Another expat wannabe...

[gloriasue99]

My husband and I (59 & 62) are considering retirement soon. We think we want to take an RV into southern TX and then cross over to look around with the ultimate goal of finding a place to retire in Mexico. We are not sure whether we would want to continue in an RV, rent or buy property. We would be looking for a temperate area with good fishing (my husband is an avid bass fisherman here at home) but near a larger community (I need libraries, books, civilization). Can anyone recommend any good books to give us extra information? We live in a very rural area, and, while I would like to read STREETS OF GLASS as RVGRINGO recommends, we would be retired before our slow dial-up would applow us to download the book. Any other suggestions, information, feedback, etc., would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[mexliving]

check out ontheroadin.com for mexico rv parks.... dont drive your rv at night.
the housing market down here is a buyers market.... and will continue for the next 12 months..... becuase of the economy, avoid purchasing anything that is proposed....
check out banderasnews.com for areas down on my side..... there is an amazing place being built about 5 minutes north from sayulita...... i will have to get their website.... looks very nice and its 30 minutes from nuevo vallarta...
sayulita has properties for sale around 110,000 and up..... tourist village .

[JohnTB]

Originally Posted by gloriasue99

My husband and I (59 & 62) are considering retirement soon. We think we want to take an RV into southern TX and then cross over to look around with the ultimate goal of finding a place to retire in Mexico. We are not sure whether we would want to continue in an RV, rent or buy property. We would be looking for a temperate area with good fishing (my husband is an avid bass fisherman here at home) but near a larger community (I need libraries, books, civilization). Can anyone recommend any good books to give us extra information? We live in a very rural area, and, while I would like to read STREETS OF GLASS as RVGRINGO recommends, we would be retired before our slow dial-up would applow us to download the book. Any other suggestions, information, feedback, etc., would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello, wishing you good luck, but, a caution as to the RV. Please check with the rv (auto)insurance carrier before you take the RV 'over-the-border.' Most auto insurance carriers prohibit taking and insured vehicle to mexico. Your coverage could be voided out side th USA. Canad is Ok for most providers - but, do ask first...

[sparks]

Originally Posted by JohnTB

Hello, wishing you good luck, but, a caution as to the RV. Please check with the rv (auto)insurance carrier before you take the RV 'over-the-border.' Most auto insurance carriers prohibit taking and insured vehicle to mexico. Your coverage could be voided out side th USA. Canad is Ok for most providers - but, do ask first...

Of all the warnings about Mexico ... it's the first time I've heard that one. You do need to get Mexican insurance for sure

RVing in Mexico and South America message board

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome, Gloriasue99. We were "Winter Texans" for several years in the Rio Grande Valley with our RV. After a bus tour of Mexico and another with our 'toad', we made the decision to sell the motorhome and move to Mexico. Health issues were a factor but, even now, I yearn for the open road and still look at the fantastic buys on motorhomes and consider selling the house in Chapala and giving it another try. The point is, that the grass is always greener............
Yes, you do need to buy Mexican insurance for any vehicle you bring to Mexico. Your US insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you are going back and forth across the border, you may be able to suspend your policy, or reduce it to a minimum, for the time in Mexico.
I'll assume that you know that Mexican roads are narrower, often without shoulders, and that the 'autopista' toll roads are very expensive; so, go slow and smell the roses. Low overhead branches, wires, signs, etc. are common.
For temperate weather and bass fishing, you will want to be in the central highlands and explore towns with small lakes or resevoirs. RV parks, where you can find them, will be minimal and 15 amps will be the norm, so solar panels with inverter and extra batteries should be a consideration, along with a generator in good condition. Mexico has propane stations on the outskirts of most towns and all Pemex stations offer diesel fuel, water and air. Add your own chlorine to the water and consider carrying a filtration unit to use when filling.
If you come to Chapala, look us up by PM or e-mail.

[El Toro Furioso]

I'm sorry. I know it isn't your fault. But I just can't get over the confusion and intellectual dishonesty caused by people who live outside of Mexico calling themselves "expat in Mexico." The site should consider changing the manner in which they ask the question. Personally, I answer questions somewhat based on whether I think the person asking is thinking of moving to Mexico or already lives here. It is absurd for people who have never even been to Mexico to call themselves "expat in Mexico." Thank you in advance for your indulgence of my irritation.

[circle110]

I found "Live Better South of the Border" by "Mexico Mike" Nelson to be pretty a pretty accurate book. He doesn't try to paint an overly rosy picture but he still is enthusiastic about living in Mexico. I also enjoyed "Choose Mexico for Retirement" by John Howell. If you go to (big river in Brazil) dot com and look up either book you will see several others listed in the "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" section. However, there is nothing like just spending some time in Mexico to learn about the life you would lead if you moved there. Use books to research possible locations and then go see the ones that interest you most for yourself. Good luck!

[BajaGringo]

Reading books, magazines and online forums can give you some insight on what to expect but the best way is to spend some time here on your own. I always recommend to someone that before they seriously consider any place in particular where they want to hang their hat, you need to spend some time living there as a resident and not a week or two as a tourist. Then you can get a better idea of how well you will match to the local economy, culture, climate and lifestyle.

Make a list of your must have's and don't want's and then give each place an honest assessment going down your check list. That with some more online research and you can probably narrow down your choices to areas that will suit you best...

I wish you both luck!!!

[gloriasue99]

Whew! Thank you all (Mexliving, JohnTB, Sparks, RVGringo, Circle110, Baja Gringo) so much - at least now I feel like I have a little direction in our research. I have already begun the big internet hunt for recommended books. Would it be best to make the first RV trip with one of the "Good Sam Caravans" or is that a little too touristy for someone thinking to relocate? My husband and I tend to be more independent than most typical "tour group" participants, but, I admit we are a little apprehensive about striking out totally solo - we have been in some of the border towns and had some (mis)adventures that ended up humorous once our heart rhythm returned to normal. On the other hand - there are so many of you all out there who have transitioned successfully, we have some confidence that we can manage as well. I personally (old hippie) am ready for a major adventure, but (probably fortunately) my husband is a little more grounded and level headed to balance us out.

Are there concentrations of US expats in the central highlands? What about larger cities/towns with services (hospitals, internet, libraries, etc)?

New questions - I have read about some of the Spanish language schools or immersion programs - are they helpful? Are some better than others? Hints?
How is veterinary care (for dogs) - we have 2 fur children that would come with us.

I apologize if I have somehow offended El Toro Furioso - I realize I am NOT an "expat in Mexico"- that is why I referred to us as "wannabe's." The website titled me as an "expat newbie" - which is more accurately what we aspire to be.

Again - many thanks to all of you...

[RVGRINGO]

It sounds like you would not fit the caravan mold and would definitely do better striking out on your own. There are no unusual dangers once you get the feel of driving in Mexico with its 'unique' sign patterns and frequent lack of shoulders; watch that right rear wheel in your lower mirror because the drop can be severe enough to cause an accident. The larger cities will have most of what you seek in the way of internet locations, movie theaters, opera & concerts, etc. Guadalajara and other large cities have excellent hospitals and finding a vet is fairly easy. Few places have public libraries, but many universities will let you use theirs under certain conditions. At Lake Chapala, where there are a lot of expats, the Lake Chapala Society does have a large lending library & video library too. Membership is reasonable and there are other services, including language classes. The nearest RV park is Roca Azul, about 16 miles away at the west end of Lake Chapala. This is getting long, so if you have specific questions about Chapala, send me a PM once you have five posts under your belt.