Questions, questions, questions about retiring in Mexico!

Northwest side of Isla Mujeres

“Wow!  Lucky you.”  That’s the first thing that people say when we tell them that we live on Isla Mujeres, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.  

And then the questions start. 

“Can you own property?” Mexico makes it relatively easy for foreigners to own property. Inland, you can hold a direct title to your Mexican real estate.  

Our lot, January 2007

In the restricted zones, including prized beach areas or the manufacturing zone near the USA/Mexico border, you can own real estate through a bank trust. The choice of bank is up to you.  

The trust will have a renewal term of anywhere from 25 to 45 years. The bank will handle the government forms that need to be filed yearly, for a fee. The trust can be transferred or sold.  

Lawrie learning to fish.

“Do you feel safe?” 

Yes, we do. But, having said that, we do not live on the USA/Mexico border where there are problems on both sides of the line. We aren’t night-owls. We barely stay awake after sunset, so we aren’t involved in the late-night action. 

And like any country in the world, big cities have areas that you would not venture into for any reason. The same applies to Mexican cities. 

“What do you do with your time?”  

What does any retired person do with their time?  

We read, putter at small jobs around the house, enjoy a meal with friends or family, nap, putter some more, go for a walk, learn Spanish, do a little offshore fishing, take photographs, and write.  

Road trip to Valladolid

Another favourite pastime is road trips, exploring other cities and villages.

“What do you do for medical?”  

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. As Canadians living outside our country, our universal healthcare is void after an absence of six months.  

Here in Mexico, we chose to pay as we go.  If we need something done, we pay for it – a lot less than we would pay in either the USA or Canada. Doctors in Mexico still make house calls. Some of our friends have had stellar treatment at any one of the three first-class hospitals in Cancún with their American-trained doctors. 

House calls, British-trained Dra. Shorey

Others have not had a good experience. The same can be said for any doctor in any hospital in any country. Outstanding, good, bad, or indifferent treatment, it depends. Rather than obsess about potential health issues, we just enjoy every day for what it is.

“How much are your property taxes?”  

Low. But like every country, taxes vary from property to property, size of the house, waterfront versus inland, all of the usual conditions that are taken into account for property taxes.

“Do you have to leave the country every six months?”

No, not if you have an FM3, FM2, or the newer permanent resident card.  If you come in with a 180-day visitor's permit, yes, you do have to leave, but you may return.

“Can I work in Mexico?” 

Lots of friends to hang out with.

Sure, once you obtain the necessary permits and permissions.  A number of the island's restaurants, real estate offices, and stores are owned and operated by people from other countries. 

And finally:

“What do you miss the most of all?” 

 

I miss very little except the close proximity of my immediate family. Lawrie's siblings both have winter homes on Isla. 

We wish we had a better understanding of the laws, rules, and regulations. When a person grows up in a certain culture, be it Canadian, American or European, they have an innate understanding of what is expected of them. When you switch to a different culture, life can, at times, get interesting, very interesting. 

We also miss conversing in a language that we are comfortable with. And before you feel the need to email us and advise us to take lessons, I am sixty-two, and Lawrie is seventy-one. Our brains seldom retain the words that we have learned.  It is what it is. We try to find a new word every day that we can remember. That is a huge accomplishment in our books!

And yes, “Wow!  Lucky us!”  

We enjoy living in paradise with good weather, good food, and good friends.  

Try it – you might like it!

Hasta Luego          
Lynda and Lawrie

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