Put aside your climatic worries. National Geographic affirms that
the Guadalajara area is blessed with the world’s best thermometer
readings - - a mean of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Most long time residents
and newsmen are predicting Mexican stability is here to stay, with
the country’s political institutions, tourist’s highlights,
cultural activities and colorful traditions intact. Also, some seasonal
visitors and prospective expatriates say that Mexico’s bureaucratic
bark is worse than its bite in these days of government reform and
decentralization.
The United States government does not honor Medicare in Mexico; therefore
many foreign residents in Mexico apply for Mexican Social Security
or private Mexican hospitalization policies. The LCS has an attractive
plan. Both Guadalajara and Lake Chapala have English speaking doctors,
dentists and optometrists.
Many foreign residents of Mexico are not aware that the Social Security
System of Mexico (IMSS) is available to all. Guadalajara’s IMSS
hospitals are well equipped with many staff doctors known for their
practices in private hospitals.
All residents of Mexico are eligible without exemption, other than
those who suffer from chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or
heart disease. Requirements for proof of birth date, nationality,
etc. can be satisfied with a current passport. Doctors at the clinic
can conduct the necessary examination and determine eligibility. Age
is not a consideration. Upon acceptance, a person will pay approximately
$3,000 pesos (per family or per person). After a two-month wait period,
the year-long coverage period begins. The cost is subject to change
from year to year.
Foreigners, regardless of their immigration status, can now own their
homes in their own names in the interior of Mexico. There are three
general categories of federal immigration.
FM-T (turista): These documents are issued for six months and can
only be renewed by crossing a border of Mexico and securing more documentation.
FM-3 (visitante rentista): This is a five-year period for foreigners
to live in Mexico, drive their foreign-platted car, and have multiple-entry
privileges. However, once a year, a renewal or prorroga must be applied
and paid for. The FM-3 status is the stepping stone for those who
want to work in Mexico.
Cost for FM-3 is $500 USD per person (approx.)
Those petitioners who have social security or other federal pension
must submit a letter from a US or Canadian government federal benefits
officer stating the monthly pension received. There is an application
tax paid to the Mexican Treasury Department for about $60 US dollars
for the initial fees and annual renewals.
For inmigrante (FM-2): The requirements for the FM-2 are the same
as the FM-3, except the monthly income is more. The advantage of having
an FM-2 over an FM-3 is that at the end of the five year period when
the applicant receives his inmigrado book, he can go into most businesses
open to a Mexican national.
Organizations that are active in the area with United States member
includes Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, American Legion, Lake Chapala
Society, Duplicate and Progressive Bridge Clubs, four English-language
book clubs, garden clubs, Humane Society, Lakeside Little Theater,
Masons, Memorial Society, Rotary Club.
Recreational facilities in the Guadalajara area are both numerous
and diverse, including four 18-hole golf courses, 2 nine-hole courses
at Lake Chapala, private and public tennis clubs, private swimming
pools and gyms for both men and women, hot mineral springs (Lake Chapala
Area), health and weight reduction centers, zoo and observatory and
public parks. Tourist attractions include open air markets, churches,
historical buildings and many museums of different types- -art, scientific,
cultural, pre-Columbian.
Entertainment includes state and city bands and orchestras, choral
groups, ballet and theater groups, as well as movie theaters and video
stores. Guadalajara’s Degollado Theater features top-flight
local music and dance groups as well as groups from all over the world.
English language lending libraries can be found at many clubs (AMSOC,
Legion) as well as the Benjamin Franklin Library in the Consulate
General (Calle Libertad 1492) under the auspices of the United States
Information Service (USIS). There’s an appeal for almost every
taste and we haven’t even noted the daily round of luncheons,
cocktail parties and fiestas in private homes attuned to a mariachi
beat. For good neighbors, the menu is rounded up by social assistance
programs for needy children, international church groups, schools
offering adult classes in Spanish, ceramic and handicraft centers,
sports stadiums and a bull fight arena.
For more information on the area, the Guadalajara Colony REPORTER
is published on a weekly basis, giving an overview of all those events
affecting foreigners living in Central Mexico. This newspaper covers
cultural and political happenings, investment news, activities of
organizations, churches, idiosyncrasies of the language and more or
less where to go, what to see on a daily basis.
