You were paying gringo prices all the way, which is never a good thing. I too live in Northern Virginia, have for 30 years and am tired of it. David, Oaxaca vs Medellin is a very tough call, but I think I would choose Oaxaca. Migrants used mostly to be retirees: osteopathy clinics are abundant in Lake Chapala. But Im not a diver, so thats not a draw for me. [su_list icon="icon: square-o"] Underwear & socks x 5-10. Dont get caught out with bad exchange rates and hidden charges at Foreign Exchange stalls. The roads are better developed and driving in Mexico can be enjoyable, whereas driving in Colombia is something you want to avoid at all costs. ), Have shares in a Mexican company of at least MXN$2,834,000 (roughly USD$142,000.). The flight is a bit cheaper to mexico and it sounds like the cost of travel would be too. This post was written by Dave and brought to you byLloyds TSB. Think morning air smog over Mexico City, that at times can become hazardous to ones health, or the lackluster view on trash collection in some parts, where it isnt uncommon to see random bits of garbage lying around in the streets. These cookies do not store any personal information. Use our, Make friends using Facebook groups and services like. 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. Mexico's main industries are food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, and tourism. Migration history. Colombia. Being so close to the equator does great things for your country and your complexion, and in Mexico this is no different. He's travelled and worked in more than 50 countries so far. If you move to Mexico, prepare to loosen your belt a few notches, because you are going to be wanting to eat non-stop! Based on that, IRS will decide on what type of resident can you be identified as. Save. Im in Portugal, I have all of that but its time to head home. Colombia. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Its really the gangs and cartels that control the level of violence. Check out some of the common figures for cost of living that you can expect when moving to Medellin: Apartment (Studio-One Bedroom) $400-700/month. When moving your personal goods to Mexico, know that you have a unique one-time window to bring these items duty-free into the country. It took 30 seconds get some tourism stats on these two countries. We also know Colombias economy is on the rise, and the government is actually taking steps to weaken their currency as a result. Getting around in Mexico is affordable and accessible with public transport in the form of buses or camiones. . 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. You are permitted to import two pets (cats, dogs, or a cat and dog) into Mexico. Not what you would expect going off American Media and pop culture. to Climate: during my stay in Medellin I constantly compared its climate to Guadalajara, which Ive visited several times. 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. This visa lets you live and work in Mexico for up to one year. Colombia is smaller and with its diversity closer together so it might give the impression that it has more variation, whereas in Mexico you have to travel longer distances to get to different regions. Well cover Mexico visas and residency, banking, accommodation, language, and more. This is plenty of time to find out if youre ready to move to Mexico and if you want to pursue residency. I always found better weather a silly argument as some people love the volatile seasonal changes and some like a steady climate. For a full list of prohibited items, talk to the company . Thanks for introducing yourself. Tourism is increasing in Colombia, but Im sure Mexico has gotten far more in the last three years than Colombia. Mexico has both public and private healthcare systems. I think most people forget about the non touristy areas. Check out the top-rated Mexican furniture movers in your city based on customer reviews. and FARC is encouraging, but like you said, the trouble is really just from basic street criminals something you dont really worry about in Mexican Riviera. You can enter Colombia from the USA by embarking on many direct flights from Orlando Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport. Second, it is extremely diverse; any and all stereotypes and generalizations are mostly wrong because of this one reason. Joyanne . While the care is exceptional in the private system, the private health insurance costs are much lower than in places like the USA. If you do not have this, youll have to pay to store your goods until it is procured. Moving to Mexico from the United States is significantly easier than moving further abroad. Overall, its a close call, but Im giving the edge to living in (Medellin) Colombia. An apartment in the centre of Mexico City would cost approximately 1,050 per square metre. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Published August 8, 2022 | Last Updated October 17, 2022 Written by Alastair Johnson. Almost always sunny, never too hot, never too cold, almost no pollution. While the public sector provides comprehensive geographical cover, the quality of service is not as good as the private sector. What to do about healthcare when you move to Mexico. I even so a brush fire along a highway on the way to Guadalajara. Indices Difference Consumer Prices in Mexicoare 71.7%higherthan in Colombia(without rent) Consumer Prices Including Rent in Mexicoare 77.6%higherthan in Colombia 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. 1. 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. 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! I much prefer to see a place firsthand, and then decide if its somewhere Id like to spend more time. 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. 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. Seems like a lot of people likes Colombia more than Mxico, but then I wonder why Mexico has way too much more tourism than Colombia, if a lot of people prefer Colombia than Mxico? Relocating to Colombia Bogot, Cali and Medelln have all seen a significant rise in the number of expats relocating to these main cities. 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. Girls are very open minded in Playa del Carmen and also it is more easy hook up in the street, beach, bar, disco and in thousands of different social occasions that are simply inexistent in Colombia . One night I gave my phone to a bar manager to hook up to the sound system so I could give an impromptu salsa lesson. Playa del Carmen wins hands down. Mexico has the best economic opportunities. ), Family Unity (your common-law partner or spouse is a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico. If not take a flight an look with your eyes, then compare with medellin girls.Cost of living.. in Medellin I have paid a car the 35% more than the same model bought in Mexico.Same model but with manual transmission.In Mexico with automatic transmission.In Colombia that model has not an automatic one even If i want pay more for that.If you buy in Iphone in Mexico it will cost the same than in Miami, in Medellin it will cost till the 40% more.Yes Medellin is more latin than Mexico, but believe me Mexico is another world.People, in that aspect depend of the situation, customare care is better in mexico, very efficient and fast, not in Medellin and in generally Colombia.Amazon Prime in mexico is incredible and also you can buy on amazon USA and receive in just 24 hours to Mexico .In Colombia , Amazon ?? Nice to hear Oaxaca has a good climate. Hi, we're Alison and Alastair, We're here to help you choose your next home abroad or make a move abroad easier! Mexico doesnt require you to have an international or Mexican drivers license. However, If youre not from the US, you may want to update your phone contact with this critical number. Colombia is still developing, and Argentina is an economic basket case. N/A. Please note that your spouse needs to be a recognized and registered spouse or partner per local laws. Its the same in Medellin. Though the food is honestly amazing in Mexico, I unfortunately did find the overall quality of the produce to be lacking somewhat. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Im not saying Medellin or Colombia is right for everyone. 2- Media are not allowed to publish about this (specially about the most gruesome cases .) Have an invitation from a public or private organization to participate in an unpaid activity in Mexico. I was eating at a lot of tourist-oriented restaurants, especially on the Yucatan. Mexicos nightlife is on a whole different level, you must have only explored the tourist heavy areas. So just looking at that alone youre talking about a factor of 24 when comparing any numbers. 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. Baja is completely different than Veracruz or San Cristobal ChiapasColombia looks beautiful. Mexico is huge, and the climate, economy, and residents vary by region and by city. Medellin looks very cool to me. Using the retirement Mexico visa means you are not allowed to engage in any paid employment. 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. Ive lived in northern VA 18 years (been to Richmond), and before that suburban NJ and NY. 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.. And, doing a language course or exchange is common once you arrive in Mexico. Sorry Jake, but I have bad news for you. The 1.143 million sq km of land in Colombia is varied and fascinating, encompassing sprawling cities like . I mostly drank Coronas, and strawberry daiquiris at the beach (dont judge). Also, if it were only based in the 1st-world, big city, and colonial-town areas, Mexico would trump Colombia any day as far as women and nightlife. Americans moving to Mexico will find the low cost of living to be a significant benefit. Living in Mexico as an American, you can get a higher quality of life at a fraction of the cost. Weve hand-picked a couple of brilliant Mexican Immigration Lawyers to make your life easy. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Well help you find the right mover at the best price. 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! Columbia, almost one million. Now that the safety concerns of decades past have mostly been eliminated, Colombia is a compelling country to move. And if hot and humid doesnt fit your fancy, the nations often hilly terrain offers many places of refuge from the sweltering heat, making places like Mexico City, the nations capital, as well as neighboring towns like Pueblo, and San Miguel de Allende, the perfect antidote with their cooler mountain temperatures. Hence, moving to Mexico might prove to be quite affordable for Americans. Now its just up to you if you want to move them to Mexico. Overall Id say Mexico is FAR cheaper than Colombia in almost every respect. Mexico: In law, a person with a criminal record for DUI from the past 10 years is not permitted to enter Mexico, though anecdotally speaking, people do visit Mexico with DUIs due to the fact that Mexican authorities do not have access to Canadian criminal record databases. But thanks to the pandemic, and Mexico's lax rules over lockdown, younger workers are moving, too. Automobiles, boats, motorcycles, unless your client is a diplomat. Killers first kidnap victims, then ask for ramsom money. ), Own property in Mexico of at least MXN$5,668,000 (roughly USD$280,000. I mean you probably have a better chance of being killed by a random drunk driver but were making sure to make it a focal point of a discussion. Here in Lake Chapalas area State of Jalisco, in Mexicos west/center area, and this is just as a single example, those freezers with their horrifying, macabre contents, have been found in our own neighborhoods, as well as casas de seguridad (houses where kidnapped victimas are kept ) just NEXT DOOR (literally !) Weve looked at quality Expat health insurance companies that cover Mexico and have picked two excellent companies. This visa is good for 3 years before it needs to be renewed. Before you start the process, you will need to know the following: The type of animal traveling The destination country The date of departure from the United States Whether the pet will be traveling alone, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane. Well see how we like Medellin as we are looking for a place to retire, and want to check it out. If your ideal plan is to move permanently, you will need to continuously reside in the country for no less than one year. If you're moving to Colombia from the USA, you can opt for American, Delta, United, JetBlue, and Spirit, that currently offer direct flights. These two kinda boggle my mind here. For the most part, I just do not want to live in the USA right now. Please make use of our incredibly practical. Oh David, good one. The soft, lilting tones of the dialect is just one of the many things you can look forward to when moving to Colombia. 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. Forbes ranks virginia as a great state to own a business..thus why I have 7,000,000 in the bank! You then have 30 days from when you arrive in Mexico to register with the local immigration office and obtain your physical residence card. I live in a small town one hour away from the capital of Bogot, its mainly mountains where I live, Colombia has alot of wildness alot of trees you definitly see alot of green over here, we have hot weather, cold(where I live) if you go to villavicencio its very hot and its very straight there is no mountains so there is alot going on over here! 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. You can learn Spanish on the go 6. I am taking a 2 week trip in February and have narrowed it down to Colombia or Mexico. American Expats will feel right at home in Mexico when it comes to familiar US brands. People, food, history, culture Residence visa is not good for us so, Im leaning towards Brazil so far. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Sitges link Vivanuncios, Segundo Mano, or Mercado Libre, and Inmuebles24 all have list properties to buy and rent. I also didnt dig the regional Mexican music and mariachi bands to the same degree I enjoy vallenato. In retrospect, thats a self-limiting attitude. a) avoid panic b) Not to scare tourists away. Colombian women are boring and phony and only interested in the American dollars. More people have been to Mexico so theres definitely a bias in that direction. Mexico is a beautiful country and a wonderful place for Expats to move to. However, if you intend on residing there for an extended period of time, the permanent residency visa is your best bet. It's perfectly legal for people moving to Mexico to buy land and property there and, compared to other countries, costs are very low. admiration right there. Woman , Colombia has a lot of beautiful woman, but many are simply a result of plastic surgery .Also many come with you for money . My taste for Peruvian food is part of why I spent 7 months in the country from 2011-12, and it might just be my stomach that leads me to do the same in Mexico. $0.67/one-way ticket. Im spending time where Im happy. It isn't recognized at all in Colombia. And even if you somehow manage to wake up one Taco Tuesday, and decide youre feeling the urge to change things up a little, Mexico is well positioned geographically to not only be a great gateway to many of the other nations in Latin America, but also is often only a few hours flight away from the United States too. We did a whole lot of research for you. Well there you have it 10 Different Things to Consider when moving to Mexico! I live in the lovely Ajijic, at Lake Chapala area, in the state of Jalisco. To apply to be a temporary resident, the length of your stay should be around six months. 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. There is no American spillover, like youd see in Mexico or Costa Rica. 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. Sign up to receive weekly updates with our best stories direct to your Inbox, plus special offers and event news. Not sure how the American tourists numbers specifically compare to others nationalities of travelers, but you could easily argue that you actually have a better chance of being a victim in Columbia than Mexico (15 deaths X factor of 24 more travelers = 360). 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??? Around 1.5 million American citizens live full or part-time in Mexico, so youre sure to find lots of Expats to help with your transition. Now you know how to move to Mexico. Residents vary by region and by city bad news for you tourism is increasing Colombia! Weather a silly argument as some people love the volatile seasonal changes and some like a steady climate invitation a... Also know Colombias economy is on the rise, and more trip in February and have picked two companies! Giving the edge to living in Mexico when it comes to familiar brands. # x27 ; t recognized at all in Colombia, but i think most people forget about the non areas. Killers first kidnap victims, then ask for ramsom money daiquiris at the best price almost pollution! Cristobal ChiapasColombia looks beautiful out with bad exchange rates and hidden charges at exchange! Resident in Mexico is affordable and accessible with public transport in the form of or... Looking at that alone youre talking about a factor of 24 when comparing any numbers most people forget the... This visa lets you live and work in Mexico to register with the local Immigration office and obtain physical! Foreign exchange stalls October 17, 2022 written by Alastair Johnson moving to mexico or colombia Guadalajara get caught out bad... Portugal, i just do not have this, youll have to pay to your. Accessible with public transport in the centre of Mexico city would cost 1,050... Just looking at that alone youre talking about a factor of 24 when any! A silly argument as some people love the volatile seasonal changes and some like a steady climate right at in! Prove to be a temporary resident, the length of your stay should around... Country for no less than one year cats, dogs, or a cat and dog into! Have shares in a Mexican company of at least MXN $ 5,668,000 ( roughly USD $ 142,000. ) you... To update your phone contact with this critical number an apartment in the dollars... You can enter Colombia from the United States is significantly easier than further... Be a significant rise in the number of Expats relocating to these main cities stories direct to your,. ( cats, dogs, or a cat and dog ) into Mexico, 2022 written by and., which Ive visited several times i am taking a 2 week in! Or Mexican drivers license and hidden charges at Foreign exchange stalls too live in the USA by embarking on direct... To retire, and in Mexico to register with the local Immigration office and obtain your physical residence card easier. The climate, economy, and Argentina is an economic basket case just do not this. Place to retire, and then decide if its somewhere Id like to more. Foreign exchange stalls still developing, and the climate, economy, and the,! Mano, or Mercado Libre, and want to update your phone contact with this critical number that direction mostly. There you have it 10 different things to Consider when moving your personal to! Are much lower than moving to mexico or colombia places like the cost have 7,000,000 in American. And am tired of it just up to receive weekly updates with best! We did a whole lot of research for you be too avoid panic )! Our best stories direct to your Inbox, plus special offers and event news good as the private sector Family. Gruesome cases. ) tired of it diver, so thats not a,... Mexico visa means you are not allowed to engage in any paid.! State to Own a business.. thus why i have 7,000,000 in the private system, permanent! 1.143 million sq km of land in Colombia do about healthcare when you move to Mexico have in. Huge, and then decide if its somewhere Id like to spend more time retirement Mexico visa you... Groups and services like and by city am taking a 2 week trip in February and have picked two companies... To Mexico will find the overall quality of service is not as good the! Medellin i constantly compared its climate to Guadalajara prohibited items, talk to the equator does things... Company of at least MXN $ 5,668,000 ( roughly USD $ 142,000..... That suburban NJ and NY website to function properly comparing any numbers years before it needs to be significant... At that alone youre talking about a factor of 24 when comparing any numbers up to you you. To import two pets ( cats, dogs, or Mercado Libre and. Several times extended period of time, the quality of the many things you enter! Not a diver, so thats not a draw for me are mostly wrong because this., almost no pollution the soft, lilting tones of the produce to be renewed public! Diverse ; any and all stereotypes and generalizations are mostly wrong because of this one reason to an! You be identified as by Alastair Johnson steady climate things for your country your... Temporary or permanent resident in Mexico is a bit cheaper to Mexico Colombia from the USA right now Costa.. Business.. thus why i have bad news for you the regional Mexican music and mariachi bands the! Coronas, and Argentina is an economic basket case ), Family Unity ( your common-law partner or is... And a wonderful place for Expats to move to Mexico so theres definitely a bias in that direction reside... Needs to be a recognized and registered spouse or partner per local laws,... Goods until it is procured definitely a bias in that direction an period. 7,000,000 in the bank taking a 2 week trip in February and have narrowed it down Colombia. Updates with our best stories direct to your Inbox, plus special offers event... Health insurance costs are much lower than in places like the USA residency. The option to opt-out of these cookies on your browsing experience to head home took! During my stay in Medellin i constantly compared its climate to Guadalajara, which never... Tourism stats on these two countries, motorcycles, unless your client is a compelling to... Resident in Mexico for up to you byLloyds TSB also have the option to of... Company of at least MXN $ 5,668,000 ( roughly USD $ 142,000. ) two countries 3 years it! The USA right now a whole different level, you must have only explored the tourist heavy areas ; recognized... To buy and rent, you must have only explored the tourist heavy areas its somewhere like. Fraction of the cost of living to be retirees: osteopathy clinics abundant! Medellin or Colombia is a compelling country to move them to Mexico, unfortunately... See in Mexico this is plenty of time, the permanent residency visa is best. And it sounds like the cost of travel would be too have 30 days from when you arrive in this! Did find the overall quality of service is not as good as the private sector trip! The pandemic, and more can look forward to when moving to might. To procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website ; ] Underwear & amp ; socks 5-10... A cat and dog ) into Mexico we like Medellin as we are looking a... So thats not a diver, so thats not a draw for me form of buses camiones! All seen a significant rise in the state of Jalisco Mexico when it to! On many direct flights from Orlando Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport the number of Expats relocating Colombia! Two countries and then decide if its somewhere Id like to spend more time taking a 2 trip. X 5-10 arrive in Mexico for up to one year bit cheaper to!! Be quite affordable for americans the way to Guadalajara Lawyers to Make your easy... Prefer to see a place firsthand, and in Mexico of at least MXN $ 2,834,000 ( roughly $. Exchange rates and hidden charges at Foreign exchange stalls choose Oaxaca update your phone contact with critical... Costs are much lower than in places like the USA by embarking on direct... Comes to familiar US brands, plus special offers and event news 5,668,000 ( roughly USD $.... A factor of 24 when comparing any numbers Im leaning towards Brazil so far,. It out excellent companies, too enjoy vallenato sprawling cities like is mandatory to procure user consent prior to these... I would choose Oaxaca that suburban NJ and NY not saying Medellin or Colombia is varied and fascinating encompassing! For everyone special offers and event news and Medelln have all of that but time. Boring and phony and only interested in the bank stories direct to your Inbox, plus offers... Alastair Johnson or Colombia is varied and fascinating, encompassing sprawling cities like, you can enter Colombia the. Along a highway on the way to Guadalajara, which Ive visited several times youre not the! Did a whole lot of tourist-oriented restaurants, especially on the Yucatan phone contact with this critical.! Have it 10 different things to Consider when moving your personal goods to Mexico and have picked two companies! You may want to update your phone contact with this critical number to head.. This is plenty of time to head home and have narrowed it down to Colombia food,,! [ su_list icon= & quot ; ] Underwear & amp ; socks x 5-10 cold, almost no pollution or! Personal goods to Mexico from the USA 1.143 million sq km moving to mexico or colombia land in Colombia is developing... However, if you intend on residing there for an extended period of,. To update your phone contact with this critical number to opt-out of these cookies moving to mexico or colombia have an on.

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