Things You Should Consider when Retiring to Mexico
Expat_2003, Yahoo Contributor Network
Oct 10, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo websites. Start Here."
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Mexico as a Concept
I've said much about this idea in past articles so I won't belabor the point. But, Gringos tend to have an unrealistic idea of what Mexico is all about. By far, I am NOT an expert. I will be the first to admit that much that I've encountered living in the country, specifically in the Mexican highlands, has taken me by surprise. The existing expatriate books on the market and at least one web magazine tend to create the impression that moving to Mexico is like walking right into the loving arms of a Fantasy Island Welcoming party. It is like living in paradise, these sources would tell you.
To stave off hate mail, let me say: I love Mexico. I really do. My wife and I chose this country and love learning how diverse it is in all of its wonderfully varied regions.
What this sort of delusion-building hype does is create the idea that all of Mexico, all of its culture, is going to be the same in each region you check out for possible expatriation. You see this in the forums on Yahoo and other sources a heck of a lot. You don't have to read very many forum posts before seeing some posts along the lines of:
"The Mexicans love us here."
"The Mexicans will be patient with you and go out of their way to help you."
"Mexicans are honest people."
The truth is that not “ALL” of the Mexican people will love you; not all will be patient with you; not all will go out of their way to help you; not all will be honest.
Just as in the States, Canada, and anywhere else you might go, there will be some very good people of sound character. There will also be some who are terrible scoundrels.
To paint a vast picture that all Mexicans are _____________(fill in the blank) is to create a delusion in the minds of the Gringos who are ill informed about this culture.
Different Cultural Regions in Mexico
Here is another delusion perpetrated by certain interests who have as their motive to sell you some very expensive real estate in Mexico. They will seek to paint a picture that the same culture courses its way seamlessly throughout this country. They fail to tell you that just like in the States, the culture will vary according to the location you choose.
This is a no-brainer. I am from America's Midwest. I know scores of midwestern folks who would never in a million years be able to adapt to living in New York City. New York is America. However, because of the vast local or regional cultural differences, I know many who could never adapt. I've had friends from the laid-back life in California who could never adjust to living in Kansas City. I know some who have done it. I have a niece who is an actress in New York City and loves it there. However, she was able to adapt by assimilating into the local population with its unique regional culture.
When you talk to some here in Guanajuato who are from different regions in Mexico, they have some very firm convictions about the differences between the local culture and the culture of their home regions. Recently, we talked with a lady from Zacatecas who works in a local business. She confirmed what we've been told over and over again about the difference between the people of Guanajuato and those from Zacatecas. She was a bit adamant about the differences in the two peoples.
This is not a bad thing. It means that to lump all of Mexico into the same cultural pot is as erroneous as lumping all the regions of America together and claiming there are no regional differences. There is the underlying Mexican culture that unifies its people but there are going to be regional differences that can be startling. There is a cultural sameness that unites Mexicans and there are cultural differences that divide them.
I have an American friend who has lived in Guanajuato as long as my wife and I have been here. Because of her age and health issues, she is moving to a city in Mexico that is a Prime Living Location to which many Gringos flock. This town has a super-developed Gringo infrastructure. The existence of this Gringo Infrastructure has changed what was once a unique Mexican town into something different. English is widely spoken and she will have a better chance at having her serious medical needs met in that town. At this point in her life, this is what she needs. I think she's doing what is right for her and I applaud her choice.
But, if you want a genuine Mexican experience in your expatriation experiment, the town to which my friend is moving might not be for you. In towns with greatly developed and intricately evolved Gringo Infrastructures, the Gringo will be treated differently than in towns that have not been accustomed to having large populations of Gringo residents. Does this not make sense? It can be vastly different.
The Real Mexico
Unfortunately, most of the research you find on expat issues is material based on the Prime Living Locations. These books, websites, and magazines address something unique and different. They will tell you of what life is like in a Mexican town that has been transformed into vast real estate investment empires for Gringos. What this has done to the local Mexican culture can most certainly be debated. Agree or disagree about whether the attraction of foreign investors is a good thing for these towns, but know this with a certainty: It would be a mistake to assume that settling in every part of Mexico is going to be as easy as settling into any of these Prime Living Locations.
Just because you thrive in one of these Prime Living Locations in which American-style housing developments, American-style strip malls, medical personnel who speak English, American-style country clubs, spas, and restaurants exist does not mean you will do well in the rest of Mexico. If you move to a place that has all the comforts of American life in Mexico, it's like moving to a state in the USA where there is a large Mexican population. It is not like moving to another country,
To swallow the hype that some of these Real Estate Investment businesses give you (all of Mexico is bilingual) is a mistake. Not all parts of the country will cater to your monolingualism.
Do you want an easy transition moving to Mexico for your retirement? If so, move to one of the Prime Living Locations. Do you want a challenge that will sometimes try the very core of your being but perhaps strengthen your soul and make you a much better person for having had the experience? Then move to a region of Mexico not used to your Gringo face.
It can very easily change your life forever!
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