Cost of Living Archives - Focus On Mexico

Let’s Go to the Market

One of the many benefits of Lakeside living are the numerous markets along the north shore. Whether you're looking for fresh vegetables and fruit, chicken, fish, seafood, to fresh cinnamon rolls, tacos, pizza or quality organic products or clothing, jewelry, and home decor and more, you will find them at one of the area's many markets several days of the week. Monday On Monday the large open air market in Chapala features thousands of items at some of the most economical prices in the area. On Monday you will also find a market featuring quality prepared foods at the Sunrise Restaurant in … [Read more...]

Medical Tourism in Mexico

A growing number of Baby Boomers are taking advantage of low cost medical, dental and prescription drugs in Mexico. Mexico has quickly earned a reputation for quality medical care at a greatly reduced cost. Baby Boomers and retirees on fixed or retirement incomes have shown the largest increase in utilization of Mexican medical and dental services. Mexico is a prime destination for Medical Tourism. Medical Tourism is one of the fastest growing health care industries. The USA is in a health care crisis and patients are starting to travel abroad in search of the best quality and the most … [Read more...]

Focus on Pátzcuaro

The month of May in Lakeside is hot (this year with temperatures often climbing to over 90F/32C). So we opted to explore the refreshingly cool high altitude city of Pátzcuaro, Michoacan, located about four hours south of Lakeside. At 7,000 feet altitude Pátzcuaro has all the charm of a high mountain town surrounded with forests, a beautiful plaza and many coffee shops from which to choose. With a population of ~80,000, Pátzcuaro is much quieter than nearby Morelia with its bustling population of ~800,000. One plus of both Morelia and Pátzcuaro as compared to Lakeside are the flat city … [Read more...]

Lakeside Retirement Budget Planning

When planning a move Lakeside, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to plan your Mexico budget in advance. Of course you will inevitably make adjustments once you are on the ground in Mexico, but having a proposed budget will give you the peace of mind you need when making a major life move. While prices have risen in recent years, the good news is that Lakeside life is still quite affordable with careful planning. Visa Costs - the Bottom Line Your first expenditure once you've made the decision to move to Mexico will be your resident visa. Temporary Resident Visa We'll talk … [Read more...]

The U.S. and Mexico – Brothers From Another Mother

Jorge Ramos is a well-known Mexican American journalist and newscaster who has written numerous books, including the recent Stranger: The Challenge of a Latino Immigrant in the Trump Era. In this wide ranging interview in Mexico City, he discusses the election of the new Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, commonly known as AMLO, and interviews Americans living in Mexico and Mexicans who have returned from the U.S. This is a great birds eye view of Mexico today and why ~1.5 million Americans choose to make Mexico their home. Check it out and join us for one of our intensive … [Read more...]