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Mexico: GPS and safety in Mexico:
Suspirar,
Safety in Mexico is not provided by electronic devices. In some circumstances you wouldn't WANT the police to come help you. In tourist destinations there are tourist assistance police who would be of help to you, for sure.
We don't even really have 9-1-1 like up in the US and Canada. The front of the phone book says you can dial something (I think it's 060) for the police, but I doubt I would ever do that. I look to the people around me for assistance.
When you transition to Mexico, think about how you can become a member of your community. That will give you more security than a GPS ever will.
I can imagine being in a bad spot in a place in Tijuana, so if you have to go to such a place, take a friend with you.
Kind Regards,
Julia C Taylor author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: Mexico's water-shortage issue:
I feel that what RVGRINGO says is so important that I would like to repeat it. It is important that we world citizens take note and take action. The US government has been dragging its feet for far too long on this type of issue. Now that we have a new administration, we may actually be able to join in the solution.
The entire WORLD is in a water crisis. That means that the US is in a water crisis.
I guess the reports are so fragmented that we don't get a sense for the magnitude of the problem, nor the connections.
Where is Nevada getting its water? Lake Mead hasn't been full in years. Remember when we had a Colorado River? What's happening to our aquifers?
Mexico is facing these same problems, but just as in the US, you can live your day to day life here and not notice any effect in your personal life -- especially in the central highlands and south, so don't let that stop you from coming.
Regards,
Julia C Taylor
Author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: Did you change your name?:
Dear Mee Chell ;)
I think you might just do well to get used to it. Problems with paperwork can be really BAD. Imagine waiting 6 months to a year to get your official record of your degree because the paperwork is wrong. It's been known to happen.
I can't tell you what to like and not to like, but I have gone by Who-lia and Ee-u-lia for years and like it. Like RVGRINGO says, it just makes me part of my new community. You could also just get people who work with your regularly to call you by a nick name. Nick names are common in Mexico.
At least your name isn't Doug, which sounds like "Dog" when Spanish speakers pronounce it (in that case, it's nice when they know how to spell it because then they say Doe-oo-g")
Kindest Regards
Julia C Taylor
Author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: In need of some eomployment related advice.:
canadianlaurita,
You and your friends could have a wonderful adventure, but be sure to take RVGRINGO's advice to heart.
In the "articles" section of my web site www.home-sweet-mexico.com I have a few articles about making teaching English in Mexico a reality. You might find them helpful, but remember, times are tough in Mexico and you must get permission to work or volunteer in Mexico.
Honestly, you should consider saving up enough money before you leave for Mexico to allow you to be a tourist (again, you can only stay for 180 days) ... and why not study Spanish?
If you and your friends plan to rent a place together, you might find my book (available on my web site) of assistance.
Plan well first, then enjoy!
Kind Regards, Julia C Taylor author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: Delivering Children in Mexico:
Dear rabrewer,
I'm glad you are asking about this ahead of time. You will surely be able to set yourself up for success and have a wonderful delivery experience. Jesus gives a good answer. Mexico City is definitely going to be a great place to find a wonderful doctor.
I delivered my child in Mexico and my husband and I had a really beautiful experience bringing our baby into the world. I was recently asked a question similar to yours and my September 2, 2009 blog entry on my web site contains my answer. See www.home-sweet-mexico.com and click on the link at the top to "blog" then select September 2009. Scroll down to the September 2 entry.
Kindest Regards, Julia C. Taylor Author of Mexico the Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: La Paz:
AM,
I agree with RVGINGO but for even more reasons. If you have been visiting Mexico on vacation it is quite different from living in Mexico. Renting gives you the flexibility to find out if you really like a city, move to another neighborhood, or bail out all together if you don't like it.
As far as what to expect, I wrote an entire book on the subject....
As you say, the transition is stressful (and it's good that you are fully aware of that) but it it's a growing experience and is sure to be a positive one if you take things in stride and enjoy yourself as much as possible.
Enjoy the transition to Mexico!
Kind Regards,
Julia C Taylor author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: Anybody with same experience? Moving to Mexico - have a lot of questions:
Nver,
The city your desire may not exist "close to the border."
Queretaro may be a place you should check out.
Kind Regards,
Julia C. Taylor author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator or www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: water & neighborhoods:
Carol 5,
The water is generally safe in most places. You will have to determine for yourself once you get to wherever you are going in southern Mexico. You can buy disinfecting drops in grocery stores to make doubly sure. Just read the instructions on the bottle.
My personal viewpoint is that it is wrong to drink bottled water if you have an alternative. The more I learn about the bottled water industry, the more I don't want to support it. I prefer to keep the focus on safe municipal water for everyone. Bottled water is too expensive for poor people, but if they are the only ones drinking it, there is less pressure to make it safe for them. CLEAN WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.
My family in Mexico is poor and I feel terrible when my little nieces and nephews get sick because the water in their town is not treated. They are just as precious as little rich children.
Bottled water is also damaging ecologically. There is a large carbon footprint from the bottling and distribution of water.
As far as safety in the Mexican countryside; you'll just have to visit and stay a few weeks. Talk to people about safety and see what they say. In many ways the country is safer than the city, but each little town has its own issues. Some "city" problems are now cropping up in the smaller towns. I personally prefer the Mexican countryside for visiting.
Kindest Regards,
Julia C Taylor
Author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
Mexico: Hi everybody:
Shigyrl,
Now you are talking. DON'T give up that job! DO NOT WORK IN MEXICO ILLEGALLY.
Mexico: Deported from U.S.:
Shigyrl,
Based on this post, it doesn't appear that you have made much progress since your previous post. Here's my answer to this one:
You and your family are at a crossroads. It appears that you will have to make some decisions that you might otherwise have been able to avoid. Your choices are not choices I would wish on any young family. Still, once we are adults, our lives are what WE make of them and the more you and your boyfriend view this as an opportunity, the better your long term results will be.
Eight years ago my boyfriend and I faced a similar decision. One major difference was that we did not yet have children, so we were able to decide what was best for ourselves personally. You two have that primary responsibility to your son to consider.
As other people’s replies to your post indicate there is a lot to consider here. First you must know that if you move to Mexico, you will NOT be able to continue your same lifestyle. Mexico is not the right place for everyone.
Here are some major road blocks and points to consider (some of which have already been pointed out in the other posts):
-You will surely both earn much less money than you do in the US. Without a bachelor’s degree, you both could easily earn as little as 15 dollars A DAY and the standard work week is six days.
-It is very hard to get a job in Mexico these days.
-You, as a US citizen, must have a work visa to work in Mexico and for that you may need to be married. (You also may not, so find out from the nearest Mexican consulate). Of course, that’s not a good reason to get married.
-Even if you have a work visa, you won’t be able to just work anywhere you choose. Immigration will approve each and every employer you wish to work for on an individual basis. Immigrants aren’t allowed to take certain jobs.
-Your son may need to go to a private school, which is expensive when you are earning in pesos.
-The surrounding culture affects the internal family dynamic. To put it lightly, the “macho factor” goes way up in Mexico. In general, men don’t do dishes, men don’t wash, men don’t pack snacks for children when going out, men don’t iron, men don’t consider their wives’ schedules and wives should never, never contradict their man in front of other people. Men do hang out and talk whenever and wherever they wish to, men do go out whenever they want to and with whomever they want to, men do tell their women what to do and what not to do. Even if your boyfriend’s “not like that” he’ll be surrounded by friends and family who are. Not all men who have lived in the US and return to Mexico “revert” completely, but they will “revert” to some extent. Your impossible job is to guess how much yours will and how much that will affect your family.
-If you are not independently wealthy, you must speak Spanish to live in Mexico.
-Depending on your boyfriend’s age and life experiences in Mexico before going to the US, he may not be able to rise above the poverty and classism of Mexico. There is a reason he left.
-If you choose to move to Mexico, your son will be going through culture shock and will need a lot of patience and support from parents who are emotionally stable enough to provide it. The good news is that people in Mexico are good to children and their parents. I’m so grateful for our child’s foundation that he received in Mexico. He has way more social skills and confidence than other children I know in the US and Canada. It’s just going to take some doing to get him adjusted and it’s heartbreaking to see your child go through stress. Of course, it is also heartbreaking to see your child lose their father, too.
-Mexico is not the violent, dirty place the media portrays. It is a lively, connected, warm-hearted, fun loving, delicious food producing, music-playing, children loving, good friend, people-first place.
You ask about Spain. That’s “a whole ‘nother ball of wax.” Check out the immigration requirements for Spain, for Canada, for Australia, for Thailand, even. Each country has its own immigration policy. See what requirements people must meet in order to get permission to work. See how much it costs and how long it takes.
Just to be even more honest, it’s been painfully hard for me to live in Mexico but at the same time I’m a much better person for it and I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything, not even a nice comfy life in the US. Take it from me, changes like this one build character and put relationships in peril. If one or both of you is miserable in Mexico, it’s going to be hard to continue a happy relationship.
From your question it appears that your boyfriend hasn’t told you much about Mexico. I recommend that you start asking him and listening, really listening to the answers. Ask him what women do. Ask him where people shop for food. Get specific. Ask him about his own family and his memories from when he was a child. Listen like you’ve never listened before.
Finally, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Over the years I’ve been in touch with other women (mostly) whose loved ones have had to move to Mexico. You can check out the “Spouses of Mexicans” section of my web site and see if any of my writing might help you out. My book tells how to get started in Mexico on a budget. If you read between the lines, you’ll probably get some good insights for your personal situation because we were in a similar one.
Take this as an opportunity and do your research. Your son is counting on you with all his little heart and soul.
Kindest Regards,
Julia C Taylor author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com
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