That said, though air quality can leave a lot to be desired, there are also plenty of places further up-field from the major population zones (instead of Guadalajara, think Lake Ajijic for example) that are perfectly clean and environmentally clean it seems to be a major rule of thumb that if you stay a little bit away from the crowds, and closer to nature, things seem to truly be healthier, and more down to Earth, pardon the pun! I think it varies depending where you want to go. How did you find Medellin as a place to retire. Be a scientific researcher in Mexican waters. Be aware: most banking is still done in person in Mexico. I encourage you to visit again and visit more places than the typical tourist hot spots. Well help you find the right mover at the best price. You just went up 10 points in my list. Backstreets and non touristy areas. Its hard to find a greener city than Medellin. Oaxaca is one of my favorite cities. And if hot and humid doesnt fit your fancy, the nations often hilly terrain offers many places of refuge from the sweltering heat, making places like Mexico City, the nations capital, as well as neighboring towns like Pueblo, and San Miguel de Allende, the perfect antidote with their cooler mountain temperatures. Medelln, Colombia Medelln has grown tremendously in popularity over the last few years. Making the switch is easy. Mexico wins in the food department and has better beaches, but I think thats about as far as it goes. The truly fun and classy clubs and bars are for the high society of Mexico. Its the same in Medellin. Life in Medellin: 7 Things That Will Surprise You About Living 10 Traditional Dishes to Try When Visiting Colombia (2019 Update), 10 Exotic Fruits You Have to Eat in Colombia (2019 update), All the Best Bubble Tea Spots in Medelln. Small interactions with neighbors, shopkeepers, and such add a natural richness to many Expats lives. When you apply for any immigration procedure at an immigration office in Mexico for example: residency on the basis of Family Unit, exchanges, renewals, regularization, etc. the immigration office will quote Mexican pesos (or a foreign currency equivalent) based on the multiples of UMA if an 'economic solvency' requirement is asked for within The 1.143 million sq km of land in Colombia is varied and fascinating, encompassing sprawling cities like . This permission is not a standard visa; it is a permit you receive when you arrive in the country. People, food, history, culture Residence visa is not good for us so, Im leaning towards Brazil so far. A FMM is a visitors permit, known as Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM. Be patient. On paper, Mexico looks great for a retired dude: low cost of living, plenty of gringos, good food etc., but for trying to find a woman, it's not perfect. It saddens me that this beautiful paradise has now come to this . Often the laid-back culture of Mexico wins Expats over. Its really sad whats happening there, for the Mexicans as well as the foreigners. Past all those fundamentally obvious points, even in the most dangerous places in Mexico, what are youre actual chances of being a victim. Despite not being local styles, Salsa, Cumbia and other Caribbean styles are mad popular in Mexico. Of course it would be remiss to not add that while a move to Mexico is a great idea, it isnt exactly a very unique one. 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, A PROVEN factnot just speculations ! Like somebody else mentioned, Guanajuato and similar central colonial towns. He served 3 years in the U.S. Army as a Terrain Analyst assigned to CICV in Saigon in 1969 and to the 64th Engineering Detachment at . Ive made lots of Mexican trips, only one to Colombia. Also, I can guarantee Mexico is a lot more expensive than Colombia. To make the best of both worlds I think having a Colombia wife or GF and living in Mexico would be the best of all combinations or opening a legit Mexican restaurant in Colombia. Its a matter of perspective. Photo by Chalabala/Getty Images. It also has a nice year-round climate. Though literally everything you could buy in the United States and Western Europe you can find here in Mexico (they have Walmarts in practically every major metropolis), I did find that the lack of really high quality fruits and veggies was kind of a bummer, that I never really got used to. Lol. Alastair has lived in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of becoming a rapidly developed industrial powerhouse like Mexico has become over the years is the unfortunate impacts that has on the environment. I made the comparison to broad. Interesting post. I need to figure out how to get a visa to work, and get a job in those areas. Based on my experience, April/May is ideal. Well there you have it 10 Different Things to Consider when moving to Mexico! FIFA currently ranks Colombia #6 in the world, with Mexico a distant #16. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In a country a big and diverse as Mexico, there are literally so many things to do, and places to see that it can honestly be a bit overwhelming at first! Whats your next step in moving to Mexico? Mexicans are usually friendly and ready to help 7. We suggest getting quotes from these two companies as a start. .COSTCO, WALL MART , OFFICE DEPOT , Home depot , are everywhere in Mexico.Not In Colombia they do not exist.Goods in Supermarket are cheaper in Mexico, and also there is a lot more variety than Colombia.Prices are bette in Mexico, generally fruit and fish is til 50 % cheaper in Mexico than Colombia.Homes are cheaper in Colombia especially Barranquilla and The costa, also in Medellin, homes are cheaper if compared with Playa del Carmen and Cancun, but if you go to Merida , Yucatan you can buy for 50k dollars a villa of 200 square metres , this is not possible in all Colombia.ROI on your home investment ? to our own homes, in our upscale neighborhoods. The Mexican emergency number is 911, so there is no change for US Expats. Migrants used mostly to be retirees: osteopathy clinics are abundant in Lake Chapala. Requirements for persons moving to Belize include the filling out of application forms, providing documents such as police records, passport copies, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of income. You can renew your temporary permit for up to four years and then apply for a permanent residence permit. 7 AP/Nati Harnik. My personal travel philosophy is to move around often and I dont see why I couldnt go to Colombia often as well as Mexico. If you do not have this, youll have to pay to store your goods until it is procured. I think most people forget about the non touristy areas. The soft, lilting tones of the dialect is just one of the many things you can look forward to when moving to Colombia. Where would you prefer to live, Mexico or Colombia, and why? However, because the cost of living in Mexico is 66% less expensive than in the United States, the lower wage shouldn't have too much of a burden on expats' lifestyles. (Even reggaeton, actually) I suppose that partying in only tourist resorts is very different. These large banks offer good service to international clients. I think the people who believe Colombia is more expensive have only been to the North Caribbean coast (i.e., Cartagena, Santa Marta), which is quite expensive. The two countries share a 2,000-mile-long border, and most major airports offer direct flights to American air travel hubs. Now that the safety concerns of decades past have mostly been eliminated, Colombia is a compelling country to move. Their primary agricultural products are rice, beans, coffee, fruit, and tomatoes. I cant award this to Colombia simply because Ive gotten to know its culture more deeply over the years. Mexico is the perfect expat destination 5. Really? If you want to make the immigration process more manageable, you can use one of the Mexican immigration companies we recommend. This category is a slam dunk for Mexico. Not what you would expect going off American Media and pop culture. And they target your specific level, so you get the most out of the class. You wont be able to use credit cards in many places, so it is worth carrying some cash at all times. Click here to connect to an immigration lawyer. If you choose to move to Mexico, youll have your pick of whatever climate you prefer, all in a beautiful Latin American setting. Climate: during my stay in Medellin I constantly compared its climate to Guadalajara, which Ive visited several times. I ate an amazing meal at Pujol, a restaurant in Mexico City recently ranked #17 in the world. OpenPhone team submits your port request to your old provider (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) Mexico has the best economic opportunities. A problem with Mexico being so big is that when tourists go they usually stay in the same area and extrapolate what they see to the rest of the country and think its all like that.. Thats like going to northern Brazil and think the whole country is a big jungle. Obtain residency through asylum or humanitarian grounds. Like the U.S., the U.K. has three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Mexico City has four major bus stations, which have multiple bus routes to different parts of the country. Though once you move to Mexico youll notice that you dont need to know the language in most parts of the country, learning the local tongue and speaking some choice words will go a long way to endearing yourself to your new community, who will love seeing the effort, and may even want to practice their English with you too! But the rest of Colombia is very, very inexpensive. Let me know in the comments below! Use our experience to get the right cover at the right priceClick here to get a quote from our recommended Expat Health insurance providers. Fresh vegetables cost from $1 to $2 and the same goes for fruits with oranges being the cheapest at 0.56. 1. Colombia is an up and comer for Americans. Before moving to Mexico, bear in mind that this is not a country where banking is easy. Average salary in Mexico. The roads are better developed and driving in Mexico can be enjoyable, whereas driving in Colombia is something you want to avoid at all costs. Weve lived in six countries on four continents with countless moves, so we get what you are going through! Almost always sunny, never too hot, never too cold, almost no pollution. I spent a week in Guadalajara a few years ago nooooo problems. Dont get caught out with bad exchange rates and hidden charges at Foreign Exchange stalls. Blank CDs, DVDs and tapes. It's an exciting city that offers a lot to do. Colombia has whitewater rafting and the lost city trek. Youre right. [su_list icon="icon: square-o"] Underwear & socks x 5-10. Ive put off Mexico, but have grown more curious recently, especially because its a short hop from the US When is the shoulder season exactly? Many expats are lured by the vibrant culture and increasingly international communities. That said, the process of opening an account can be reasonably straightforward compared with other countries. To be fair, the rainy season is about to begin, and I know it can get quite wet on the Yucatan once the tropical rains start pushing through, but outside of the jungle in Palenque, the scenery didnt do much for me. It's perfectly legal for people moving to Mexico to buy land and property there and, compared to other countries, costs are very low. Then, many of these incidents are happening in the border towns of Tijuana and Juarez. The average person earns less than $8,000 USD per year. This is a country that sent aid to Europe after WWII, and used to be one of the richest countries in the world. Beyond soccer, Mexico has access to the second largest barrier reef system in the world, which leads to a lot of snorkeling and diving opportunities along the Mayan Riviera. But dont forget, Mexico also shares a Caribbean coast and receives a lot of Caribbean influences thru it, mainly from Cuba (Salsa is originally Cuban), and also son cubano, merengue, bachata, etc. Forbes ranks virginia as a great state to own a business..thus why I have 7,000,000 in the bank! from 14 to 19 % each year in Playa del Carmen Mexico , against no more that 2/3% in Medellin.Just think what you want.But after many years spent in both I surely prefer Mexico .Also it is much cheaper and easier take residency in Mexico than Colombia.In Mexico they do not require paperwork or a lawyer to do this, immigration talk fluent english, in Colombia no one talk fluent English.Eating in Mexico is not comparable with Colombia .Just take a flight to Playa del Carmen, Cancun or Merida and see.What about Mexico City ? Please keep Medellin Living going. A one-year temporary card costs $4,413 MXN (around $220 USD), and a permanent residence card costs $5,379 MXN (around $270 USD). Playa del Carmen, for example, barely has a salsa-specific bar. Joyanne . San miguel de allende etc. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I think what happened here is that you traveled only through the Pacific coast all the way to Yucatn but pretty much left out the rest of the country. These cookies do not store any personal information. This limit is per person, so if you are a couple, you can import up to 4 pets. I have never felt unsafe in Mexico, and yes the beaches on the Riviera are wonderful (much better than the Pacific side), and overall, its just easy. The weather argument is silly. Indices Difference Consumer Prices in Mexicoare 71.7%higherthan in Colombia(without rent) Consumer Prices Including Rent in Mexicoare 77.6%higherthan in Colombia It is very evident that a lot of people commenting here dont know much about Mexico, and yet seem to have strong convictions on top of a lack of knowledge. Sounds like youve got choices, a good position to be in. And even if you somehow manage to wake up one Taco Tuesday, and decide youre feeling the urge to change things up a little, Mexico is well positioned geographically to not only be a great gateway to many of the other nations in Latin America, but also is often only a few hours flight away from the United States too. Now you know how to move to Mexico. I too live in Northern Virginia, have for 30 years and am tired of it. I have visited and lived in Mexico City, San Miguel del Allende and Merida. ), Own property in Mexico of at least MXN$5,668,000 (roughly USD$280,000. Mexico wins hands down. Book a consultation with them here. Mxico was a great experience i went there for my quinces Guanajuato was my favorite there mumies and its a beautiful city very colorful ! Save hundreds of dollars by getting accredited moving companies to compete for your business. Mexico vs Colombia final score Goals: MEX Alexis Vega (penalty) 6th min. I dont know of anywhere in Mexico with better weather than Medellin, all year. The warmth and closeness of the people translates towards a very laid-back, welcoming vibe that Mexicans have in absolute strides. The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA) The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA) provides a unique opportunity for Colombians who wish to move to Canada. This is a close call, and made all the harder by the fact that I was always on the tourist trail in Mexico. Mexico Investment Visa. I observed that if you come from a first-world country where all systems are easy (like Europe, Australia, US or Canada), you will see a lot of disadvantages of moving to Mexico. Bras x 3 (sports + regular) Jeans or pants x 3. When you are moving to Colombia, if you are planing to live in a small apartment and carrying just certain items, you will be needing a 20ft container. After getting a taste of the lifestyle in Mexico, many Expats apply for residency along with a retirement visa. I would give music and climate (barely) to Medellin, food (though I had two superb dining experiences in Medellin) and colonial atmosphere to Oaxaca. Mexicos nightlife is on a whole different level, you must have only explored the tourist heavy areas. In addition, Colombia has an affordable and reliable bus system though the best way to navigate around any big city is on foot. In a nutshell, the top reasons for moving to Colombia include: a growing economy, stable government, universal education, and near universal health care. Im Colombian, and I would love to live in Medallo when I get back, BUT I love Mxico. If you move to Bogot or any city if the interior, you will find cold, gray days and lots of rain with temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Colombia. FIFA currently ranks Colombia #6 in the world, with Mexico a distant #16. Think morning air smog over Mexico City, that at times can become hazardous to ones health, or the lackluster view on trash collection in some parts, where it isnt uncommon to see random bits of garbage lying around in the streets. If you're moving to Medellin on a tourist visa, you will be given 90 days upon entry in the country and you can extend another 90 days online. And I do like the feeling you get hanging out in pueblos. This allows you to explore the country and get a feel for the country before making any big decisions. Of course, trouble can happen even in paradise, and when it comes to ongoing drug wars that have plagued Mexico for years, the violent murders that have happened in the country remain in the back of every persons mind who steps foot in the country. If your ideal plan is to move permanently, you will need to continuously reside in the country for no less than one year. From my experience, Colombia is quite a bit cheaper than Mexico, but I guess it depends on where you go. Mexico: In law, a person with a criminal record for DUI from the past 10 years is not permitted to enter Mexico, though anecdotally speaking, people do visit Mexico with DUIs due to the fact that Mexican authorities do not have access to Canadian criminal record databases. You'll need to report to a Department of Immigration office in Mexico before the visa expires and within 30 days of your arrival. For information on finding work, healthcare, or schooling, read our guide to Living in Mexico. Depending on the options you choose your mover will arrange to have the container delivered to your house, packed, moved to port, shipped, moved to your new house and then unpacked. It's like having Spring year-round. Mexico has both public and private healthcare systems. And weve also got a complete guide to Retiring in Mexico for those lucky enough to have the opportunity. For the last two and a half years, weve been increasingly enduring kidnappings, extorsion and extremely bloody and cruel ways of killing (decapitating, dismembering, etc and, then, hiding the body parts in freezers in many luxurious, fancy neighborhoods , favorite areas chosen by drug dealers to live, of course). You cannot compare it to Colombia. Mexico has perfect weather and better food, the nightlife is great if you avoid tourist areas. How Would Living in Mexico Compare to Colombia? Makes sense! And btw, Im from NC, but have lived in Mexico City. I shouldve been more specific, comparing my experience living in Medelln, CO with the specific cities I couldve seen myself living in for at least a few months, including: Puerto Vallarta/Sayulita, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Playa del Carmen. Is 911, so it is worth carrying some cash at all times weather than Medellin, year., actually ) I suppose that partying in only tourist resorts is very, very inexpensive history, Residence. 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