tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post6868511359769558210..comments2024-03-25T15:17:04.488-07:00Comments on Captain Capitalism: Gringolandia en Mexico: A Paradise LostCaptain Capitalismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620212946121617985noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-80659461061649108542019-12-17T13:02:09.570-08:002019-12-17T13:02:09.570-08:00PS
Spain and Portugal are great, but not cheap,...PS<br /> Spain and Portugal are great, but not cheap, not really even affordable. Malaysia is a pretty good choice if you’re willing to live in Asia, or at least it used to be good when I was there. Crime is low, not really cheap like Indonesia, but still affordable, not crammed full of tourists, easy to get around, not many hustles, great food. Main issue is that it’s a long flight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-39626421726409688262019-12-17T12:15:42.299-08:002019-12-17T12:15:42.299-08:00My take on MX is that I would leave if it got bad ...My take on MX is that I would leave if it got bad where I am. I wouldn’t buy a house or open a business, or make any kind of long term commitment . That said it’s still pretty easy to get set up here, you can rent furnished apartments and you don’t need a car. If you look and act poor people seem to leave you alone more. The worst scams seem to be in big tourist beach towns, inland cities less so. The least corrupt city is Queretaro, but not a big community of expats, I spent a few months there. The paperwork for residency is easy, otoh I know people who have lived in Mx many years on a tourist card, they just renew at the Guatemalan border every 6 months. I know one guy without residency, he stays about 10 months a year, has only had to pay a fine for overstay once in maybe 15 years. It’s not for everybody but could make a first stop overseas for some.<br />Speaking of violence I counted about ten murders in the last two years within a mile of where I used to live in Okla. I live in a village where a single burglary is a big deal (outside of Oaxaca).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-61079628037450092532019-12-15T12:40:45.436-08:002019-12-15T12:40:45.436-08:00On the other hand, crime statistics show that it i...<br />On the other hand, crime statistics show that it is more dangerous and it's very close to the southern border. If the drug war continues to heat up, as I expect that it will, Puerto Escondido will become even more dangerous. As it happens, a good friend of mine who lives in Vallarta visited it recently and there was a murder on his street. Apparently, a dispute between two locals erupted and one ran the other over with a car. The police did nothing about it, they just drove around town with a loudspeaker announcing that the murder had happened.<br /><br />My other reservation about Oaxaca is that you hit the nail on the head "it's a little screwed up like the rest of Mexico". I lived in Tepic for two months because I wanted to get out of the tourist trap PV area. That's where I encountered the CFE office where none of the machines worked and on a second occasion, I had absolutely no idea what to do with my 500 pesos bill. What's more, is that all of the cash I withdrew that day came in 500 peso bills, presumably because I used an American ATM. In Tepic, a lot of locals stared at me like I was from another planet. <br /><br />"Que estas haciendo aqui? Estados perdido? Puedo ayudarte?" That's also where the traffic cops ripped me off the most. Since they've seen very few foreigners in their life, they have an exaggeration perception of exactly how much money white people have. In the tourist trap community like PV, the locals are a bit more down to earth because their understanding of foreign people is a little more nuanced.<br /><br />That's also where my license plate was stolen, I went to five different offices and the police outright told me that they wouldn't bother looking for my license plate.<br /><br />Altogether, I'd think the the Puerto Escondido area is somewhere in between Tepic and Vallarta. Yet, to be honest, I am sick of both fo them.<br /><br />With all the gringo prices I've paid in the tourist trap community in PV, I could have just as easily lived in Spain. As for Tepic, that was by far the worst city I've ever lived. I doubt it would be an exaggeration to say that even Russia doesn't have cities as atrocious and mismanaged as Tepic, yet Tepic is more or less a typical Mexican city.<br /><br />After all, it's not a coincidence that between 40 and 50 percent of Mexicans live below the poverty line, while in Russia, that number is betweeen 10 and 15 percent. The only country in Europe that comes close to Mexico's poverty rate is Greece, where 36 percent of the population live below the poverty line.<br /><br />That alone is a compelling reason for Mexicans to look for all sorts of ways to exploit foreigners, especially if they live outside of the tourist trap community. At least in the tourist trap area like PV, the worst they can do is overcharge you and engage in hyper-aggressive sales tactics. Yet, even that may change. If the cartels are already creating disorder in San Miguel de Allende, it's only a matter of time until they hit Puerto Escondido and Puerto Vallarta certainly isn't far out of their reach.<br /><br />With this "hugs not bullets" non-sense, no place in Mexico will be safe for too long.Alekseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05182129157993088301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-22439291772340483002019-12-15T12:40:22.064-08:002019-12-15T12:40:22.064-08:00I used the term "Cancun" very loosely, t...I used the term "Cancun" very loosely, that was my mistake. I was referring to Merida, Playa Del Carmen and other areas in the greater Cancun area, so to speak. Cancun itself is awful and I know a fair share of Mexicans who had friends and family members murdered there.<br /><br />I find your observations about Oaxaca to be also quite interesting. I've actually considered going to Puerto Escondido, as it's not as big of a tourist trap as Puerto Vallarta is. So, it's cheaper and I'd get less harassment from obnoxious vendors over there.<br />Alekseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05182129157993088301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-27695896645890928452019-12-15T12:38:59.007-08:002019-12-15T12:38:59.007-08:00Brent, thank you for your thoughtful feedback.
I ...Brent, thank you for your thoughtful feedback.<br /><br />I agree with you that in most places, Santander and other banks have functioning ATMs.<br /><br />However, I have seen more banking errors in Mexico than I have in any other country: even in Russia. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As for the CFE situation and the electric bill, I wish I had landlords who paid my bills for me. No, they never bothered changing account names. Instead, they handed me the bills with their name on it and asked me to go pay it for them. At the CFE office, nobody ever asked me to prove that I was the person whose name was listed on the bill. At an Oxxo, nobody ever asked such questions either: I just handed the bill to the attendant and paid it. <br />Alekseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05182129157993088301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-88058061918934928952019-12-15T08:12:12.061-08:002019-12-15T08:12:12.061-08:00Note to Cappy
Merida Mexico is the biggest cit...Note to Cappy<br /> Merida Mexico is the biggest city in Yucatan state, and it has the second lowest crime rate of any city in North America, lower than any US city. I would live there but it’s too hot for me. <br /> Here in Oaxaca my best friend (deceased) was from Minneapolis. He had a lot of health problems, and hired a lady to take care of him for $25 a day, In the US he would have ended up in a nursing home , but here he lived independently.<br /> Oaxaca is a little screwed up like the rest of MX but it’s not a bad place to live. I see more and more younger people from the US and Europe here, but the writer is correct, most expats are retired. I should say that many expats are broke, but many are well fixed and could live in the US. Lots of Jewish retirees in Oaxaca.<br />BrentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-39308097354679524692019-12-15T06:46:32.254-08:002019-12-15T06:46:32.254-08:00This post is a mix of accurate observation, exagge...This post is a mix of accurate observation, exaggeration, and misinformation . Cancun is actually one of the worst cities in Mx. Puerto is a big tourist trap. You don’t need to pay a bribe for permanent residency, just pay $200 a year for temporary residency for four years , then you apply for permanent residency. Mexico is corrupt, violent, yes , but so was the place I lived in the US. Santander has good ATMs, I’ve used dozens, rarely broken, sometimes out of money though. One ate my money for a payment last week, I got a refund the next day. As for electric bill payments, I’ve never heard of such problems, your landlord usually pays your bill for you anyway, since it’s hard to change account names. <br />Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin Am are the best destinations for affordable living outside the US. Each has unique drawbacks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-18956288457165638932019-12-13T04:51:20.427-08:002019-12-13T04:51:20.427-08:00Aleksey,
Thank you for your informative account o...Aleksey,<br /><br />Thank you for your informative account of Mexico.. I found your experiences to be truly enlightening as you have a unique perspective to share. You are a modern day explorer who has shown that you possess great courage and willpower in attempting to live in Mexico.<br /><br />Despite the many problems you highlighted, I consider your Mexican experiment to be of great value to this reading audience. The truth can only be found in experience and you have done what many people on the left fail to do and actually demonstrate your beliefs through your actions.<br /><br />Your hard work and courage will not go unnoticed or unappreciated as I feel this important essay is an important document for freedom loving capitalists who are searching for their true expression.<br /><br />I wish you well on your new journey and thank you for your sacrifice and insight regarding the risks and rewards of individual freedom and exploration. You are a true hero in many different ways and I hope to hear more from you in regards to this important topic that so many curious souls are seeking.. .Good Luck Zeke Devinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08509234346518073241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-10535808651077098412019-12-12T15:21:58.428-08:002019-12-12T15:21:58.428-08:00In my research for retirement locations I had rule...In my research for retirement locations I had ruled out Mexico for the most part. Stable banking is a bare minimumsassed1 2manyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00604038139445561191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-39301198993575373022019-12-11T18:41:56.703-08:002019-12-11T18:41:56.703-08:00While they had their flaws such as indecision, mee...<i>While they had their flaws such as indecision, meekness and a tendency to engage in hands off parenting which led Gen-Xers to become the “latchkey kids” in youth and enterprising free agents as adults...</i><br /><br />Why is raising one's kids such that they turn into enterprising free agents as adults is a flaw?kurt9https://www.blogger.com/profile/02101147267959016924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-42528230806867723452019-12-11T14:16:27.352-08:002019-12-11T14:16:27.352-08:00I agree with the first comment about Pinochet.
If...I agree with the first comment about Pinochet.<br /><br />If I were a general in the Mexican army, I would be staying a coup right now.<br /><br />Where is the patriotism in the Mexican army? They must seize control of the government before the cartels do and they may already have.<br /><br />Instead, Mexico is offering asylum to leftist populists like Evo Morales who have been rightly ousted by the military in their country.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801430037680171715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-85512267350989224252019-12-11T14:00:56.189-08:002019-12-11T14:00:56.189-08:00I went bird hunting in that shit hole several year...I went bird hunting in that shit hole several years ago, I'll never go back. If I can't do it in the USA I won't be doing it.Birdchaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16626576508619847325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-18374857915732097472019-12-11T01:40:07.017-08:002019-12-11T01:40:07.017-08:00"The average IQ in Mexico is about 88"
..."The average IQ in Mexico is about 88"<br /><br />The average IQ in Venezuela is 85. Explains alot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-86137122261952066752019-12-11T01:26:50.866-08:002019-12-11T01:26:50.866-08:00I had lunch with my CEO who just came back from Me...I had lunch with my CEO who just came back from Mexico visiting one of our proudction sites. He goes there at least 3-4 times annualy for the last 10 years. He told me he never thinks that place will ever evolve into a first world country. The corruption and the cultural mentality will not allow it. I agree, but it isn't just Mexico. That mentatliy has metastasized north of the Rio Grande as well.<br /><br /><br />If you get the time, I would recommend seeing the movie "El Sicario, Room 164." The former hitman explained that before the police finish the academy, 25% are already on the cartel's payroll and the rest eventually succumb as the corruption is so deep no honest man can survive. <br /><br />Hope Mexico finds thier Pinochet before it devolves into a Zombie FPS game.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com