Pricier Mexican Residency/SteriPEN Ultralight/Expat Issue Discussions
Nomadico issue #180
Residency Permit Prices Doubling in Mexico
A flood of immigrants has been on the move since January, this time Americans going from the USA to Mexico, and apparently the government is ready to cash in on the influx. If you want to apply for Mexican residency, prices are going to double in January to get legal, per the newly approved budget. Getting one year of temporary residency (which you renew for three more) will more than double to $603 at the current exchange rate, while getting permanent status will cost you $876. There are rumors of the high income/savings requirement adjusting downward under a years-old edict that was never implemented, but that’s not official.
Invest in a SteriPen
I’m back in Mexico, in Baja this time, in one of many countries where you can’t trust the tap water for drinking. Like my blogger buddies at HoneyTrek I spent time with recently in Patagonia, I almost never buy or use bottled water in single-use plastic (though I can’t claim a spotless 14-year run like they can). The secret weapon we long-term international travelers have in our bag is a SteriPEN: a UV wand purifier that turns any tap water into purified water. I’ve used about every model in more countries than I can count, including a lot of years traveling with a family, and never have had stomach problems. I’ve got the Adventurer Opti version now, which is not ideal because it uses CR123 batteries. A better bet is the UltraLight UV version that recharges by USB. It’ll easily pay for itself and our future great-grandchildren will thank you.
Nomads Talking About Nomad Issues
Jason Moore has been giving up the mic now and then lately on his Zero to Travel podcast to let his producer and partnership manager, who are both remote workers, do “Remote Roundup” episodes. The two nomadic women talk about joys and problems they are encountering on the road, with more depth than you get in a typical interview format. Here’s the October one, which covers everything from bad bathroom design to living out of one bag to why it costs less to travel than to stay home. They look at these angles from all sides, like pointing out that being nomadic for months will cost you less than living where you came from, but not if you’re still paying for a house and a car while you’re mobile.
Expats Behaving Badly
Substack writer Julia Hubbel publishes a newsletter called Too Old for This Sh*t, from the point of view of an injury-prone 70-something advising others how to stay active and keep adventuring. I loved the latest one: Don’t Land in Hell by Bringing it With You. It’s a great summary of what many expats see but few mainstream media outlets point out in their rose-colored desk coverage: some people really aren’t meant to move abroad. Some want to shut the door behind them, keeping out “the others.” Others move to a developing country because it’s cheaper and then complain about…the lack of development. Some won’t learn even the basics of their host country’s language, while complaining about transaction misunderstandings and hurdles trying to navigate healthcare or get house repairs done. Read it to avoid problems later if/when you move.
UNCLASSIFIEDS:
Got a layover coming up? There’s a good chance your flight will be delayed. Buy your way into airport VIP status when you travel with Priority Pass. Enjoy snacks, coffee, and drinks in a comfortable airport lounge space with good Wi-Fi. See the details here.
Get quality travel clothing from prAna that’s sustainably made, but at a lower price this week in the Holiday Head Start Sale. Find 25% off select styles, 40% off web exclusives, and free Shipping.
Plan ahead for holiday airport chaos with AirHelp+ in your pocket. They’ll chase down any compensation you’re owed, supply a lounge pass if you get delayed, and automatically compensate you for lost or delayed luggage. Use code AHTPO9 for a 9% discount from Nomadico at this link.
Skiing in Europe is far cheaper than in the USA, where a daily lift ticket alone can top $300 now. Join your Nomadico editor for snowy fun in Slovakia, where we’ll ski at Jasna, go snow tubing, drink bargain pilsners, and explore olde Europe towns and castles. See the full itinerary here and sign up before the end of the month to snag your spot!
Reach 21,500+ working travelers with an unclassified ad in Nomadico for $85 — in a newsletter with an industry-high open and click rate. Or get 4 weeks for $250 at this link and increase your awareness and clicks.
Wait, you can get permanent residency in Mexico for less than 1000$? 😮😮😮 That’s insane. Insanely cheap
Thanks for the kind mention. Paid you back this morning with a repost.