaucracy there's no rhyme or reason for the things they do.
Jul 29th, 2016, 04:46 AM
#25
True. I stubbornly insisted over the years on processing ALL my visa stuff myself until I finally wizened up and paid someone to do my Permanente. It was a good learning experience, and I learned a lot of new Spanish vocabulary. But the hours lost waiting in Immigration wasn't worth it. And at my age, those are valuable hours that are gone forever!
Traci, give me a couple days to find the online school.
Traci, give me a couple days to find the online school.
Jul 29th, 2016, 06:03 AM
#26
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Thank you Suze, baldone and cybor for all of the information. Suze, you may be right to drop the idea of making friends on the internet and just travel.
baldone and cybor,
I am focusing my attention on the income over the internet because this solved will eliminate obstacles for the move. Cybor, I would love to see the fb pages with employment opportunities. I am not concerned that the income is not much because I know I will be able to live on less income there. Baldone, I know little about the hearing aid business but will look into it. Also, I would definitely hire a lawyer for the paperwork it seems to be a better way to expedite the process.
baldone and cybor,
I am focusing my attention on the income over the internet because this solved will eliminate obstacles for the move. Cybor, I would love to see the fb pages with employment opportunities. I am not concerned that the income is not much because I know I will be able to live on less income there. Baldone, I know little about the hearing aid business but will look into it. Also, I would definitely hire a lawyer for the paperwork it seems to be a better way to expedite the process.
Jul 29th, 2016, 06:55 AM
#27
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Many of the groups that I know of are closed or secret pages. You can start and network with the link I provided upthread.
In regards to needing a lawyer - this would only be if you were applying for residence and or work permit. None is needed if you work online and come in on a 6 mos tourist visa.
Many people do this and fly home or to somewhere like Miami, Houston or cross the border to Belize for less than a day. Your tourist visa starts back up again when you reenter Mx.
In regards to needing a lawyer - this would only be if you were applying for residence and or work permit. None is needed if you work online and come in on a 6 mos tourist visa.
Many people do this and fly home or to somewhere like Miami, Houston or cross the border to Belize for less than a day. Your tourist visa starts back up again when you reenter Mx.
Jul 29th, 2016, 08:16 AM
#28
you may be right to drop the idea of making friends on the internet and just travel.
Trust me, once you get out there (even on a short vacation) you can meet people in person. Over the years I've met all kinds of interesting people to spend a little time with, the hotel courtyard or pool is good for fellow singles. Other single women and men, pairs traveling together. Or sometimes 'adopted' by a couple who wants to take me out for dinner.
Since I return to the same place every year, there are also people I know from year to year. I take Zumba (dance fitness) with locals so know those teachers, their families, other students both locals and visitors. I've been invited to book readings by a local friend who knew the author from back home. Etc. etc.
If I were living in PV I most definitely would be taking regular Spanish classes and probably volunteering somewhere (there are ex-pat groups doing cat and dog rescue, helping at the orphanage, etc.)
You just have to get out there. Wherever you choose.
Trust me, once you get out there (even on a short vacation) you can meet people in person. Over the years I've met all kinds of interesting people to spend a little time with, the hotel courtyard or pool is good for fellow singles. Other single women and men, pairs traveling together. Or sometimes 'adopted' by a couple who wants to take me out for dinner.
Since I return to the same place every year, there are also people I know from year to year. I take Zumba (dance fitness) with locals so know those teachers, their families, other students both locals and visitors. I've been invited to book readings by a local friend who knew the author from back home. Etc. etc.
If I were living in PV I most definitely would be taking regular Spanish classes and probably volunteering somewhere (there are ex-pat groups doing cat and dog rescue, helping at the orphanage, etc.)
You just have to get out there. Wherever you choose.
Jul 29th, 2016, 09:19 AM
#30
You're welcome. I just want to encourage you to GO.
Since you haven't spent time living in Mexico or Central America it may not be anything like what you envision in reality. As much as I do love PV, it's a unique culture there, and even there it's not easy and not for everyone. Day-to-day life in a Latin culture is VERY different than how things work "at home". Some people latch on to it, and thrive, some decide it's really not for them after all.
Since you haven't spent time living in Mexico or Central America it may not be anything like what you envision in reality. As much as I do love PV, it's a unique culture there, and even there it's not easy and not for everyone. Day-to-day life in a Latin culture is VERY different than how things work "at home". Some people latch on to it, and thrive, some decide it's really not for them after all.
Jul 29th, 2016, 02:48 PM
#31
I'm sure there's others, but here's one online school:
http://www.tutorabc.com/asp/company/...sp?language=en
http://www.tutorabc.com/asp/company/...sp?language=en
Jul 30th, 2016, 01:31 PM
#33
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Suze,
I had a stroke of good luck, I met a lady and her daughter several years ago when I vacationed in PV. She and her daughter intended on making PV their home and so we exchanged numbers. I found that number and contacted her and she is still there and loves it. She has been a wealth of information on the real costs of living there. I really didn't think PV was going to be the place for me because of cost, however if you know a local there are ways to make it affordable. It looks like all I have to do is find on line employment and that's it.
I had a stroke of good luck, I met a lady and her daughter several years ago when I vacationed in PV. She and her daughter intended on making PV their home and so we exchanged numbers. I found that number and contacted her and she is still there and loves it. She has been a wealth of information on the real costs of living there. I really didn't think PV was going to be the place for me because of cost, however if you know a local there are ways to make it affordable. It looks like all I have to do is find on line employment and that's it.
Jul 31st, 2016, 08:06 AM
#34
Puerto Vallarta may or may not be the place for you. I don't know. But it's a relatively easy place to find your way as a newbie. If you live local-style it can be reasonable (I know someone renting a 2-bed 2-bath place for $450/month as an example).
Jul 31st, 2016, 12:42 PM
#35
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Agreed Suze, will be one of the places I visit.
cybor, have met others in Merida and near that area who have nothing but positive things to say of the area. They also say finding employment is not that difficult.
cybor, have met others in Merida and near that area who have nothing but positive things to say of the area. They also say finding employment is not that difficult.
Jul 31st, 2016, 01:34 PM
#36
I don't think going to Puerto Vallarta will be anything like moving to Ecuador, Nicaragua or Honduras though.
Since I'm not sure why those were your original thoughts, I'm not sure how to compare what might be the many differences in experience trying to move the various destinations. I'm guessing PV will be a lot easier.
Since I'm not sure why those were your original thoughts, I'm not sure how to compare what might be the many differences in experience trying to move the various destinations. I'm guessing PV will be a lot easier.
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