Your New Life Overseas--Mexico (Mazatlán)
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Q: Do I need to let my home government know that I’m leaving the country?
A: No. If you’re an American, you can register your presence in your new country with the local US Embassy if you like, but you are not obligated to do so. In my experience, most overseas residents don’t register.
Q: What happens if I get arrested?
A: When in a foreign country—as a tourist, a resident, a retiree, etc.—you are subject to its laws. If you are arrested for breaking one of them, get a local lawyer quick. Your consulate or embassy likely will not be able to help much, other than perhaps to make a local attorney recommendation. My best advice on this point is: Don’t get arrested. Know the laws of the land and respect them.
Q: Do I need any vaccinations?
A: You do not need any vaccinations to enter Mexico or to return to the United States after having spent time in Mexico. However, the CDC recommends that travelers be vaccinated for hepatitis A and typhoid.
Q: Can I drink the water?
A: Mazatlán has a new water treatment plant, but the infrastructure is old in places. Most modern condo buildings and hotels have filtrations systems that allow you to drink the tap water, but virtually everyone drinks bottled water when they’re out and about. The safest thing is to do the same.
Q: Can I still receive my US Social Security payments?
A: Yes. If you’re eligible for US Social Security, you can even have your monthly check direct-deposited into your Mexico bank account.
Q: Will Medicare cover me?
A: No. No exceptions. As an American abroad, you need to make another plan for covering your medical expenses overseas. I recommend, though, keeping your Medicare as a major medical backup plan. Should you ever need or want, then, you could return to the United States for medical care that would be covered by Medicare.
Note that Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans can include international coverage. If you have a Medicare supplemental plan, check its terms before leaving home.
Q: Will my computer work in Mexico? My cell phone?
A: Yes, you’ll have no problem using your computer in Mexico. The electricity supply is the same as in the United States, as are wireless protocols.
To find out if your cell phone will work in Mexico, check with your home-country carrier before leaving. In most cases, the answer should be yes. In our experience, AT&T offers seamless coverage, with American phones working in Mexico and Mexican phones working in the United States and Canada.
If you don’t have AT&T, you could switch . . . or you could obtain a Mexican phone on arrival in Mexico so you have a local number. Most Mexican carriers offer free roaming to the United States and Canada (including data).
Q: Can I vote in local elections?
A: No, not unless you become a Mexican citizen.
Q: Will my credit and debit cards work?
A: Yes, they should. Before you use them, though, research what fees you’ll be charged. Some credit card companies impose such onerous fees when their cards are used in a foreign country that it can be worth switching to another group before moving. Charles Schwab, for example, will reimburse you for ATM fees you incur using its debit card overseas.
Q: How will my friends and family be able to stay in touch with me?
A: E-mail, Skype, FaceTime, etc. The Internet age has made it possible to move overseas and stay in real-time touch with family and friends back home.
A Mexican phone plan likely will include free calls to the United States.
Q: How much does it cost to make the move?
A: If you pack up a couple of suitcases and head out the door, your total cost could be as little as the price of your plane ticket . . . or the gas and tolls for the drive. However, if you know you intend to stick around beyond the time allowed a tourist and therefore need to establish formal residency, add those expenses to your capital budget.
If you decide to ship a container-load of your household goods, add that cost to your capital budget.
Finally, your capital budget should include the cost of renting a place to live—typically a security deposit and the first and last months’ rent.
Q: Can I continue to vote in US elections from Mexico? Does my vote count for less?
A: Yes, you can vote in US elections while living in Mexico. For more information on how to vote in US elections while residing outside the country, read here.
And no, your vote doesn’t count for any less. One vote is one vote, no matter where it’s cast.
Q: What’s the first step for making a move to Mexico?
A: Buy a plane ticket or get in the car and go. Mazatlán offers a unique opportunity to enjoy beach and city living at the same time and has a great deal to recommend it. However, this Pacific coast city is not for everyone. The only way to know if Mazatlán might be the ideal place for you to pursue your live-and-invest-overseas dreams is to plan an extended visit.
Stay as long as you can, living as much as possible like a resident, rather than a tourist. Mexico makes it easy. You can simply show up and remain in the country for up to six months as a tourist.
Does day-to-day life in Mazatlán suit you? Pay as much attention to your gut reaction to the city as to the practicalities and particulars. Often you’ll know within a day or two of arriving in a new place if it’s for you or not. Don’t ignore that instinctive response.
Whatever you think you might like to do in Mexico, my primary piece of advice is: do it now. The current dollar advantage in this country presents a window of opportunity too tempting to ignore.
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