Moving to a country with a different language and culture can be a daunting experience but there are a lot of good reasons to live in Mexico. In 1999, when we left Canada to live in Mexico most of our friends and family thought we were out of our minds. (Well some of them thought that long before we left but that is another subject). None the less we have been here for over ten years and never intend to leave. This is why...
1. We were ready to get out of the fast lane and take life a little easier. There is something to be said about manaña time and siestas. This does not mean that we were ready to do nothing, but we wanted to slow down and enjoy the ride. Mexican people do work hard but they also manage to keep life in perspective a little better down south.
3. The cost of living is a lot less in Mexico. You can not live comfortably on nothing and some areas are more expensive than others. In Huatulco, which is a potential earthquake zone like all of the Pacific Rim, the construction is cement and rebar. This means that real estate prices may be comparable or even more than a conventional home with 2 x 4 constructions, depending on where you are from. A good reason for living in Mexico is that after your initial home purchase you dollar stretches a lot further. Property taxes on a nine bedroom villa with ocean view in a prestigious neighborhood, run about $550.USD per year, that would be on a large, fully serviced lot with garbage pick up 3 times a week, paved roads, sidewalks and street lights. I have always hated housework but I do like a clean home. Now I can afford to have a maid that does all that for me. The cost of food is about half of what we would have paid in Canada, you can go to a family style restaurant and have the lunch special for about $3.50USD or to a fancier place for dinner where Chateaubriand for two will set you back about $24.USD. We are not handy people but we can call a plumber, electricians or auto mechanics without having to thinking twice.
3. The weather was a big plus. We have a photo of ourselves taken in Canada early November ... wearing parkas and up to our knees in snow. The caption says "for this reason we are here". The temperature in Huatulco sits about 30 C (85F) all year round. Occasionally someone asks if we miss the four seasons and the answer is a resounding NO!
4. While there may not be as wide a variety of prepared foods, the quality of the food is excellent and is healthier. (I am referring to groceries not Oaxaca cuisine). We do not pay a premium for free range chicken, they are raised that way. Most fruit and vegetables are "organically grown" fresh year round and have excellent flavor.
5. The people here are just plain nice. We have often commented that living in Mexico is like taking a step back into the 1950's. It is the kind of place that I imagine George Bush Senior was referring to when he spoke of "a kinder gentler society". I am going to digress on the problems of violence that the media keeps referring to. It obviously does exist and there are huge social problems in Mexico that include drug trafficking and the violence that goes with it. Keep this in perspective however; these problems are isolated to specific areas. I could name several American cities where "drive by shootings" are common occurrences yet no one suggests a travel advisory for the whole country, ditto for being robbed or attacked. Most of Mexico is safe, particularly the smaller centers in the south. I have left my handbag on the back of a chair in a restaurant and returned hours later to find everything intact.
6. Both Canada and the USA have aging populations that are going to require more health care as time goes on. With rising costs and the current economic crisis we had some concerns as to the quality of care that might be available when we need it. (Keep in mind I am a Canadian so I am not involved in the current American health care debate) It is possible to buy health insurance in Mexico at a reasonable cost provided there are no pre existing conditions. A good reason to live in Mexico is to have inexpensive health insurance before you need it. A hospital bed in one of the best hospitals in the county currently costs about $210.USD per night. This is a nicely appointed private room but of course this does not cover lab tests, physician fees, surgery and other add-ons so even this could add up quickly. In a good hospital the care is excellent but you want to find a good hospital before you need one. I am sure everyone has heard horror stories and they are probably all true. Everywhere you go there are professionals and then there are "professionals" whether you are discussing medicine or real estate. In our experience the medicine in Mexico is second to none and unlike the Canadian system or some American HMOs, you do not have to wait six months to see a specialist, you can get an appointment within days. We have both experienced being a patient at a good hospital in Mexico and the care is not only good but there is an aspect of "caring" that is part of the culture which I was referring when I said that people her are nice.
Living in Mexico is not utopia and there have been days that would try the patients of Solomon. We spoke barely a word of Spanish when we arrived and it was a bigger learning curve than expected. Even on a bad day I can say that the benefits of living in Mexico far outweigh any frustrations. Our only regret is that we did not make the move earlier. If anyone is considering Mexico for a home, I hope this has been enlightening. There are many wonderful places one might choose to live in Mexico and if you are considering Huatulco, Blackstone Real Estate would be honored to help you find the perfect home.
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