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Babs G.

Babs G.

Active member

American expat in Mexico

Forum

81 posts

Contacts

22

About me

American

Speaks English, Spanish

Registration: 10 August 2014

Activity

Babs G. replied to a thread
3 years ago
myhomemycountry

New but not2 MX--looking for my soulmate city by myhomemycountry

I need some good info and advice. I am retired professional with some health problems looking for a final destination. I have been all over MX, but not recently. If you can help with suggestions or good advice, I would be happy. Here is what I am ...

Babs G.

Check out Veracruz--Coate[ec. Xico, San Marcos--all within easy reach of Xalapa for big city stuff, including a world class orchestraa. No beach, but great climate at about 4000 feet altitude. Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
3 years ago
searun

Expat in Mexico considering relocating by searun

Hello. I'm an American living on the Oaxacan coast these past 5 years. I love Mexico. Change is inevitable, and my slice of paradise made for me a major change. Covid restrictions were ignored in what was a relaxed town with a nice balance of ...

Babs G.

You might want to try moving away from the coast. I lived on the beach in Quintana Roo for 13 years, but we got tired of the heat and the tourists everywhere. Did some research and discovered a small city in Veracruz that is ideal. The tourists are ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
Tony_Amigo

Most Mild Climate? by Tony_Amigo

Hi everybody. My first post here. What cities/regions have the mildest climates in Mexico? I am not a fan of intense heat and humidity, and know that parts of Peru and Ecadour have cooler climates. What about Mexico? Gracias!

Babs G.

I agree with both Travellight and Mexicogc and would add the hills behind Veracruz. Coatepec, Xico, Teocelo, all deserve a look, and if you like larger cities, Xalapa. Not as cold or as high as Zacatecas, and sometimes a little humid, but I have ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
Priscilla

Life as a female expat in Mexico by Priscilla

Hello, While moving to a new country and discovering new cultures is definitely an exciting adventure, everybody experiences it differently. It can be particularly different for women, in both positive and negative ways. What are some positive ...

Babs G.

I agree totally with Travellight. As a woman who lived here with a husband for many years, and now as a widow living alone (cats don't count) for six years, I saw no change in attitude with my change in status. People have been unfailingly ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
jim&nyna

Auto deposits to Mexican banks by jim&nyna

How do we handle US Social Security and pension deposits while living in Mexico? Can we open a local bank account without residency status? We'd like to use pesos and avoid any fees on transferring from dollars to pesos.

Babs G.

For several years now, I've had my social security deposited directly to my Mexican bank account (Santander). I have had no problem, but in order to set it up I had to register my Mexican address. As I recall, I also had to stop by the embassy ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
Priscilla

Intercultural relationships in Mexico by Priscilla

Hello, We invite you to share some fun anecdotes and information regarding intercultural marriages and relationships in Mexico. This will provide some insight to current and future expats regarding relationship norms in mixed relationships and ...

Babs G.

For 25 years in Quintana Roo and in Veracruz I have never had a Mexican family abuse my hospitality! I've never heard of anything like that either, and I frequently eat out with Mexican friends. No one joins us unless specifically invited. Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
lomadean

Handicap accessibility for wheelchair bound individuals by lomadean

I am beginning to consider retirement options in Mexico. I am wondering about handicap accessibility for a wheelchair bound individual. Any expats living in Mexico who can speak on this issue? So far, I am looking at the Lake Chapala area. Thank you ...

Babs G.

Where I live (Coatepec, Veracruz) I can find handicapped parking in all supermarket lots, none on the street. I don't use a wheelchair (yet) but do depend on a cane. Most downtown street corners have ramps, and although the sidewalks are seldom ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
CasaColibri

long time resident seeks advice from other long-timers by CasaColibri

I refuse to call us "old-timers"! That brings up an image of toothless dotterers. (My apologies to any denture-wearers or jubilados... Is there a specific word in Spanish for long-time expats?? Like "sourdoughs in Alaska? ...

Babs G.

I think it probable that anyone who has been here as long as you (and I) have will have become happily entrenched in their niches. Your cohousing plan is interesting, but except for the possibility of visiting to see how it works, I don’t plan ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
6 years ago
SpaceLobster

Best city with interesting surroundings by SpaceLobster

Hi, So I am thinking of moving to Mexico but I am not sure where exactly yet. I was thinking of Playa del Carmen but I am afraid there isn’t much to do beyond beach activities and the nightlife. My fiancée is a photographer so she wants ...

Babs G.

Hi Chris-- Guanajuato is all very well, and I'm sure it's a nice place, but I recommend Coatepec, Veracruz as the ideal. Small, yet close to a larger town (Xalapa) which has a world-class symphony, an excellent museum, and several ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
7 years ago
pymove

naturalizing as a mexican with a mexican born child by pymove

Dear all, Is it true that parents of mexican born child can be naturalized as citizens of mexico after living for two years in mexico. I have read on the govt site that after living for four years in mexico, a person can apply for ...

Babs G.

I have been a naturalized Mexican since 2008, but I have no Mexican children. I am also a widow, living alone; my husband was not naturalized. A different situation, but I might be able to help. I do know someone who became a Mexican after giving ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
7 years ago
frankg69

What's the cost of lunch in cheap cafes/market? by frankg69

I'm in Ensenada now,and a small horrible lunch in ANY cafe here costs at least 80 pesos(4.60 USD)I used to live in Mzt and remember the food was good and cheap. I plan to move there and eat at "go native greasy spoons" most of the ...

Babs G.

Comida corrida in Coatepec, Veracruz is 50 pesos in several places. Taco stands and the counters in the market cost less. Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
7 years ago
Itobys

growing garden in Mexico by Itobys

Since I am still trying to figure out the best place to move, I wanted to ask this question. I like to eat healthy, lots of fruits and veggies. I know they are cheap in Mexico but having my small farm is my ultimate goal. After travelling for a year ...

Babs G.

Things are a little different in the hills. I have a friend with a small coffee farm; she also grows tomatoes and strawberries. I have a really small garden, mostly full of flowers, but I do grow basil, ginger and curcuma. I couldn't grow ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
7 years ago
Itobys

Mexico public beaches by Itobys

Hello everyone! While I am torn between some inland places in Mexico and beach towns, since I love sun and love to swim in warm ocean waters, I wanted to ask this question. My only exposure to Mexico was going to Zihuatanejo this past June. ...

Babs G.

Yes, I went through 2 or 3 hurricanes while on the Caribbean coast. Only one was of any consequence, and did no damage to us personally. Hurricanes and storms are inevitable on either coast, but usually only during about 4 months a year. Preparation ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
7 years ago
Itobys

Mexico public beaches by Itobys

Hello everyone! While I am torn between some inland places in Mexico and beach towns, since I love sun and love to swim in warm ocean waters, I wanted to ask this question. My only exposure to Mexico was going to Zihuatanejo this past June. ...

Babs G.

I lived for about 7 years on the Caribbean coast, and I like it better than the west coast. There are some places on that coast that are truly special. Bacalar, for example, is a town not on the coast, but on a 27 mile long fresh water lake. ... Read More

Babs G. replied to a thread
7 years ago
travellight

How have you dealt with the earthquake by travellight

Just wanted to shout out to those of you more directly impacted by the quake. I know any city near Mexico city and Guadalajara have to have been impacted. How are you ?

Babs G.

Even though the epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, we felt it in the Veracruz hills. A full minute of gentle rocking woke me about midnight, A friend called from Xalapa, and my current house guest came in to talk for a while. It was some time ... Read More