If youre moving to Mexico from North America, most (if not all) of your electronics will still work. Those are my main peeves. And each Mexican state has its own regional culinary flare, giving you 32 different varieties of delicioso, from mole to machaca, to everything in between. Lastly, soccer isnt the only sport, for instance Mexico is world class in boxing and has produce more world champions than any other country. Migration history. While some of those are nature reserves, most are related to ruins and Mexican history. However, If youre not from the US, you may want to update your phone contact with this critical number. Sounds like youve got choices, a good position to be in. We also know Colombias economy is on the rise, and the government is actually taking steps to weaken their currency as a result. Its a matter of preference in the end. Colombia is still developing, and Argentina is an economic basket case. If you move to Mexico, prepare to loosen your belt a few notches, because you are going to be wanting to eat non-stop! Lol. Despite not being local styles, Salsa, Cumbia and other Caribbean styles are mad popular in Mexico. Step 1: Figure out the legal requirements to move to Mexico The visa requirements for moving to Mexico vary slightly depending on where you're from. The UMA figures are significantly lower than the MS figures, making qualifying easier for those on fixed incomes to move to Mexico. I have never felt unsafe in Mexico, and yes the beaches on the Riviera are wonderful (much better than the Pacific side), and overall, its just easy. Note about income requirements: Mexico is making the transition from Minimum Salary (MS) to Unit of Measurement and Updating (UMA) for calculating economic solvency. Canada has some of the toughest rules against DUI travel. If your spouse has a Mexican grandparent or grandparent who is a permanent resident, you can live in Mexico. 2- Media are not allowed to publish about this (specially about the most gruesome cases .) Well see how we like Medellin as we are looking for a place to retire, and want to check it out. AND, THIS IS NOT JUST IN THE AREAS YOU MENTIONED, JAKE. Overall, its a close call, but Im giving the edge to living in (Medellin) Colombia. The Mexican Immigration Department is used for U.S. citizen applications and American documentation. A FMM is a visitors permit, known as Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM. Im in Portugal, I have all of that but its time to head home. As long as your license from your home country is current, you can use it to drive legally in Mexico. What to do about healthcare when you move to Mexico. Having spent time in Mexico he is right about the mountains, just like Bogota could seem cold as can be for people travelling from Medellin. a) avoid panic b) Not to scare tourists away. I would obviously choose Colombia because people here are very nice we help everyone and we know how to dance not to mention how beautiful girls are over here! If he's not researching the latest visa, immigration, and residency opportunities he's either hiking or scuba diving. For what it is worth, I also live in Richmond, Va. Been here about 7 years and I agree with the earlier comments about it being a pretty cool USA city. Theres a reason Mexico was the 9th most visited country last year. ), Have shares in a Mexican company of at least MXN$2,834,000 (roughly USD$142,000.). Take a second to support Medellin Living on Patreon! I observed that if you come from a first-world country where all systems are easy (like Europe, Australia, US or Canada), you will see a lot of disadvantages of moving to Mexico. Americans are generally welcomed in Mexico. Weve hand-picked a couple of brilliant Mexican Immigration Lawyers to make your life easy. Gym Membership (Budget gym) $20-30/month. 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.. Sign up below for advice from other Expats, opportunities, and professional advice. What Are the Best Places To Live in Mexico? It's dry and hardly rains at all during these months. And they target your specific level, so you get the most out of the class. These two kinda boggle my mind here. Have lived 2 consecutive years under a temporary residence permit while married to a citizen. Returning Mexican nationals and FM-2 visa holders must have proof of residing outside of Mexico for a period of 2 years to be exempt from paying tax/ duty. Then, many of these incidents are happening in the border towns of Tijuana and Juarez. I live in the lovely Ajijic, at Lake Chapala area, in the state of Jalisco. It's perfectly legal for people moving to Mexico to buy land and property there and, compared to other countries, costs are very low. Tie. If they want to quiet things down to decrease attention from the cops, they do. It's not as simple as it sounds though. You can enter Colombia from the USA by embarking on many direct flights from Orlando Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport. Playa del Carmen wins hands down. Moving to Mexico from the United States is significantly easier than moving further abroad. To be fair, the rainy season is about to begin, and I know it can get quite wet on the Yucatan once the tropical rains start pushing through, but outside of the jungle in Palenque, the scenery didnt do much for me. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Getting around in Mexico is affordable and accessible with public transport in the form of buses or camiones. All three ranges begin at 0. And getting your paperwork sorted is the next essential step. Hi, we're Alison and Alastair, We're here to help you choose your next home abroad or make a move abroad easier! Im spending time where Im happy. Sitges link Vivanuncios, Segundo Mano, or Mercado Libre, and Inmuebles24 all have list properties to buy and rent. Both countries struggle with drug traffickers and street gangs. The truly fun and classy clubs and bars are for the high society of Mexico. San miguel de allende etc. Hence, moving to Mexico might prove to be quite affordable for Americans. Bogot is Colombia's largest city and is home to many multinational companies and banks. Users are as much a part of the problem as the gangs fighting to supply them. The confirmation bias is real here. The U.S. Department of State said last month that "an estimated 1.6 million U.S. citizens live in Mexico, " while data from Mexico's 2020 census put the figure at a more modest total of just . Im glad I came across this article while exploring my mini retirement destination options. We are a couple looking to move from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, to Cali, Colombia, and we want to bring our SUV and maybe a trailer loaded with furniture, appliances, etc. . Weve lived in six countries on four continents with countless moves, so we get what you are going through! Migrants used mostly to be retirees: osteopathy clinics are abundant in Lake Chapala. But, again, Mexico is huge and very diverse, so generalizations are deceptive.. Tacos, enchiladas, moles, habanero salsas, chocolate. Though the literacy rate is 92%, the average Mexican does not advance beyond the 6th grade. Makes sense! How Would Living in Mexico Compare to Colombia? I could spend a lifetime exploring all the various combinations. If you are planning a move to Colombia, here are 12 tips for moving to Colombia from expats living in Colombia. However, if you intend on residing there for an extended period of time, the permanent residency visa is your best bet. Using the same 10 criteria Ryan used to size up Montevideo and Mendoza, here are my initial thoughts on a broader comparison, Mexico v Colombia. Colombia is a big country. I reached the end of the 10-point list, and realized Ryan didnt list girls or dating culture as criteria. I liked Guadalajaras city center, but I already know its too big a city for me to want to live in. (Even reggaeton, actually) I suppose that partying in only tourist resorts is very different. 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. FIFA currently ranks Colombia #6 in the world, with Mexico a distant #16. For information on finding work, healthcare, or schooling, read our guide to Living in Mexico. In retrospect, thats a self-limiting attitude. Requirements for American citizens Americans, for instance, can usually get the FM3 visa fairly easily. To apply to be a temporary resident, the length of your stay should be around six months. But thanks to the pandemic, and Mexico's lax rules over lockdown, younger workers are moving, too. These include the convenience. This shouldnt be too challenging if youre flying in since your stuff will likely arrive after you. Before moving to Mexico, bear in mind that this is not a country where banking is easy. It is huge and its one of the most biodiverse countries , more so than Colombia and it has 9 out of the 11 climates of the planet. You can make lots of close friends 1. All Rights Reserved. Also, there is a peculiarly large amount of Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian, Jewish, and German communities. It's like having Spring year-round. Past all those fundamentally obvious points, even in the most dangerous places in Mexico, what are youre actual chances of being a victim. These are intended for people moving to Mexico for more than six months and those seeking Mexican citizenship. Also similar to Peru, Mexico has had a wide range of ancient civilizations set up shop throughout its history. That said, though air quality can leave a lot to be desired, there are also plenty of places further up-field from the major population zones (instead of Guadalajara, think Lake Ajijic for example) that are perfectly clean and environmentally clean it seems to be a major rule of thumb that if you stay a little bit away from the crowds, and closer to nature, things seem to truly be healthier, and more down to Earth, pardon the pun! Guide to picking the perfect International Removal company, Click here to get a quote from our recommended Expat Health insurance providers, Non-Lucrative Visa Spain >> Easy 2023 Guide, Spain Digital Nomad Visa >> New 2023 Guide, US Expat Taxes Guide How to make it easier, Healthcare in Spain >> Public & Private Care Guide. The Mexico Immigration Office no longer allows tourists to visit Mexico for up to 180-days automatically. We have 6 universities and UVA is an hour away. For U.S. citizens living abroad, referred to as expatriates or expats, maintaining checking and other bank accounts in the United States provides several advantages. Mexico's main industries are food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, and tourism. Click here to connect to an immigration lawyer. Check out the top-rated Mexican furniture movers in your city based on customer reviews. Also, if you dont know Mexican nightlife, you dont know Mexico. I recommend Colombia anyway. Not what you would expect going off American Media and pop culture. Where would you prefer to live, Mexico or Colombia, and why? When a newcomer asked if Colombians are friendly, one expat answered, "There are friendly people everywhere in this country. Robert Nelson, co-owner of the online magazine Expats in Mexico, said that hiring an international moving company to your possessions to Mexico can cost more than $20,000. A PROVEN factnot just speculations ! Collectible items, such as pens and coins. Meanwhile, in Guadalajara, you might get away with spending $300 or so. Based on my experience, April/May is ideal. You'll be asked to upload your phone bill from the current provider. Ive been to plenty of places in Mexico. Other places on the Mexican central plateau also boast a pleasant climate. Colombia, officially Republic of Colombia, Spanish Repblica de Colombia, country of northwestern South America. Id argue that the higher class women in Medellin and Colombia in general absolutely blow away the high-class women from Mexico city and Mexico. Our publication, "Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States", explains how being outside the United States may affect your Social Security payments. Crimes , medellin and Colombia too much unsafe , very dangerous in comparison with Mexico. I shouldve been more specific, comparing my experience living in Medelln, CO with the specific cities I couldve seen myself living in for at least a few months, including: Puerto Vallarta/Sayulita, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Playa del Carmen. In my time spent in living in various cities framed by the azure waters of the Mayan Rivera, as well as my travels all over the country, I encountered many things that stood out to me, for better or for worse, that I thought definitely gave me a great overall view of what life as an American expat is really like south of the border. Mexico has both public and private healthcare systems. Do insist on a receipt of payment, so there is no argument! A one-year temporary card costs $4,413 MXN (around $220 USD), and a permanent residence card costs $5,379 MXN (around $270 USD). See the website links below for details and procedures. The switch is not yet complete, which means youll find some consulates using MS and others using UMA. When it comes to immigration permissions, how you move to Mexico will depend on why you want to move and how long you want to stay. Colombia is not so interesting, night and social life end quickly and it not so difficult see that at 10 PM restaurants are all closed in every point of interest of a city .Simply Colombia has not an established nightlife culture like Mexico has. details of your employer including their registered name, previous income tax return, tax identification number (NIT), legal representation, and six months of bank statements supporting a minimum average balance equating to 100 months minimum wage in Colombia (approximately US$32,000) It's an exciting city that offers a lot to do. I have been to Medellin 15 times and I am always happy to be back home..I have to work in san fernando plaza in poblado 2 weeks a year. Foreigners are accepted and welcomed - Colombians are extremely easy to get to know and you will soon feel like you're part of their family. 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