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Udo
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RETIREMENT IN MEXICO
ABC just aired a piece on retirement homes and elder-care/assisted living homes. This piece was tied to El Salvador de Allende on the mainland, but
this can be applicable to Baja as well.
This evening, (Jan 27, 2009) at 11p.m. pacific time, ABC will be airing on NIGHTLINE another piece on retiring in Mexico. Seems like the whole 1/2
hour will be dedicated to the subject.
I am sure you 21st century computer gurus will come up with the proper links to tie these broadcasts to the Nomads. By the time I figure how to do it,
the program will be over!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Bajaboy
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We caught the news piece and found it interesting as well.
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DianaT
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The city they were speaking about is San Miquel de Allende. It is a beautiful old colonial city in the highlands---the area that is the heart of the
revolution.
What they don't mention, or at least during the part I saw, was how terribly expensive property is anymore in San Miquel because of the very large
ex-pat community.
We always enjoy San Miquel and all of the surrounding area-it is so beautiful, and there is so much history there.
San Miquel from the highway above.
Sample of the colorful central plaza area.
Since I won't be up at 11, I will be interested to hear the other place they talk about.
Diane
[Edited on 1-28-2009 by jdtrotter]
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Udo
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Diane, I agree with the pricieness of the city, and it's involvement in expats. That's probably why the assisted living price noted in the news piece
was $1,400 per month per home in the complex. That pretty much wipes out most people's SSI!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by udowinkler
Diane, I agree with the pricieness of the city, and it's involvement in expats. That's probably why the assisted living price noted in the news piece
was $1,400 per month per home in the complex. That pretty much wipes out most people's SSI! |
At one time, San Miquel was sort of an artists escape, a place to which many gringos went to write books, do their art, or at least think they were
doing so. 
Then it was "discovered" and gringos started buying up the old colonial downtown homes and doing major rehab---many now sell for over a million
dollars.
It is an interesting place. Some say that Pozos which is close by is just beginning and will be the next San Miquel---who knows, but it is a quiet
pretty old colonial town that is in much disrepair.
Outside of Pozos are very interesting old Spanish ruins---major haciendas.
For anyone really interested in Mexico and Mexican history, the central highlands are a great place to travel.
Diane
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BajaGringo
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Great photos Diane - thanks for sharing. Reminds me of some small colonial towns I visited in South America...
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k-rico
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I think this is what you guys saw. I haven't found the Nightline piece yet. If someone finds it, please post the link.
Thanks.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=6741914&page=1
BTW, the biggest problem with retiring to Mexico is the utilization of Medicare. I'm assuming to make use of Medicare benefits you need to be in the
US. Is that true?
[Edited on 1-28-2009 by k-rico]
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bajasol
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Awesome photos jdtrotter. How far do the "cobble stone roads" travel outside the main square? Looks like a nice town to go visit. Thanks
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajasol
Awesome photos jdtrotter. How far do the "cobble stone roads" travel outside the main square? Looks like a nice town to go visit. Thanks
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In old colonial towns that have been declared National Monuments, or World Culture Centers etc., the cobble stone streets abound. Fortunately, they
are protected or they might have been "modernized".
In a place like San Miquel, the cobblestone is kept in better repair, but it is still bumpy riding around. The picture of the long cobblestone steet
is in Pozos and was not in as good shape, nor were the buildings. But, that may change.
OH, if anyone goes to a place with San Miquel or Guanajuato with an RV----DO NOT GO DOWNTOWN WITH THE RV---or you will be facing a major nightmare.
Gosh, all of this is making me really yearn to get back to the highlands.
Diane
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Bajahowodd
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Hasn't the same thing happened on a smaller scale in Todos Santos?
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Hasn't the same thing happened on a smaller scale in Todos Santos? |
Yes, on a smaller scale---but while Baja has its own history and a few remnants of indigious culture, if one is really interested in those things, the
mainland is a great place to travel.
There is such a diversity of old and newer culture on the mainland, beautiful cities, great universities, museums, small villages where Spanish is a
second language and many old traditions survive, lots of very old ruins---many more than the most famous Mayan and Aztec ruins, and FANTASTIC
food---lots of regional differences --- much very different from what is standard in Baja.
We have been from one end to the other either by bus and or by car, and it is always a unique experience.
OK, I will stop now or I will be packing the truck. Actually, we hope very soon to return to the mainland for an extended trip.
Diane
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tripledigitken
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A very good read about a couple that moved to San Miguel de Allende, fell in love with Mexico, and ultimatley restored a home there is;
" On Mexican Time" by Tony Cohan
Call it a mainland version of "God and Mr Gomez".
Ken
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Bajahowodd
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People seem to forget that Baja was traditionally a step-child to Mexico. The paradise enjoyed by the privileged few back in the 50's, was devoid of
populace. Except for La Paz, which thrived farming pearls, there were few people to be found. Indigenous folks were few. Recall that Mexico offered
Baja to the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase in the 19th century. We didn't want it. Mainland Mexico has a rich cultural history that
includes the indigenous folk, as well as the Europeans. Baja was always La Frontera. The population explosion occurred in the 80's and 90's when
developers needed to import labor from the mainland to build the hotels and time shares. Few of those imports would be considered cultured or
educated. In many ways, Baja is to Mexico as Alaska is to the United States, separated by distance and culture.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Recall that Mexico offered Baja to the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase in the 19th century. We didn't want it. |
While there are lots of versions of all history, my understanding is that The first draft of the Treaty of La Mesilla what became known as the Gadsden
Purchase (primarily wanted for a southern trans-continental RR route) included all of Baja---something some in the US wanted as well as more territory
on the mainland. I understand that Mexico would not accept that, even though it is reported that Santa Ana was personally paid a good sum of money,
and made sure that they maintained a land bridge to Baja.
The native Americans in that area didn't want any part of any of it.
During that period with the ethnocentric name of Manifest Destiny, there were many, especially in the southern slave states who wanted to annex all of
Mexico and Central America.
Now it is time for FDT and his vast knowledge of Baja history to chime in with the "rest of the story".
The most interesting part of history is that it is all pretty much one big debate with few facts and lots of perspective and interpretation. I love
reading the US version of events, and then reading and hearing the version from other countries. As a good friend from Britain always reminds me, the
US War of Independence was the Rebellion of the Colonies and was led by a bunch of traitors!
Diane
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Oso
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For those who enjoy living in gringo enclaves, San Miguel and Ajijic are paramount with Cuernavaca maybe a close third. A recent article (sorry it's
no longer there and I can't find it in archives) in The News had the good news for Ajijic retirees that Lake Chapala (the original one) is now almost
back to normal level. A few years back it was drying up and many gringos feared that the value of their real estate that they had driven up to
ridiculous levels (for Mexico) would drop drastically. Cuernavaca's call is its boringly perfect year-round climate and easy drive to either Mexico
City or Acapulco. None of these are for me. I'm not a "Self-hating gringo" and I've always had American friends in Mexico, but I just prefer living
in MEXICO and I'm perfectly comfortable in a neighborhood where nobody or hardly anybody speaks English. Hell, that describes my neighborhood now and
it's in the USA!
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Udo
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My buddy Oso hit the nail right on the head...
| Quote: | | Why move to a foreign country if one wishes to live among one's own? |
AND when moving to that foreign country, plan on a language immersion. Why should that foreign country (Mexico or otherwise) learn
how to communicate with you?
Right on OSO!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
For those who enjoy living in gringo enclaves, San Miguel and Ajijic are paramount with Cuernavaca maybe a close third. A recent article (sorry it's
no longer there and I can't find it in archives) in The News had the good news for Ajijic retirees that Lake Chapala (the original one) is now almost
back to normal level. A few years back it was drying up and many gringos feared that the value of their real estate that they had driven up to
ridiculous levels (for Mexico) would drop drastically. Cuernavaca's call is its boringly perfect year-round climate and easy drive to either Mexico
City or Acapulco. None of these are for me. I'm not a "Self-hating gringo" and I've always had American friends in Mexico, but I just prefer living
in MEXICO and I'm perfectly comfortable in a neighborhood where nobody or hardly anybody speaks English. Hell, that describes my neighborhood now and
it's in the USA! |
It might surprise some of you how very involved many of the ex-pats in San Miguel are with the local community and the many, many things they have
done---positive things. The negative thing, is the rise in property prices.
It is not at all like Lake Chapala where the communities around the lake are ALL gringo like some of the gringo settlements in Baja---communities
where the only contact with the locals is in restaurants or as workers.
Cuernavaca is also not like the exclusive hidden gringo communities around Lake Chapala. There is a lot of culture and interaction with the
community.
We chose Bahia Asuncion because there was no gringo community---but for better or worse, that is changing.
Some people choose a place like San Miquel, or a place close by, or Cuernavaca because one can learn the language, become immmersed in the culture,
and still have the connection with some familar cultural items, like we really enjoy the Unitarian Fellowship and library in San Miquel.
We do not like Acapulco, but there are some great things in and around Mexico City if one likes history and urban Mexican culture. The zocolo is a
beautiful place.
Yes, there are those in San Miquel who chose to do nothing but hang out in a gringo bar, just the same as in Baja.
But Oso, have you ever been to those places? If not, I suggest you check them out. They are very different.
Diane
[Edited on 1-29-2009 by jdtrotter]
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fishbuck
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Who knows about Guanajuato? I may be going there for a short visit.
If I only have time to see 1 cultural place what is it?
And yes I am visiting a beautiful senorita!
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Udo
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I would make a side trip to visit the historic town of TEQUILA, that is about as cultural as you need to be.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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fishbuck
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Whoa baby!!! There is a town named TEQUILA!???
Sounds like a must see
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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