Job Discussion Forums

[corporatehuman]

I thought this might be an interesting thread.

For those of you that have moved to Mexico, and plan on never going back to your home country: I am curious as to why?

Is there something about your home that made you feel like it never was one?

I'm not sure what it is, but for myself, I have yet to find a place that...has that 'home' feel. I am young, 24, and I wonder if ever I will feel this way...so it surprises me, and affirms me, that people could leave their culture, language, customs behind, and find a new one that is somehow, for some reason, more engaging.

I'm not talking about a Shangri-La, some paradise that you've found, but clearly many posters here have carved out a life in what once was a foreign country. I'm curious as to what that process was like, and if you ever think that your plans will change in the future...and you'll end up going back.

What about the people you've left behind? Do you keep in touch or have they been replaced? What about family members, or relatives. Truth being that most people born in a country, stay in the country. Clearly all of us do not live in dire poverty, internet connection and typing skills to boot, so we have this choice to make. While many others do not.

So, why did you leave? And what made you stay?

I myself plan on living abroad, but I also plan on coming back. Maybe that will change, depending, but I think I would find leaving some aspects of my life behind, very, very hard.


- Chris

[ls650]

[MELEE]

CH,

This is the topic of my forth coming book!

But seriously, I think what happened, is I came of age, and it just happened to happen when I was in Mexico. I started EFL teaching at 22, I came to Mexico at 24. Like you, I never imagined that I'd stay here. But I got really lucky, job wise. At the end of my first year, I decided to stay, mostly because of the job. I had already started the relationship with the guy I'm now married to, and leaving would have ment terminating the relationship. But I think the thing that really swayed me at that time, was the job. I learned SO much about teaching and the English language that first year in Mexico. Way more than I had in 18 months at a language school in Japan. And I knew that there were still loads of learning optortunities in front of me. I told myself, I'd stay at this job, until I felt like I learned all I could here. 8 years later that hasn't happened yet. Not even close! my list of future projects grows way faster than I can complete the projects I've already started. Meanwhile, my personal life developed much as it does in many many people in their mid twenties. I found somebody I was attracted to and he was attracted to me too!, who, like my job challenges me to develop myself and I have yet to get bored with either of them!

Like I said, I was really lucky on the job side, I earned enough to also move into a very very normal life for someone in their mid to late twenties. House, car, kids, dogs, really, my life is hardly different from my university friend's life--except for the fact they have reliable mail delivery! This was my first real job, with insurance, benefits, and a career path! When I was 30 years old, the Mexican government gave me a no interest housing loan! That would never have happened had I settled in the US. Ever heard of the US government giving no interest mortgages?

As for the people left behind, I used to visit the US twice a year, now because I have other finacial committments I haven't been for 3 years. There's also that fact that the US government will not welcome my husband into the country. So part of me really wants to wash my hands of the country. I talk to my best friend on instant messenger almost everyday. I also communicate with my family that way. I live outside of town which means I can't get a land telephone line at this time. So I have pretty much fallen out of touch with the people who don't use the internet.

Oh and as for feeling at home. That didn't come until I really integrated into the community. After like 4 years here.

[thelmadatter]

I cannot say if I will go back to the States or not. Everytime I say "I will never..." or "I will definitely..." Life throws me a curveball.

However, if I spend the rest of my life in Mexico, it will be because I have something here for which I stay... not because I dont want something that is back home. Right now my main reason for staying is that I really like my job ... it may come that another reason is a guy... but we are not there yet Many state, like a prior poster, that somehow you have to live the "yuppie" lifestyle if you live in North America. However I did not do that ever ... there are ways to live simply even in consumer conscious U.S. ... in fact there are tricks to saving money and living simply I could do in the States that I cannot do here simply because the consumer culture doesnt exist here so much in Mexico (good gracious the stuff people sell for almost nothing or throw away in the US!)

Google the word "frugal" and find a ton of sources for making the most of earning relatively little so that you dont have to live the "rat race"

Fortunately my hobby of sewing serves me as well in Mexico as it did in the States. I always get sticker shock when I look at clothing prices, even here!

[Samantha]

What thoughtful answers this thread contains. I can see a little of myself in each of the responses.

The comment made by Melee about Mexican spouses not being welcomed by the US is real and can be a hurdle for those of us that marry a National. I am following the blog of a young lady who moved to Mexico with Mexican hubby she married in the USA onlyso that he could reenter the USA legally and live up there forever (after doing the appropriate paperwork in Mexico which is what the law required aka to enter legally). It seems there is now some new reform being introduced that will prevent his ever moving to the USA. She is now pregnant, hating Mexico and freaking out. She jokingly mentioned moving to Canada but I can't see that working out for them. It used to be that my hubby could obtain an automatic "VWOV" (A transit permission to land in a US airport on the way to Canada or wherever) from the airlines. After 9-ll that was no longer possible, so he did end up having to get his US Visa just so that we can transit the USA to visit Canada if and when the need arises (family emergency). That was an expensive ordeal due to logistics of the nearest US Consulate performing this service.

He informs me that if a certain leader comes into party in the next election that Mexico is bound to go to heck in a handbasket and we should think about moving to Canada if that happens. Right. He and his friends are predicting doom and gloom for the country but I think this comes up with every election when the Nationals flash back to some very bad memories. I remember my last visit about 3 years ago. I purchased "Visitor to Canada" medical insurance and that's when it hit me. I was a visitor and this was no longer home.

I can't see myself back in Canada. It's too expensive to live, I don't fancy the rainy or snowy commute any longer, plus there are long waiting lists for medical emergencies. If you get sick in Mexico you can call a specialist and get in right away. It IS getting more expensive to live in Mexico, but rainy day commutes don't happen too often! I'm staying. I hid the suitcases! Friends and family come to visit us which is perfect.

[cwc]

One needs to prove income of 125% above the poverty line for the family size that will be living in the States. It can be done with a lump sum of 5X that amount. The truth is that these visas are given priority. The US work and tourist visas have a max number monthly. The family visas don�t. As in all countries of the world, it all comes down to money. Nobody wants more poor people. The only requirements are never having entered illegally, a valid passport and no criminal record. If one has ever been caught by immigration, game�s over.

[Sgt Killjoy]

[Not St Louis]

[gordogringo]

The info. given is only partially correct.I act as a consultant along with my esl hat for people living in Tijuana wanting to bring a spouse to the US.I have a good friend in La Jolla who is an immigration court judge.Her phone calls have overruled many dim witted consular employees decisions regarding visas.This visa is an entitlement!!The government can technically not say no.The only exception would be if the person has had a history of violent offenses.Getting caught by Border Patrol,etc.does not count.But hang in and be patient.You must understand that the only reason someone would work for the US Government is Mc Donalds was'nt hiring that day or are very lazy and can't get a real job.

[gordogringo]

The info. given is only partially correct.I act as a consultant along with my esl hat for people living in Tijuana wanting to bring a spouse to the US.I have a good friend in La Jolla who is an immigration court judge.Her phone calls have overruled many dim witted consular employees decisions regarding visas.This visa is an entitlement!!The government can technically not say no.The only exception would be if the person has had a history of violent offenses.Getting caught by Border Patrol,etc.does not count.But hang in and be patient.You must understand that the only reason someone would work for the US Government is Mc Donalds was'nt hiring that day or are very lazy and can't get a real job.

[Not St Louis]

Can you tell me where my information is wrong other than you say it is?


Sorry this is long, but you said that this is only partially correct, so maybe you should correct the State Department website before correcting me.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1328.html

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Guy Courchesne]

[hlamb]

I too am finding this thread interesting. I've been in Mexico almost a year and may stay for another year or two at most. Of course, I'm open to the possibility that things change!

For me, Canada is still home. I can't imagine making a permanent move, mostly because I'm close to family and want to be able to see them more often than once a year.

That said, whenever I do go back to Canada, I'll take the lessons of the slower pace of life, concentration on the important things, etc. I never was part of the rat race at home, luckily, but have learned a lot here about slowing down and enjoying each day. When I do end up back home, I hope to carry a little bit of that Mexican attitude with me. That, for me, has been the benefit of traveling to and living in other countries-the little things I've picked up along the way from every place I've been to.

[Not St Louis]

That is the hardest part, taking the lessons you learned from time spent outside of your home country and living with them in your home country. Many have tried, some have succeeded and some have failed.

Don't underestimate the power of reverse culture shock.