Violence in Mexico: A Cause of Concern for Retirees Looking to Travel or Relocate

We have plenty of friends who like us have traveled Mexico extensively for many years . There are a few of them living down there .The place is so over rated it borders on the ridiculous . First of all other than basic food -the food down there for Americans can be expensive , I have compared the receipts . Secondly unless you want to live in a walled compound with razor wire and like the sounds of loud music and barking dogs all night ,Mexico might not be good for you . The crime is grossly under reported and you will ALWAYS be different and even a 'target' fore higher prices and worse . So many of our friends have canceled trips and plans to retire down there because the situation only gets worse . Just look at the overpriced garbage the hucksters try to market to Americans !! That is a shocker and when you see the slum close by it only goes downhill .If you have to worry every time your wife goes out to the store and 'has to' be back before dark ,who wants to live like that? Police are nearly useless and are there for an appearance of law and order . To us having spent so much time in Mexico and having traveled literally thousands of miles there ,we have thrown in the towel as last September it was just too 'creepy' there. There are so many affordable markets to buy into here in the states without all the language hassles ,paperwork nightmare ,customs challenges,crime,bureaucracy ,payola and hassles ,Mexico does not add up .Yes ,a few of the ones we know have been buried up to their rear in their retirement crypt we are glad as many of our friends as well -we did not buy into all the Mexico retirement hype.Lots of real estate hucksters still trying the old "so safe here and enjoyable" crapola hoping you will buy it . Then there are the ones who want you to "adjust" to a third world life, but truthfully for most of us -who wants a third world lifestyle ? If you must go visit for a 3-4 month visit . Stand in line to pay your bills ,phone hassles,power failures and the drivers that make Ben Hur arena scene movie look courteous. If you can take it ,why not ? Maybe Nicaragua ,Panama ,hey if you can do dirty old Mexico what does it matter?

Dollar Bill of TX 1:14PM March 20, 2009