Mexico

[GinBoy2]

I'm a Mexican American, and I'm having some second thoughts about Thailand being my long term retirement location. I have for a while been thinking about moving back to my families ancestral home of Guadalajara.

My question is for anyone that may have had a Thai spouse/gf, how easy is the visa process?

[Somtamnication]

I lived there for 2 years. Love Zapopan to bits. I am wondering the same.

[GinBoy2]

I lived there for 2 years. Love Zapopan to bits. I am wondering the same.

Now you're making me homesick. The Basilica in Zapopan is I think one of the most beautiful, and underestimated architectural buildings the Americas

[GinBoy2]

I've lived in Thailand for years, this would be a move from here to Mexico

[GinBoy2]

This is more of a case that I'm increasing not liking the intrusion into daily life here. I do my visa extension every 12 months, 90 day reporting, now I have the local cops coming asking for me to fill in forms, internet restrictions, it's just all becoming too much.

I didn't retire here to have my every move, keystroke, watched and monitored. If I'd wanted that North Korea or China would have been cheaper.

Mexico seems to be a better alternative right now. Outside of the drug areas, it's pretty stable, easy access to the US, pretty decent infrastructure, plus I speak Spanish.

But I have a Thai wife so it's always that 'where can they go' question which was the reason for the original post

Edited October 6, 2015 by GinBoy2

[Somtamnication]

If I was 20 years younger and knowing then what I know now about Thailand, I would have gone there. In saying that, we are safer here. Where else can you take early morning or late evening walks safely. Not in Guadalajara! The snooping locally is a pain and it will get worse.

I can also go to Venezuela and family there are happy to see me and wife/son. But economically not feasible.

Your wife will miss the spices for her somtam and other foods. They really do crave it. It will be hard for her to like menudo.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Seems like there is a Thai restaurant there: http://www.taispice.com/

Mac

[jacksam]

This is more of a case that I'm increasing not liking the intrusion into daily life here. I do my visa extension every 12 months, 90 day reporting, now I have the local cops coming asking for me to fill in forms, internet restrictions, it's just all becoming too much.

I didn't retire here to have my every move, keystroke, watched and monitored. If I'd wanted that North Korea or China would have been cheaper.

Mexico seems to be a better alternative right now. Outside of the drug areas, it's pretty stable, easy access to the US, pretty decent infrastructure, plus I speak Spanish.

But I have a Thai wife so it's always that 'where can they go' question which was the reason for the original post

Don't rule out spain

[GinBoy2]

This is more of a case that I'm increasing not liking the intrusion into daily life here. I do my visa extension every 12 months, 90 day reporting, now I have the local cops coming asking for me to fill in forms, internet restrictions, it's just all becoming too much.

I didn't retire here to have my every move, keystroke, watched and monitored. If I'd wanted that North Korea or China would have been cheaper.

Mexico seems to be a better alternative right now. Outside of the drug areas, it's pretty stable, easy access to the US, pretty decent infrastructure, plus I speak Spanish.

But I have a Thai wife so it's always that 'where can they go' question which was the reason for the original post

Don't rule out spain

I've visited Spain many times. It's still a little pricey and while I like Madrid & Barcelona the tourist areas are (and I apologize ahead of time) remind me a little bit of Pattaya or Patong. A lot of boozy Brits and bad Brit food