What is your name?Susan Stewart
What is your current age or age range?
48
What country are you native to?
Scotland
What area of Mexico do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
the state of Yucatan
How long have you lived in Mexico?
2 years
When you moved to Mexico, did you bring your family? What do they think?
No, I came here alone. My family in Scotland and the United States support my decision completely.
Did you leave your family behind? How do you handle the separation?
My family were already living far apart - I was in the U.S. and they are in Britain.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
The love of Mexico and the ability to have the lifestyle I want. Being able to buy a house near the beach, which I could never afford to do in the U.S. The adventure.
Why did you choose Mexico, or what factors helped you to decide to choose Mexico?
I have visited the Yucatan Peninsula for many years and have always loved it. There is enough tourism and industry here to provide jobs for English-speaking people.
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
Not a country - I actually thought about moving to Hawaii from the mainland, but it's too far from Britain for my family to travel with me and very remote.
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
No, I was able to get working papers as I am an experienced instructor.
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
The language!! My Spanish is getting better all the time, but I have a long way to go. It can be frustrating. Fortunately, I have always found the Mexican people to be very forgiving.
What was the biggest mistake you made in the transition to living in Mexico?
Not studying Spanish before I got here.
What was the easiest part of making the transition?
The friendliness of the people.
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
No, I am very happy here.
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
No, I have everything I need here. I wish my family could come and vsiit, but they just can't afford it.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
The English language - big bookstores, Whole Foods supermarket
Are there the same recreational activities in Mexico?
Yes, boating, team sports, etc. Can't think of anything that's missing. They are more inclined to do everything as a family unit - which I think is great.
How easy has it been to make new friends in Mexico?
Very easy. The only true barrier is language.
Do you have many friends from your home country in Mexico?
No, I have only met 2 people from Scotland. But I have met a great many North Americans.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
beachcombing, boating, fishing, eating, birdwatching, watching tv, watching movies
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
English, Chinese food, Netflix, Goodwill stores, crusty French bread, big variety of cheese, bookstores
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
the shopping culture, Tex-Mex food, traffic, mountains, cold weather
Do you speak the language of Mexico?
Sort of!
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Mexico, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
No, you MUST speak the language or you're missing 99% of life
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
I qualify for national health care here and meical care is very inexpensive, anyway
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
I am working. (http://www.kab-yucatan.com)
How do you earn your living in Mexico?
I teach English, sell vacation packages, sell real estate, handle vacation rentals, manage properties, write, etc., etc.
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
Yes, I was an instuctor in the U.S.
How did you go about finding a job in Mexico? Was it easy or hard to locate work and get a job?
It was hard to find work at first, but now I have more than I want!
What types of sources did you use to find a job there? (agency, newspaper, website?)
Word-of-mouth, self-promotion
If you are telecommuting, what obstacles, if any, did you face in setting up your communication methods?
I have a satellite internet connection that won't let me use Skype. I could get a high-speed phone connection now if I need to use online telephony
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
Everything is family oriented, so a single person kind of stands out
What are the top ten things you like about Mexico?
the people, the beach, the food, the history, the lifestyle, Mayan ruins, my friends, my house, my work
What are the top ten things you DON'T like or find strange about Mexico?
i wish they spoke English!The beauraucracy can drive you crazy. They don't have driver's exams so driving can be interesting here. It's growing very rapidly - I have my house, so belive there should be a moratorium on further building(grin)
Do you have plans to move again or travel in the future or what are your future business plans?
I have no current plans to leave
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
I own my home - I had it built.
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
$100,000 for a 3 bedroom beach front home
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
No
Is the cost of living comparable to what you experienced before? Explain the difference.
It's very inexpensive here - water is $3 a month, electricity about $10/month, cable tv $40 a month
List some things that are more expensive in Mexico
clothing, electronics, gasoline(slightly), internet connection, cars
List some things that are less expensive in Mexico
food, utilities, cigarettes, medical care
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
They are very friendly. I have always ben treated with friendship, respect, and a certain degree of curiosity.
What is the best thing about people in Mexico?
Their love of family
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to Mexico?
Learn the language - vsiit here first, rent for a year before buying
What are the good or bad things about living in Mexico?
The best thing is the lifestyle, I've ranted enough about the language, I really can't think of anything bad. Ok, the garbage on the roads, etc. bothers me - we don't have a good garbage disposal system
Do you think you will stay in Mexico, or it is not suitable for the long run?
I believe I will stay here
Do you have any blogs or websites that you find enjoyable about Mexico for people living there?
http://hubpages.com/hub/Food_and_Recipes_of_Yucatan http://hubpages.com/hub/Retiring_in_Yucatan http://www.kab-yucatan.com
What else would you like to say?
Come and see for yourself!
Please enter the name of your Blog
Food and Recipes of Yucatan
Please the url of your Blog
Food and Recipes of Yucatan
