18 replies to this topic

[hkrause]

We currently live in Missouri and are getting ready to move to Ajijic. Trying to figure out what mailing address to use for different purposes. I've read through many messages here, but there seem to be a variety of answers, depending on the situation. Here's ours, and maybe folks can offer comments...

We will be using Wells Fargo as our US bank, and Bancomer in Ajijic. SS check will direct deposit to US bank. We'll have US credit cards that probably need a US address (including Chase and Capital One). Will eventually get car plates from South Dakota once our US plates expire. We currently have a PO Box in the US, plus physical home address - both of which we'll have forwarded to HandyMail.

Do we need a physical US address (other than HandyMail) for anything like Wells Fargo banking, Social Security, or credit cards? Anything else we'd need to setup with a physical address rather than using HandyMail?

Thanks for the input.

Heather

[ohjoni]

Hi Heather

We use Sol y Luna and the Laredo, Texas address for everything, Visa, Bank of America, Medo for Rx, and anything that asks for a home address. Works just fine. Carl & I (with Wicket & Cami) are in Seattle area till mid June. We took 2 weeks to get here, but had fun stopping along the way to see friend and family. Anxious to have you as our new neighbors. Happy packing!

[sundown]

Handy Mail is good for everything. I would advise to never let the USA know that you live in Mexico
Health Care, you failed to mention. Medicare is not good here

[Zanadu44]

Does Handy Mail deliver packages? And what is the cost?...Can you share it with others as well?

[giltner68]

Handymail will receive packages to their MX address, not to Laredo. They do not let you share boxes. I use them as my only address NOB, IRS, SSI, credit cards, banks etc, even drivers license. You have two choices when it comes to SSI, you don't have to tell them, if you get a SSI check it will come later in the month, if you tell them you're here, by law, it has to be delivered to your bank by the 3rd of the month. If they have any more "free money" give aways, you won't get a check if they know you're down here. You will retain voting rights in Fed elections and some State depending on your State and your voter registration will be at the last address you lived before coming here even if you sell it, yes, a bit odd, but that's the way it works.

[Floradude]

. I would advise to never let the USA know that you live in Mexico
Health Care, you failed to mention. Medicare is not good here

Unless you have something to hide from 'someone" I cannot imagine why you want to hide where you live. I have lived here openly for 9 years with no downside to letting it be known I live in Mexico.

On this issue of Medicare I don't see how this relates to the question of an address.

[Griffin]

Handy Mail is good for everything. I would advise to never let the USA know that you live in Mexico
Health Care, you failed to mention. Medicare is not good here

If you tell SS that you live in Mexico, the check is deposited on the 3rd. If you have a Laredo Mailing address, and SS ever gives out the bonus checks again, you will receive one with a Laredo address.

With Medicare Part B you pay around $100 a month or more and you have a co-pay and deductibles with Part A. Who would want to use it in Mexico? You can join IMSS for $300 or less a year with 100% coverage. SP is even less. Paying a private doctor is less than Part A and B.

I don't know who or why you would need to hide from anyone but if that is the case, you could have a hard time getting an FM3.

[Ginger]

Does Handy Mail deliver packages? And what is the cost?...Can you share it with others as well?

I use Handy Mail & if you pay for a year you get a free month so actually you pay for 11 months but get 12. You can reserve a box from the States before you get here as well.

http://www.handymail..._Mail/Home.html

[giltner68]

Griffin, you're right about the "free money", in thinking back I had already told them I was here at that time and so they use my Carretera address. Once a year I get a letter from them asking if I'm still alive and here and I mail it back to confirm, I understand if you don't the checks stop and it's a problem getting them restarted.

[jrm30655]

. I would advise to never let the USA know that you live in Mexico
Health Care, you failed to mention. Medicare is not good here

Unless you have something to hide from 'someone" I cannot imagine why you want to hide where you live. I have lived here openly for 9 years with no downside to letting it be known I live in Mexico.

On this issue of Medicare I don't see how this relates to the question of an address.

I can think of several reasons:

1. If you make money in the US, you cannot claim Earner Income Tax Credit by living out of country. If you make a small amount, you can save 400-500 a year. If you make a lot of money and can benefit from the $94K exemption, then live in MX.

2. If you have property or money here, listing a MX address is a red flag for the IRS. They have all kinds of forms to fill out now and it will just get worse.

3. Most of all, it is none of their business where I live. They do not own me, they work for me.



3.

[giltner68]

Yes, interesting isn't it, I can have a million dollars in a US non-interest bearing checking account and they could care less, but an account here with $10,001 has to be reported.

[hkrause]

Hi Heather

We use Sol y Luna and the Laredo, Texas address for everything, Visa, Bank of America, Medo for Rx, and anything that asks for a home address. Works just fine. Carl & I (with Wicket & Cami) are in Seattle area till mid June. We took 2 weeks to get here, but had fun stopping along the way to see friend and family. Anxious to have you as our new neighbors. Happy packing!

Thanks... we'll check out Sol y Luna as well. I like that they handle packages in addition to regular mail. Do you know if their address is acceptable to Social Security? We will have checks direct deposited to a US bank, but need an address that's OK with them for any mail they'd send.

Knew you headed to Seattle, but weren't sure when you'd be back home. Hope you're having a fabulous trip. Sounds like you're missing some "interesting" times around Ajijic. :-/ Drop me an email when you get a chance and let me now how things are going. Talk later!

Heather

[hkrause]

Handy Mail is good for everything. I would advise to never let the USA know that you live in Mexico
Health Care, you failed to mention. Medicare is not good here

Thanks for the info. We will arrange for health care of some sort once we've moved down. Doesn't sound like IMSS is a good option any longer, so we'll investigate SP and private. Neither of us are eligible for Medicare yet, so that's not an issue. Unless something changes, I don't think that's going to be an option anyway, unless we want to travel back to the US for coverage. Hoping the medical system Lakeside works well enough for us we don't have to consider this eventually.

Heather

[hkrause]

...You will retain voting rights in Fed elections and some State depending on your State and your voter registration will be at the last address you lived before coming here even if you sell it, yes, a bit odd, but that's the way it works.

Interesting. Hadn't thought about that yet. So even if we get an address out of Laredo, we would still be registered to vote in Missouri since that's the last address we had before moving south? I guess that's another thing we need to add to our "to do" list... find out the specifics about how to vote once we're moved to Mexico. Thanks for the reminder.

Heather

[ohjoni]

Thanks... we'll check out Sol y Luna as well. I like that they handle packages in addition to regular mail. Do you know if their address is acceptable to Social Security? We will have checks direct deposited to a US bank, but need an address that's OK with them for any mail they'd send.

Knew you headed to Seattle, but weren't sure when you'd be back home. Hope you're having a fabulous trip. Sounds like you're missing some "interesting" times around Ajijic. :-/ Drop me an email when you get a chance and let me now how things are going. Talk later!

Heather

We use the Laredo, tx address for SS

[giltner68]

Yes, check on voting, States vary on requirements. In some cases you can return your ballot by normal mail, others require it to go through the American Consulate which officially stamps it, bundles it and transport it NOB to then be sent on to your voting district. I received my new voter reg. card the other day even though I sold the house 5 years ago and it was sent to my Laredo address.

[lakeside101]

good to hear of another Missourian moving down. I use Laredo (mailboxes etc.) for all US credit cards, wells fargo acct, IRS...
where in MO? i'm from st. louis

[Griffin]

Griffin, you're right about the "free money", in thinking back I had already told them I was here at that time and so they use my Carretera address. Once a year I get a letter from them asking if I'm still alive and here and I mail it back to confirm, I understand if you don't the checks stop and it's a problem getting them restarted.

If a check is not sent you call the Consulate in Guadalajara and the check is sent immediately. Give SS a U.S. mailing address, either one of the mailing services in Laredo, or a friend or relative. That way you don't need to check in with SS and if checks are ever issued again, you get one even though SS knows you are out of the country.

[hkrause]

good to hear of another Missourian moving down. I use Laredo (mailboxes etc.) for all US credit cards, wells fargo acct, IRS...
where in MO? i'm from st. louis

Hi Lakeside,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a Laredo address is the way to go for such things. We're from the left side of the state... Kansas City area. Love St.Louis, and frequently go there over Memorial Day to celebrate our anniversary (not this year - too busy getting ready to move!). We took the train over to Hermann last fall for Octoberfest and stayed a couple nights. Nice area.

Heather