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peripatetic_soul · Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 303

Hello,
I've read some current threads indicating life in Mexico isn't what it used to be and many ex-pats are contemplating a move back to native countries. What are the reasons (other than the obvious of safety)? Can anyone advise on specific areas to avoid or would the list be shorter to simply list those that would be safe(r), relatively speaking? Some acquaintances have told me they are going to retire in Mexico in the next 6 months (can't recall the area) so I'd like to let them know the current situation. I realize it can vary drastically from one area to another so more specific info from those on the ground would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. PS

MotherF · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:46 pm Post subject:

Retirees are probably fine. They generally don't integrate into Mexican life. (Even the ones who think they are, aren't, not really.)

I will think more about how to put my concerns into words.

notamiss · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:40 pm Post subject:

I’ve read that Lakeside residents (Lake Chapala, one of the most concentrated expat colonies), who had long enjoyed a very safe lifestyle, have seen an increase in crime in their region in recent years. Google “Lake Chapala crime” (without quotes) for some reports and opinions.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:59 pm Post subject:

In general, I would say the northern states - Chihuahua, Sonora, Sinoloa, Coahuila, Durango, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Zacatecas, as well as Michocan and Guerrero. Nuevo Leon seems to be making some strides in becoming more safe, since I live just a few hours away, we get a lot of news from there and they have made some changes in how they police that seem to be yielding results. As Mother F said, retirees are not likely to be effected, especially if they don´t learn Spanish or make any attempt to integrate into Mexican culture - from what I have seen that is the norm - with a few exceptions. Either, way I still wouldn´t recommend any of those states as there are lots of problems with police (and lack thereof) due to the recent ¨cleanup¨ of municipal police departments, resulting in lots of places being basically without any police, or only a few (in the town we live in there are now four) and aside from that we have sporatic coverage from state police and sporatic coverage from the Marines, who are nearby and do occasional sweeps. The state police are not well regarded and there have been a lot of complaints about them overstepping. Personally, if I could move anywhere in Mexico I would move to the states of Puebla, Oaxaca or Tabasco, for safety and other reasons.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:00 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:31 pm Post subject:

I've been asked by two people to get back to this, so I'll give it a go.

It's something I've found kind of difficult to process and organize my thoughts on, it's easier to try to ignore the issue and hope it will go away!

So as I said, I don't think any of this is that big of an issue in the world of retirees in Mexico. Nor do I think it's an issue that should affect students wanting to study abroad in Mexico or young TEFL types who just want to come and observe Mexico for a year or so and learn. Or anyone who would have that attitude that "I'm just here to observe and learn". Or just here to relax and enjoy life. If your opinion is it's not my country, it's not my culture, it's not my place to get involved or the similiar, I believe you can stay out of the way and stay out of problems.

BUT I CAN'T DO THAT. I've been in Mexico for 17 years now. I arrived when I was 24. This is my life. This is the only home my children have ever known. This is my community and I can't stand on the sideline and watch it go to hell. I have to be an active participant in making it the kind of place I want to live in. The kind of place I want for my children. And I did that throughout the last decade, but it's only in the last three years when I've hessitated for a moment, before acting in some situations and asked myself, am I putting us in danger by doing this or saying that? I my case I have not been in the extreme case where the answer was clearly yes. But neither am I certain that the answer is clearly no. In the case of my spouse, there have been times, when the answer is much closer to yes than I'm comfortable with. That brings two questions.
Am I comfortable with the consequences if we act?
Am I comfortable with the consequences if we don't?

DebMer · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 1:17 am Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 1:47 am Post subject:

I'd rather not get into my situation. But last September a group of students from a completely inconsequential teacher's college were on their way to protest at an event led by the wife of a major of an equally inconsequential town in a fairly inconsequential state. A difficult to pronounce Mexican place name is now a mentioned around the world. And the search for bodies that cannot be found has turned up hundreds more than no one was even looking for.

Do you want to live in a place where calling out the mayor will get you killed?

DebMer · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:41 am Post subject:

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:22 pm Post subject: