San miguel de allende etc. Once they complete their application, you can then apply for a work visa. However, we still advise using a quality Mexican Immigration lawyer to ensure you choose the correct residency option and successfully apply. Colombia is a far more interesting country to me. I live in the lovely Ajijic, at Lake Chapala area, in the state of Jalisco. If you wish to start your own business or do something on the side, you will probably need different immigration permission. They offer virtual courses online or in-person lessons in many Mexican cities and towns. Colombian women are boring and phony and only interested in the American dollars. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 2023 Eureka Expat! 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. Mexico has both public and private healthcare systems. Youll need some simple documents to begin the process, including: Some of the biggest and most reputable banks in Mexico are BBVA Bancomer, Banorte, Citibanamex, and Banco Santander. If I were to live in Playa, Id be missing Colombian-style nightlife for sure. However, there are amazing deals to still be had in even the most popular regions (think Merida instead of Tulum, Puerto Vallarta instead of Puerto Escondido, etc), and there are still many undiscovered parts of Mexico that dont suffer nearly as much as others from the snake-oil salesman pitch, that can get rather corrosive after a while. Use our experience to get the right cover at the right priceClick here to get a quote from our recommended Expat Health insurance providers. 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. Americans are generally welcomed in Mexico. I was eating at a lot of tourist-oriented restaurants, especially on the Yucatan. To the degree possible, I always recommend paying for travel (or anything) in cash, versus credit. You are a citizen of countries such as China, India, Haiti, and South Africa, and earned at least 40 Social Security credits or lived in the U.S for a decade. I travel to get away from the typical American lifestyle and I always get a little bummed when I see other goofy tourists like myself. COL Luis Sinisterra (Juan Cuadrado) 49th min. If they want to quiet things down to decrease attention from the cops, they do. Blessings to all. One thing I did notice is they have beautifully preserved and painted pueblos like Tequila and San Cristobal de las Casas, and historic city centers such as Puebla and Oaxaca. It's perfectly legal for people moving to Mexico to buy land and property there and, compared to other countries, costs are very low. Failing to return the questionnaire will halt your payments. Its clear to all of us, foreigners living in this country once a paradise, that the situation is NOT what it used to be. And weve also got a complete guide to Retiring in Mexico for those lucky enough to have the opportunity. If you want to make the immigration process more manageable, you can use one of the Mexican immigration companies we recommend. 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. I feel Colombia is safer, but idk. Medelln, Colombia Medelln has grown tremendously in popularity over the last few years. An investment in property will also qualify you for this visa, although you'll have to spend a little more (around $90,000). The soft, lilting tones of the dialect is just one of the many things you can look forward to when moving to Colombia. If you are a Chile, Colombia, or Peru citizen, you may be eligible for the Pacific Alliance Working Holiday Visa in Mexico. I have my opinions on all of them, just as you do on Medellin. Colombia is an up and comer for Americans. At this point in my life, Id prefer to speak Spanish every day and thats only going to happen in Spain or a Latin country, not VA. In addition, living in Mexico on social security is totally doable-you just need to stick to your budget. This guide will focus on making the nuts and bolts of the move as easy as possible. Also similar to Peru, Mexico has had a wide range of ancient civilizations set up shop throughout its history. Be aware: most banking is still done in person in Mexico. These two kinda boggle my mind here. Note that if you import more than 3 pets, you will need to pay additional fees. Using a quality Mexican Immigration lawyer will improve your chances of a successful application and save you time and effort. In the evening the temperature can drop to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10C). As David lee mentioned you have to at least look at per capita incidents between these two. This visa is good for 3 years before it needs to be renewed. You may be able to apply when you are already in Mexico, but only in specific cases, including families and spouses of residents. Climate: during my stay in Medellin I constantly compared its climate to Guadalajara, which Ive visited several times. I liked Oaxaca because its historic center reminded me of Colombian pueblos with the painted buildings. 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. Please note that your spouse needs to be a recognized and registered spouse or partner per local laws. I have visited and lived in Mexico City, San Miguel del Allende and Merida. 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 . I even so a brush fire along a highway on the way to Guadalajara. Mexico wins hands down. 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. Of course, if you go super local, and eat as the locals do, avocados, tomatillos, potatoes and the like can be had for super cheap, and super high quality as well. Beyond soccer, Mexico has access to the second largest barrier reef system in the world, which leads to a lot of snorkeling and diving opportunities along the Mayan Riviera. Actually living in Playa del Carmen, State of Quintana Roo. Music: not a specific category, bit Colombia wins easily (though I do enjoy mariachi). Photo by Chalabala/Getty Images. Simply Mexico has invented the outdoor living culture in Latin America and for that reason it is well known to be the best place for americans and europeans finding opportunities ..Weather, frankly , Playa del Carmen is HOT , too much sun . Have you or loved ones ever lived in Mexico? Its 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of coast to the north are bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and its 800 miles (1,300 km) of coast to the west are washed by the Pacific Ocean. 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. Colombia has whitewater rafting and the lost city trek. 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. It's . Life in Medellin: 7 Things That Will Surprise You About Living 10 Traditional Dishes to Try When Visiting Colombia (2019 Update), 10 Exotic Fruits You Have to Eat in Colombia (2019 update), All the Best Bubble Tea Spots in Medelln. Ive been to plenty of places in Mexico. In the last three years, more than 350 Americans, Canadians, foreigners in general, have been killed ! This site uses cookies to ensure an amazing experience! Broadband internet and Wi-Fi were easily accessible at decent speeds, and it cost about $45 to get a SIM card for my iPhone 4S, and 3 GB of data for 30 days (I actually used double that with no interruption in service). Its a matter of preference in the end. Youll get to experience your chosen destination and decide if you enjoy the community. Baja is completely different than Veracruz or San Cristobal ChiapasColombia looks beautiful. Residents are eligible for universal medical care from the Mexican healthcare system. A PROVEN factnot just speculations ! Mexico doesnt require you to have an international or Mexican drivers license. The Mexican emergency number is 911, so there is no change for US Expats. If Colombia I would fly in and out of Bogota. I already know from friends that you can rent an apartment in Playa del Carmen for $300 a month, which is similar to what Im paying for just a room in Medellin. I also prefer Latin music and dancing compared to what you get in the US (even though there are some excellent places to dance around DC, NYC, Miami, Vegas, and LA. Ive been living in Mexico for more than 7 years. You can simply find the best sex opportunities in Playa del Carmen . The CCoFTA allows professional workers and technicians working in select specialty occupations to obtain Canadian work permits. If you wish to stay in Colombia for more than 90 days and find work, you will need a permanent visa. Its too beautiful a coastline to resist, theres still so much I can do, and the food is amazing. You will be informing the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) about your departure. I think most people forget about the non touristy areas. Sorry Jake, but I have bad news for you. The best option for folks with money. Dinner Meal (Eating out locally) $3-5. The Mayan Riviera is hugely popular, and I was mostly interested in Playa del Carmen as a potential base. I love both countries but I have to choose one for education. Mexico is huge, and the climate, economy, and residents vary by region and by city. ), Family Unity (your common-law partner or spouse is a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico. In a nutshell, the top reasons for moving to Colombia include: a growing economy, stable government, universal education, and near universal health care. Colombia. It is nos even possible to compare Mexico culture with the Colombian. It saddens me that this beautiful paradise has now come to this . I didnt notice the same kind of ubiquitous bottle service in the Mexican bars and clubs, so I dont think its cheap and normal like you find throughout Colombia. 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. Donate here! Yesterday I wrapped up a 5-week exploratory trip through Mexico. You qualify for benefits based on your earnings and are a citizen of a broader set of countries including Mexico, Turkey, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. Meanwhile, in Guadalajara, you might get away with spending $300 or so. 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. After Mexico's independence from Spain, the presence of Colombian people in Mexico was almost nonexistent, although over the years there was an increase of some Colombian immigrants for various reasons in Mexican territory.In the 1895 Census, sixty-seven Colombia-born individuals were counted as residents. If youre under 30 and thinking about moving to Mexico for less than a year, look into a Youth Mobility Mexico Visa. For a full list of prohibited items, talk to the company . These were the main customs regulations when moving to a different country. I encourage you to visit again and visit more places than the typical tourist hot spots. We also know Colombias economy is on the rise, and the government is actually taking steps to weaken their currency as a result. What are the disadvantages of moving to Mexico? No need to search for an immigration lawyer you can trust >>we have done the research for you. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Bogot is Colombia's largest city and is home to many multinational companies and banks. 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. Mexico is a beautiful country and a wonderful place for Expats to move to. AP/Nati Harnik. Im glad I came across this article while exploring my mini retirement destination options. We also will bring our small dog. You can also work with a permanent residence visa without having to apply for a separate work permit. You may be asked to pay the rent in cash, dont worry, as this is not uncommon. to Be a scientific researcher in Mexican waters. I think the fact that you only know Mexico as a tourist really warped your perceptions of it. Alastair has lived in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain. Nightlife , Cancun , Mexicos city 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. I would definitely prefer the food in Mexico but I would prefer the nightlife in Colombia. In most cases, if youre currently in the country as a visitor, youll need to return to your home country to apply. Blank CDs, DVDs and tapes. If he's not researching the latest visa, immigration, and residency opportunities he's either hiking or scuba diving. We, foreigners, are great targets for them since theyre dollars in the picture. Of course it would be remiss to not add that while a move to Mexico is a great idea, it isnt exactly a very unique one. Now you know how to move to Mexico. Youll also need to provide a detailed inventory list in Spanish. Though the food is honestly amazing in Mexico, I unfortunately did find the overall quality of the produce to be lacking somewhat. From October through to March it's warm during the day - anywhere from 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit (18-27C). 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! Those are my main peeves. American citizens visiting Mexico on a tourist visa for a stay of up to six months. You can get this in a number of ways: proving a monthly income from a pension, setting up your own business (corporation), getting work with a Mexican company. 1. I dont like it at all.ghetto. The girls there are insanely hot. The number of tourists visiting Colombia is now more than 2 million per year (not 1 million) per Worldbank and is increasing each year. Based on my experience, April/May is ideal. To apply to be a temporary resident, the length of your stay should be around six months. This allows you to explore the country and get a feel for the country before making any big decisions. Ken Adams is a disabled Vietnam veteran living in Thailand. Be patient. I am an Expat , Italian expat , I have lived 4 years in Colombia and 6 in Mexico , another 2 in Ecuador (the worst place in Latin America yes .. forget Ecuador). Why limit yourself? This is a close call, and made all the harder by the fact that I was always on the tourist trail in Mexico. So, youll have to physically go to a bank to open an account, even with large and popular banks. Well cover Mexico visas and residency, banking, accommodation, language, and more. ), Family Unity ( your common-law partner or spouse is a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico really your... A stay of up to six months I even so a brush fire a! 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