1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

I don't agree that partying is the main draw for most.

Cartel influence varies by specific region.

Morelia and Queretaro are considered the least cartel risk.

Mazatlan beach city which is in Sinoloa of all places is considered safe enough.

Even a place like Lake Chapala a major retirement haven sometimes has cartel issues but they generally don't impact tourists and expats.

A much more famous beach city Acapulco (which I have visited and loved) has been considered too unsafe a long time. 

 

Well they have great food. That Mexican restaurant in Cebu was unbelievably good. 

 

But I doubt you'd get Hunnanese, Yunnan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hakka, Burmese, Cambodian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Lao, Thai, French, Italian, British, German, American, Japanese, Korean etc food.

 

On that count alone Thailand is better. Throw in the massage culture and it's a slam dunk.

1 minute ago, JimTripper said:

My understanding is they keep them out of the better areas to not jeopardize tourism. The problem is you can't just roam around the country, you're kind of stuck in a safe area. They can hold up busses and cars for example if your doing long trips, just bandits basically for normal people, the killings are cartel related.

So fly then. 

1 minute ago, JimTripper said:

My understanding is they keep them out of the better areas to not jeopardize tourism. The problem is you can't just roam around the country, you're kind of stuck in a safe area. They can hold up busses and cars for example if your doing long trips, just bandits basically for normal people, the killings are cartel related.

 

Yes, it didn't work for Acapulco I heard, and it's like you say, if you want to go to a place where there are cartels, what you have to go with a Glock? I don't know man. I feel safe in Thailand. I don't even lock the door. Well, mostly because I have a numper pad lock.

1 minute ago, Cameroni said:

 

Well they have great food. That Mexican restaurant in Cebu was unbelievably good. 

 

But I doubt you'd get Hunnanese, Yunnan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hakka, Burmese, Cambodian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Lao, Thai, French, Italian, British, German, American, Japanese, Korean etc food.

 

On that count alone Thailand is better. Throw in the massage culture and it's a slam dunk.

Yes Asian food is weak in Mexico. That's for sure.

There are options though in big cities.

There are large Asian expat populations driven by industry in some cities driving that.

European and especially American food widely available in cities!

Many complain it's becoming too American. 

Mexican food in Mexico is mind blowing. It's very regional as well.

For the most international options it's got to be Mexico City of course, among the greatest big cities on the planet.

I think that's the place for younger people, but as a retirement destination, not so much. 

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes Asian food is weak in Mexico. That's for sure.

There are options though in big cities.

There are large Asian expat populations driven by industry in some cities driving that.

European and especially American food widely available in cities!

Many complain it's becoming too American. 

Mexican food in Mexico is mind blowing. It's very regional as well.

For the most international options it's got to be Mexico City of course, among the greatest big cities on the planet.

I think that's the place for younger people, but as a retirement destination, not so much. 

 

I think Mexico is too far away as well. I used to live in Grand Cayman which is almost next door. It was torture to fly to Europe or Asia.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

I think Mexico is too far away as well. I used to live in Grand Cayman which is almost next door. It was torture to fly to Europe or Asia.

 

 

Up to you.

It should be pointed out that Mexico has one thing for retirees that is extremely desirable that Thailand will never have.

Access to PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

Depending on your income or savings, it can be INSTANT, or with lesser funds, you get a temporary one year residence, never have to show income or money again, and get your permanent with citizenship options five years later.

That's a big deal. 

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Up to you.

It should be pointed out that Mexico has one thing for retirees that is extremely desirable that Thailand will never have.

Access to PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

Depending on your income or savings, it can be INSTANT, or with lesser funds, you get a temporary one year residence, never have to show income or money again, and get your permanent with citizenship options five years later.

That's a big deal. 

It moves into citizenship eventually as well. 5 years I think. A second passport. Kind of neat to have.

On 9/5/2024 at 2:38 AM, spidermike007 said:

I spend a good deal of time in Los Angeles, but I also travel around California, and around the US. There is a general sense of disappointment, disillusionment, and disenfranchisement, and the resultant bitterness that comes from that. Unless somebody owns a home or condo that's paid off, the cost of living has become so outrageous that 70% of the American population just can't afford the cost of living anymore. I estimate there's another 20% that are doing okay and leading decent lives, and then the top 10% are doing very well. But not necessarily fulfilled.

 

There are a lot of broken dreams, and a lot of the hype of America being the greatest just doesn't live up to what people are seeing, feeling, and experiencing on a daily basis. Crime has definitely gone up, homelessness is out of control (those images are in a good area of Los Angeles), the nomad (people who have deliberately chosen not to own or rent due to the associated costs, and instead live in their cars, trucks or motor homes) population is estimated to be as high as 5 million, and leaders like Trump do not help, as their poorly thought out tariffs simply become taxes on an already overburdened American public. Granted crime is worse in some places than in others, California is one of the highest rates of crime due to successive administrations passing very liberal and ignorant policy. My guess is that if somebody tried to rob a CVS in Montana, they would just get clubbed unconscious with a baseball bat, which is what should happen. 

 

 

Typical left wing Democrat hellhole.

On 9/3/2024 at 11:39 AM, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

I don't experience any of the issues you mention, in Chiang Rai.

5 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

It moves into citizenship eventually as well. 5 years I think. A second passport. Kind of neat to have.

Yes, if you want terrorise people and put the fear of God into people, just take out the Mexican passport.

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Up to you.

It should be pointed out that Mexico has one thing for retirees that is extremely desirable that Thailand will never have.

Access to PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

Depending on your income or savings, it can be INSTANT, or with lesser funds, you get a temporary one year residence, never have to show income or money again, and get your permanent with citizenship options five years later.

That's a big deal. 

 

Yes, it's bizarre in Thailand, isn't it, even if you're rich there's a quota of 100 people from each country or something silly like this. Very strange.

1 minute ago, Cameroni said:

 

Yes, it's bizarre in Thailand, isn't it, even if you're rich there's a quota of 100 people from each country or something silly like this. Very strange.

Thailand do what every other country should have done! 

 

A wet dream for Europe 

On 9/3/2024 at 11:39 AM, StandardIssue said:

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

Pattaya.

37 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Up to you.

It should be pointed out that Mexico has one thing for retirees that is extremely desirable that Thailand will never have.

Access to PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

Depending on your income or savings, it can be INSTANT, or with lesser funds, you get a temporary one year residence, never have to show income or money again, and get your permanent with citizenship options five years later.

That's a big deal. 

Who cares?

It is a dirty, filthy, corrupt hole places run by Cartels who chop peoples heads off for looking at them wrong.  Terrible and horrible.

 

 

The World Justice Project ranks Mexico among the world's worst countries in terms of rule of law. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Mexico is the 3^rd worst hotspot in the world for criminal activity.20 May 2024 

51 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Well they have great food. That Mexican restaurant in Cebu was unbelievably good. 

 

But I doubt you'd get Hunnanese, Yunnan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hakka, Burmese, Cambodian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Lao, Thai, French, Italian, British, German, American, Japanese, Korean etc food.

 

On that count alone Thailand is better. Throw in the massage culture and it's a slam dunk.

Lol... Are you serious!!!   Every 2nd restaurant in Cebu does Korean or Japanese foods (1 of the best Koreans I've had was out by the old Hilton Hotel on the peninsula no idea what it's called nowadays) & those that don't do American "Food". 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Lol... Are you serious!!!   Every 2nd restaurant in Cebu does Korean or Japanese foods (1 of the best Koreans I've had was out by the old Hilton Hotel on the peninsula no idea what it's called nowadays) & those that don't do American "Food". 

 

 

I was talking about Mexico. I know Cebu has great restaurants. I had one of my best pizzas there, better than in Italy, in a  Pizzeria in Cebu that did only authentic Napoli pizzas.

 

But I don't want to think back of that time, because I'd have to think of that lying, cheating skank of a Filipina I was with back then. What liars they are.

On 9/3/2024 at 11:51 AM, Trippy said:

Nobody lives in Thailand anymore, it's too crowded.

 

Tourism is dead.  The over-tourism killed it.

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Yes, if you want terrorise people and put the fear of God into people, just take out the Mexican passport.

It's only an option. You can stay of permanent residence indefinitely. 

Mexico may have the most US retires? Can't be that bad....

The best thing would be easy access to US health care if needed.

However, safety is always a big problem, specially along the border. Cartels rule.

 

"There is no definitive answer as to how many retired Americans live in Mexico, although the State Department estimates one and a half million Americans of all ages reside there (McIntyre, 2017). The Social Security Administration paid benefits to over 62,000 people in 2022 who now reside in Mexico (Kiger, 2022)."

 

12 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Mexico may have the most US retires? Can't be that bad....

The best thing would be easy access to US health care if needed.

However, safety is always a big problem, specially along the border. Cartels rule.

 

"There is no definitive answer as to how many retired Americans live in Mexico, although the State Department estimates one and a half million Americans of all ages reside there (McIntyre, 2017). The Social Security Administration paid benefits to over 62,000 people in 2022 who now reside in Mexico (Kiger, 2022)."

 

The medical benefits are over exagerrated.

Realistically in an emergency only those near the border have much chance of getting care in the U.S. 

Many do live in Northern Baja coast Ensenada which isn't too bad.

Mexico is a big country.

The Medicare benefit is there in terms of people claiming they live in the US and using Medicare Advantage based on a US zip code, and snowbird part time expat types.

But sure can also be used for non emergency stuff more easily than if you live in Thailand. 

Most full time expats outside the border areas end up arranging their health care needs in the Mexican system which does have various options including paying cash which is priced lower for non tourists.

36 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Mexico may have the most US retires? Can't be that bad....

The best thing would be easy access to US health care if needed.

However, safety is always a big problem, specially along the border. Cartels rule.

 

"There is no definitive answer as to how many retired Americans live in Mexico, although the State Department estimates one and a half million Americans of all ages reside there (McIntyre, 2017). The Social Security Administration paid benefits to over 62,000 people in 2022 who now reside in Mexico (Kiger, 2022)."

Most of the retirees live in these strange areas that are almost like gated communities, though I don't think they are gated. They are called "gringo ghetto's". Lake Chalapa near Guadalahara is an example.

 

They don't have cartel or much crime, but like I mentioned earlier they are kind of trapped in that one location.

 

I always stayed in town and my feeling was that there were very few expats just living in town. It seems much more segregated. The closed communities are also not that cheap, being just slightly cheaper then the USA I think. It's more then Thailand anyhow.

 

Also, it's more challenging to live locally then it is in Thailand. You get cheated with double pricing a lot (they know what USA prices are and how much you probably make). The local markets can be unwelcoming, but not really unfriendly. Definately not as welcoming as Thailand. Most people end up living in a space that's almost like the USA, venturing into town occasionally. These are older retirees who are happy with that situation.

 

Walking into apartment buildings asking about rooms like you do in Asia seemed to be a no-go, like they were reserved for locals. There's nothing stopping you if you have some balls, however.

 

There's also a lot of police corruption and the people can be dirt poor and not happy or smiling about it. They will take you to the station and you will need to pay off the judge, etc for dumb things or any reason at all. Usually not much $20-$100, but it's not comfortable. Not likely if you stay in the expat area though.

 

The reason I wanted to move there is to live in a high end area by the ocean where it's safe. My social circle would primarily be other expats, Americans. Not live in town like I do in Thailand.

34 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

You get cheated with double pricing a lot

Or, like me, being there first time and seeing price sign like in the US ($) I paid that in US Dollars!!?? Didn't know Peso is same...

I heard something like "Muy Stupido" and they laughed...

 

I found out the truth after telling to my Mexican friends in LA "Ensenada was more expensive than here!" I had to hear jokes for many years... 🙂

 

14 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Typical left wing Democrat hellhole.

I was referring to many cities in the US, and life in the US, in general. Is they what you meant with your typically short, and consistently thoughtless meme? 

19 hours ago, maesariang said:

Trust your instincts. They are usually right.

My instincts say you are a useless troll susanlea. 

17 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Typical left wing Democrat hellhole.

You really have a shallow view on life. At least the other right wing posters can post normally. You cant, everything is democrat this left wing that. Adding to the problem is you present the weakest arguments of all of them. Save susanlea of course who writes like a 7 year old. 

18 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

Yes, it's bizarre in Thailand, isn't it, even if you're rich there's a quota of 100 people from each country or something silly like this. Very strange.

Not strange at all. They look at western countries and decide quite rightly they ain't having any of that nonsense in LOS. Same as not allowing us to own land. Very wise people.

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not strange at all. They look at western countries and decide quite rightly they ain't having any of that nonsense in LOS. Same as not allowing us to own land. Very wise people.

 

 I suppose you are right, there is wisdom in this restrictive policy from a Thai perspective.

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I was referring to many cities in the US, and life in the US, in general. Is they what you meant with your typically short, and consistently thoughtless meme? 

Many Democratic cities are hellholes yes, all via the policies you so vigorously warble about.

As we move through life things change.

 

I've lived in Singapore, Taiwan, China, Thailand. All were great until they weren't.

 

Not to say I hate any of them, but they ran their course, but I do have lingering fondness for Taiwan

 

Thailand obviously still has a draw, still got our house there, but if I had to do it all again I'd probably try to move to Taipei 

20 hours ago, marin said:

You really have a shallow view on life. At least the other right wing posters can post normally. You cant, everything is democrat this left wing that. Adding to the problem is you present the weakest arguments of all of them. Save susanlea of course who writes like a 7 year old. 

@Yagoda wins the award for shallowest, least informed and least intelligent posts on this forum. He never has anything to say, and consistently insists all Democrats are Marxists or Communists. A true demagogue.