Expats in Chapala

[synthia]

I could live without a kitchen, if I could have a small refrigerator to feed my soft drink habit. I don't suppose there is any free wifi about (except at rvgringo's place, which is sounding pretty good to me right now).

[sparks]

A friend of my Mexican family had a place for about $50 a month but not the kind of place a gringo (or even Mexican) would want to live. Bare cement walls, one room, community bath and washing, neighbors having barbeque with music outside your door.

Without a kitchen you'd be tempted to eat out a lot unless you can live on sandwiches. I'd say at least $3-400 rent to be comfortable but some strange gringos do it for less

[synthia]

I don't like to cook, and mainly use a kitchen for salads and maybe some pasta once in a while. I spend my time backpacking around the world, and somewhere I got addicted to doing things in restaurants, like reading, writing in my journal, and in some instances taking advantage of the free wi-fi. So I would probably eat out more than the average person anyway.

[Admiral]

My wife and I have a thousand questions about living the expat lifestyle. Like most we are timid and confused about items like health care (wife is a diabetic), taxes, can we own property, etc etc. Is there a good website or book someone can recommend so I don't clutter up this forum with my newbie ramblings and questions? Any help in advance is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[RVGRINGO]

Feel free to ask your questions. We've lived at Lake Chapala for almost six years now and will be glad to help. You might also look into the many books, including my own, "Streets of Glass", which have been written about the area and on the experiences of moving to Mexico. On your initial concerns: Health care in the Guadalajara area is excellent and expats rave about it in glowing terms. All of the medications you will need are available at less than in the USA and without prescription, except for narcotics. For example, there were stacks of syringes for diabetics in the supermarket today; ten per box. Yes, you can own property by deed in most of Mexico and by bank trust along the borders or coast. As for taxes; the 'sales tax' in Mexico is built into the price of goods. Your foreign income is not taxed in Mexico. Should you have an investment account in Mexico, as most expats do, there is an automatic tax witholding from the earnings. Most expats continue their US or other banking accounts and bank online, using ATM machines to obtain cash. Credit cards are seldom used in Mexico's cash economy.

"STREETS OF GLASS", by Robert Glenn, is an entertaining true account of a
couple who decide to retire to a lake in Mexico, blessed with cool summers
and warm winters where it only rains at night and the sun shines every day.
There are bumps along the way, problems to solve over the years, a new
culture to experience and adjustments to be made. The author provides
insight and guidance for any reader who might aspire to join the thousands
of Americans, Canadians and others who have chosen to live out their
retirement years in the central highlands of Mexico. One critic says, " The
book is informative, humorous, thoughtful, well written and easy to read. It
captures one's interest and never loses steam." This e-book is available by
sending $12.00 (check or international money order) AND your e-mail address
to: * Robert Glenn, 827 Union Pacific Blvd, PMB 71-117, Laredo, TX
78045-9452

[Admiral]

Thanks for that quick info. I'll see if I can track down a copy of that book. Meanwhile, are we better off planning to keep our US healthcare? I read the previous poster's questions and with keen interest noted one member posted her husband is diabetic and has something called IMSS? Is that the health insurance for Mexico?

See, I told you I had a thousand of them...lol.

[bournemouth]

Google Rolly Brook's web site - I haven't been around here long enough to be able to post links (a strange restriction) - he lives in Lerdo, Durango and has a web site that answers a huge number questions for people thinking of moving to Mexico.

[synthia]

First, the link restriction keeps automated spam programs from doing things like posting spam.

Second, for Streets of Glass. Have you listed it on Amazon? They let you sell privately published books there. OK, you won't get the full price, but then people can use credit cards to buy it.

Finally, for Admiral. I think the more basic questions people ask, the more useful the forum is for people who come along later. And keeping your US insurance will only help if you plan to go back to the US for all your medical care. Even then, you may not be able to keep it if you aren't resident in the US. Most insurance only covers you for a few weeks out of the country every year, if it offers coverage at all.

[sparks]

IMSS is the government system and have hospitals and clinics over the country. For instance, we have a clinic in the small town of Melaque and for more serious problems would go to the new hospital in Manzanillo. A gringo couple I know here just got coverage for about $375 for the 2 of them. Another short term option is 'Central de Salud' which offers most services for free or very little.

Many people just opt for paying out of pocket due to the low cost of a visit to the doctor ... and you avoid the crowds

[sparks]

Requiring 20 posts before you can post a link is a bit excessive .... if the only reason is to discourage spammers. Wouldn't you think something like 5 would suffice