Living near the ocean and near the US

[banmexico]

Hello Just a note from someone living near the ocean and near the US. I retired in 2003 and moved to a small Mexican village name TASTIOTA. We are located in Sonora, a northern state just south of Arizona. Tastiota is located about half way between Bahia Kino and San Carlos, both small American tourist towns. My wife and I enjoy the slow pace of things and we are the only full time Americans that live here. Four or five vacation houses located here however we decided to try this and so far I has been really enjoyable.
If I can be of any help let me know. We help some people living in Colorado
to find a one bedroom house in Bahia Kino 6 months ago. The house was about 6 blocks from the beach, need a little repair but the price was right 14,000 dollars. So there are still some good buys for people that need to retire on a small incomes.
My wife and I travel to the US approxiamately every three months. See the family living in Phoenix. Its about an 8 hour trip but mostly 4 lane highway the whole trip.
Ok If I can be of any help let me know.
Bob in Tastiota Mexico.

Wife and I are considering San Felipe--closer to the border, given her medical condition. She is retired, Medicare; I still want to work. Can you answer the following:
1. Do you know anyone who has been unhappy with the MX move?
2. What about an americano working in MX--possible, or improbable.
3. Can Medicare be used?
4. If you do work, can you continue with SS?

Thanks

[Quién Soy Yo?]

1. Do you know anyone who has been unhappy with the MX move?

Yes, I do. People who move to Mexico without much advance preparation and knowledge are often disappointed. People who don't have the ability to communicate are also often disappointed. However, many people from the US and Canada live in Mexico part/full time and are very happy. There's no hard and fast rule that applies to all. Weather conditions are often surprising - not only because of the air temperature being high, but because of the cost to air condition (can be troublesome if someone is on a limited budget).

2. What about an americano working in MX--possible, or improbable.

Improbable.

3. Can Medicare be used?

Not in Mexico, now. In the future, who knows (Baja stands a better chance of being included in a US Government test of local acceptance, but no propoasal has been made thus far. You'd have to cross the border back into the USA and use healthcare providers/pharmacies there.

4. If you do work, can you continue with SS?

If you did find work, legally, you'll have to comply with IRS regulations to report income earned in Mexico and then pay taxes on that income. Obviously, SS might be affected. In some limited instances, income earned abroad up to $75,000 per year (or a bit more) can be excluded from income when paying taxes, but you'd still need to report it (and it's unlikely you'd qualify for the exclusion in the first place).

Remember that Mexico has certain minimum income requirements you, as a couple, will need to meet if you wish to reside in Mexico for more than 6 months each year (you clan stay in the country, legally, for a maximum of 180-days per year on an FMT - tourist card).

To open a local bank account in Mexico it's more than likely you'll need at least an FM-3 visa (and some banks are now requiring an FM-2 visa).

For some really helpful information about moving to Mexico check-out Rolly Brook's website:

Rolly Brook's Moving to Mexico Webpage

For additional information about San Felipe and Baja, check-out:

Baja Nomad's

[bear]

QSY,
Well written and explained. Few could do a better job.
Bear

What great responses! Thanks you so much.

San Felipe was chosen due to proximity to US for my wife's potential health issues and for a job there for me--US based company, d/b/a in MX.

I do 'read' Spanish well; but would have to immerse myself in the speaking for awhile. I did that before, and I am certain I would pick it up quickly.

I have visited MX more than 25 times; MX City at least 10 times, including Cuernavaca, Puebla, Taxco, Toluca, Acapulco. Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta 3 times; Ixtapa 2 times; Cancun/Playa del Carmen 4 times; Mazatlan 2 times; Tijuana 1 time; Ensenada 1 time. Most of these trips were for several weeks each. I do think the idea of renting/leasing for a period of time makes a great deal of sense.

Thanks to all.

[zunigan]

Hi just read your post and I am an American who is looking to retire in Mexico, for a couple of reasons. One I am married to a Mexican Citizen who will not be able to stay in the USA after 2007. I am just about 3 years from retiriment age. I know that I will not be able to live on SS here and since my husband who is 24 years younger than I can't live here we have decided to go to Mexico.

I am now just getting into looking for somewhere. I have been to Rosarito and Ensenda and Tijuana, but not many other places. I am really not familir with where you live. Can you give me some more information?

I know it will be at least 2-3 years but I am looking at places and seeing what they are like. Do they have any houses for rent? I would like to rent first and buy later when we do decide what part of Mexico we want to live in.

I want to be close to the border, I guess just so I can go up and visit family and maybe doctors and things like that. My husband is from Zacateceas and we have a house there, but it sits behind his parents home, and they come from a very small place. No restuarants, only 2 phones in town and a few cell phones(most are so poor they don't have much)

I have been there and I don't want to live full time there, also I feel that my husband will be able to get a job if we live closer to border. Thanks for any information you can give.

Zuni:
I don't live in San Felipe (yet). It is approximately 70 miles south east of Ensenada, on the Sea of Cortez. It is desert country--hot. I have a job prospect there that I am going to research, and my questions above are part of that research.

[Ocotillo]

Bob, I have a place a little south of you, near Sahuaral, Colorada, San Augustine beach and I understand you have some experience with Satilite TV/Internet Provider. I would like your input. I understand that the setup is something like $600 usd and not that fast. Tell me what you think. I need both TV and a provider for the internet. Jim G. PS Email is faster, svocotillo@yahoo.com

[BajaGringo]

Why are you spending so much for DirecTV? You can get it for a lot less. Check around...

[Fred]

Banmexico: I am looking ti camp (VW Westfalia) between Rocky Point and where you live. Can you tell me anything about that area. I want to camp ON the beach. Any little towns between those two cities and how is the access getting to them and is there a road along the coast that I can travel?

Thanks in advance, Fred