Mexico vs Philippines

I grew up off and on for 5 yrs in Mexico it's a hit and miss situation...I would say the Phils is very much better,,,and as you should know its very dangerous times in Mexico now...I also think overall the people here are more wholesome, friendly etc....

 

very dangerous in mex now....i have mexican friends that wont even go home to visit

 

Although Mexico is having some problems right now, other south American countries are starting to have some appeal.

Larry

 

I've been to Costa Rica three times, has a lot to offer over Phils.

 

mexico living vs phils

Personally i have not tried to live in mexico. i am from southern usa however. but the people i know who have tried to live there complained about the corruption and unfair treatment in any problem that occurs between them and locals. That police wont even respond to you if you dont converse in spanish. Personally, spanish gets on my nerves. At least the Phils have some semblence of english, or manglish as we like to say, which does not mean that everyone will understand you or be able to converse well in english, but its far easier than trying to learn a new language. Also, there are only a few places that are very safe for westerners in mexico right now. Also, in visits to mexico there is always problems if you stray from your resort and the locals will try to prey upon you in various ways.

 

Costa Rica, very corrupt, but affordable. Same for Belize. Ecuador is very nice, and based on us dollar. Some english speaking also. Uraguay and Nicaragua are more stable and seem to be less currupt than the rest of south america. Panama City is getting expensive, but is truly awsome, but i dont like earthquakes, and in panama there are small earthquakes often. And unless you like boquete and the mountains it is very hot and humid

 

Costa Rica has no standing army, so much of the taxes goes back into the infra-structure. Very stable government,great health care.
Drinking water outstanding(no montezuma's revenge).Once outside San Jose(largest city)the countryside is outstanding. Residency requirements are stringent, but not insurmountable. Affordable air travel from where I lived in Florida, 3+hrs from Tampa Bay area. Spanish speaking, but most speak some English. Property ownership is not restricted to Rican's only.

 

Guatemala and Honduras are both no-no's. Belize is a flyblown mosquito bog hole, unhealthy, unstable and virtually lawless, which is why it's on the cocaine route, (I got attacked by a rabid pit bull there in '89). The only places there with any degree of safety are out on the Cays, but you still can't get away from the mozzies. Costa Rica is becoming more and more popular, very affordable property and few restrictions on foreigners buying it. Panama is more stable now than it has been in recent years. Venezuela is up and down with a half-wit irrational president who is forging links with Cuba (another no-no for U.S. citizens) and Peru is still quite primitive. Brazil is a bubbling cauldron of civil unrest waiting to blow, particularly in Rio with the displacement of all the shanty towns in preparation for the world cup, although Recife further north is not bad. If I was forced to make a choice on that continent, I think I would probably go for Santiago in Chile.