Cost
#1
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Cost
I'm thinking about the possibility of retiring to Mexico, partly for the climate and partly because I can't afford to retire in the UK. As cost is a key cost for me, what sort of monthly income would be needed to allow two people to live a reasonably comfortable life in Mexico?
I'd also be grateful if someone could advise me about some good areas for retirement that have decent weather, good medical care, things to see, facilities and is a very cost effective area.
Thanks
I'd also be grateful if someone could advise me about some good areas for retirement that have decent weather, good medical care, things to see, facilities and is a very cost effective area.
Thanks
#2
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Re: Cost
I'm thinking about the possibility of retiring to Mexico, partly for the climate and partly because I can't afford to retire in the UK. As cost is a key cost for me, what sort of monthly income would be needed to allow two people to live a reasonably comfortable life in Mexico?
I'd also be grateful if someone could advise me about some good areas for retirement that have decent weather, good medical care, things to see, facilities and is a very cost effective area.
I'd also be grateful if someone could advise me about some good areas for retirement that have decent weather, good medical care, things to see, facilities and is a very cost effective area.
#3
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Re: Cost
Can you afford to grow old without the NHS ? What happens if(when) your health deteriorates ?
#4
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Re: Cost
Clearly some sort of private healthcare has to be factored into my costings but that doesn't seem unreasonable given that the cost of living in Mexico is so low compared to the UK. I imagine I'd need to do this wherever I go in the world.
#5
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Re: Cost
Scot. There is medical insurance available to permanent residents of Mexico - but even without it medical costs are quite affordable, I understand. To a large extent I guess the costs depend on one's general state of health, plus how fiercely an old codger wants to cling to life when that general state is poor!
#6
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Re: Cost
Do you know anything about what life is like in Mexico ? There are many countries with decent climates where the “cost” of living , in monetary terms, is low compared with the UK, but you need to ask yourself why that is.
#7
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Re: Cost
Well, actually, I was thinking of the gringo colonies around Lake Chapala south of Guadalajara. The cost of living there is way higher than in natives-only villages and towns, but so is the standard of medical care - and the policing too, probably. I even know a couple from Cayman who moved from here to live there! There are plenty of other towns with large gringo minorities, all over Mexico and the rest of Latin America. No worries.
#8
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Re: Cost
Getting old does not just mean bunions and deafness. Do you speak Spanish ? If not will you depend on your gringo neighbours for communication ? Good luck with that one !
#9
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Re: Cost
Scot. My wife and I have gotten by in pidgin Spanish in several countries, without help from other gringos. At our age, we would not expect to suddenly become natives in our chosen refuge. Indeed, we're not the slightest bit interested in becoming natives. Why would we? Our intention is simply to live in a cheaper place than our present home, if or when the money runs short - as long as the place we chose were a comfortable one, of course. That's not an uncommon situation for oldies to be in, really.
#10
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Re: Cost
Mexico seems to be a good retirement destination. To be honest I've never even been there but that doesn't hugely concern me. I won't be retiring for at least 4 years and possibly a bit longer so I have time to research things. For now, I really need the answers to these questions:
1) What would it cost, per month, to have a reasonable standard of living in Mexico?
2) What areas should I be looking at for a decent lifestyle, decent medical care and other expats in the area? I intend to visit these places over the next few years to find out more.
1) What would it cost, per month, to have a reasonable standard of living in Mexico?
2) What areas should I be looking at for a decent lifestyle, decent medical care and other expats in the area? I intend to visit these places over the next few years to find out more.
#11
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Re: Cost
To the HHGG man... The value of the Mexican currency to the US Dollar since the beginning of this calendar year has varied 25.65%, as of this weekend. So any estimate of the cost of retiring there will likely change drastically during and over the next four years. If you're dealing in GBP, it might be more or less than that, but you can see that it really doesn't make much sense to plan four years ahead with such a volatile currency as the MXN.
Also, it isn't prudent to commit yourself (even in your mind) to a country or community that you haven't even visited and won't live in until some years in the future. There are literally dozens of countries and hundreds of communities that might be more suitable for you in four years' time. All you need to worry about at the moment is uprooting yourself from your present home. Take one thing at a time, is my advice.
Also, it isn't prudent to commit yourself (even in your mind) to a country or community that you haven't even visited and won't live in until some years in the future. There are literally dozens of countries and hundreds of communities that might be more suitable for you in four years' time. All you need to worry about at the moment is uprooting yourself from your present home. Take one thing at a time, is my advice.
#12
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Re: Cost
I appreciate a lot can change but I feel I need to identify possibilities now so that I can investigate them and visit before I intend to retire. My original plan was India but it seems getting a retirement visa is impossible so now we're looking at alternatives. Mexico and Portugal both look interesting but I'm not tying myself down to any particular destination at this stage.
Uprooting myself isn't such an issue anymore as our home in the UK was rented out last year. We work on the Falkland Islands now and will probably stay here for another 4 years. If we need to move on to work elsewhere after that, it won't be in the UK. I work as a teacher and there's no way I want to suffer working there again. Teaching abroad is far better.
Uprooting myself isn't such an issue anymore as our home in the UK was rented out last year. We work on the Falkland Islands now and will probably stay here for another 4 years. If we need to move on to work elsewhere after that, it won't be in the UK. I work as a teacher and there's no way I want to suffer working there again. Teaching abroad is far better.
#13
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Re: Cost
Oh, OK. You're certainly in the right part of the world to be looking for retirement places. We're really spoilt for choice, over here. From Mexico all the way down to Argentina, there are plenty of places. If you subscribe (it's free) to International Living, you'll learn pretty much all you need to know. Friends of mine have established a bolt-hole in Uruguay (Montevideo), others are living in Mexico (one south of Cancun, the other south of Guadalajara), my son once lived in a village beside Late Atitlan in Guatemala. I hear good things about places in Chile and Ecuador - and then there's Cuba. I'm not sure it's a good idea to choose just one place (in advance) to spend the rest of one's life. My wife and I have in mind to start off with a few months in central Mexico and see how it goes, then maybe Ecuador or Peru. There are plenty of direct flights (i.e. not via the USA) to Europe from Latin American capitals; that's an important factor.
#14
Re: Cost
I'm thinking about the possibility of retiring to Mexico, partly for the climate and partly because I can't afford to retire in the UK. As cost is a key cost for me, what sort of monthly income would be needed to allow two people to live a reasonably comfortable life in Mexico?
I'd also be grateful if someone could advise me about some good areas for retirement that have decent weather, good medical care, things to see, facilities and is a very cost effective area.
Thanks
I'd also be grateful if someone could advise me about some good areas for retirement that have decent weather, good medical care, things to see, facilities and is a very cost effective area.
Thanks
You can rent a nice place for 15,000 pesos per month (US$750) but will likely need to spend about 20,000 pesos per month (US$1000) for a place with a pool. Monthly income requirements to meet temporary residency requirements (to prove solvency) are about 1250 British Pounds per month (pension). Check local realtors for purchase listings...
Here is a link with residency info..... https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/reinoun...or-carnet-visa
Last edited by beachseeker; Dec 12th 2017 at 8:56 pm. Reason: more info
#15
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Re: Cost
Mexico is a wonderful place. Happy people, good weather and great food. I lived in DF for 2 years and Cancun 1 year. Miss it a lot.
Uruguay 10 years and now thinking of returning from the UK.
I found medical services in both countries far superior to the UK especially Uruguay. My Uruguayan wife was shocked when we first moved back to the UK.
So many beautiful places to choose from in Mexico. Good luck!
Uruguay 10 years and now thinking of returning from the UK.
I found medical services in both countries far superior to the UK especially Uruguay. My Uruguayan wife was shocked when we first moved back to the UK.
So many beautiful places to choose from in Mexico. Good luck!