garyk

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I didn't mean to imply there was anything wrong with your housing in Mexico. I could definitely live in a such a place, I've lived in much worse in the U.S. It doesn't appear to be a place that would be easy to live without a vehicle though and that's a priority for me. Part of my interest in expatriation is to live in a place better than I could afford in the U.S. and that's certainly easy to find in Thailand and based on my research anyway, also in much of Latin America. Of course everyone has different budgets and priorities and there is a big difference between shorter term and longer term. 

Ah ok, I hitched across the US right after school.. I am embarrassed to tell you where i have lived... ????

I walked to the corner and caught the local bus to Mexico City yesterday. But, this area is away from Centro. So, it might be a pain in the you know what for you. This is close to the airport. 

I am going birding in the mountains around here tomorrow. I will post some pics of the area if interested. 

Take care.

Completely furnished, free breakfast (excellent) Air conditioning. It was a hotel. Make sure you don't let them rip you off. In Colombia if a tourist you do not have to pay the hotel taxes. And rent by the month. The rooms were not that nice compared to nice digs. But, maid service daily!!!  11 dollars a night is what is averaged out at on a monthly basis... haha..

This may be of interest. Here are a few shots from Filandia. Close to where you are thinking of moving. You will see this for sure if you get in the area. Great fresh trout from the local stream. Make sure you ask about this fresh trout. It is delicious. 

I lived here for a few months in Cartago.

Free buffet breakfast very nice people.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

That's true. But even so that area looks kind of rough. Personally I would want to live in a somewhat more upscale setting. I had a quick look online at rentals in that city and indeed at the 500 usd monthly level you can find more attractive places.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

These is lower middle class folks. 

I looked in newer neighborhoods. And decided that this was the best bang for the buck.

Everyone has different needs.

Health insurance? No I had none. I think the total bill was 1600 dollars.  I have been in the hospital in Thailand many times, but never in a first class hospital. When i got hurt in Thailand it was usually in the sticks, and the local hospitals was all that was available. So I cannot comment on that. Although the few times I was in the hospital in Thailand I thought the care was very good and very cheap.

I am from south Texas and I am used to Mexico. Keep doing your homework, and good luck if you decide to move. 

This ain't Asia....  Be careful.

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

 

Quote

 

Cartago another place I haven't heard of. Looking it up I see it's a town not too far from Pereira. I see it's lower elevation than Armenia and Pereira and much lower than Manizales, so of course the weather is WARMER. Sure, of course, I would definitely like to see pictures and info about your experiences living in the coffee region.

 

Did you spend any time in Armenia Colombia? I'm particularly interested in the more "upscale" North Side there.
 

Yes Pereira is much warmer and I lived there for a few months. But, I spent time in Pereira, Armenia. Really all over the mountain region. I am a birder, and that was my main objective. I spent all of my time with the locals and made some good friends there. 

I broke my wrist in a bad climbing accident and was operated on in Cartago, excellent health care. And extremely cheap.

Manizales, Pereira, Armenia, I met a few very nice women. If that is your thing?  Colombian women are not my cup of tea,  But, different strokes I guess.

I didn't spend but a few day's in Armenia so I cannot answer your questions about it. 

That is a very special region in Colombia for me as a birder, and I will be going back soon I hope.

I will try and find some pics. I was looking on my phone and I deleted most all of them to free up space. I will see if I can grab some off my facebook page.

My SS check is enough for the retirement visa in Mexico. Very easy it looks like.

When I get back to Texas I will contact the Mexican embassy and start the process.

I travel allot,  I lived in Colombia in the coffee region for a few months. I also read the comments made earlier in this thread.  And I will have to say it is mostly bull shit as far as I am concerned.

If you are considering Colombia my suggestion is to live there for a few months and see if you like it. 

I can post a few pics of where I lived in Cartago Colombia, and many of the towns around it. If interested? I stayed in Bogota, Cali, and down threw the coffee region.

On 3/4/2019 at 2:12 AM, Jingthing said:

Here is my priority list --

 

Visa issues -- as easy and quick a process as possible

Visa financial levels -- obtainable based on my lower level U.S. social security pension (happily multiple choices for that) and/or another method that I could use (such as Mexico which has a "show money" outside of Mexico option

Residency issues -- either permanent residence on initial application or a path to permanent residence in a reasonably number of years

Citizenship -- nice to have that choice but not important to me

Beach? -- I don't need it

Urban, rural, etc. -- Prefer a smaller city, from a large town to a smaller big city

Weather -- Looking for year round mild weather

Altitude -- Hopefully not super high up there

Language -- Would prefer a place that you can "get by" with English at least for a while, but considering Spanish is not that hard, not the highest priority

Cost of living -- As low as possible but not willing to live super locally, still want my first world comforts in housing. To be more specific cost to rent something decent between 250 and 500 USD monthly. 

Transport -- Possible to live in the new place without a car high priority

Buying or renting? -- Open to buying only if it appears to be an especially good deal based on the local market and exchange rate. OK to rent indefinitely. 

Pollution -- A city with lots of traffic congestion / air pollution would be a strong negative
Food -- Interesting food, healthy food, international choices but I could compromise for other positive factors

Crime and safety -- As safe as possible. My gauge is if a place is comparably safe to a typical U.S. big city, meaning many many places in Latin America can meet that test

Health care -- Best if there is a buy in to a national system. Possibilities to get not horribly expensive coverage for older people with preexisting conditions in the local market. And/or a retail cost level that would be acceptable without insurance.

 

I just saw this thread.

I have been in Mexico now for about a week. Maybe you will be interested in my experience so far. But, I been in Mexico before.

I am in Toluca, south west of Mexico City.  I am living in a small house here. The rent is in line with Thailand prices IMO, Western style homes here. Two bedroom home unfurnished 240/mo. Wifi fast and reliable so far. 25 dollars a month that includes a television channel. 

I have a pickup here but today I road a first class bus, MUCHHHHH better than anything I have ever been on in Thailand for 73 pesos, 3.5 dollars. each way. Mexico City is safe and at the museums and food are right down my alley.

So far I am really enjoying my time and hope to stay for a few months before moving on to Merida.

Walmart is right down the road, all the conveniences of Texas. 

I am heading out to get some groceries, when I get back I will post some pics of the house and keep posting my experiences with pics. 

All the best.

You haven't seen anything yet. If the Chinese market keeps dropping, Chinese tourism will dry up and blow away.  

4 hours ago, Benroon said:

Yes you could - or save yourself all that hassle and bank it in a stronger currency (avoiding a few taxes along the way too) - I certainly wouldn't be trading baht for anything else right now.

 

All the usual suspects bleating never to buy Thai property over the last 10 years are looking pretty stupid right now.

If you owned commercial, industrial property it would be a dream come true right now. China is buying commercial property in Thailand trying to relocate their factories.  Same in Vietnam and other countries. Other than that property in Thailand for the average joe is a mine field at best. 

The "usual suspects" as you put it. Are the smart ones by far IMO. You don't come to Thailand to buy property if you do not know what you are doing. Which is 99% of the folks here.

4 hours ago, Benroon said:

Of course they haven't, but what's really tragic is the stupidity of the comments. If you're holding baht, one of the strongest currencies on the planet and only likely to get stronger in the short term why would you offload them to buy far more risky dollars ?

Everyone knows the Baht is one of Asia's strongest currencies. In good Global conditions it will flourish.

It makes no difference, if and when China starts having real problems Thailand will follow.

3 hours ago, Benroon said:

How ? Yet again if Trump imposes tariffs on China, Thailand will be a major benefactor ! The goods have to come from somewhere.

 

The Thai baht has now reached YEN status and wouldn't be affected by any recession in China (that won't happen)

Of course it is all speculation at this point.

China is considered a huge cash cow for Thailand. Buying goods and trade. As well as tourism, which Thailand is heavily reliant on. Thailand, 20% GDP dependent on tourism. 

If China falls into a resession, Thailand will be hit very hard. 

Not only that but Thailand will loose out to Vietnam and others. For small goods, manufacturing is shifting.

YEN status. hummmm  .. Is that an acronym for "You Eat Noodles"

7 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

want to get really freaked out?

 

" The Morgan Stanley Business Conditions Index fell by 32 points in June, to a level of 13 from a level of 45 in May. This drop is the largest one-month decline on record."

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/13/a-morgan-stanley-reading-on-the-economy-collapses-by-the-most-ever.html

 

Curious to see what happens in the future for sure. But, the U.S. stock market is surging and shows no signs of a slow down. I find it quite amazing people following these reports. As a matter of fact analysts are now turning, and saying it may be a good time to invest in stocks.

Have you seen the China market? It is the worst in years, why does that not hit the headlines? I personally think it is anti American sentiment in south east Asia, even from Americans?  And the fact that Thailand has gone in hook line and sinker with China. 

If Trump wins another 4 years and the trade war with China is not resolved and is escalated, which looks like a real possibility. The trickle down effect will hit Thailand hard.

Lets see how the Thai Baht hold up after a recession in China!

Honestly I feel sorry for anyone having to put up with all the immigration nonsense.

No grand fathering for the expats already there? Thailand is just a crummy place to retire IMO. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

In all fairness policies like that are subject to change for any country. So it may have already changed since you were doing that. 

I doubt it very seriously.  But, i will ask a friend that lives in Frazier hill.

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

You can do 1 or two visa runs in Malaysia.  Immigration officials will place an entry stamp, known as a social visit pass (visa), in your passport authorizing a stay of up to 90 days. Travelers may apply to the Immigration Department for extensions of up to two months.  I believe you have to show $10,000.

Lots of stories about problems getting in for a second or third run.  You can google. 

 

https://traveleverywhere-earnanywhere.com/2018/10/29/extending-your-malaysian-short-term-social-visit-visa/

Nonsense, Malaysia does not care. Immigration there is the easiest I have ever delt with. I did back to back 90 days tourist visa for a year. Then several years did the tourist stamp several times in a year. 

10,000  haha.  

3 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

Applicants and their dependants must possess a medical insurance coverage from any insurance company that is valid in Malaysia.

Applicants aged 50 and above may comply with the financial proof of RM350,000 in liquid assets and off shore income of RM10,000 per month.  For certified copy(s) of Current Account submitted as financial proof, applicants must provide the latest 3 months’ statement with each month’s credit balance of RM 350,000. For government pensioners, they can show proof of receiving pension of at least RM 10,000 per month.

Open a fixed deposit account of RM 150,000.00.

 

Tis you who are in error.  Not I. 

 

 

 

Na, you can do unlimited visa runs in Malaysia. There is no restriction. 

I mean if you want to give them your money they will take it.. haha

But for long term stay very easy and extremely cheap.

I drove over from Thailand and stayed about a year, the only hassle was if you bring in a Thai GF or wife I guess. They only get a one month visa and have to stay out for 7 days when they leave. 

Not only that the food kicks Thailands ass big time. Wow, it is amazing in Georgetown. I am talking amazing delicious and cheap.