Mexico, sans expats

[haha]

Originally Posted by SoonToRetire

Closest I can think of, go to some poor small-town community in the US, say in Appalachia, and pretend you don't speak English.

In fact, most English speakers would get a belly full of Appalachia in less than 2 weeks.

I had some good male friends, working class Mexicans from small Sonoran villages. I went down there occasionally to go hunting with them. Plus I had work that took me to bush places in the Andes. You really would have to experience it to know what I am talking about.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone; especially I don't think any woman is likely to have a good time.

Ha

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by SoonToRetire

My guess is that most people wouldn't last more than a few months in a third world community that doesn't speak English. It's not just the economics, it's the sense of isolation and the difficulty in fitting in. Heck, I speak Spanish fluently and even I have a hard time with some of these places. Closest I can think of, go to some poor small-town community in the US, say in Appalachia, and pretend you don't speak English.

This is a very good observation. (and this coming from a guy who lived in Mexico for 2.5 years and in Brazil for one year)

I think the 'small town' would be very difficult. I think moving to a mid-sized or even large city is an entirely different thing, however.

I still agree its not for most people - I know I would enjoy it, though, and I think my wife would have a good chance of enjoying it.