Why do you live in Cancun?

[V]

We live in Cancun because, after seventeen years of living and working in Asia, we wanted to get away from those long flights, and painful jet lag that came with making family trips to the U.S. To be nearer the U.S., we focused on Mexico south to Panama.

Using the internet we looked at things like health care, general quality of life, and immigration policies. Of the countries we considered, Mexico and Panama came out best, in our estimation. We visited a couple of places in Mexico, then Panama City. (We had ruled out Cancun ahead of time as being "too touristy". Thus, we only scheduled an overnight in Cancun on our travels, just to make a connecting flight.)

When it was all said and done, our brief overnight visit to Cancun convinced us we should come back for another look! We're now almost six months into it and liking Cancun better all the time.

We wanted to be near the sea, and in Cancun, we've got the Caribbean. We wanted a warm climate, and those of you who live here know we've got that, all right! We wanted to live somewhere that the culture appealed to us and, as we get to know Spanish better, the culture here is appealing to us more and more. We wanted to be reasonably safe (Asia had spoiled us, in this regard) and Cancun is, by reputation, one of the safest big cities in Mexico. (It strikes me as about as safe as I felt in Dallas, Texas, as long as I avoided bad neighborhoods.)

We wanted to be near an international airport, and Cancun's is just 30 minutes from the center.

We're getting older, so health care was an issue. That requirement caused us to rule out a number of Central American countries, with Panama being the outstanding exception: extremely good, low cost, U.S. standard health care is available there.

The level of health care available in Cancun strikes me as reasonable, if not the highest. For example, it is possible to get a cardiac catheterization here- the sine qua non of adequate treatment for a heart attack (Hospital Hospiten, in Cancun, only: next nearest is Merida).

Mexico has liberal immigration policies for those who are financially self-sufficient; and, for those who are able to earn a living without displacing a Mexican citizen from a job. It is not particularly expensive to get a visa to live here, long term, and the conditions placed on it are not particularly onerous. (Panama was much more expensive; for example, you were not permitted to apply for a visa yourself, but had to appoint an attorney to act for you, at U.S. 2,500, and up.)

We are enjoying that we are only a few hours away from our families- important if you have aging parents, or children to visit. We are enjoying that where we live is attractive to our friends and family, as a vacation destination, meaning we see more of them without being too close. We are enjoying the range of activities available here, and the weather that allows you to do them. We are getting better acquainted with the full range of cultural activities available here. In short, things appear to be working out....

While Mexico is not one of the cheapest, nice places to live in the world, it is not one of the most expensive, either, and we're satisfied, so far, with the overall cost of living, here.

We like living abroad, and Mexico has given us just one more option....

What are some of the reasons you chose Cancun?

[coby]

Our move was part desire and part necessity

The necessity part was that Laura's US visa was expiring at the end of July, so coming back to Mexico for her was really the only option.

Coming to Cancun specifically (although we ended up in Playa) was mostly mitigated from my personal wishes, as Laura originally wanted to go to Guadalajara -- and wasn't keen on Cancun. Good thing I changed her mind!

My big reasons for wanting to come here, in no particular order:

-Becoming truly fluent in Spanish. This is my second time living in Mexico and despite years of studying and living with a partner who speaks very little English, I still haven't reached that goal. Like most things, the last 10% is the hardest :/

-I wanted a slower pace of life with the option to go faster if needed; not a necessity to constantly be moving and shaking. Living in the US in a metro area can be soul crushing. It's actually hard to describe the [seemingly mandatory] hustle and bustle that comes with even the simplest things back in the US. I will never miss that. Living in the rural US might slow things back down a bit, but um yeah, living in the country has all kinds of other downsides.

-Getting back to the sea. Maybe the most important factor for me was that I was simply sick of the snow and sub zero temperatures and the lack of the ocean, and at the same time wasn't willing to spend the money necessary to live in LA or Florida again. Here we have the climate of Miami (with warmer winter waters actually!) at a fraction of the cost. In this regard, QRoo hasn't disappointed in the slightest.

-And finally, shortly before we came here I was able to finish off my student loans and essentially be totally debt free. Before giving into the debt-heavy culture of the US and taking out a mortgage/new car/whatever I wanted one more adventure. The timing was right job-wise too as I had just started my own virtual business and so a US working location was no longer important.

So yeah, necessity and desire Being in QRoo is actually incredibly different than being in Zacatecas (and obviously the US) and I think it might be the most ideal retirement destination for us. At least, I hope we retire here! Running a business over the internet has proven extremely tricky and often frustrating and I'm not convinced I'd want to start a family here. But most of the time, a morning swim will clear my head and the days just keep ticking away.

V: Where did you live in Asia?

[TraceyUk]

V - where in Asia.?I used to live in Thailand and Hong Kong.
My husbands job bought us to Cancun from the UK.
Tracey

[V]

Nice to hear from you guys, this is fun! I felt people would have interesting stories to tell about what led them to choose Cancun (or, as in your case, Coby, Playa).

[TraceyUK, and Coby, we lived in Almaty, Kazahkstan; Kunming, China; and, Hanoi, Vietnam. I divided part of the time in China and Vietnam with Bangkok,Thailand- commuting to do a job there. We have a lot of fond memories of each place.]

[TraceyUk]

V there is a fantastic book about expats- written my a female expat who is trailing around the world with her husband. Its called "Diplomatic baggage" and had me rolling with laughter and recognition form page one.
Its a delight to read.
It starts in Kazahkstan.
Tracey

[RiverGirl]

Here's why we live in Cancun:
- Agreeable weather
- Busy airport with lots of direct flights home
- A good economy (for Mexico)
- Lots of expats here (nice ones, who put up with my bitching)

Here's why I wish we didn't live in Cancun:
- People can't put their garbage in the proper receptacle
- People lie and think they are being polite
- People treat animals like dirt here
- People say they love their children but don't put seatbelts on them
- There's little to no protection of the environment here
- Rule of law is a joke here

[rawkus]

RG: The list "Why I wish we didn't live in Cancun" could be made veeery long unfortunately... :?

I see Cancun as an adventure, but this is def not the place where we want to settle down for good...

Fun for a couple of years, but now I'm aching to just get out and take a breath of fresh air.

[gene37412]

RG...One of the main reason I left was that there is/were 2 differnt prices for most everything at the local markets/bars. One if you are Mexican and another, higher if not. Its has if they don't see a non-mexican human being....they just see dollar signs. Glad to be away from there and back in the good ole U.S. of A.

[mormis]

V,

i moved there from mexico city because i wanted to be around tourists and speak in english most of the time (being mexican and not knowing many people from other countries made that feeling stronger lol) i always liked english and i think im not THAT bad at it... so thats one of the reasons.

i also had the chance to move to 2 other states within mexico: Queretaro and Puebla, but i gotta be honest, i only moved to Cancun because i wanted to party 24/7, which i did.

I totally loved Cancun, and would like to live there sometime again... hopefully soon! being back at Mexico City is not cool... at all!

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by gene37412

RG...One of the main reason I left was that there is/were 2 differnt prices for most everything at the local markets/bars. One if you are Mexican and another, higher if not. Its has if they don't see a non-mexican human being....they just see dollar signs. Glad to be away from there and back in the good ole U.S. of A.

Sory for drifting off thread, but this one needs to be answered. Over and over again, we have found that if you state in Spanish that you are a local and not a tourist you can drive prices down. Aside from the usual Zona Hotelera restaurant discounts, we have found this to be true at Mercado 28, Mercado 23 and many of places we shop for all kinds of supplies, from electrical and hardware items on Lopez Portillo, to little restaurants and food stores all over town and even the ocassional extortionist...I mean transito looking to prey on a tourist, although I recently lost one of those to a hundred peso mordita.

If you insist on being an expat with an "everything is better north of the border attitude" you are basically begging to be treated as such. If you embrace the culture, the language and the differences, most of the time your efforts will be recognized.

Because I speak New Yorican and give off all kinds of other Yanqui clues (sometimes I think I have "Gringo" written on my forehead) ocassionally I'll have to flash my drivers license. My wife, on the other hand, gets away with it just on the basis of her flawless Spanish. Or maybe it's the way she looks...

[TraceyUk]

Sorry Mixz but we have found time and time again- we do get quoted different prices for everything.My husband speaks fabulous spanish but I guess he still has the accent. When we have phoned about house rentals - he can call and be given one price and then we get a Mexican friend to call and it comes down- same if we send car to a mechanic, call a plummer or any workman. We have just accepted it, our Mexican friends laugh about it.We totally embrace our new home here and its culture - but the truth is we are still foreigners here and at times we get ripped off.
My husband works with other expats married to Mexicans and they all get the Mexican spouse to deal with things concerning bartering..............its just how it is.
It certainly doesn't make me want to leave though.
Tracey

[RiverGirl]

I agree with Mixz1, to some extent. I often go out without the Mexican hubby and have to negotiate things on my own. If I negotiate in Spanish and tell them I am a local the prices do come down. Maybe the prices don't come down to the level a Mexican would pay, but they come down a lot. In general if I over pay for something it's because I don't bother to fight the good fight and get the price down.

Now I do have a cheapskate Mexican husband to negotiate all of the big tickets items for me. So my negotiating skills only really get used for cheap stuff anyway.

[Steve]

Why do I live in Cancun?

For me it started about 12 years ago. My second time on holiday here, met a beautiful 22 yr old Mexican girl in Dady Rock (of all places!) and some time later ended up taking her back to England, where we lived for 6 years together and got married.

We vacationed to Cancun a few times every year and loved the place so much we wanted to find a way to move there permanently. Started this website in 2002 as a hobby but it quickly became a business. After a while the website brought me a greater income than my day job, we sold up and moved.

Been here 5 yrs now. I dont think we'll live here forever, but we'll certainly be here for a good few years yet.

Will always wonder what might have been had I gone to Coco Bongo that night instead :wink:

[V]

[I want to comment on the two price system people are talking about but first, for those who don't live here, let me say that in the large stores/supermarkets/convenience stores, etc., and in many of the other places you will shop, everything is price posted, and this is not an issue.]

But, referring to the "two price" system under discussion, it does add an extra burden to us who are from other, perhaps richer, countries. It seems to exist in two forms, an official form in which official fees for park entrance, etc., are set higher for foreigners than for locals; and, in the unofficial form, in terms of higher prices being asked us by vendors/service providers.

In Mexico, in most instances it seems, those who have gotten permission to live in Mexico are no longer charged the higher, tourist, rates when it comes to official fees, but are allowed the local rate, instead. As for the other, non official, charges asked by vendors/service providers, it seems to me they are just trying to be good businessmen, and sizing up the customer.
______________

A two price system has existed in every foreign country I've lived in- now a total of six. That it exists is no longer shocking to me.

In those situations where I must negotiate a price, I try to do a little research to find out what locals are paying for the same thing, then offer a little less than that. In most- but not all- cases I get a reasonable price in light of what others are paying. However, if the seller is unyeilding, as they sometimes are, I shrug, walk away, and buy from someone else; or, not at all.

If I'm dealing with the same people, day after day- for example, in a fresh produce market- they quickly learn they must give me a reasonable price or I won't do business with them. If they refuse to lower the price they are asking, I always give them a "second chance" another day, never refusing to do business with someone who first tried to charge me too much, but later reconsidered. They are, after all, just businessmen, and human.

I don't enjoy having to do this- it would be simpler if I didn't- but I am used to it and can do it impassionately, now, most of the time....

[cunspin]

The 2 price system exists in the USA as well, Locals always get preferred Pricing. Try going to any community pool the cost is different if you are not a resident in that township or City.
I see nothing wrong with a discount for locals especially in a City that lives almost 100% on Tourism. I bet the parks in Orlando charge locals a preferential rate.
Bartering exists for all it just comes down to how good you are at it. Speaking the language Helps....a lot!

[V]

Amazingly good point, Cunspin, now that I think about it!

"Out of state" tuition; "Nonresident" hunting/fishing license- the list must be a long one, indeed, even in the U.S.

[cunspin]

You can't even get fishing and Hunting licences unless you can prove your a resident in many places.

[gene37412]

What about the rude people....take for instance Plaza Las Americus.....try walking along that mall and staying to the right while doing a little window shopping.....how many times are you going to get run over because the Mexicans seem to have no clue about how to be polite.

What about the traffic accidents? I took a brand new car to Cancun. Got hit twice in WalMart parking lot and the rude people just drove off. The 3rd time I get hit I was approaching my car and saw it happen. The guy just started laughing at me when i questioned him about repairing the damage. I got so mad I went to my car, took out the jack handle and busted hiw windshield. VIVA USA.....screw Mexico and the Mexicans

[mormis]

Originally Posted by gene37412

VIVA USA.....screw Mexico and the Mexicans

not the coolest thing to say in a Cancun forum... lol

[Steve]

Originally Posted by mormis

not the coolest thing to say in a Cancun forum... lol

I agree, tone it down a bit Gene please.

I think perhaps your comments indicate a little why you couldnt get on here.

[cunspin]

I think that there is something to be said about the Law of Attractions.

[gene37412]

Steve -

My bad...its just as you and I spoke of many times Cancun is a great place if one can get over the culture....I never could. I just have more respect for my fellow man and their property and the locals seems to have.

[RiverGirl]

Gene is right that you often feel that in Cancun it's "every man for himself." Especially when it comes to driving. I've never had my car get hit in a parking lot before, but here it's been hit 3 times. It's really common. Lots of people here can't drive, or park. Another reason to shop at Costco which has the largest parking spaces in the city!!

[mixz1]

Originally Posted by gene37412

Steve -

My bad...its just as you and I spoke of many times Cancun is a great place if one can get over the culture....I never could. I just have more respect for my fellow man and their property and the locals seems to have.

Gene-I think the first thing you need to do is update your profile to reflect the location of the Utopia you've obviously returned to, since you're no longer in Cancun.

As to your perception of respect, having lived in New York, and having worked in Los Angeles, Rome and London, my perception of the amount of respect I get from my Mexican friends and neighbors seems to be at odds with yours.

I got bumped on the streets of New York far more frequently than I do here, with the added attraction of having to wonder if my pocket was being dipped into as well. As far as repect for property, the number of door dings and bumper shots I got in the garage of our "DeLuxe Condominium" in New York, inflicted on my cars by my upscale neighbors, about equaled the Walmart dings I've gotten here. Now, I just park away from everyone and walk a bit.

I will concede that the line jumping that goes on here would get you shot in New York, but that's a cultural difference and not "bad" behavior. To the contrary, I find most Mexicans to be patient beyond measure (i.e. the bank lines on Friday afternoon) and polite.

I will also concede that if Cancun is not the "real" Mexico, the Hotel Zone is not the "real" Cancun, and the defference that we expats that live here in the ZH receive may be beyond the norm. Nevertheless, the examples of kind and considerate behavior I've received far outweigh the line jumpers.

As an example; Driving my friend to the airport, I experienced a flat tire. During the time it took to change the tire 3 vehicles stopped with offers to help. The best one was a bus driver, who seeing the luggage on the side of the road stopped and asked if I needed him to take my friend to the airport. In New York or LA, they would have probably just stolen the luggage. In Rome they would have stolen the luggage, emptied our pockets, changed the tire and stolen the car.

As I said in my previous post, and as you seem to understand, if you cannot embrace the culture and language and parse the differences in what is considered "normal" perhaps you will never be able to make the adjustment.

[rawkus]

Cancun is like a bucket of crabs: If one is about to make it large, the others will simply do whatever it takes to drag this fellow back down :shock:

One thing that simply amazes me here: If someone pulls up in a new car, parking at their respective work-parking lot, it only takes until after lunch and this new car has been keyed/scratched...

This has happened sooo many times and I know places where they have a 100% record (1 new car - scratched within 2 days... 7 new cars - all scratched within 2 days etc.)

Sad really, but I hardly blame it on Mexico - these places hire approx "half and half" regarding nationalities... Sad and retarded nonetheless :?

The one thing that has made me last so far is the ocean :lol:

Regardless if ones experience has been/is negative, there are ALWAYS good things to learn.

The lack of respect towards animals and environment is what ticks me off the most - before arriving I read things such as "eco-paradise" and "eco-tourism heaven" etc. but that facade came down pretty fast...

If Mexico were to overhaul their to-the bone corrupt system, then this country could truly be paradise.

The laws are there - just reinforce them :?

[cunspin]

Well said, Mix.

[gene37412]

Mix...your point is well taken. For me...I spent 26 years in the USMC...lived in and was assigned to 8 differnt countries and who knows how many states in the U.S. I just found the people of Cancun to be the worst I ever come across...and that includes 13 months in Viet Nam when all hell was breaking loose. On the average, or at least my experience, with the people of Cancun was so far below anything that I have ever come across. I found the people to be rude, can't drive, can't park, don't care about anything but themselves and in general seems to have an attitude of "lets see how much we can rip off the gringo". Surprislingy It seemed to be worse in SM15 where I lived. Now that really surprised me because that is one of the more up scale areas....of course not as much as you down in the HZ. Take for instance the monthly maintenance fee that most condo/apartments have. Try to get the owners to pay on time....its like pulling teeth...and those funds only go to improve or maintain their own property! I just found the people of Cancun to have no respect or concern for anything but themselves.

[gbchayctca]

Well, it clearly doesn't sound like Mexico was for you. And you didn't find that things improved as your Spanish improved? People's attitudes can definitely be a self-fulfilling prophecy...if one expects rudeness and starts an interaction with a chip on one's shoulder, one can hardly expect the other parties involved to work so hard to change the interaction around to a positive one.

[RiverGirl]

My (Mexican) husband was talking yesterday about how much more attractive this area would be to tourists if people here (and the Government here) would ACTUALLY protect the environment.

Tourists aren't dumb. They notice right away that the whole eco-tourism thing here is a big fat lie. If a hotel here is "eco" it usually means it was built off the grid, it doesn't mean the owner even recycles his newspaper.

If there was true respect for the land here then claims of eco-anything would be convincing and a lot more people would want to come here.

The same goes for public safety. The correct perception many tourists have is that Mexico largely ignores public safety. And what is it that scares tourists away?? Fear for their own safety! Ask anyone here who markets to tourists, they will tell you that combating safety concerns is the toughest part of marketing this area to tourists.

If Mexico could truly shore up public safety, in a convincing, honest way, then this area would attract more tourists.

Many of the things that make it hard for me to live here and issues that, if solved, would make lots more people want to visit here. There's a deserved image problem here.

[gene37412]

RG well said....as you and I talked about at Scott's parties its just different and not for everybody. I went there with an open mind and tried my best to get along. But after 3 years there just got fed up with it all. The jungle across the street from my apartment is a prime example of the eco you refer to. Lots of wild life there but the locals used it as a trash dump. I can't count the times I saw taxi drivers and even the police stop....walk into the jungle pulling thier pants down along the way, and come back get in the car and drive away. I just could never get over how badly the system and the locals screwed up paradise.