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Expat Guide to Mexico Cultural and Relocation Insights from Experienced Expats From Mexicoonmymind.com 2012 ii | C OPYRIGHT 2012 M EXICO ON M Y M IND Expatriate Guide to Mexico Volume 1 Table of Contents Mexican Lifestyle and Culture............................................................................................. 1 Hurricane Season 2012 ....................................................................................................... 3 Moving To Mexico Checklist ....................................................................................................................... 4 Truckin’ to Tulum .......................................................................................................... 6 Popular Places to Live in Mexico ....................................................................................... 10 Maya Riviera ............................................................................................................... 11 Central Mexico ............................................................................................................ 17 Yucatan ‐ The State ..................................................................................................... 25 Baja California Sur ...................................................................................................... 30 Bringing Your Car to Mexico ............................................................................................. 34 Real Estate ‐ the Mexican Way ......................................................................................... 36 Healthcare ........................................................................................................................ 39 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Landed ...................................................................... 41 i Mexican Lifestyle and Culture First things first, when it comes to living in Mexico, it’s the weather and lifestyle that attracts most of us. Okay, that, and the cost of living. The thought of living out our years on “Mexico” time, lounging on a pristine beach, or in a quiet colonial town, is indeed alluring. And, in many ways, Mexico delivers. However, not always!! The pace of life in Mexico is slower and moves to the rhythm of the people, not to a clock. The typical work day includes a two‐hour afternoon break to allow for a nap . aka “Siesta.” Depending on how big the place you live in, the whole town can shut down for the hours between 2‐4 pm‐ish (not, in‐coincidentally, the hottest part of the day). I recall my first few months in Mexico as being filled with excitement, wonderment, confusion and an avalanche of culture shock. Most gringos go through this same period of adjustment. Some people can deal with the changes and some cannot. Those who adapt find a wonderful home here! And, those who don’t are often carried out babbling to themselves! During your “adjustment period” in Mexico, you should be prepared for things to not happen like they do in the US or Canada. Your focus should be that great tip for sanity (particularly when dealing with bureaucratic red‐tape): Truly make an effort to appreciate the differences instead of complaining about them – we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto! Keep your sense of humor handy, your patience at the ready, learn to endure the bad and embrace the good. I’d like to speak from personal experience now, and share some of the wisdom I’ve garnered as a "gringo." The idea of service in Mexico is not the same as it is in the US or Canada. In fact, a real “customer service” concept here is noticeable by its absence. However, Mexicans, in general, see themselves as service‐oriented, eager to please, and sometimes they are. An example ‐ if you ask a Mexican if he/she can do something, the answer 99.9% of the time will be “yes.” This includes projects like nuclear physics, building rocket ships and solving the mysteries of the universe . they will agree to do anything, because they simply cannot say “no!” Ability and qualifications to accomplish the task are just not considered to be necessary ingredients. Another concept to always keep in mind is that, contrary to what most gringos think, “mañana” does NOT mean tomorrow. It’s more of a vague idea of “some day in the future.” Keep that in mind when someone tells you, “mañana!” Also, bear in mind that you typically have limited resources and back up when it comes to having a handy man, plumber, electrician, carpenter or other service person do a job for you. You won’t have the phonebook, or internet listings, to fall 1 | Page back on when someone doesn’t show up. Be patient, and when you find a good one hang on to them. “Saving face” is very important here. The typical “assertive American” routine of getting angry and frustrated will only lead to abandonment. If you must make a point, do in private, do it calmly (actually it won’t hurt to apologize for burdening them) and never in front of subordinates or family members. What I have personally learned to do is just put things “out there” for the projects I need done and know that in time, it will get done . it always does, but it probably won't be on your clock. The clock being used belongs to the people you are dealing with, and believe it, anything can reorder their priorities – with your needs most likely being way down their list. You’ll develop your own expectations and working relationships as you go. I don’t make appointments in Mexico anymore. If someone tells me they will be at my house for a project or delivery, I simply say “great, here’s my number, call me when you arrive, or are close.” This has saved me countless hours and degrees of aggravation. In the beginning, there was frustration that I held on to for months ‐ I expected them to be on MY time! “I’m an American, damn it!!” came out of my mouth too many times ‐ I am embarrassed to admit that, now. I am sure there were plenty of “stupid gringo” comments along the way . which I deserved. But, all in all, it’s a wonderful life in Mexico and learning to be patient has been an important part of my personal growth. I am, honestly, a better person because of my time in Mexico! My wife and I cannot complain with a beautiful home that cost one‐third to one‐half what we would have paid back in Colorado – and it’s paid off and on the Caribbean. Fresh fish and produce are abundant. Cat and I live in a small town called Tulum about an hour and a half south of Cancun. The people and the place are simply put, magical. And the connection we have with the community and nature is something we never take for granted. We live in paradise and are lucky enough to have a business that allows us to do that. Yes, life in Mexico is a very good life for us. And, I have no doubt that with a few changes in your expectations; you can make it happen for you, too! Ron Burdine, April 2012 2 | Hurricane Season 2012! For the 2012 Hurricane Season, thirteen tropical cyclones are predicted, seven of which could become tropical storms, four moderate hurricanes and two intense hurricanes. The hurricane season is from June to November. Tropical depressions and storms that may develop into hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic and North East Pacific oceans. The key to hurricane or tropical storm protection is preparation. Here are the recommendations and links for making those preparations from the US FEMA website: 1) Make your personal safety plan. 2) Maintain an emergency supply kit; 3) Have a safe place to go in the event of an evacuation, or prolonged utility outage. 4) In addition, for those of us who live outside the borders of our native country, we recommend that you keep all important documents in waterproof plastic bags. These need to be completely closed and watertight, and in a place where they are easily available to you in a hurry. This includes: • Passport and visa. • Personal information. Your name ‐ full legal and commonly used (nickname); social security number (or equivalent); address and phone number(s); work place with contact information, if relevant; spousal information; names, addresses and phone numbers for immediate family members; number, country of origin, expiration date and one or two copies of your passport; number, type, expiration date and one or two copies of your visa; number, state and expiration date of your driver’s license; name of issuers and the numbers of all insurance policies owned by you; and finally, first contacts (people, including previously listed family members who need to be notified if something happens to you). • List of business contacts: Names, business connection (lawyer, accountant), addresses, phone numbers, e‐mail addresses. • List of doctors: Names, type of doctor, addresses, phone numbers, e‐mail addresses. • All ownership documents, including insurance coverage – auto, home, condo, boat, trailer etc. • All life insurance documents and wills. Gallon‐sized freezer bags are a little short for 8.5" x 11" pages, but will work, if you can't find anything else. Remember that, just as important as having them together and quickly accessible, is keeping them dry. Whatever you use to protect them must be reliably waterproof. From the onset of a storm, keep informed by listening to the warnings and advisories on the radio, television, or web sites. It is also important to follow the advice of local authorities and emergency response personnel. 3 | Moving and Relocation Before you get on the plane: As an expat living in Mexico, there are a few things you will want to take care of

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