Real Life in Mexico

Well, I've only been to rocky point (like everyone else) and Nogales, but I'm absolutely certain that I would not want to live where people drive like that. But I really can't speak for the whole country.

ive worked and played in Mexico.Its like any other country. In Guerreros , we were carjacked by some dudes. The escorts that the mining company provided
broke up their attempts. In Oaxaca , we lived for about 2 months and my wife and I loved it(shes a weaver and is fluent in Spanish)
If people spend time learning the language, youre given respect, if you come down like "my cousin vinnie" you will be dissed.
The bandit problems are stille real in the frontiers, but Id sooner be in Mexico City than Newark.

IT'S THE PEOPLE!!!
We may not be the "right folks" to ask about Mexico. We have a "fixation." We have traveled there - to different areas of Mexico - many, many times. Some years we made three trips. A few years ago, we went to teach school in Mexico City (18 months). At times we haven't even returned to the States when we're already planning our next trip. Like I said, "We have a fixation." It's the people. Kind, friendly, helpful, sympathetic, generous, etc., etc., etc. (Yes, we do speak Spanish - and read and write. However, our ethnicity is UK.)

Hopefully, your friend has a fair knowledge of the language. And, where does he plan to live? (By choice, we lived deep in "all-Mexican territory": no gringos!) Has your friend investigated the "requirements" put forth by the Mexican Government for foreign emigrants? They are specific about financial solvency, employment, affiliations, and so forth. The Mexican Embassy can furnish this information.

We cannot live in Mexico permanently because of professional, financial and family considerations. Also, physical constraints. But we'll continue to travel to Mexico as often as possible. We are here, but our heart is there! Always!!!

Edgar, growing up in Tucson, I learned to love Mexicans and Mexico. To me, people are people wherever you are, but Mexico has such a serious problem with poverty that, as Farmerman said, there is probably more unrest among the lower economic classes, making it more dangerous than the States.

I got a newsletter from Amnesty International today and it features Juarez and the problem with women disappearing or being found dead with obvious evidence of rape and torture. This isn't just Mexico--I would place the football coach of CU in the same league in terms of his attitude--not his actions.

My fear is that the US is becoming a country of extremes of poverty and wealth, much like Mexico.

Dys and I have actually talked of moving there if Bush is reelected. The people are fantastic.

Rufio, I spent lots of time in Rocky Point in my youth--probably before you were born.

I have lived beside and worked with Mexicans all my life. At 18 very nearly married one and have some in the family now. I would willingly spend some time there if circumstances would permit.
My friend began going down as a church member working with the people in the area. I have a faulty memory and don't recall the locale. It isn't in a place like Mexico City. He has had about four years experience going there. I imagine he knows enough about the laws to plan accordingly.

when I discharged from the US military in the mid 60's i bought a new BSA Goldstar and moved to a small village in Mexico for a year--best year of my life.

You all have reaffirmed my belief that Mexico has a lot of good to offer. I understand about the poor being restive. I've known about Zapatistas and the like for many years.

A FEW MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT MEXICO . . .
Customs and customary practices in any "foreign" country are . . . well, foreign. In addition, there are some serious "problems" confronting U.S. expatriates living in Mexico. Culture shock on any economic level there is huge. Though less evident in those communities made up primarily of expats. There is no escaping the all-pervasive poverty. Mexico IS NOT the United States. Safety nets don't exist as Americans know them: Social Security, DYFS (Department of Youth and Family Services), pension plans, etc., etc., etc. (Their courts are run on Napoleonic law, not British law: NO trial by jury. The judge or judges decide one's fate.) However, all higher education and all medical care are free.

Some time ago, before our first trip to the interior of Mexico, we were told about the poverty we would see. Our reply was, "Yeah, we know. We've seen lots of it in the United States." We were NOT prepared for the dire circumstances which we observed on that trip. Nor on the many trips since. If the traveler is going to spend much time in Mexico - or a similar country - s/he has to make up one's mind that they will cope as best they can. One "strategy" we practiced was to contribute mainly to mothers of young children and to the elderly. Each day into the pocket went a certain amount for that purpose. When it was gone, we offered our apologies as kindly as we could.

In general, the poverty-stricken have small expectations. There is little chance these groups will "make great trouble." People - who are accustomed to and have intimate knowledge of affluence - have "rising expectations." Therein lies great dissatisfaction looking for a resolution.

A much-admired "trait" quite apparent to us during our travels throughout Mexico was their strong, close family ties. We sincerely hope this prevails forever. What a blessing!

HAPPY TRAVELS!!! [/color]

COMPUTER WALLPAPER . . . EVER DAY!

Here's our computer wallpaper - EVERY day, ALL day! Chichen Ítza!!![/color]

I've watched many Mexicans living in Texas faithfully sending money to their relatives in Mexico. They suffer much to keep that lifeline flowing. I did not mean to minimize the poverty, just to make the point that some of them do pretty well. I have no personal plans to venture to Mexico. It does not fit into any scheme I could foresee.

dys, when you said you spent a year in Mexico, was you ever in Zijuatenejo?
Ilove that town . We used to go to Ixtapa next door, but since my wife is super fluent and I can get by, We actually like the towns better than the artificial tourist destinations.

I agree heartily with Charli's assessment of Mexico. I've lived off and on for years working in rural Mexico. The people are so varied. Some of the riches people in the world are Mexicans and some of the poorest are Mexicans. I know many people who have retired to Mexico--to make their income go further. Most live in American "colonies" such as the Lake Chapala region near Guadalara, Jalisco, Cuernavaca, and San Miguel Allende. Their social lives are mostly with other Americans and contacts with Mexicans are mainly commercial. I wanted to return to Mexico City after studying art there in 1955-56, but I've changed my mind given the terrible changes there. There are other places not so overdeveloped. These locations are always a possiblity if things should continue to deteriorate here. Has anyone experienced San Cristobal de Las Casas in the highland region of Chiapas, southern Mexico. I've lived there for around three years--the location of the Zapatista rebellion. It is absolutely beautiful.

"I've watched many Mexicans living in Texas faithfully sending money to their relatives in Mexico."

I've seen that too, edgar. And it seems the norm, not the exception.

Thanks, Charli. I believe you when you say it (the poverty) can't be imagined without seeing it.

Listening.

living in Chiapas Mexico
Hey, i have been living in Chiapas in southern Mexico for about 5 months now. There are cultural differences but the bottom line is that people are people everywhere and one ususally finds what one's attitude expects to find. Although there is abject poverty next to prosperity, the people are very genuine (albeit obsessed with how much every thing you have costs). I really love the family culture where teenagers aren't too cool to hang out with their younger siblings and older parents, aunts and uncles.
There are very few old folks homes here - the family respects and takes care of its elders. I am learning Spanish more and more and have many friends here. Upsides are low costs, rich culture. Downsides are driving
(a lot of macho Mexicano aggression) and a lack of education about littering.
I love it here and hope to spend the rest of my life here escaping from a 40% tax rate in the US to finance Bush's crusades. www.chiapasadventure.com

Royo, thanks for the link. It was great. I used to live in Teopisca, about 20 miles south of San Cristobal. I've also lived for one and half years in San Cristobal. I left just months before the Zapatista uprising. Havn't been back since. But I miss it. The highlands (los altos) is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

Re: Real Life in Mexico
Hi, I've been reading all of your replies, I live in Mexico City, and I think everyone's entitled to express an opinion, just wanted to say that most of Americans coming here, somehow expect to see another American city without realizing this country's supposed to be different because of obvious reasons. (My gfriend is American and she used to suffer the that sometimes) l would advise you get some useful information before coming here and that'll make your trip even more enjoyable....As far as lifestyle is concerned, we have a lot of trouble besides poverty, as many nations do, there's a lot of things that I love and a lot of things that I truly hate, same as much of American residents.
So wish you very nice trips, see ya all. :wink:

Hi. Welcome to a2k.

Re: Real Life in Mexico


What most people in Mexico are looking to get out of is their situation not the place. They see the US as an almost certain way to improve their life.

As JLN said, there are many places in Mexico where US people retire to, but I doubt this is where your friend wants to go since it seems like it wants to continue working.

I can't speak in a general tone.. since I don't know my country.

Maybe you should ask fbaezer, he seems to know Mexico in and out.