Need help/info on move to mexico

[byebyeusa]

hi all, thank-you in advance.....first time here, figured i could get some usefull information..... frankly, in a nutshell my gf and i are fed up with the united states and the future ( or lack thereof )of our country and think we are ready for a change..... a little about us...we are both 31 caucasion, im more "outgoing" shes pretty content staying to herself with 1 or 2 close friends, we dont need , or want to live in "luxury" ....just enjoy ourselves and the beautiful country of mexico ( from what we have seen in photos )... The only real MUST-haves is an area with a good to strong internet service ( will be alot of video-calls via skype back to family ) and for the home to be furnished....equivalent to middle-class in the usa is more than fine with us ( if its nicer, we wont complain ) would prefer a place on or close to the ocean ( not a deal-breaker ) and would like to live in a "mixed" community where there are some americans ( to help transition ) possibly on the outskirts of the heavy tourist areas....1 or 2 bedrooms is fine, anything bigger would be a waste....we have a small dog ( less than 10 lbs full-grown ) ...also would be nice to just pay all the utilities through the landlord ( if that is possible ) but once again not a deal-breaker...also would be willing to pay up to maybe 6 months in advance ( for a nice enough place and a slight discount in the rent ) we figure 6 months should give us plenty of time to decide if we want to stay permanetly....we would like to keep our budget around $1500/month ( is that a reality? ) and lastly ( pretty picky huh?? lol ) we would like to be within 20-40 miles of the usa, " just in case " we need to come back quick for whatever reason... ( god-forbid ) ......anyone know if these accomodations are reasonable for $1500/month, and what area should/could we look for a place like this? once again, thank-you for your time

[joelpb]

I believe your best bet would be in baja ca. Mexicali, tj or rosarito. It has all
that you ask for.

[TundraGreen]

Your constraints make your decision pretty simple. There are only two places that meet your criteria, Tijuana and Matamoros. I suspect you could easily live on $1500 a month in either.

I can't resist making an editorial comment: The tone of your post suggests to me that you are not likely to be happy in either place. I don't hear a lot of flexibility in your thinking and flexibility is a useful attribute if you want to enjoy life in a different culture. Incidentally, you don't say anything about how you plan to support yourself. You will need proof of income if you want to stay past the 180 days of a tourist permit.

[RVGRINGO]

I agree. The poster has not mentioned anything about meeting immigration requirements, temporarily importing a vehicle, etc. Frankly, with what they want, $1500 USD per month for two in a rental may be pretty spartan, although the restriction to border areas will leave them wanting for 'real Mexico', etc.
Sounds like a dream without a well formed plan, but they're young and have time for more homework.

[conklinwh]

I would not pick Matamoros as meet too many Mexicans in Harlingen/Brownsville that say that they don't even visit Matamoros anymore. Therefore if really need be that close, I think baja only choice but I also wonder why the limitation.
We decided, along with the beach/no beach decision, that we were comfortable staying within easy days drive to the US as we do a number of friends/family tours each year.
If you expanded to this time frame, you will have the option of many wonderful places to address the other targets you give.
What I'm having trouble with is the why. If you move to Mexico for only negative reasons, it will be highly probable that you will bring the negativity with you. I'd feel more comfortable if you talked about positive reasons along with goals for moving to Mexico.

[byebyeusa1]

had to get a new account, forgot my password and somehow screwed up changing the password, now its on a 15 min block....ugh...... as for living close to the usa, its mostly because,this may sound stupid to some, but im young and i still have the urge to work....i know about the restrictions of americans working in mexico and i feel a commute of 30-45 mins to the usa to work would be fine incase either i or my gf feel the need to get a job... as far as income, its kind of difficult and i was wandering.... we work on the internet, tax-free as "webcam performers" , please keep your indescretions to yourself, we make great money and work when we want to, doing something that we are gonna do anyways, if someone wants to pay to see it........more than fine with me......i have done my homework, thats why i wanted to live close enough to the usa because im not sure if that income would qualify for the $1500/month requirement.....all the earnings and payments are recorded online and might be pretty difficult to explain, even with paperwork to an official......and if it would be a problem i would gladly work in the usa...... we are pretty serious about this move , we also think living close enough to the border ( atleast atfirst ) would help with our transition into another country.....we do have a car, we are definetly thinking about selling it...and buying something not as "high-end" we currently have a cadillac cts, i dont really see the need to bring attention to ourselves, and frankly a cadillac may not be quite-suited for mexico anyways.... i'm talking about repairs and the like, pretty expensive to repair ( i dont care where you live )

[FHBOY]

What you do or how you earn a living is none of anyone's business but your own. I have found that we here, on the Forum, are not judgmental, opinionated [civilly] yes, but not judgmental.

Living in the US has a lot a stress, granted, but it is stress you are used to. Yes if I was 30-ish I'd also be looking at the US and saying "WTF is going to happen here in the next 30 years" and be looking to move. Back in the day, when I was younger than you, ours was escaping a war to Canada because we, too, were asking what is going to happen.

Unsolicited and uninvited advice (and totally worthless): examine your alternatives carefully, adding the stress of a new culture may be a lot more difficult. As I have learned here, moving to Mexico is nothing like visiting it. Living is tougher. But, saying this, if you feel, deep down, that you have no future in the US, follow your feelings, but please do not expect that the baggage you carry now will be any the less once you get where you are going, in fact you may even add to it-with stress of a new culture. You carry it everywhere.

Come to Mexico for all the great things, the weather, the people, the food, the slow paced (if you want) life style and yes a possible higher living standard for your money. If this is truly your destiny, you cannot deny it.

Oh, and I have read here that the internet is not so great there as it is in the US - it is much better in Europe (so I hear).

Good luck and have fun!

[byebyeusa1]

You pretty much nailed it on the head FHBOY.... I am no genius in economics, but I truly believe the "worst" is yet to come....I had my doubts and then I watched the " newamerica6" video from the guy that predicted the recession the first time and I was blown away... With that said, we are not moving to "just get away " from problems, but it IS part of the reason.. Mexico is a beautiful country and we want to experience it... Then decide if we feel like we have a future there, maybe "further in" maybe not.... And maybe Mexico won't be for us, but there's no way to know until we try it.....

[byebyeusa1]

You pretty much nailed it on the head FHBOY.... I am no genius in economics, but I truly believe the "worst" is yet to come....I had my doubts and then I watched the " newamerica6" video from the guy that predicted the recession the first time and I was blown away... With that said, we are not moving to "just get away " from

[joelpb]

from every thing you said i think TJ or mexicali is your best bet. you can live real good in
those cities for the amount you said. plus if you want to work in the usa it is a easy
crossing. just get the sentri pass and the waiting is short.