Livin in Mexico. Questions?

[Teraric]

I saw someone else do this kind of post before and I thought I would try.

I am living in Mazatlan, Mexico. However, I was born and lived in a city outside Toronto for 20 years.

I have found that the media really gives people in North America really bad ideas about the Mexicans and the culture. Perhaps you have some questions in regards this or anything else for that matter. :)

[MkmBandit]

no, american media gives Mexicans a bad name

[ElChico]

What do you mean media? Lou Dobbs is just fear mongering, that's what he does.

http://www.nbpc.net/images/broken_borders.jpg

http://www.americanpatrol.com/06-FEATURES/060417-CIVIL-WAR-II/AztlanDobbs.jpg

[green blue]

Ask the Ianeros (http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/mexico-murders/).

[chiller]

How's the insect situation?

How much in Canadian $ do you need on a monthly basis?

What is your living conditions?

[neilson]

Are there 32 or 33 States in Mexico?

And is Pemex the only place you can buy gas legally in Mexico?

[BadDrafter]

Is it safe to drink municipal tap water?

[TinyTank]

Are u retired? If not, what do u do for a living there?

[hyperion]

Hows the weather?
Which do you like better, Mazatlan or the city you were born in?

[TinyTank]

Which do you like better, Mazatlan or the city you were born in?

lol.

[hyperion]

lol.

It was a honest question.

[Becks]

Did you get fully vaccinated with Twinrex for hep A and B? What other shots did u get in preparation for living in Mexico?

Are any Mexicans harshly flirting with you, trying to start relationships or offering sex with you?

[BobW]

What kind of immigration issues do you have? i.e. can you be a full time resident?

[Harkonnen]

Got any pics of rural Mexico? I've only ever seen images on TV, movies or resorts. Real world pics would be awesome.

[akbar_k]

how much does it cost to have a decent house (not comparable to toronto, but clean and roomy) and to have a maid and a cook?

how do you feel integration wise, are you treated as an outsider or are you welcomed?

thanks :D

[JulieH]

do you have an FM3?

[TinyTank]

where is the OP?

[Teraric]

Sorry guys, I totally forgot about this post. Stupid me!



How's the insect situation?

How much in Canadian $ do you need on a monthly basis?

What is your living conditions?

The insects are nothing here. I can go outside in the middle of the night and walk for hours without getting any bites. Lots of legged insects, but they are harmless. You can get away with about $150-200/week. I live in a modern apartment, two bedrooms, three beds, full kitchen, three sofas, two air cond's, tile floor ... $200/month.


Are there 32 or 33 States in Mexico?

And is Pemex the only place you can buy gas legally in Mexico?

No clue about the states... and yes penmex is the only place to buy gas (for the car) legally in this state.


Is it safe to drink municipal tap water?

No ... Even the poorest person drinks bottled water. It costs between 40-70 cents to fill up one of those big jugs of water.


Are u retired? If not, what do u do for a living there?

I am 21. I work remotely doing graphics design and other freelance work.


Hows the weather?
Which do you like better, Mazatlan or the city you were born in?

Mid to high 30's during the day. 18C at night. I do miss some things of Canada, perhaps the fresh (relative) air.


Did you get fully vaccinated with Twinrex for hep A and B? What other shots did u get in preparation for living in Mexico?

Are any Mexicans harshly flirting with you, trying to start relationships or offering sex with you?

I have shots and meds for Hep A, Typhoid (spelling), Ecoli and Diphtheria.

The mexican women are normal, but the type of people you find, depends on where you go. If you want sex, go to the disco. But, I personally have zero interest in any of that stuff (I aint gay, I just know exactly what the bible says on loose conduct. All to their own)


What kind of immigration issues do you have?

None.. The customs officiers never ask me questions. By default I can stay for 90 days... then upgrade that for another 90... then I have to either leave or get a FM3.


Got any pics of rural Mexico?

Sure, but give me a day.


how much does it cost to have a decent house (not comparable to toronto, but clean and roomy) and to have a maid and a cook?

how do you feel integration wise, are you treated as an outsider or are you welcomed?

A decent house will cost at least $350-450/month for three bedrooms in a decent end of town. Sometimes you can get better deals. Cook? Hah, just eat out, it's cheap enough and places are on each block. Maid... I have one, she works from 8-2 once a week, she asks for $12.

99% Of the mexicans have no problems with me, since I am *Cough* Canadian. Some of the people will make some ethnic jokes or do things like call a guy a "Gringa" which is amusing, because they are calling the guy an american woman. It's rather amusing, a common question is always asked:

De donde es usted? or De donde eres? (Where are you from? -- formal and informal) As soon as I say, "Soy de Canada" most of the taxi drivers will start to make Bush jokes etc etc etc.

[Teraric]

where is the OP?

Sorry about that.. Turned on e-mail notification for this post. I will now reply faster

[akbar_k]

what town in mazatlan do you live in?

how did you get the idea to move to mexico?

you have guts, and it sounds like a real nice life :D

[hyperion]

LOL at "Gringa" and Bush jokes.. :lol:

What do you mean by fresh air? Is the air there polluted, or really humid maybe?

[Teraric]

what town in mazatlan do you live in?

how did you get the idea to move to mexico?

you have guts, and it sounds like a real nice life :D

Mazatlan is a city.. 400,000 pop... Sinaloa is the state.

My work allowes me to be remote, so why not live where it's warm? :D

I believe that people never mature unless they move from where they were born. Perhaps moving 3000miles is WAY MORE then needed, but it's all good.

[Teraric]

LOL at "Gringa" and Bush jokes.. :lol:

What do you mean by fresh air? Is the air there polluted, or really humid maybe?

One word .... exhaust! *cough cough* stupid buses. I am going to Hermosillo (google earth it) next week. It's supposed to be cleaner, so we'll see.

[konfusion666]

I believe that people never mature unless they move from where they were born. Perhaps moving 3000miles is WAY MORE then needed, but it's all good.

I tend to agree with you on that point... ;)

My question about Mexico; to what extent does organized crime such as drug cartels and gangs, affect the lives of normal people? Have YOU ever had a personal encounter with it?

[akbar_k]

Thanks for your answers thus far, its been great to read em :D

How do your family and friends take to your new style of life? Do you miss your family a lot?

I would love to do what you're doing... but I would miss my family and friends too much :D

[Teraric]

I tend to agree with you on that point... ;)

My question about Mexico; to what extent does organized crime such as drug cartels and gangs, affect the lives of normal people? Have YOU ever had a personal encounter with it?

The biggest issue here is with theft and drug lords. 95% of the houses here are nearly impossible to break into, due mainly to the construction. Poured concrete, cinder blocks, bars on everything, etc etc... NEVER try to climb onto a roof of a mexican building, many places put broken glass or spikes on the roof edge.

As for drugs and gangs, they are here, but they wont bother you if you don't bother them. The locals always say, you are decently safe here as long as you aren't a cop or a drug lord.

A native told me this story about a cop chasing a guy in a hummer (badge of honor for a Drug Lord), they went back and forth for a long time. Finally the guy stops in a Holiday Inn. The drug lord gets out with a baseball bat and smashes the cop car to kingdom come. The cop then gets out and stands right infront of the drug lord and the guy takes out a wad of cash and gives it to the cop and the cop leaves. It was all planned, now the cop goes back and says "Hey the guy smashed my car and got away" ... and the cop gets money and a new car.

[Teraric]

Thanks for your answers thus far, its been great to read em :D

How do your family and friends take to your new style of life? Do you miss your family a lot?

I would love to do what you're doing... but I would miss my family and friends too much :D

I miss them, but this is my second time here. The first time they were worried and whatever, but the second time they wanted me to go, because I am happier here.

[Teraric]

La Playa

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/teraric/4.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/teraric/3.jpg

Mas Alto

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/teraric/1.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/teraric/2.jpg

[akbar_k]

I miss them, but this is my second time here. The first time they were worried and whatever, but the second time they wanted me to go, because I am happier here.

fantastic pix and i understand how you are happier there

bravo for you my friend :D

if it wont compromise you too much can you show us pix of your house or something that is similar to it? also the neighborhood if its not too much trouble :D

i really envy you!

[Teraric]

fantastic pix and i understand how you are happier there

bravo for you my friend :D

if it wont compromise you too much can you show us pix of your house or something that is similar to it? also the neighborhood if its not too much trouble :D

i really envy you!

Here ya go: If you can find me in Mexico based off this picture, I will buy you tacos.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/teraric/5.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q116/teraric/6.jpg

[akbar_k]

ok thats it, im moving to mexico :D

[jory29]

Very interesting post to read, thanks OP! One thing I think you must miss - sometimes in my Canadian home, in the midst of winter, when the furnace is going off and on all night long and it gets too hot in the house - I crack open the window to stand staring out at the white sparkling snow, and breathe in the fresh, crisp, clean winter air. There is nothing like it in the entire world.

Still though, you are in a great place, great weather, and truly enjoying yourself and expanding your horizon - good for you!! :)

[hyperion]

How's your spanish/mexican? When did you learn the language?

[Bullseye]

How's your spanish/mexican? When did you learn the language?

'Mexican' is not a language.

People interested in ex-pat living would probably also enjy these sites;

www.escapeartist.com

www.internationalliving.com

[Teraric]

Very interesting post to read, thanks OP! One thing I think you must miss - sometimes in my Canadian home, in the midst of winter, when the furnace is going off and on all night long and it gets too hot in the house - I crack open the window to stand staring out at the white sparkling snow, and breathe in the fresh, crisp, clean winter air. There is nothing like it in the entire world.

Still though, you are in a great place, great weather, and truly enjoying yourself and expanding your horizon - good for you!! :)

I agree. But, I am willing to give up one thing for another. I love tons of things about Canada:
--The land - The people - The Tim Horton's on every 2nd block, etc etc ...

The things I miss are balanced off by things down here:
--The land is amazing and has everything from lush green tropical to desert
--The people are great and every so patient with my 'not so good' Spanish
--As for Tim Horton's ... they do have some great coffee shops here, not as many ofcourse, but here's the catch THEY ACTUALLY SERVE REAL DONUTS!

[Teraric]

How's your spanish/mexican? When did you learn the language?

I'm learning Spanish very fast, I force myself to use it as much as possible. It was going slow, but once I learnt how to talk in the past and future, it has been zooming along.

I've been here before, but when I returned to Canada, I searched my area for some Spanish speaking people and constantly practiced.

Es muy importante para mi practicar español. Porque, yo vivo aquí en México y yo necesito hablar español.

[Teraric]

I am now in Hermosillo. It is a city of about one million people and is 3 hours from the US border.

http://www.cmr.ws/cmr/images/qs_mapa.jpg

Here are some pictures of the area:

http://www.bulbash.com/images/CIMG0143_(Large)_(Small).JPG

http://www.bulbash.com/images/CIMG0144_(Large)_(Small).JPG

http://www.bulbash.com/images/CIMG0148_(Large)_(Small).JPG

[KennethToronto]

Hey OP,

So I'm thinking of flying to Mexico City for 1 week (reading week). How fast/easily can I get to a nice beach by bus? We thought about flying into Cancun but it costs a bit more. We're students w. traveling experience + functional spanish.

[ullyeus]

Fantastic post

Questions:

Do you have air conditioning? how much?

How is the internet connection down there? You work remotely so I assume it would be great, how much?

How is the work thing well...work exactly? Are you paid compeltly under the table? Do you have a mexican work visa? Pay taxes there? etc

[hyperion]

Cool pics, but why don't you move to a ocean-side city?

[Teraric]

Hey OP,

So I'm thinking of flying to Mexico City for 1 week (reading week). How fast/easily can I get to a nice beach by bus? We thought about flying into Cancun but it costs a bit more. We're students w. traveling experience + functional spanish.

From where I am right now in Hermosillo, it would take about 1 hour to get to the beach. However, if you where to come to Mexico, you should check out Mazatlan, since it's right on the beach and you can often get some decent priced flights or packages. If you have any questions, or want to know the true quality of a hotel down there (websites often lie), just send me a PM. I know all the places in Mazatlan.

[Teraric]

Fantastic post

Questions:

Do you have air conditioning? how much?

How is the internet connection down there? You work remotely so I assume it would be great, how much?

How is the work thing well...work exactly? Are you paid compeltly under the table? Do you have a mexican work visa? Pay taxes there? etc

I have air conditioning, but you don't need it at this time of year. The city I am in now can drop as low as 3-5c at night.

The internet is decent, but nothing like it is in Canada. My downloading speed caps out at about 100kb/s. But, it's not as stable as I would like it to be. During peak hours the speed is often cut in half. But, you learn to accept what you have.

It's not a huge issue to me, in Canada I'd start downloading torrents before I sleep and I do the same here. They'd both be done by the time the morning came around, just the one in Mexico finished at 6am instead of say 3am in Canada.

I work remotely doing webdesign and programming. It gives me enough money to live comfortably here. The money I make is deposited into my Canadian bank account by my Canadian and American clients. I do not work in Mexico since it's illegal and they don't make that much money. Min. Wage is about $7/day in some parts. $15/day is often viewed as a decent job.

A tourist can not work here without getting a working VISA. However, you can not get a working VISA unless you can do something that a Mexican can't (spec. trade or skill... ex. teaching english). However, when you apply for a working VISA, it ONLY allows you to work at a specific place and you'd have to reapply if you changed jobs.

[Teraric]

Cool pics, but why don't you move to a ocean-side city?

Check out the other parts of the thread if you haven't so far. I lived on the Ocean for 5 months.

For sake of example lets call this the ... "Niagara Falls Effect"

People from every country know Canada for the great falls, and tons of visitors go there when they come. BUT, some people who live just an hour away have never been. It is the same thing with any local attraction.

I lived there for 5 months and went to the beach once. Many Mexicans hate the sun because they "don't want to go any darker" so they almost NEVER go to the beach, when they do go, they go when it's pitch black ( I kid you not ).

[Ben Jr]

I've considered living in Mexico, but I'm limited to where an embassy or a by slim chance a consulate is located. Mexico city just seems to daunting to try and live there, maybe further south for me.
I have to choose by summer '08 so I'm still weighing my options...

[JulieH]

I've considered living in Mexico, but I'm limited to where an embassy or a by slim chance a consulate is located. Mexico city just seems to daunting to try and live there, maybe further south for me.
I have to choose by summer '08 so I'm still weighing my options...

I believe Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta both have consulates and are both great cities.

[Teraric]

I've considered living in Mexico, but I'm limited to where an embassy or a by slim chance a consulate is located. Mexico city just seems to daunting to try and live there, maybe further south for me.
I have to choose by summer '08 so I'm still weighing my options...

Mazatlan has a consulate, I remember seeing it many times. As for other places, check out this link http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/mexico-city/general/points_of_service-en.asp.

[frogger]

How does health care work for non-citizens?