JulianDave
American looking for information about Mexico
Forum posts
27
Contacts
3
About me
American
Speaks English Working on mi espanol
Registration: 27 September 2017
Mexico, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Mexico, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
@1happykamper I live in SMA for well under $1000usd. But no, I don't live in the popular expat areas with organic produce at the corner market. I like to save money but also like to feel like I'm actually living in a foreign country, by living in a ... Read More
future san miguel de allende resident by ricotipo
I planning to relocate to San Miguel de Allende and I want to make a visit to see and live the place. I am retired and I am NOT looking for a job I am fluent english and spanish My questions are: today november 2020 how safe is visit San Miguel de ...
Really, nothing beats the flexibility that renting gives you. It is unfortunate that local conditions can change over time, to the point that you might not at all like an area anymore. If you rent, then moving is easy. Selling real estate in Mexico ... Read More
Moving to Mexico City - prepaid debit card? or open a bank account? by moving-2-mexico
Hello, I only have a bank account in Thailand that I will be closing, when I move to Mexico City in January 2021. Is there somewhere I can get a prepaid debit card when I arrive in Mexico? Or is it possible to open a bank account when I arrive in ...
The vast majority of people that move to Mexico keep at least one bank account open in their home country, then use an ATM card to access their money. Many never open a bank account in Mexico. Since I don't see it discussed all that much, I ... Read More
Introduction and seeking advice on rental by Maddie123
Hi, everyone. My name is Greg McDonell. My wife, Celeste and I are considering spending time in SMA. We want to come to SMA for a couple of weeks to get a feel for the city. We are both retired. We then want to rent a place for three or four ...
Another suggestion is getting an Airbnb that you might be able to turn into a short term rental. Read More
Moderate Climate Locations by Tony_Amigo
What are some towns-cities to live in that are not so hot or humid?
I just found weatherspark.com. It is a good way to compare climates between two places. It has great graphic charts that make comparing easy vs tables of numbers. I'd pick an area you're familiar with, then compare it with various Mexican ... Read More
Questions for American expats who file both USA and Mexico tax returns by Rdc4
I鈥檓 considering retiring to Mexico. I know that American citizens are required to file and pay taxes in the USA regardless of where they may live. I also understand that Mexico also taxes Americans on worldwide income for those that live in ...
If you are not working and making money in Mexico, you are not paying Mexican taxes. Not on money from a pension or withdrawals from your bank. If you buy and sell real estate in Mexico, have a job there, etc, then yes, that's different, but the ... Read More
Fishing, hiking by Lsxdiego
Hi all! I recently moved to San Miguel de Allende on January of 2020 and I would like to know if there is any places to go hiking or fishing! Or even the best water park? Thank you for any sort of info!
One suggestion is Amigos de la Presa. They have a kayak club and boathouse and go out on the lake. Read More
Mobility with a wheelchair in San Miguel de Allende by Disautonomia
I have a chronic illness and I am partially in a wheelchair. How easy or difficult is to move around in a wheelchair with a service dog in San Miguel de Allende
Hi, I can't add a whole lot, but was in San Miguel a few years ago for a week. I spent most of my time outside of Centro and that area would not be wheelchair friendly, at all. Very narrow sidewalks with sign posts or telephone poles in the ... Read More
emotional support dog in SMA
Keep in mind that dogs are not considered "members of the family" like they are in the US. Because of that, they are not welcome in nearly as many places as you would be used to. Traveling around with a dog will present some additional ... Read More
planning 6 mos in SMA- what do I need? by lizdragon
paperwork? bank statements? amount of $$? do I need to go to the consulate for a 6 month visa? can it be done through the mail or? decided against driving, too long, too much bureaucracy and cost.. thoughts, advice? thanks!
The tourist visa is called an FMM and can be for up to 180 days, so ask for 180 days. There is a minimal cost for that. I don't know if you can get the full 180 days when applying online, but I was able to get one for less than a week with no ... Read More
Getting a bank account in Mexico by ibmark1
Hi There, recently I stopped into Banamex in Vincete Guerrero, B.C. and tired to open a bank account. The bank officer informed me that I needed a "green card" (which he also defined as permanent visa card) and that the 6 month visa I had ...
I've always heard the government mail system is unreliable and slow, so wasn't thinking getting something in the mail was an option. Do FedEx and/or other private carriers deliver in Mexico, and are more reliable? Read More
Getting a bank account in Mexico by ibmark1
Hi There, recently I stopped into Banamex in Vincete Guerrero, B.C. and tired to open a bank account. The bank officer informed me that I needed a "green card" (which he also defined as permanent visa card) and that the 6 month visa I had ...
Couldn't agree more with this sentiment. Read More
Getting a bank account in Mexico by ibmark1
Hi There, recently I stopped into Banamex in Vincete Guerrero, B.C. and tired to open a bank account. The bank officer informed me that I needed a "green card" (which he also defined as permanent visa card) and that the 6 month visa I had ...
It seems common for people to do their banking in the US, then use an ATM to get money in Mexico. What do you do if you rely on that and the ATM eats your card or your card is no longer readable for some reason? Even if you have a backup, at some ... Read More
New FMM rules by JulianDave
I got all of the following off of a Baja website. Some of this is news to me. These changes were suppose to have been made September 2015. Can anyone confirm? 1. An FMM is required even in the free boarder area, including all of Baja, assuming you ...
Yes, it was that website. My last trip down was just for 5 days, so I got the FMM online through the Mexican government website (You can only do that if you trip is within 30 days, otherwise the form errors and doesn't tell you why, btw). I ... Read More
New FMM rules
I got all of the following off of a Baja website. Some of this is news to me. These changes were suppose to have been made September 2015. Can anyone confirm? 1. An FMM is required even in the free boarder area, including all of Baja, assuming you ... Read More
Hello from Arizona by soontoretire
I am new to the forum. My husband and I live in the Phoenix area. We are considering a move to SMA and we plan to visit there soon. We were recently in Rosarito and considered beach retirement living, but there's just something about the ...
I wish I had been able to visit Guanajuato, it was so close! Maybe next time. In rereading my reply, I didn't mean to suggest that you don't need to take safety precautions. The group I was with took taxis from Centro to the colonia we were ... Read More
Hello from Arizona by soontoretire
I am new to the forum. My husband and I live in the Phoenix area. We are considering a move to SMA and we plan to visit there soon. We were recently in Rosarito and considered beach retirement living, but there's just something about the ...
I visited SMA a few weeks ago for the first time. I was volunteering down there and stayed in accommodations for volunteers, which seemed to be in a pretty exclusively Mexican neighborhood (Santa Julia). I think I saw only one gringo on my walks ... Read More
Moving possessions from NJ TO SMA
Once I make the move (probably to SMA), I plan on driving my stuff down. I won't have all that much, but I think driving it down is the most economical way to go. In general, it's expensive to bring your 'stuff', so be as selective ... Read More
Turning your FMM in when you leave? by JulianDave
I spent a week in SMA and flew from Leon to the Tijuana airport on my way out. I crossed into the US using the bridge in the airport that goes directly to the US, but there was nobody collecting my FMM. The next thing I know I'm in the US and I ...
Thank you for the info alleycat1, I'll make sure I properly turn in my FMM on my way out before crossing the CDX bridge next time. They are allowing you to fill out the FMM online, which is what I did before my trip, then printed it out, so my ... Read More
Turning your FMM in when you leave? by JulianDave
I spent a week in SMA and flew from Leon to the Tijuana airport on my way out. I crossed into the US using the bridge in the airport that goes directly to the US, but there was nobody collecting my FMM. The next thing I know I'm in the US and I ...
Thanks. My trip went smooth, and I want future trips to go smooth as well. Just didn't want them saying I never officially left the country, or that I overstayed my 6 months, so that causes problems when I go down again. Read More
Turning your FMM in when you leave?
I spent a week in SMA and flew from Leon to the Tijuana airport on my way out. I crossed into the US using the bridge in the airport that goes directly to the US, but there was nobody collecting my FMM. The next thing I know I'm in the US and I ... Read More
Thinking of retiring in Guanajuato City area by sisugirl
Hello all! I'm new to this forum and appreciate any tips on getting the most of it. I am interested in purchasing a home in Guanajuato and am not sure the best place to start. I've been looking on websites but the sites are not very user ...
I'm in a similar boat as you, but will be retiring in about 6 years and may move to San Miguel. In my opinion, you should not yet be thinking about buying. You need to make trips down to cities you're interested in first. Then when you think ... Read More
Homesteading/rural living outside of San Miguel De Allende? by kris-bliss
Hi all, my family (me, hubs, 2 small kids) WERE planning on buying land in the high desert of Arizona, building a straw bale home, and starting a permaculture garden. Once that is set up nicely, we planned on travelling for a few months out of the ...
I'm interested in answers to this as well. Not that I would be doing the same, but I do think I would like to live more rural sometimes. Read More
Is it safe exploring dirt roads?
I appreciate all of your replies. It looks like something I'll have to be cautious about. To be honest, there seems to be plenty of on-road areas to explore, so by the time I work through all those maybe I'll have a better idea of where else ... Read More
Is it safe exploring dirt roads?
While I see moving to Mexico as quite an adventure, once I get settled in I can see that I will want to explore the surrounding areas. So, pertaining to the areas around Guanajuato, SMA and Queretaro, how safe is it to camp and explore the back ... Read More
New members of the Mexico forum, introduce yourselves here 聳 June to December 2017 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Mexico forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you聽;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
My name is Dave. I've lived in the San Diego area my entire life, but would like to retire early and see moving to Mexico as one way to do that. I also love the culture and feel I might be a good fit there. Nothing against expats, but I want to ... Read More