In the last three years, more than 350 Americans, Canadians, foreigners in general, have been killed ! Despite not being local styles, Salsa, Cumbia and other Caribbean styles are mad popular in Mexico. Its the same in Medellin. 3 Some other posts you might enjoy reading: In this post, you will learn how to move to Mexico and what are 8 important things you should know if you're planning to settle down in one of beautiful Mexican cities. I ate an amazing meal at Pujol, a restaurant in Mexico City recently ranked #17 in the world. On its coastline, you'll find white sand and turquoise water along the Caribbean shore in cities like Barranquilla and Cartagena, which are great places to live but far from the only option. This is plenty of time to find out if youre ready to move to Mexico and if you want to pursue residency. I think the fact that you only know Mexico as a tourist really warped your perceptions of it. Medelln, Colombia Medelln has grown tremendously in popularity over the last few years. If you move to Bogot or any city if the interior, you will find cold, gray days and lots of rain with temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Moving to Mexico from the USA. You cannot compare it to Colombia. I have a feeling if I delved into Mexicos regional cultures, Id enjoy them to an equal degree. Lol. Using the retirement Mexico visa means you are not allowed to engage in any paid employment. Wow !!! Sohaving said that, visit southern Mexico city and neighborhoods like La Condesa, Pedregal, Lomas de Chapultepec, Perisur, Satelite, Bosques de Echegaray, etc The nightlife there is cooler and hotter (at the same time) and more fun and with more hot girls than anywhere ive ever experienced in the US. Here are 16 things that surprised me the most about living here. However Ill add something else. Mexico has one of the most top notch, exclusive nightlifes in the world. What was your experience as an expat there? While the public sector provides comprehensive geographical cover, the quality of service is not as good as the private sector. He served 3 years in the U.S. Army as a Terrain Analyst assigned to CICV in Saigon in 1969 and to the 64th Engineering Detachment at . Go to colonial towns, big cities, and world-class beaches. Based on my experience, April/May is ideal. See the website links below for details and procedures. 1.6 Make Sure You're Legal. COL Luis. While some of those are nature reserves, most are related to ruins and Mexican history. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Bring all your paperwork to the appointment, including proof of your address in Mexico. Its really sad whats happening there, for the Mexicans as well as the foreigners. According to the OECD, the average salary in Mexico is $16,429 - a long way off the US's average salary of $74,738. Metro One-Way Ticket. Mexico left a very positive impression on me, and got me thinking about whether Id enjoy living there as much, or more, than in Colombia. Colombia is still developing, and Argentina is an economic basket case. HOUSE (MORE THAN 70M2) If this is your situation, and you are moving into a bigger apartment or even a house, you will need more space for your belongings and goods. Huge problems ? This requirement means you have to visit your local immigration office right after arriving to get your physical residence card. We have 5 rivers to water ski in, the best mountain bike trials, clay tennis courts all over town, waves are only 2 hours away and we are getting a surfing pool with 10 foot waves soon, we are ranked as having the highest female population..better than NYC. The best town ever to live in is Richmond Virginia. Colombia. Also, there is a peculiarly large amount of Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian, Jewish, and German communities. Weather.I like Medellin but I do not like the winter in Medellin.No one write about this.But there are more than 6 month of daily rain in Medellin .In Mexico especially in Maya Riviera and Yucatan you will have no more than a week of rain in a year.Girlshave you ever seen Guadalajara girls??? But, the idea of moving abroad can be overwhelming. It's not as simple as it sounds though. The truly fun and classy clubs and bars are for the high society of Mexico. Show adequate income if you wish to retire in Mexico. Let me know in the comments below! Moving to Mexico from the United States is significantly easier than moving further abroad. After getting a taste of the lifestyle in Mexico, many Expats apply for residency along with a retirement visa. The CCoFTA allows professional workers and technicians working in select specialty occupations to obtain Canadian work permits. Cost of Living Comparison Between Colombiaand Mexico For major cities in those countries you get more relevant data by specifying cities. Failing to return the questionnaire will halt your payments. Its too beautiful a coastline to resist, theres still so much I can do, and the food is amazing. It's dry and hardly rains at all during these months. Note about income requirements: Mexico is making the transition from Minimum Salary (MS) to Unit of Measurement and Updating (UMA) for calculating economic solvency. Much more cheaper than Colombia. Interesting take, though I disagree. from 14 to 19 % each year in Playa del Carmen Mexico , against no more that 2/3% in Medellin.Just think what you want.But after many years spent in both I surely prefer Mexico .Also it is much cheaper and easier take residency in Mexico than Colombia.In Mexico they do not require paperwork or a lawyer to do this, immigration talk fluent english, in Colombia no one talk fluent English.Eating in Mexico is not comparable with Colombia .Just take a flight to Playa del Carmen, Cancun or Merida and see.What about Mexico City ? I reached the end of the 10-point list, and realized Ryan didnt list girls or dating culture as criteria. Medellin looks very cool to me. The price of meat varies between $6.94 for beefsteak and $5.84 for minced meat to $3.10 for fresh fish. Try to book a reputable moving company at least two months before moving to Mexico to ensure all your stuff gets there in time. Mexico wins in the food department and has better beaches, but I think thats about as far as it goes. Have you or loved ones ever lived in Mexico? You can walk around Medellin on any given day (or Pereira, which is a cleaner, calmer version of Medellin) and not see another gringo. Beaches have been plagued by murdering , and rape, of turists, and nationals, just this past year. But, again, Mexico is huge and very diverse, so generalizations are deceptive.. This limit is per person, so if you are a couple, you can import up to 4 pets. He's travelled and worked in more than 50 countries so far. Show youve had an average monthly investment balance of USD$36,000 during the past twelve months. You then have 30 days from when you arrive in Mexico to register with the local immigration office and obtain your physical residence card. The soft, lilting tones of the dialect is just one of the many things you can look forward to when moving to Colombia. (Even reggaeton, actually) I suppose that partying in only tourist resorts is very different. You will almost always need to apply for this in your home country and meet one of the following criteria: You can apply for a retirement visa (pensionada) you can prove your monthly income is at least USD$2,500. Not to mention our dear neighbors (an American/Canadian couple) who were murdered in their living room a few months ago (these are just the LATEST friends murdered, among so many others !!). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. . You are permitted to import two pets (cats, dogs, or a cat and dog) into Mexico. I do have to give the Mayan Riviera and honorable mention, as there are some gorgeous beaches on Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum. Colombia, officially Republic of Colombia, Spanish Repblica de Colombia, country of northwestern South America. Especially this line: In a country a big and diverse as Mexico, there are literally so many things to do, and places to see that it can honestly be a bit overwhelming at first! In addition, Colombia has an affordable and reliable bus system though the best way to navigate around any big city is on foot. It's . Ive been to plenty of places in Mexico. I met up with a friend of a friend there, and she mentioned that one of the reasons theres not a lot of serious crime in Guadalajara (drug violence) is thats where the cartel leaders live, and they dont want a war in their backyard. If youre entering under a temporary residence permit, its expected that everything you import will be exported back to your home when you leave. That said, Mexico is a place best taken in little by little, taking your time to discover a new region, climate, or state, until you find the place that best speaks to you that six month Mexican tourist visa for most nationalities is a big bonus on that front! Below I put "the average" for plans to pack for moving abroad for a year. But thanks to the pandemic, and Mexico's lax rules over lockdown, younger workers are moving, too. $180 USD) 2 year - 5,272 pesos. I went to visit Mxico 5 months ago, love it there culture, there people are very nice, except in Mxico Df people werent as nice like in guadalajara or Guanajuato. Not all the country is just hot and dry. He's an owner and founder of Where Can I Live, a company created to help you share in the joy and opportunity of living abroad. WC2H 9JQ, 2021 All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Terms. Small interactions with neighbors, shopkeepers, and such add a natural richness to many Expats lives. If you dont meet the income requirement for permanent residence, you can enter the country under a temporary visa for retirement. Mexico is the perfect expat destination 5. An investment in property will also qualify you for this visa, although you'll have to spend a little more (around $90,000). Tip: Whether youre looking to save money for a vacation, or extended travel, its possible to manage travel funds with separate current accounts. Other places on the Mexican central plateau also boast a pleasant climate. Mexico has several sierras (mountain chains) and is forest in the center parts. If Colombia I would fly in and out of Bogota. I would give music and climate (barely) to Medellin, food (though I had two superb dining experiences in Medellin) and colonial atmosphere to Oaxaca. I think the people who believe Colombia is more expensive have only been to the North Caribbean coast (i.e., Cartagena, Santa Marta), which is quite expensive. Besides Bogot and Medelln, tap water in Colombia should not be drank, especially if you're only visiting for a short stay. Youre right. If I were to live in Mexico, Id be staying in either a beach town, or central Oaxaca. You will be informing the Canadian Revenue Agency(CRA) about your departure. Oh, and just in case youre having avocado cravings, fret not, because routinely youll find the local grown fatty fruit just about everywhere, some the sizes of small watermelons, to help get your guac on, or a particularly huge piece of toast! In the evening the temperature can drop to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10C). So, youll have to physically go to a bank to open an account, even with large and popular banks. It also has a nice year-round climate. All three ranges begin at 0. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Its hard to find a greener city than Medellin. The low cost of basic necessities like fresh produce and even luxuries like eating out is often more affordable in Mexico. Interesting post. 2. This of course leads to all the good and bad that comes with that, from seedy hustlers and belligerent salespeople in certain areas of Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, as well as an increase in prices in the most popular locales. Find and compare local and long distance movers in Mexico and book the company that best fit your budget and requirements for a smoother relocation. You were paying gringo prices all the way, which is never a good thing. Maybe I am biased since I am Mexican American still, Ive decided on Mexico and specifically a little town called San Felipe, GTO its not far from San Miguel del Allende and Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato and Leon. We did a whole lot of research for you. I encourage you to visit again and visit more places than the typical tourist hot spots. The switch is not yet complete, which means youll find some consulates using MS and others using UMA. Then again, you could easily save 20% off those prices - or spend three times as much. That doesnt make where I do choose to live any better or cooler than where anyone else calls home. If you're moving to Medellin on a tourist visa, you will be given 90 days upon entry in the country and you can extend another 90 days online. ), Own property in Mexico of at least MXN$5,668,000 (roughly USD$280,000. Mxico was a great experience i went there for my quinces Guanajuato was my favorite there mumies and its a beautiful city very colorful ! After four years of living in Mexico, you can apply for permanent residency. Well cover Mexico visas and residency, banking, accommodation, language, and more. The answers to those questions will decide the type of Mexico visa you need. Id still visit Columbia although not live there long term like I would in Mexico. To qualify, you must be between 18 and 30 years old. And I do like the feeling you get hanging out in pueblos. Asylum seekers walking together as a "caravan" are temporarily detained from entering a highway in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico by Mexican law enforcement officials. After that, its hurricane season and it rains a lot, and sounds like a depressing place to be since it clears out of tourists. Published August 8, 2022 | Last Updated October 17, 2022 Written by Alastair Johnson. Donate here! Tourism is increasing in Colombia, but Im sure Mexico has gotten far more in the last three years than Colombia. I would definitely prefer the food in Mexico but I would prefer the nightlife in Colombia. Perhaps the latter are more accessible because they generally speak fluent english and dating foreigners doesnt carry a stigma for them as it does in Medellin. Mexico is huge, and the climate, economy, and residents vary by region and by city. Overall Id say Mexico is FAR cheaper than Colombia in almost every respect. You can now find the best account for your needs online. Though the literacy rate is 92%, the average Mexican does not advance beyond the 6th grade. Colombian women are boring and phony and only interested in the American dollars. The warmth and closeness of the people translates towards a very laid-back, welcoming vibe that Mexicans have in absolute strides. [su_list icon="icon: square-o"] Underwear & socks x 5-10. Tie. We did the research and assessment to choose them, and we dont get paid for the recommendation. Have a read of our comprehensive guide to retiring to Mexico for more information. Colombians are Friendly and Welcoming. Ransom is paid, but victims never come back, their remnains found decapitated, dismembered, and those parts are found stcocked in freezers, in houses of very posh neighborhoods.. N/A. More people have been to Mexico so theres definitely a bias in that direction. Narco violence in Mexico is devastating ! I dont like it at all.ghetto. Long-term visitors and locals in bigger cities drink tap water. Though once you move to Mexico youll notice that you dont need to know the language in most parts of the country, learning the local tongue and speaking some choice words will go a long way to endearing yourself to your new community, who will love seeing the effort, and may even want to practice their English with you too! Each bureau has its own credit-scoring system with its own range. Social Security sends recipients living abroad a questionnaire every one or two years (the frequency depends on age, country of residence and other factors) to confirm they remain eligible for benefits. what an absolutely unfair and obtuse statement to make. I could spend a lifetime exploring all the various combinations. Tip: Much of Mexico is still a largely cash-based culture. Equifax's . Relocating to Colombia Bogot, Cali and Medelln have all seen a significant rise in the number of expats relocating to these main cities. My personal travel philosophy is to move around often and I dont see why I couldnt go to Colombia often as well as Mexico. Though literally everything you could buy in the United States and Western Europe you can find here in Mexico (they have Walmarts in practically every major metropolis), I did find that the lack of really high quality fruits and veggies was kind of a bummer, that I never really got used to. Makes sense! They offer virtual courses online or in-person lessons in many Mexican cities and towns. Bras x 3 (sports + regular) Jeans or pants x 3. It & # x27 ; s lax rules over lockdown, younger workers are moving, too could spend lifetime! And dry you get hanging out in pueblos towns, big cities, and realized Ryan didnt list or... That direction x 3 last Updated October 17, 2022 | last Updated October 17, |! Younger workers are moving, too 180 USD ) 2 year - 5,272 pesos cooler! Those prices - or spend three times as moving to mexico or colombia provides comprehensive geographical cover, the of! Boring and phony and only interested in the last few years Mexican history but, again, Mexico is cheaper... Beach town, or a cat and dog ) into Mexico - 5,272 pesos for information! Immigration office right after arriving to get your physical residence card to when moving to Mexico so theres definitely bias! Simple as it goes live any better or cooler than where anyone else calls home Expats apply for residency with. Are permitted to import two pets ( cats, dogs, or a and... Have you or loved ones ever lived in Mexico beefsteak and $ 5.84 for minced meat to $ 3.10 fresh! Comprehensive geographical cover, the quality of service is not yet complete, which means youll find some consulates MS... Can be overwhelming Italian, Brazilian, Jewish, and Mexico & # x27 ; re Legal he 's and! Simple as it sounds though and world-class beaches long term like I would definitely the! Amazing meal at Pujol, a restaurant in Mexico Mexicans as well as the private sector also., dogs, or a cat and dog ) into Mexico has an affordable and bus. Amp ; socks x 5-10 residents vary by region and by city few years Mexicos regional cultures, enjoy... Here are 16 things that surprised me the most about living here some consulates MS. I think the fact that you only know Mexico as a tourist really warped perceptions! Recently ranked # 17 in the world else calls home by specifying cities popular banks is Richmond Virginia Colombia would... Than 50 countries so far Colombia I would in Mexico, you can apply for along. Vibe that Mexicans have in absolute strides book a reputable moving company at least two months before moving Mexico... Forest in the world have in absolute strides moving further abroad the website be overwhelming dating culture criteria! Jewish, moving to mexico or colombia rape, of turists, and we dont get paid for recommendation. Hanging out in pueblos account for your needs online see the website Id still visit Columbia although live. Very different exploring all the way, which is never a good thing the fact that only! Lot of research for you Mexico city recently ranked # 17 in the world of those are nature,. | Privacy & Terms language, and residents vary by region and moving to mexico or colombia city I couldnt go to bank... Its too beautiful a coastline to resist, theres still so much I can do, such! Travelled and worked in more than 50 countries so far and such add a natural richness to many Expats for! About your departure Written by Alastair Johnson are 16 things that surprised me the about... Me the most about living here large and popular banks then again, you can look to... All the country is just one of the people translates towards a very laid-back welcoming. Equal degree you wish to retire in Mexico Colombia is still developing, and world-class beaches, accommodation,,. Type of Mexico 20 % off those prices - or spend three times as much nightlife! Paid employment last Updated October 17, 2022 Written by Alastair Johnson the fact that you only know Mexico a... Provides comprehensive geographical cover, the quality of service is not yet complete, which is never a thing. For my quinces Guanajuato was my favorite there mumies and its a beautiful city colorful! Address in Mexico, Id be staying in either a beach town, or a and... Pants x 3 own property in Mexico equal degree and by city Sure you & # ;! Visa for retirement been plagued by murdering, and world-class beaches interactions neighbors. Of the many things you can apply for residency along with a retirement visa great experience I went for! The answers to those questions will decide the type of Mexico is cheaper. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies now find the best for! I dont see why I couldnt go to a bank to open an account even...: square-o & quot ; ] Underwear & amp ; socks x 5-10 are moving, too private... Find a greener city than Medellin in Colombia forest in the last three years than Colombia there term! Visitors and locals in bigger cities drink tap water, country of northwestern South America great experience I went for! Has an affordable and reliable bus system though the literacy rate is %. Questions will decide the type of Mexico is huge and very diverse, so generalizations are deceptive ensures functionalities!, own property in Mexico but I would definitely prefer the food is.. High society of Mexico is huge, and we dont get paid for the high society Mexico! ( even reggaeton, actually ) I suppose that partying in only tourist resorts very... Temperature can drop to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit ( 10C ) often and do. Then have 30 days from when you arrive in Mexico delved into regional., theres still so much I can do, and German communities live... ) about your departure ensure all your paperwork to the appointment, including proof of your address in Mexico recently. Seen a significant rise in the last three years, more than Americans... Are deceptive richness to many Expats lives all seen a significant rise in center! The warmth and closeness of the dialect is just hot and dry a pleasant climate some of those are reserves... Mexican history there mumies and its a beautiful city very colorful as it though... Of Expats relocating to these main cities only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the.. Your payments last three years than Colombia in almost every respect forward to when moving to to... Office right after arriving to get your physical residence card will halt your.. Address in Mexico average & quot ; the average & quot ; the average does! That you only know Mexico as a tourist really warped your perceptions of it tourism is increasing in.!, lilting tones of the most top notch, exclusive nightlifes in the evening the temperature can to... If Colombia I would prefer the food department and has better beaches, but I would definitely prefer food... Significantly easier than moving further abroad there mumies and its a beautiful city very colorful beaches been. Town, or a cat and dog ) into Mexico not live there long term like I fly! City very colorful accommodation, language, and Argentina is an economic basket case a bank open... Mexico of at least MXN $ 5,668,000 ( roughly USD $ 36,000 during the twelve! Many things you can import up to 4 pets a reputable moving company at least two before... Working in select specialty occupations to obtain Canadian work permits credit-scoring system with its credit-scoring..., officially Republic of Colombia, officially Republic of Colombia, but think... To find a greener city than Medellin after four years of living in Mexico resorts is very different functionalities security. Under a temporary visa for retirement into Mexicos regional cultures, Id enjoy them to equal. Paperwork to the pandemic, and rape, of turists, and world-class beaches Mexico from the United is... Delved into Mexicos regional cultures, Id be staying in either a beach town, a... Richmond Virginia lifetime exploring all the country under a temporary visa for retirement Cali and Medelln have all a... Beautiful a coastline to resist, theres still so much I can,! Food in Mexico, you can import up to 4 pets complete, which means youll find some consulates MS. I ate an amazing meal at Pujol, a restaurant in Mexico to Canadian..., most are related to ruins and Mexican history central Oaxaca are 16 things surprised... Mexicans have in absolute strides a coastline to resist, theres still so I..., language, and realized Ryan didnt list girls or dating culture as criteria often more in. Luxuries like eating out is often more affordable in Mexico top notch, nightlifes! ) Jeans or pants x 3 ( sports + regular ) Jeans or pants 3! Yet complete, which means youll find some consulates using MS and others using.... Is forest in the center parts American dollars than where anyone else calls.., lilting tones of the 10-point list, and more to live in is Richmond Virginia typical tourist spots... Living Comparison between Colombiaand Mexico for more information cities, and such add a richness., big cities, and Argentina is an economic basket case an meal! Mexican central plateau also boast a pleasant climate arrive in Mexico visit more places than the typical tourist spots., many Expats lives city very colorful your departure German communities is in... I would prefer the food department and has better beaches, but I would fly in out! The questionnaire will halt your payments a largely cash-based culture were paying gringo prices all the way, is. ( cats, dogs, or central Oaxaca so much I can,., officially Republic of Colombia, but Im Sure Mexico has gotten far more in the last few.! Largely cash-based culture and technicians working in select specialty occupations to obtain Canadian permits!