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[Another new name Sue]

There are many foreign retirees in San Miguel de Allende.

Anyone moving to Mexico should check out the health insurance aspect and how coverage would work. Let's face it, retirees are not getting healthier as they age, and things are sure to come up.

A friend broke his ankle in Mexico and had to have surgery. On returning to the US and seeing an American doctor who x-rayed the ankle, the doctor said the Mexican doctor did a good job.

I suppose many do retire outside the country because they cannot afford to live here. Personally, I would not leave the US.

[KathiL]

While we have not retired full-time there, we have owned a condo outside of Puerto Vallarta for over 10 years and we know a lot of Americans and Canadians who do live there permanently. We are by no means rich, but we have a one-bedroom condo in a gated community on a golf course - we are about 5 minutes away from the beach.

Where we are located would not be considered a "third world country" as we have Costco, Sam's Club & Walmart, among other large stores. The health care in our area is great - there is even an American Hospital and there is a brand new hospital close to our house that is bilingual. We, too, have friends who go down there strictly for either medical or dental care as the prices very reasonable. We have a local doctor who is on-call 24 hrs/day.

While it is true that you are not covered by Medicare, our Supplement Ins. (Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield) is good world-wide.

If you are a seafood lover, there is cheap fresh fish, shrimp, etc. available every day. We frequent the large "Americanized" farmers market that is held along a large pier just north of us. We also frequent the "locals" markets and have fresh, just picked fruits and vegetables for next to nothing.

There is another large American community closer to Guadalajara called Lake Chapala - it is further inland and the temps are cooler.

Concerning safety - we live in a large city in the U.S. that has murders and hit and runs every night. We have never encountered any problems in Mexico. Like any other large city, you need to be prudent - you don't go out late at night driving in areas that are not familiar - you don't walk around flashing "wads" of cash. Don't do drugs, don't drink an drive - just plain common sense!

Because the area where we live is close to Puerto Vallarta, which is a popular tourist area, and because the communities north of us are continuing to grow, there is not a high unemployment rate. Yes, there are areas of poverty, but there are also organizations that have been founded by Americans and Canadians that provide services (clothes, food, etc.) to the poor. Americans and Canadians also established a rescue and adoption program for dogs and cats.

As far as citizenship, you have to apply for a FM-3 when you own property. You renew the FM-3 for five years and you can then apply for a FM-2.

If you are truly interested, there are several books (look on Amazon) about retiring in Mexico.

[PINKdogWOOD]

Mexico sounds great for sure as do some South American countries, Caribbean islands. However for my age I think I'd more prefer to move to the Northwest where the right to die with dignity is lawful. I will not end up in an assisted living place ending up no longer knowing myself, my family needing to put me there to die with no dignity.

[Tyak]

I know of one senior who moved there and shortly after was diagnosed with cancer and died soon after. I have a very good friend who was born and raised in Mexico City and refuses to even set foot in that country ever again. She despises it, says the corruptness is worse than anyone can ever know.

[depglass]

I know of a senior who lives near the border here in the US and crosses over for dental care. He claims its just as good as US. Also he gets certain scrip drugs and medical treatment there. He could get Medicare, so I don't quite know what is going on with him. I honestly think its another case of evading the law.

[Perkup]

With all its' faults and problems, I am still convinced that we are blessed to live in the best country on earth. Why then would anyone want to move to any other country? Move to another part of America - we have almost everything here is you just look around.

Maybe our biggest problem here is that not enough people appreciate what they have or where they are, or those who have fought and died for our freedoms.

[Sunnyfield]

I don't know about Mexico, but a good friend of mine moved to Cuenca, Ecuador about a year ago - she did extensive research and made several trips there, getting to know a group of ex-pats and learning about the city - apparently Cuenca was rated one of the Top 10 Retirement Cities by some publication...

[blackhole99]

You don't as a US citizen want to live in Mexico without sufficient funds. My son lives in Mexico right across the border from San Diego in Playas de Tijuana. He makes his living on line so he can live any where. My son had all the inoculations before he left our country and even though he buys his drinking water at the water store as he calls it, he's had Montezuma's revenge twice. The food he says takes some getting used to and the offerings in the local stores are not the best. That being said, living is much cheaper and he loves the climate and the travel is great. He says a lot of the stuff you hear about Mexico is not true, it's as safe as the US as long as you don't break the law and use common sense. Americans are treated very well and the Mexicans are friendly and willing to help you out. My son has been living in Mexico for a year and a half and has met some great people and made good friends, but he's thinking about coming home sometime soon, he's says he misses home.

[colliemom4]

I wouldn't feel safe at all.

[patbz]

When I was younger I visited Mexico (TJ)dozens of times with no fear. My most recent trip two years ago, on a cruise that included 4 Mexican ports cured me for good. In several ports there was a heavy military presence (machine gun nests guarding banks). As an experienced world traveller who has lived in third world countries, I won't even visit Mexico again.