Working and the cost of living in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya; an insider’s view.

By Sara Moen

In the 6 plus years we have owned and operated Playa Maya News one of the most common e-mails we receive is; “How can I move to Paradise?” Are there jobs available for foreigners? What is the cost of living like? Is the educational system comparable to other parts of the world?  Although I would like to respond by saying it is easy, painless, and that I spend my days lounging on the beach with my cabana boy lathered up feeding me margaritas and freshly peeled shrimp, the reality is quite different. You still have to pay rent, bring your dogs to the vet, pay your electric bill, and work, work, work. I am not saying that I regret the decision to move 4,000 miles away from my home town, away from family, friends, and familiar places, BUT I would like to share my experience in moving to a foreign country.

New Immigration Laws for Mexico to Go Into Effect May, 2010.

We recently came across an article out of San Miguel de Allende (Thanks to John Bekas of In the Roo) that addresses new immigration laws and changes coming to Mexico in May 2010. We contacted the original author, Carol Schmidt, and she was happy to share what she knew. She did, however, want to make sure we let everyone know that this is not 100% confirmed as we all know things can change drastically here from one day to the next. As you can see once you read below that this is a complex matter, and can also depend on where you are applying for your paperwork. Thank you to Carol and her wonderful website: Falling In Love With San Miguel for the information!

U.S. Retirement Trends in Mexico's Coastal Communities

During much of the past decade Mexico has become the top overseas retirement destination among American retirees. In 2000, an estimated 1 million Americans were living in Mexico on either a part time or year round basis and that number has grown in recent years. 

By: Suzanne Marie Bandick
An excerpt from her book Only in Mexico You Say?

Our family crossed the border to live in Mexico Sept. 10. 2001. We spent our first night in Hermosillo, in the Northwest of Mexico, in the state of Sonora. The next morning we came down to breakfast in our hotel and saw everyone crowded around a TV; the words Nuevo York were pasted on the screen along with pictures that showed what looked like a large building with a plane hitting it? Shock registered as we managed to piece together what little we could of what had happened in New York; the date was now September 11, 2001.  It was not easy to understand what was going on as the TV channel was in Spanish and no one had much knowledge of English and our Spanish was very basic. We realized we needed to know more of what had happened.

Mexiconservacion is delighted to announce that the Municipality of Tulum's Direccion General de Desarollo Urbano y Ecologia y la Direccion de Servicio Publicos has just re-opened its Recylcing Center.

It is located on the land just opposite of the Expo in Tulum, and although it is still quite basic,  the Municipality can now recycle PET plastics, glass, cardboard and paper. If the Recylcing Center proves to be a success,funds will be raised to increase its capacity, and include the safe disposal of batteries.

Swedish Ambassador, Anna Lindstedt, Visits Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.
By Sara Moen

I was recently invited by local business owner, and active Rotary member, Thed Petterson to meet the Swedish Ambassador to Mexico. Thed, originally from Sweden, has been in Playa del Carmen for many years, and is the co-owner of La Rana Cansada, and has often arranged interviews and sit downs for me with various officials over the years. So when Thed called and invited me to meet and interview the Swedish Ambassador to Mexico I jumped at the opportunity.

Safety and Travel in Mexico; Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. 

By Sara Moen -Owner of Playa Maya News-Playa del Carmen, Mexico

There have been countless stories floating all over the internet, and in the news, in regards to the safety of foreigners traveling to Mexico. As a United States citizen that has been living in Mexico for the past 6 years I thought I would share my opinion on this matter. In addition, I am going to highlight an article published in the LA Times in regards to this subject. I have also included two local Playa del Carmen business owners that have written on what has become the travel debate of 2009.

Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a nationally syndicated columnist and a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Read his column here. 

Ruben Navarrette says Mexico isn't a failed state, but the fate of its drug war is important for US.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- You may have heard the rumor that, as a result of a bloody drug war that has claimed more than 7,000 lives since January 2007, Mexico is on the verge of being declared a "failed state."     

Enjoy the laid back Caribbean lifestyle for a fraction of the cost of the US, Canada, or Europe- in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

By Shawn Bandick

I live here in Playa del Carmen, with a family of four, for just over half of what it cost me to live in B.C. Canada back in the year 2000. First let us cover actual costs of day to day living here...

Meet Daniel Price; Kiteboarder, Graphic Designer, Adventurer

Daniel, originally from Portsworth England, moved to Tulum in May, 2008, and here is how he got here.....

Upon graduating from Southbank University in London in 2004 Daniel worked for a well known visual effects company, The Mill. He developed his career in 2D compositing as well as in 3D animation for the Natural History Museum in London. After 4 years with The Mill in London he was offered a job in their new branch in Los Angeles. His adventurous spirit landed him in LA in 2007 for a 6 month contract working on high profile commercials such as ; Axe, Nascar, Gatorade, JC Penny, Kia, and RATP.