Retire in Mexico - Live Better for Less Money: Live the American Dream in Mexico for half the price. Luxury on a shoestring can be yours!

While this book was enjoyable to read and gave a wonderful, personal glimpse into expat life in Mexico, I am incredibly disappointed that it is no longer accurate. It says copyright 2014, so I assumed it was updated, but it does not seem to be - especially when it comes to drug cartel areas vs safe areas.For example, Ms. Pearson touts Lake Chapala, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara as great spots to live. However, all three of these are in the state of Jalisco, about which the U.S. Dept of State advises: "Exercise caution throughout the state, particularly in rural areas and when using secondary highways. Violent clashes between criminal organizations and government authorities, and related disturbances including barricades of burning vehicles blocking major roads and highways, are ongoing concerns that typically occur without notice." (Travel warnings here: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html)A Mexican paper states that 4 expats were murdered in the Lake Chapala area in 2014 - the year this book was put out. (Article: http://www.mexicogulfreporter.com/2014/05/chapala-records-4th-murder-of-foreign.html) One had his arm severed off; one was stabbed to death; and one elderly couple was beaten to death.Given these murders and these US Government travel warnings, it doesn't sound like the worry-free paradise laid out in this book.The author also outlines Mazatlan as a good option, although once again, the US advises against travel within its state of Sinaloa: "Defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan, where you should still exercise caution, particularly late at night and in the early morning. One of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations is based in the state of Sinaloa, and violent crime rates remain high in many parts of the state. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and should be avoided."I don't want to retire - looking for peace - in the home state of one of the country's most powerful criminal drug cartels.The writer makes the point that you can't judge the entire USA based on crime in New York or LA. Which is true. But I can judge New York based on New York; and, as such, Lake Chapala on Lake Chapala. I don't live in Detroit because of the crime; nor do I want to live in Lake Chapala given its advisories.The other problem is this: the crime in Detroit is not conducted by a nationally powerful drug cartel who rule the land and who count the police as their allies in many cases. Nor is the crime in Detroit quickly and powerfully taking over our entire country state by state. Our police still do their job, despite some corrupt cops; in these areas in Mexico, the police do not seem to have any handle on the situation and are often involved. We don't have cartels severing limbs and heads and hanging people up by the town welcome sign, either. It's a particularly greusome violence occurring in these areas.In fact, based on the US travel advisories, the only area of Mexico that is really still considered safe is the easternmost tip, across the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Quintanaroo and Yucatan. Yet the writer only mentions two of these safe areas: Merida, in the state of Yucatan, and Oaxaca in Oaxaca. I am disappointed that she chose to focus on areas with travel advisories and violence and did not cover these more livable and safe areas.I can only assume that perhaps she left Mexico before these advisories were put in place and life was different when she was there, and it is heartbreaking that the beautiful places she talks about in the book are now so dangerous. Innocence lost. But given that the book was put out in the past year, I'd have hoped she would have consulted more recent safety advisories.For these reasons, the book is not helpful to me. I would not consider living in states that have violence advisories, and she did not cover several of the safe states, so I'll have to do that research online on my own.So, for me, the book is no longer relevant and cannot be used in helping me to make any determinations. It was, however, an enjoyable read and I wish I'd have had the chance to visit the Mexico she knew rather than what it has become and continues to become.

I love this book! It's so full of information and written in the friendliest manner. You really do feel like you're chatting with a friend, where all your questions are being answered. Lots of websites to check for further information. Make sure you read the section about driving. It will have you laughing out loud. This helped me to decide where to check out in Mexico. I'd been considering Costa Rica as well as some oceanside places on the Pacific, but now my first visit will be to Lake Chapala. This book is a definitely a great read as well as a bargain.

Having worked as a Spanish Linguist in the Navy, it has always been a dream of mine to someday retire in Mexico. "Retire in Mexico..."is an easy to read account of life in Mexico in the higher elevations. I am more of a coastal dweller, but I did get an excellent "feel" for how it would be to be a full time resident in the country to the South of us. After reading Dru Pearson's book I am definitely going to explore the possibility of moving to Mexico in the future.

While the book is charming, it really should be titled "How to live in Ajijic ..." as it's a fairly personal account of the authors experiences. Other urban areas are listed and described, but not in much detail. Although it's a recent revision (2014), there are still descriptions, for example, of dial-up Internet, which is pretty incompatible with modern websites. That makes me wonder what else is outdated.Also, I am interested in northern Baja, and there is no discussion at all about different regulations that apply in the border area. For example, no Visitante visa is required at all unless you go south of Ensenada, and no vehicle permits are required in certain situations. That information is available elsewhere, but by reading this book you would not have any idea your information was incomplete.

Good read. It seems like most of the information was directed at people wanting to move to Lake Champala/Ajijic.Not much for people wanting to move other places.

This book was short and could be read in an afternoon. That said it had a lot of information that i could not find all together in any other book. Decided not to move to Mexico after reading this and it was a good decision. Don't forget all your friends and relatives will need passports to visit and your health insurance is not covered in Mexico which means you will be traveling back to US for all hospital visits.

Though last updated in 2014 information on day to day life still very helpful. I'm sure some of the technology info has changed. Easy and enjoyable reading.

Having lived and worked in Mexico for a year makes me think this is a pretty thorough book. I'm still not finished, but I like so far.

The information on visa & residency is current but the bulk is a few years old and focused on living and costs in the highlands. Lots of links to other sites & blogs was a plus.