Please think twice before planning a move to the homeland

[Carolina]

Excellent, interesting thread. Only one stinker in the lot of posters! Thanx to all for your very thoughtful and informative comments. I'm not planning to return to my "homeland", but all the remarks helped crystallize why I came in the first place, how what I miss about the USA could be a misperception or could be different now anyway, why I brought so many possessions with me and am glad I did, etc. I still feel blessed, every day, for the life I have here.

[Mainecoons]

We were talking about this the other day. Twice a year, we visit wife's sister in Texas. Their house is almost always hermetically sealed and either heat or cooling is running. It is a very nice 3K square foot house, would sell for about $200K there. However, because of the weather, the homeowners insurance is $2500 per year. Even with low utility rates, the near constant usage of heating or cooling means big bills most months. They rarely sit outside because it is either storming, too hot, too cold or the mosquitos are bad.

No matter what they need, it requires getting the car out and going for it. True, where they live, shopping of any and all variety is close by, within a couple miles, but if you walk there, you're like some sort of alien species.

Medical care is superb and very nearby, so long as you have the required insurance along with Medicare. Many docs there will no longer take Medicare alone without supplemental.

We can't imagine having to be cooped up under air conditioning and/or in the car constantly. We hope medical problems will never force us to return to the U.S. permanently. We expect we'll have to trade down in homes at some point, the current one is much too large and maintenance intensive for seriously old folks.

We'll cross those bridges if and when we arrive there.

[lcscats]

Just as a point of clarification, even if you don't meet the new financial requirements you can come back.

Come back on a tourist visa and just leave the country every 180 days.

There are buses, planes and people always going up to the border, so for a few hundred bucks you can be here 363 days a year.

Actually unless the law changed you can only use a FMM/FMT for 180 days during the year but I think it is the most broken law in Mexico.

Did the law change?

[LaChula]

We were talking about this the other day. Twice a year, we visit wife's sister in Texas. Their house is almost always hermetically sealed and either heat or cooling is running. It is a very nice 3K square foot house, would sell for about $200K there. However, because of the weather, the homeowners insurance is $2500 per year. Even with low utility rates, the near constant usage of heating or cooling means big bills most months. They rarely sit outside because it is either storming, too hot, too cold or the mosquitos are bad.No matter what they need, it requires getting the car out and going for it. True, where they live, shopping of any and all variety is close by, within a couple miles, but if you walk there, you're like some sort of alien species.Medical care is superb and very nearby, so long as you have the required insurance along with Medicare. Many docs there will no longer take Medicare alone without supplemental.We can't imagine having to be cooped up under air conditioning and/or in the car constantly. We hope medical problems will never force us to return to the U.S. permanently. We expect we'll have to trade down in homes at some point, the current one is much too large and maintenance intensive for seriously old folks.We'll cross those bridges if and when we arrive there.

I thought you were referring to Florida, where my sister lives. There may be a few days a year when they can open a window. From air- conditioned house to A/c car, quick walk from car across a parking lot to the A/C mall, store or restaurant, and then back.

[bournemouth]

Actually unless the law changed you can only use a FMM/FMT for 180 days during the year but I think it is the most broken law in Mexico.

Did the law change?

Are you positive that was a law? Can you cite it please.

[RVGRINGO]

Doing the 180 day dance would also be a problem related to a vehicle: If it was a foreign plated vehicle, it must be driven out with the owner, precluding a quick flight or a bus trip. If a Mexican car, one had better get it and register it while still on a residence visa, thereby having the option to fly or drive and the bonus of no car paperwork or deposits & fees at the border.

[Gilligan]

You are correct about it being somewhat problematic if you drove your car in on a tourist visa, and it would require driving back up every 180 days and some people might not like doing that.

But, if you fly in and buy a Mexican car, or don't own a car, it is a very good option for staying here.

This has been a very good and illuminating thread. I love the idea about how to cost out moving back NOB, excellent.

I also can relate to the story about the friends in TX and being couped up in air conditioning or heat and the related costs.

Thanks to the OP and all who have made this a most interesting thread.

[virgogirl]

Now I have to move back to help my family. I never thought I would leave this country, only get better at devising better itineraries for visiting. But my family needs me, and if I have learned anything here from the beautiful mexican culture, it is that family comes first. Going to depart late June.

I moved here with a station wagon full. I sold the station wagon, they will pick it up soon and we will do all carta responsiva and whatever else Spencer advises for that.

I am shipping stuff, not too much. I learned from moving around in the past, generally, I can always get clothes. Dump the ugly outfits and get a few things when I get there. Take the mementos and some kitchen stuff.

There is a friend the US on her way back down to Ajijic. I hope to be able to pass on this furnished apt. to her and leave her even more than what is furnished by the landlord. Just pass it forward. Make the landlord happy too as he has been kind and generous.

What I gained here is a tenacity to claw through all the problems like a good badger. And I am stronger for it. I realize that it has been quite difficult to make a living as a teacher, but I sure have loved it. Now I can sell myself back in New Mexico as a bilingual teacher, tutor, or social service worker. Workers like that are gold up there. And build up my Social Security for what it is worth.

I will be very lucky to be able to share my best friend's farmhouse. Own room, private bath, organic eggs from the chickens, a good garden, hiking the mountain right outside the door. It's my town, I know what to expect, no real surprises.

In my town, it is hard for a gringa to make inroads into the Spanish community. I feel I have more to offer now by having lived here 2 and 1/2 years and at other times in the past.

I will miss it, but my son and the grandchildren need me, and that is first. All else will fall into place.

I go to the lake, go for a beer, oh man, I'm gonna miss this place. But not the severe work routine, for sure.

[Sunshine Girl]

For my group of friends, yes. Some of them have had to stay because they could not sell their homes and it ended up being a blessing. One couple went to check out Real Estate in BC, the province with the mildest weather, and came back realizing there is nothing they could afford to buy in any place they would want to live. Rents in the most popular places begin at 800 per month for a tiny one bedroom in an older building. The main thing is...... the cost of stuff:sheets/coffee pots etc etc. It really adds up.

In the meantime, that couple have settled in and are ready to stay. They are just taking more vacations (something they can not afford if they move to Vancouver Island... where they were considering)

I feel sorry for my friend who moved back, overseas. She is lonely and wished she spent more time thinking about it... and she wished she paid to ship her things instead of selling them. She feels she left her life behind.

I just helped another friend in BC settle in. Many folks coming back do not have a choice, and they certainly didn't (medical reasons). But they did their research and settled up-island, skipping the much higher prices in Victoria and Qualicum Beach. Actually I think they inadvertently did themselves a favour, as life is easier and much cheaper where they are mid-island. Renting a suite in somebody elses's house is a common way of living on Vancouver Island and it is especially a good alternative for a single person. Public transportation is good and cheap for a low-income seniors. There are all sorts of financial help for low-income seniors, in addition to having assistance with paying th low premiums for your universal health care. I got them into the Newcomer's Club, and they were thrilled by having all those instant friendly faces and activities to choose from. Likewise, I suggested checking out the local community centre (there are 2) which has an ice rink (of course!) and a swimming pool with a health club and many social activities and a little cafe with "Mexican prices" where you can get a toasted bagel for $1.50 and so on. There are dollar stores and all the larger big box stores and many ways to get what you need at low cost.I am not low-income but I have a Literacy Nanaimo card for $10 a year which gives me aother 25% discount buying from their larger selection of second hand books. My friends settled into a nice 2 bedroom house located near a series of lovely walks and trails, all free and mostly for the benefit of their Mexican rescue dog. They already have met many neighbours with dogs who come for play-dates. The other deal is ElderCollege for seniors at the local university, a choice of many courses for $40 plus an annual membership of $15 that allows you to use the university library and gives you free entrances to things. Something for all. I think the main determinant in settling in to a major life change is just attitude. You either deal with what life brings you or you don't. Despite what everyone here seems to think, the Good Lord did not just give folks Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico. He gave us the whole world. And the brains to make the most of it.

[satnrose]

Best of luck to you, virgogirl. Please stay in touch, eh. This thread is about adjusting to life back in our homelands and we'd all love to hear from you one and agiain. I have every confidence in earth signs, by the way. *wink*

[lcscats]

Are you positive that was a law? Can you cite it please.

I asked the question at immigration at the border. Now I don't know if FMM and FMT have different rules.

That is why I asked as it was a couple of years ago I was told 180 days in one calendar year. Once again

All this could be different.

[valbogyo]

For my group of friends, yes. Some of them have had to stay because they could not sell their homes and it ended up being a blessing. One couple went to check out Real Estate in BC, the province with the mildest weather, and came back realizing there is nothing they could afford to buy in any place they would want to live. Rents in the most popular places begin at 800 per month for a tiny one bedroom in an older building. The main thing is...... the cost of stuff:sheets/coffee pots etc etc. It really adds up.

In the meantime, that couple have settled in and are ready to stay. They are just taking more vacations (something they can not afford if they move to Vancouver Island... where they were considering)

I feel sorry for my friend who moved back, overseas. She is lonely and wished she spent more time thinking about it... and she wished she paid to ship her things instead of selling them. She feels she left her life behind.

I just helped another friend in BC settle in. Many folks coming back do not have a choice, and they certainly didn't (medical reasons). But they did their research and settled up-island, skipping the much higher prices in Victoria and Qualicum Beach. Actually I think they inadvertently did themselves a favour, as life is easier and much cheaper where they are mid-island. Renting a suite in somebody elses's house is a common way of living on Vancouver Island and it is especially a good alternative for a single person. Public transportation is good and cheap for a low-income seniors. There are all sorts of financial help for low-income seniors, in addition to having assistance with paying th low premiums for your universal health care. I got them into the Newcomer's Club, and they were thrilled by having all those instant friendly faces and activities to choose from. Likewise, I suggested checking out the local community centre (there are 2) which has an ice rink (of course!) and a swimming pool with a health club and many social activities and a little cafe with "Mexican prices" where you can get a toasted bagel for $1.50 and so on. There are dollar stores and all the larger big box stores and many ways to get what you need at low cost.I am not low-income but I have a Literacy Nanaimo card for $10 a year which gives me aother 25% discount buying from their larger selection of second hand books. My friends settled into a nice 2 bedroom house located near a series of lovely walks and trails, all free and mostly for the benefit of their Mexican rescue dog. They already have met many neighbours with dogs who come for play-dates. The other deal is ElderCollege for seniors at the local university, a choice of many courses for $40 plus an annual membership of $15 that allows you to use the university library and gives you free entrances to things. Something for all. I think the main determinant in settling in to a major life change is just attitude. You either deal with what life brings you or you don't. Despite what everyone here seems to think, the Good Lord did not just give folks Ajijic, Jalisco Mexico. He gave us the whole world. And the brains to make the most of it.

Sounds like they picked a perfect community. I love the island and almost moved to comox before choosing Ajijic. For me, its mostly about the weather. They were fortunate to have a friend to help them get settled. That can make a world of difference.

[RickS]

"...a couple of years ago I was told 180 days in one calendar year."

While I have no law to quote stating that 'this ain't so', this 'rumor' has been quoted and refuted for several years around the various forums..... by people who did have 'proof' and tend to know these sort of things. And I don't recall that, in the new immigration category of Visitante (formerly FMT then FMM), there is any limitation to the number of 180-day stays one can accumulate in one year.