Take life for everything it has to offer! Sing, dance, love, laugh and enjoy the sunshine and clear waters in Akumal Beach; where the time goes slow and the days are always happy!
-By Bea Lozano
Tag Archives: Mexico retirement
The Good Life! #Throwback Thursday
Today’s Agenda!
Wake up, eat, go to the beach, apply sunscreen, swim, reapply sunscreen!
-by Thomas Lloyd
Do All Expats in Mexico Go To Fancy Hospitals?
So, the word is out; world-class, high-quality, top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art hospitals are available in many Mexican cities, and they cost a fraction of what similar hospitals do in the U.S. The logical conclusion; all expats – including those who couldn’t afford such service back home – go to fancy space-age hospitals where they pamper you above and beyond what’s necessary.
The impression is true to a certain extent – at least to the extent that pretty much any expat who wanted to could go to this kind of hospital. And plenty do … when the feel they need it.
Reality is much more varied …
This greatly oversimplifies the reality of health care in Mexico – even health care that’s suitable for and really used by Americans and Canadians living here.
The reality is this: health care in Mexico offers a wide variety of options, many of which are suitable for expats at some point or another.
The “local” clinics
Think about this; would you feel it necessary to go to a world-class hospital with the best equipment to check out a cut for stitches or a cold that has been going on a little too long? Probably not. Even if the price is relatively low, it would just seem like overkill. And besides that, it might just be an unnecessary “trip.” Even if that hospital’s only 20 minutes away in taxi, there might be a good local clinic right around the corner from your home that can do the same for even less money.
Consider this story from Glynna Prentice, a seasoned expat at International Living:
“I once needed to see a doctor when I was staying in the colonial city of Guanajuato, where I have a small house.
“I got recommendations for fancy doctors in Leon, a major city of about 1.7 million people less than an hour from Guanajuato. But in the end, for convenience, I chose to go to a small clinic in Guanajuato’s historiccentro, a short walk from my house.
“The clinic treated walk-in patients, many of whom clearly were not wealthy. The waiting area had plastic chairs and out-of-date magazines. But the doctor, whom friends had recommended to me, was a well-traveled, middle-aged woman with a bright smile and a very professional manner. She sorted me out in no time. And her bill? Just $20.”
The Public Insurance Option
Besides the local doctor’s practices which can offer very good service, a growing number of expats are using Mexico’s public insurance (IMSS) for their regular needs. For a flat rate of about $350 per year, it covers everything, including vitamins, eye glasses and sometimes even basic dental work. While their hospitals lack the state-of-the-art equipment of the private hospitals, they are clean and cover more than just the basics; the state-of-the-art private hospitals are always there for anything very major, and for everything else the costs are kept to a bare minimum.
On Monday I’ll share the story of an expat who works in our office, and his experience with IMSS.
Variety
I’ve given two examples of different options here. But the point is that you can find basic doctor’s offices that can offer a prescription for a minor infection, or do minor stitches; some that are are small, but specialized in specific health issues; large public hospitals; large private state-of-the-art hospitals and a dozen other options, which you can choose from at any time according to your needs.
Of course, not all the clinics and hospitals are good. But the majority will deliver what they promise, and be honest when something is beyond their scope, usually quite willing to recommend the best place to seek the treatment you need. Asking around you can quickly find out which hospitals or doctors (of all budgets) are reputable.
Glynna Prentice finishes her article with this simple and important observation:
“In general, I continue to use Mexico’s high-tech hospitals and specialists for my check-ups and medical tests. But it’s comforting to know that in Mexico I have a range of options, depending on my needs. And all of it at wonderfully affordable prices.”
That’s the key – “I have a lot of options – at wonderfully affordable prices.”
-by Thomas Lloyd
What Are Your Best Memories of Mexico? Share Pictures and Win a Prize!
Top Mexico Real Estate having a calendar photo contest this summer. Besides getting your picture in a printed calendar, there are some exciting prizes, including:
- an underwater digital camera
- a full day pass for The Fives luxury resort
- a free copy of the hard-cover calendar for all category winners
There are 13 categories:
- Mexico Relax
- Livin’ Playa
- 25 Top Beaches
- Underwater
- Beach Sunrise/Sunset
- I Love Mexico
- Mayan Wildlife
- Ancient Mayan
- Mayan Jungle
10. Beach Sports
11. Mexican Food
12. Walk on the Beach
13. Lucky 13 (Any photo of the Riviera Maya taken from a mobile device)
For more information, and to submit a photo, visit our Facebook page for the competition.
-by Bea Lozano
Where Is It Safe to Travel in Mexico? … to Live in Mexico?
Expats living in Mexico will almost invariably feel confident in the safety of the place where they live; being here in person allows people to experience first hand that life here is safe.
Yet many expats also want the experience of traveling to other parts of the country. Those who aren’t expats yet (but are planning on it) will want to know which areas are statistically safe.
For these purposes, the US Department of State’s “Clear for Travel” list is useful. I approve of this list, because it let’s people know that many parts of Mexico are safe for travel, and serves as a beginning of a balance to the negative travel advisories lists that have gained so much attention. (I also approve of the travel advisories list – people need to know where they shouldn’t go, too!)
As far as I know, this list isn’t exhaustive; if a place isn’t listed here, that doesn’t mean it’s not safe. These are just the most frequently visited places that have been given a definite “clear.” So if the place you’re thinking of visiting is not listed here, do some extra research before stroking it of your list.
CITIES CLEAR FOR TRAVEL
The follow tourist cities and places continue to have no warning or advisories in effect:
Baja California Sur: No advisory is in effect.
Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, La Paz, Todos Santos, Isla Espiritu Santo, Loreto, Laguna San Ignacio, Magdelena Bay
Campeche: No advisory is in effect.
Campeche City, Calakmul, Edzna
Chiapas: No advisory is in effect.
San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Comitán, Tapachula, Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Toniná, Sumidero Canyon, San Juan Chamula, Zinacantan
Guanajuato: No advisory is in effect.
Guanajuato City, Leon, San Miguel de Allende
Guerrero*:
Acapulco, Taxco, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa
Jalisco:
Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Tequila
Distrito Federal: No advisory is in effect.
Mexico City (Polanco, Santa Fe, San Angel, Coyoacan, La Condesa, Chapultepec Park, Bascilica de Guadalupe, Historic Center, Zócalo, Xochimilco, Teotihuacan, Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes)
Michoacan*:
Morelia*
Nayarit:
Riviera Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita, Sayulita, Bucerias
Oaxaca: No advisory is in effect.
Oaxaca City, Sierra Norte, Monte Alban, Mitla, Teotitlán del Valle, San Bartolo de Coyotepec, San Martin Tilcajete, Cuilápam de Guerrero, Tlacolula, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido
Puebla: No advisory is in effect.
Puebla City, San Andres Cholula, San Pedro Cholula
Queretaro: No advisory is in effect.
Queretaro City, Bernal
Quintana Roo: No advisory is in effect.
Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mayakoba, Akumal, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Xpu-Ha
Sinaloa*:
Mazatlan*
Tabasco: No advisory is in effect.
Villahermosa
Yucatan: No advisory is in effect.
Merida, Chichen Itza, Isla Holbox, Ek Balam, Valladolid, Izmal, Uxmal
*There are advisories in effect for the state. The listed cities are okay for travel but you should exercise caution and stay within tourist areas.
(From the US Department of State, as listed in Journey Mexico.)
There are many safe places to live in Mexico, and even more great (and safe) places to travel to.
-by Thomas Lloyd
How Old Do You Have to Be to Retire … in Mexico?
How old do you have to be to retire? How old do you have to be to retire in Mexico?
They are two distinct questions, and have two distinct answers.
We all know that in the U.S. and Canada retirement age is on the rise – often due to financial constraints.
In Mexico, there are several factors to consider:
- The cost of living is lower, which makes it easier to retire sooner.
- It’s easy to start your dream business; it costs less and there are fewer hurdles. Mexican bureaucracy can be a marathon, but outside of the government offices you’ll find that it’s easier to get things going. Most people running their business in Mexico just keep doing it – even if they’re financially ready; they just like it so much.
- It’s easier to be healthy making it easier to choose to keep working or to have an active retirement otherwise. Warm weather, good and affordable healthcare and easy access to fresh, healthy food have many advantages.
When it comes right down to it, you might not think of it in the same way as you do there. You may just enjoy life here so much, that the distinction between work and retirement blurs and even disappears!
-by Thomas Lloyd
\
Pyramid Marketing or Relaxing Retirement on Mexico’s Beaches?
The word is getting out there; more and more Americans are worried that they won’t have enough money to retire comfortably.
Wall Street Journal has taken notice. Yahoo News did too. It’s becoming common place to see articles analyzing the situation and offering advice for those who are approaching retirement with lower funds than they would ideally want or need. Solutions are being offered up that include anything from even more frugality to elaborate savings and tax strategies.
This guy is even suggesting that the best solution is to join an internet based pyramid marketing program. (He’s the CEO, so no surprises …!)
Now, I have nothing against how people make a livelihood, but let’s just get right down to a simple, basic question:
How would you prefer to spend your retirement years? Trying to sell products to your family, friends and neighbors, or simply enjoying a relaxing life on the beach?
I think even JR Ridinger would choose beach. (He’s so rich, he doesn’t have much to worry about, but if it came right to down to it …)
The point is that if you retire in Mexico, you won’t have to become a pyramid salesman in your free time to make ends meet – or, if you do, that money will sure go a heck of a lot further. This true of any part time job.
And what about those elaborate savings and tax strategies? Go for it! No one will complain about having too much saved. But why not take some of the pressure off and enjoy the hard work you’re putting into those savings a little more?
-by Thomas Lloyd
How Does Mexico Compare to the 10 Best U.S. States for Retirement?
What’s the best place to retire in the U.S.? A recent slide show at Marketwatch.com visualized and summarized the findings of a recent Bankrate survey.
You can go take a look at at, but a quick glance will show you that the results are … surprising. The empty badlands and sprawling wheat fields of the Dakotas, the plains of Nebraska and the hills of the Appalachians – beautiful places, to be sure, but not exactly the sunny retirement that most people imagined.
So, what happened in this rating? Is Bankrate just trying be counter-culture and shock people? Actually, if you read the stats, they are just being realistic. The classic favorites in the Sunbelt are simply too expensive for the average (or even above average) American. To find a good balance of cost of living, health care, low crime and good services you have to look northward.
In my opinion, a much better solution would be to look southward – to Mexico that is. Of the factors Bankrate considered, many locations in Mexico excel:
Cost of living – Mexico tends to be about half that of the U.S. on average. I’m sure this means that most nice places in Mexico are noticeably less expensive than the states on that list.
Health care – Mexico’s healthcare has modernized significantly, and now has hospitals on par with private hospitals in the U.S.
The beaches of Playa del Carmen
Modern services – Banks, supermarkets, transportation, etc. – these will be well run, modern and comfortable.
Crime rate – Surprisingly, many parts of Mexico are safer than many parts of the U.S. Yucatan, for example, has a crime rate as low as Wyoming, one of the safest states.
Sunshine & warm weather – Many parts of Mexico enjoy sunshine over 300 days a year. This includes beachfront areas and small lakeside towns in the hilly central highlands.
And … we can’t forget that with all this, you can still be on a beautiful beach, or perhaps a charming lake front if you prefer. So, you can go digging up nice retirement towns in South Dakota, if you like. I’m sure the people will be friendly and the landscapes will be beautiful … during the 3 months of summer, at least.
Or you could come down to Mexico and enjoy even lower cost of living, sunnier weather with most of the same benefits. The beach will be much, much closer.
You choose.
-by Bea Lozano
You Want to Retire in Mexico, But She Doesn’t …
On Thursday, The Huffington Post has a great article about what to do if you are in love with Mexico and planning on retiring here, but your wife (or husband) does not. Here’s an excerpt with the main points of advice:
1. Involve them in the planning.
This is a big decision. And it deserves careful thought and planning by all involved. Talk, talk and talk some more about it. Make sure you’re both as informed as possible and involved in the decisions about where to move, how to live, and so on. Spend time together and separately, perusing online forums and other resources. If your motivation is economic, make sure you both understand what’s going on with your financial situation.
2. Compromise with a “no strings attached” test drive.
Nothing is scarier than cutting the ties completely. If your partner is reluctant to do that, consider giving the new life a test drive. Before you sell your house or buy that one-way ticket, rent an apartment in the new locale for three months or more.
3. Don’t sugarcoat the challenges.
Discuss the difficulties you’ll face along the way, and work together on solutions. For instance, you may want to take some foreign language classes before your move. Try out voice- and video-over-internet (VOIP) technologies so you can easily stay in touch with family and friends. If you’re retiring, do some budget planning. There will still be unexpected challenges, but by working together, problem-solving can be part of the fun.
4. Help ease the transition.
Once you’ve moved, take an active approach to learning as much about your new community as you can. Be sure your partner has an opportunity to meet other expats and locals with similar interests. These days, you can do this in advance of your move through online blogs, forums, and websites. And keep busy — this is the perfect opportunity for you both to try something new. Fortunately, in most expat communities, you’ll find your new social life is more active — and more enjoyable — than ever.
5. Remember that attitude is everything. When challenges do arise, maintain your sense of humor and look on the bright side: this experience will likely strengthen your relationship. (And it will give you great stories to tell later.) So support one another and make a point to have as much fun as possible on this adventure.
The writer than goes on to address the question; after all that, what happens if he/she doesn’t fall “in love with Mexico? Well, don’t think of your move as a one-way ride or as the last move you’ll ever make — if it doesn’t work out, you can always move on or even go back home.”
I would just add that you can always do the snowbird plan (winters here – summers there) or move back and forth. You’re retired after all!
-by Thomas Lloyd
Looking for a Retirement Job? Why Not Your Dream Business in Mexico?
Finally you’ve made it to that big day when retirement begins, so you can … compete in a struggling job market to make ends meet?!?
It may sound absurd, but more and more retirees are finding themselves in this situation.
Pressures on Retirees
“‘Retirement job seems like an oxymoron,” observes a recent article in USA Today. “And yet a growing number of Americans say that they plan to continue to work during their retirement years.”
The article goes on to list all sorts of fun things like:
- harder times making retirement budgets work
- difficulty finding jobs
- employers’ adversity to hiring workers in retirement age
- higher unemployment in the 55+ group
- etc.
Of course, for professionals, the pictures is a little different. But the bottom line still is that it’s becoming harder and harder to just forget about work and enjoy life during retirement.
Have You Thought about Mexico?
People who find themselves in this situation would do very well to look south. First and foremost, the cost of living is so low in Mexico, that it solves the problem for most people. The stress of wondering if those retirement funds will go far enough is removed and people can relax and live well. Most people could easily afford a nice Mexico property, leaving their savings in tact, or even boosting them if they sell a more expensive property back home.
Starting a Business
Some people would still need a source of income. In Mexico it’s much easier to invest in a rental property or open that business you’ve always dreamed of. Many retirees are living in Mexico, and gaining an income here.
But it’s not that they’re working that same office job that they’ve been waiting to be rid of for so long – they’re working their dream business – a restaurant, cafe, sailing tours, yoga, decoration, dog kennel – whatever is their passion is. And they own it.
Even people of modest resources can start a business in Mexico.
Working for Enjoyment
There are also many retirees who keep working in Mexico, even though they don’t have to. Why? Because they enjoy it. But there’s a world of difference between working because you like it, and working because of financial pressures. Working because you enjoy it is also a nice luxury even back home, but in Mexico add to that the comfort of living better on less money, warm weather, beaches, great food and – best of all – relaxation as a way of life.
-by Thomas Lloyd