| Is life in the US getting too expensive for you | | | | producing region. May 21-June 6, the town hosts |
| too? We had to leave due to the economy | | | | its annual wine and cheese festival, bringing |
| effecting the sale of our house in New Jersey, | | | | together wine and cheese producers from all over |
| and the fact we couldn't afford the monthly cost | | | | the country. Apart from wine and cheese tasting, |
| of living: Tax $ 1100 Oil $ 450 Electricity $ 280 | | | | visitors will also enjoy regional cuisine, concerts, |
| and cost of living increasing almost every day. | | | | handicrafts and other cultural events. |
| We love warm weather, good food, and friendly | | | | What we like the best about the smaller towns in |
| people, so we moved to Mexico. At the moment, | | | | Mexico, is the fact that the people love life, and it |
| we are in Monterrey in the north of Mexico, about | | | | shows with colorful festivals, small stands with |
| 2 1/2 hours south from McAllen Texas, but in | | | | food, people gathering on the plaza with kids |
| another few months we are moving more south. | | | | playing around. The whole scenery reminds you of |
| A popular destination for Americans and | | | | the 'good old time in good old America'. |
| Canadians to retire is San Miguel de Allende. A | | | | Lets look at the top 10 why we moved to |
| beautiful old town with a large plaza with | | | | Mexico: |
| restaurants, terraces to hang out, and lots of | | | | # 1 Health Insurance, IMSS as it's called in Mexico, |
| activities like photography, painting and cooking | | | | cost $ 300 a year. The insurance covers 100% of |
| classes. Located 40 miles from Queretaro, which | | | | doctor visits, hospital stays and drugs with no |
| is the nearest airport with daily service to the US. | | | | co-pays. |
| Another great area is Lake Chapala with little | | | | #2 A visit with our dog to the vet cost about |
| towns like Chapala, Ajijic and San Antonio | | | | 50% less as in the US. |
| Tlayacapan. | | | | #3 The water bill is ± $8.00 a month. |
| Lake Chapala is located about 20 miles southeast | | | | #4 Real-estate taxes average $50.00 a year. |
| from Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city. | | | | #5 Due to the fact that these areas do not need |
| The weather is just gorgeous year round | | | | airco, the average electricity bill here is about |
| between 70 and 85 degrees, and the pace is quit | | | | $25.00 a month. |
| and the native population is very friendly. Enjoying | | | | #6 Basic cable television service is about $ 50 a |
| the good life: shopping at the local stores, sipping a | | | | month. |
| cup of coffee or have a meal at the plaza's | | | | #7 We brought our video phone, so we can talk |
| terrace. | | | | to, and see our friends and family when ever we |
| You don't need a car to get around in one of | | | | want for $ 29.99 per month. |
| these little towns. You can walk around town and | | | | #8 Our food budget including fresh vegetables, |
| the lake front is only a few blocks away. | | | | fruit, fresh pastries etc average $ 50.00 a week. |
| The town, that caught our eye, is Tequisquiapan. | | | | #9 Our maid works for us 2 days a week cost $ |
| A little town located in Queretaro estate in center | | | | 30.00 a week. |
| of Mexico, is only 2 hour from Mexico City, 40 | | | | #10 A nice 2 bedroom apartment can be rented |
| minutes from Queretaro city, with everything you | | | | for ± $ 400 per month. |
| need, without traffic, pollution and delinquency. It is | | | | You can see that a couple can live quite well for |
| still less patronized by Americans, then San Miguel | | | | about $1,200 a month, so if you are living on |
| and the Lake Chapala area, but the numbers are | | | | social security after seeing your 401K going down |
| growing. | | | | the drain due to the bad economy in the US, |
| Tequisquiapan is famous for its thermal waters, | | | | there is even space for some traveling around. |
| and for being the center of a wine and cheese | | | | |