Thread: Heading south

Was kind of a sad day, though it shouldn't have been. A friend and neighbor I've known over thirty years headed for Mexico this morning, and he's not coming back. Sold his house and got rid of anything that wouldn't fit in the car. What a zoo the last week was. The warm dry climate of the Guadalajara mountains did it. He don't even like summer in the homeland anymore.

He's got a sweet two bedroom house waiting for him. Up on the hill with a killer view of Lake Del Chapala. The lakes 40 miles long, you can't even see the other side. got a fenced yard with motorized gate, and it's not far from whatever you need in town. Rent, lights, water, TV (Netflix) and garbage service, One thousand American a month. That makes me sick, I pay at least that much to keep the lights on at my place, and it's a shack compared to this house.

The nearby city has a population of 55K, with almost half being Canucks or Americans. Last winter it was 70 degrees and sunny every day, and when it rained, it did so at night. Some warmer in summer, but still not hot. Remember, you're at five thousand feet elevation so it's not some high humidity shithole like you'd find at sea level.

I wouldn't mind visiting but have no plans to move there, no matter how nice it sounds. I can't speak Spanish worth a damn for one thing, nor do I wish to give up all my stuff. I am an American after all.

Do you think you’d make the move if you were a lil younger?

I UPROOTED my ass twice from one CONTINENT to another and haven’t regretted it once! Wasn’t easy but was as rewarding as I thought it would be. BOTH TIMES!

Originally Posted by WanderLuster

Do you think you’d make the move if you were a lil younger?

I UPROOTED my ass twice from one CONTINENT to another and haven’t regretted it once! Wasn’t easy but was as rewarding as I thought it would be. BOTH TIMES!

Good for you WanderLuster, I'm glad it worked.

Would I be more willing to adapt if younger? Probably not, but that's just me. I didn't take to Panama very well long ago. Too young then and too old now, my timing is always bad.

But if younger I wouldn't be retired and would then have zero chance of making it in a place like Guadalajara. For your average gringo, it's probably only an option if you're retired.

Is doing your work from home job possible there? It's probably a long shot though I'm not sure. I don't know how good their internet is, or if your employer would like you working from home in Mexico. Their phones work but calls sometimes drop and there's usually a lot of background noise. Some places might be hi tech enough. And some not.

Some Americans love Mexico, and some hate it. I would probably like it, but not enough to go all out like my pal did.

Originally Posted by frog

Good for you WanderLuster, I'm glad it worked.

Would I be more willing to adapt if younger? Probably not, but that's just me. I didn't take to Panama very well long ago. Too young then and too old now, my timing is always bad.

But if younger I wouldn't be retired and would then have zero chance of making it in a place like Guadalajara. For your average gringo, it's probably only an option if you're retired.

Is doing your work from home job possible there? It's probably a long shot though I'm not sure. I don't know how good their internet is, or if your employer would like you working from home in Mexico. Their phones work but calls sometimes drop and there's usually a lot of background noise. Some places might be hi tech enough. And some not.

Some Americans love Mexico, and some hate it. I would probably like it, but not enough to go all out like my pal did.

Thank you for your time frog! I was genuinely curious about it. I sometimes wonder as I get older (44 now) whether I’ll be as willing to get out of my comfort zone as I have been. I think not, hence the query. I think I’m differently built tho, we will see. I keep learning and thinking!

Cheers!!

Up-staking can be scary, especially the way I did it – completely unplanned, just packed a bag and went.

I had some stake money, about 20 grand, but that was it. I had no idea where or how I would end up and that meant some rough times.

This was nearing 25 years ago and now I’m approaching my 60’s there’s no way I could even contemplate doing the same again.

But it all worked out just fine eventually and given the right circumstances I’d have no compunction in up-staking again, it would just need to be planned.

For example, if I was to win the lotto – which won’t happen because I don’t imbibe – but hypothetically…

I’m happy where I am (for the most part), but if the notion took me, and I could afford it, with a little planning I would have no problem in doing the same again even now.

There’s a freedom that comes from moving far away from everything that I cannot properly put into words. All the little things that take up your life simply disappear overnight and it certainly puts them into context for your future, new life.

You are free to take as much or as little of it with you as you wish with no concerns of implications because there are none.

You are free to make a new life as you see fit with no-one to throw a spanner in the works.

I simply don’t have the words to describe how wonderful this feels.

I don't know about south - would rather go north, the colder it gets the less bugs n shit you have to deal with. Preferably north in Alberta before they secede Canada lol.
Could sell the car or drive with everything I need in the trunk - if you rent you can go literally anywhere whenever you feel like.

Originally Posted by Jackoff

Up-staking can be scary, especially the way I did it – completely unplanned, just packed a bag and went.

I had some stake money, about 20 grand, but that was it. I had no idea where or how I would end up and that meant some rough times.

This was nearing 25 years ago and now I’m approaching my 60’s there’s no way I could even contemplate doing the same again.

But it all worked out just fine eventually and given the right circumstances I’d have no compunction in up-staking again, it would just need to be planned.

For example, if I was to win the lotto – which won’t happen because I don’t imbibe – but hypothetically…

I’m happy where I am (for the most part), but if the notion took me, and I could afford it, with a little planning I would have no problem in doing the same again even now.

There’s a freedom that comes from moving far away from everything that I cannot properly put into words. All the little things that take up your life simply disappear overnight and it certainly puts them into context for your future, new life.

You are free to take as much or as little of it with you as you wish with no concerns of implications because there are none.

You are free to make a new life as you see fit with no-one to throw a spanner in the works.

I simply don’t have the words to describe how wonderful this feels.

“There’s a freedom that comes from moving far away from everything that I cannot properly put into words. All the little things that take up your life simply disappear overnight and it certainly puts them into context for your future, new life.”

THIS^^^

Been there, done that! TWICE!