Mexico City has four major bus stations, which have multiple bus routes to different parts of the country. Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon, Portugal | Photo by Stephen Knowles Photography Where? Foreigners are accepted and welcomed - Colombians are extremely easy to get to know and you will soon feel like you're part of their family. Colombia is a far more interesting country to me. If your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of Mexico,you are probably eligible for residency. But, the idea of moving abroad can be overwhelming. If youre moving to Mexico from North America, most (if not all) of your electronics will still work. Where would you prefer to live, Mexico or Colombia, and why? Nice to hear Oaxaca has a good climate. a) avoid panic b) Not to scare tourists away. . Wil yes, theyre two different types of cities, and I imagine, living experiences. Id still visit Columbia although not live there long term like I would in Mexico. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If your ideal plan is to move permanently, you will need to continuously reside in the country for no less than one year. The Mexican Immigration Department is used for U.S. citizen applications and American documentation. Really? The confirmation bias is real here. The warmth and closeness of the people translates towards a very laid-back, welcoming vibe that Mexicans have in absolute strides. Many expats are lured by the vibrant culture and increasingly international communities. Not the tourists. Interesting post. Please make use of our incredibly practical. Its 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of coast to the north are bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and its 800 miles (1,300 km) of coast to the west are washed by the Pacific Ocean. They offer virtual courses online or in-person lessons in many Mexican cities and towns. I also didnt dig the regional Mexican music and mariachi bands to the same degree I enjoy vallenato. For a full list of prohibited items, talk to the company . I desperately want to move, to either Colombia or Mexico (or 3rd place Italy). These are intended for people moving to Mexico for more than six months and those seeking Mexican citizenship. Batteries. 1. Hi, we're Alison and Alastair, We're here to help you choose your next home abroad or make a move abroad easier! 3 Some other posts you might enjoy reading: In this post, you will learn how to move to Mexico and what are 8 important things you should know if you're planning to settle down in one of beautiful Mexican cities. Use our experience to get the right cover at the right priceClick here to get a quote from our recommended Expat Health insurance providers. Long-term visitors and locals in bigger cities drink tap water. Medelln is a city with a more neutral and stable climate with temperatures ranging between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Beach towns in Mexico, such as Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, and San Miguel De Allende, have tropical and hot weather all year round. The two countries share a 2,000-mile-long border, and most major airports offer direct flights to American air travel hubs. I already know from friends that you can rent an apartment in Playa del Carmen for $300 a month, which is similar to what Im paying for just a room in Medellin. You obviously didnt head into the mountains in the center. ), Family Unity (your common-law partner or spouse is a temporary or permanent resident in Mexico. I was eating at a lot of tourist-oriented restaurants, especially on the Yucatan. When a newcomer asked if Colombians are friendly, one expat answered, "There are friendly people everywhere in this country. Colombia. Many of the central cities and towns and sierras make-up the more pleasant/temperate weather of the country (I understand Medelln has a semi-tropical weather) David, Oaxaca vs Medellin is a very tough call, but I think I would choose Oaxaca. Tie. We also will bring our small dog. We have 6 universities and UVA is an hour away. Those are my main peeves. I would definitely prefer the food in Mexico but I would prefer the nightlife in Colombia. I even so a brush fire along a highway on the way to Guadalajara. Mexico is filled with old, whiny American/Canadian retirees and I want no part of that. Backstreets and non touristy areas. I mostly drank Coronas, and strawberry daiquiris at the beach (dont judge). Show youve had an average monthly investment balance of USD$36,000 during the past twelve months. This is a close call, and made all the harder by the fact that I was always on the tourist trail in Mexico. Now that the safety concerns of decades past have mostly been eliminated, Colombia is a compelling country to move. Its hard to find a greener city than Medellin. After four years of living in Mexico, you can apply for permanent residency. I live in the lovely Ajijic, at Lake Chapala area, in the state of Jalisco. Of course, trouble can happen even in paradise, and when it comes to ongoing drug wars that have plagued Mexico for years, the violent murders that have happened in the country remain in the back of every persons mind who steps foot in the country. An investment in property will also qualify you for this visa, although you'll have to spend a little more (around $90,000). You can generally wait until you get to Mexico to open a local bank account. Im not saying Medellin or Colombia is right for everyone. Also, there is a peculiarly large amount of Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian, Jewish, and German communities. The Mexico Immigration Office no longer allows tourists to visit Mexico for up to 180-days automatically. You need a letter from the bank or a bank statement that you earn a minimum of $2000 per month or have investments of over $102,000 for each applicant. Colombia. Ive lived in northern VA 18 years (been to Richmond), and before that suburban NJ and NY. Life in Medellin: 7 Things That Will Surprise You About Living 10 Traditional Dishes to Try When Visiting Colombia (2019 Update), 10 Exotic Fruits You Have to Eat in Colombia (2019 update), All the Best Bubble Tea Spots in Medelln. Let me know in the comments below! Im in Portugal, I have all of that but its time to head home. Mexico is a beautiful country and a wonderful place for Expats to move to. As long as your license from your home country is current, you can use it to drive legally in Mexico. You can walk around Medellin on any given day (or Pereira, which is a cleaner, calmer version of Medellin) and not see another gringo. You will be informing the Canadian Revenue Agency(CRA) about your departure. while bogot is very cold. Take a second to support Medellin Living on Patreon! Ive been living in Mexico for more than 7 years. Of course, if you go super local, and eat as the locals do, avocados, tomatillos, potatoes and the like can be had for super cheap, and super high quality as well. Colombia is a big country. Robert Nelson, co-owner of the online magazine Expats in Mexico, said that hiring an international moving company to your possessions to Mexico can cost more than $20,000. Buying a property in the country can also be a solid investment as, although slow, house prices are continually rising. These cookies do not store any personal information. If you are a Chile, Colombia, or Peru citizen, you may be eligible for the Pacific Alliance Working Holiday Visa in Mexico. However, we still advise using a quality Mexican Immigration lawyer to ensure you choose the correct residency option and successfully apply. Soon, abortion rights supporters across the region, from Mexico to Paraguay, Brazil to Colombia, were wearing or brandishing green handkerchiefs the symbol of Argentina's abortion rights . Making the switch is easy. The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA) The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA) provides a unique opportunity for Colombians who wish to move to Canada. First steps upon planning a move to Mexico Contact the Internal Revenue Service First thing first, you have decided to make a move to Mexico, so inform the relevant authorities. Published August 8, 2022 | Last Updated October 17, 2022 Written by Alastair Johnson. This post seems a tad biased. Sign up to receive weekly updates with our best stories direct to your Inbox, plus special offers and event news. Mexico is more safe and organized The price for a one-year temporary residency card is 4,739 pesos ($229); the fee for permanent residency is 5,776 pesos ($279). To qualify, you must be between 18 and 30 years old. I observed that if you come from a first-world country where all systems are easy (like Europe, Australia, US or Canada), you will see a lot of disadvantages of moving to Mexico. I have never felt unsafe in Mexico, and yes the beaches on the Riviera are wonderful (much better than the Pacific side), and overall, its just easy. Ive put off Mexico, but have grown more curious recently, especially because its a short hop from the US When is the shoulder season exactly? It's perfectly legal for people moving to Mexico to buy land and property there and, compared to other countries, costs are very low. Hi Jeremiah, thanks for using our blog. If he's not researching the latest visa, immigration, and residency opportunities he's either hiking or scuba diving. Several world health publications rank Mexico as a country with an accessible and affordable healthcare system. In my time spent in living in various cities framed by the azure waters of the Mayan Rivera, as well as my travels all over the country, I encountered many things that stood out to me, for better or for worse, that I thought definitely gave me a great overall view of what life as an American expat is really like south of the border. Yesterday I wrapped up a 5-week exploratory trip through Mexico. Mexico: In law, a person with a criminal record for DUI from the past 10 years is not permitted to enter Mexico, though anecdotally speaking, people do visit Mexico with DUIs due to the fact that Mexican authorities do not have access to Canadian criminal record databases. I met up with a friend of a friend there, and she mentioned that one of the reasons theres not a lot of serious crime in Guadalajara (drug violence) is thats where the cartel leaders live, and they dont want a war in their backyard. I think the fact that you only know Mexico as a tourist really warped your perceptions of it. Prove a monthly tax-free income greater than USD$2,170 during the past six months. Playa del Carmen, for example, barely has a salsa-specific bar. I love Antioquia climate and In mexico especially in the south you are obliged to use Air conditioning every day. Migration history. How did you find Medellin as a place to retire. The low cost of basic necessities like fresh produce and even luxuries like eating out is often more affordable in Mexico. You'll be asked to upload your phone bill from the current provider. Click here to connect to an immigration lawyer. If things dont happen exactly the way (or speed) you are used to, getting frustrated wont help. As most locals only speak Spanish, youll generally miss out if you dont decide to learn at least some Spanish. Great to see you here, and youre right, Im not familiar with Guanajuato or San Miguel. Vamos! Users are as much a part of the problem as the gangs fighting to supply them. Please check out our International Money Transfer guide for the best ways to move money to Mexico. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. As David lee mentioned you have to at least look at per capita incidents between these two. Mexico. The answers to those questions will decide the type of Mexico visa you need. Lol. Its one of a small handful of Latin American restaurants to make the list, along with Astrid & Gaston in Lima. That said, though I personally believe Mexico is on the whole a very safe country for foreigners on the whole, precautions to avoid certain areas in the north and center regions of the country, as well as simply exercising simple common sense, can go a long way towards keeping you and your loved ones safe, should you choose to move to Mexico, and make this country your new home. It is huge and its one of the most biodiverse countries , more so than Colombia and it has 9 out of the 11 climates of the planet. The quick and straightforward answer - no, tap water is not safe to drink in Santa Marta. Well there you have it 10 Different Things to Consider when moving to Mexico! The weather argument is silly. If you stay longer than six months, you can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa at the Mexican consulate nearest you to start the temporary residency process. I heard less salsa and reggaeton in Mexico as well, though it could be a different story in the non-touristy bars and clubs. Medelln, Colombia Medelln has grown tremendously in popularity over the last few years. Like somebody else mentioned, Guanajuato and similar central colonial towns. And btw, Im from NC, but have lived in Mexico City. And Im not even going to wonder if those deaths were because of a stupid drunk frat kid in Tijuana who picked a fight with the wrong guy or was a tourist actually traveling on drug business. Why limit yourself? And while it is extremely unlikely to ever affect tourists, as most of the cartel violence happens usually far away from where the tourists and expats live, it hasnt been unheard of for foreigners to be occasionally caught up in the mix, as some shootings in Playa Del Carmen nightclubs, or on the once hallowed beaches of Acapulco would tell you. I always found better weather a silly argument as some people love the volatile seasonal changes and some like a steady climate. We, foreigners, are great targets for them since theyre dollars in the picture. An apartment in the centre of Mexico City would cost approximately 1,050 per square metre. I reached the end of the 10-point list, and realized Ryan didnt list girls or dating culture as criteria. Save hundreds of dollars by getting accredited moving companies to compete for your business. It's like having Spring year-round. 1.7 Bringing your Furries. Mexicos proximity to the United States is exactly why I havent taken the time to visit in the past. You can really compare Mxico to Colombia, both speak spanish but are very different countries. If you move to Mexico, prepare to loosen your belt a few notches, because you are going to be wanting to eat non-stop! 1 year - 3,519 pesos (approx. I feel Colombia is safer, but idk. You will even find famous supermarket chains like Walmart, Home Depot, and Costco in the country. The number of tourists visiting Colombia is now more than 2 million per year (not 1 million) per Worldbank and is increasing each year. 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To your Inbox, plus special offers and event news supply them live, Mexico or,. Answers to those questions will decide the type of Mexico visa you need least look at per capita between. Not safe to drink in Santa Marta i desperately want to move, to either Colombia or Mexico ( speed. As a tourist really warped your perceptions of it ever lived in Mexico the answers to questions... Than Medellin non-touristy bars and clubs direct flights to American air travel hubs visitors and locals in bigger cities tap. Many expats are lured by the fact that you only know Mexico a... In Mexico City home Depot, and most major airports offer direct to. Country and a wonderful place for expats to move permanently, you can really compare Mxico to Colombia and. Though it could be a recognized and registered spouse or partner per local laws,,. X27 ; s like having Spring year-round is not safe to drink Santa... When moving to Mexico in popularity over the Last few years for a list! 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