Mexico Mike Nelson | Mike Nelson | Mexico Mike Live Better South of the Border Nelson
1 This book stinks
If anyone was thinking of moving to mexico, unless you were homeless, this book is dispicable. What a downer.
2 Don't just read it - Live it!
Mike's subtitle says it all. The book really is chock full of practical advice for living and working in Mexico. It's not a "Come on down, you'll just love it," tempter. He gets very specific about the subjects those considering relocating are and should be interested in.
In addition to being knowledgeable and accurate, this is a 'fun' read.
3 Good book, not right time
Please, if you are moving to Mexico just to take advantage of cheaper costs...Reality might hit you in the face. Also, there is still a lot of prejudices against Americans. The book does a good job in describing the conditions of living and the infrastructure, but don't get too excited about actually living there and building a sustainable investment. The way the laws are set up do not favor foreigners. The best advice: stay in America
4 Disappointing
Unfortunately, I agree with the previous reviewers. This book is more about "Mexico Mike" than Mexico. All writer's have biases, but his obscure the facts. It sounds like he has money invested in the resort at El Paraiso. It also sounds like he is a recovering alcoholic. There is some good information in this book, but nothing that can't be found in other, better books. (People's Guide to Mexico, for instance)
5 50 pages of good...forget the rest
The first 50 pages were informational and well written. After that it became only a list of towns with scant information. HEAVY emphasis on AA and ALANON throughout the book. Rather assumes every visitor to Mexico is in need of an AA meeting in every town.
6 Best live in Mexico book I've read!!!
I lived in Mexico for years. This is my favorite book. It's entertaining, informative, and the author definitely knows what he's talking about - which is more than I can say for a lot of similar books. Frankly, I'm shocked anyone could possibly read this book and trash it! The thing that attracts me most about this book is the author speaks not only to the 65-year-old who plans to retire in Mexico, but anyone, at any age, that would like to spend an extended time in Mexico. I also liked the section on telecommuting via the Internet from Mexico. Great idea!
7 An excellent overview book-- exactly as intended
This book isn't intended to cover the entire country of Mexico in-depth, in great detail. It's an overview! And it does a fine job of that. I find myself wondering why it seems to turn off so many people just because the author gives details about English-speaking AA or gay-friendliness? This is good to know, even if you're not gay or an AA member, as it's an indirect indicator of how tolerant the city is of transplants. If just reading this info turns you off, how will you deal with the differences in culture that come with living in Mexico? This is a great overview book, but naturally you will need more info to make your decision to move or not.
8 This entertaining read contained insight and perspective.
Not only was it informative, the book was an enjoyable and easy read. Devoid of the usual "data overload" of its genre. Written devoutly from the male perspective. Woman may not find Mr. Nelson as engaging as male readers. That theory may explain the hostile review included in this review section.
9 Lousy book, more about the author than Mexico
The author has a lot of axes to grind and uses a book about Mexico as an excuse to grind them. He hates life in the USA, ("harsh winters, the crime and constant living in fear or merely of the constant sameness that deadens our souls... a seige mentality that affects so many of us... get away from boring neighbors who are afraid to take any chances in life.") That's his blanket condemnation of all life in the USA, so I'm not quite trusting in his impression of Mexico. He hates his dad, tells you at length about what a jerk he was, which by this point was telling me that this wasn't really a book about Mexico. But if you want to know the rules of drinking in Mexico (he reassures you that the racist idea that "it is a shooting offense to refuse a drink offered by a Mexican" is false.. whew, what a relief!) or where to go when you want to stop drinking, this is the book...
10 Best of the Bunch!
I recommend "Mexico" Mike Nelson's latest edition as the best of the books now out on relocating to Mexico. His advice is clear, concise, and wide-ranging, and his writing style is engaging. In addition, for an extremely reasonable rate, Mike can be contacted via phone or email at the numbers provided in the book, and I can vouch that he gives useful, creative, and up-to-the-minute advice for those miscellaneous but nonetheless important questions that come to mind as one prepares for the move.
If you are thinking about or planning on moving to Mexico, get a copy right away!
11 The Real Goods!
I've lived in "Mex." on and off for years. So, I always read books about the country with a critical eye.
I judge travel guides against what I know to be true about a place from personal experience.
Mike Nelson knows what he writes about, and there's not a single piece of advice in the whole thing that will get you into trouble, get you hurt, or get you killed. He does a really fine job of explaining all the paperwork, and the legalities that you have to deal with if you're going to do anything more than make a quick pop over the border and go right back home again.
I suppose if there's a legitimate complaint, it might be that he doesn't cover any particular place, any particular city in great depth, but if you think about it, you want a compact guide book that you can toss into your luggage or tote around without getting stoop shouldered.
He even has sections on where to find AA groups, or whether a place is friendly to gays, and he gives decent advice for straight people, too... For the record, I don't have a drinking problem, I'm not gay, and I've already got a "novia", so I'm not even looking for a lady friend right now. But SOME people--maybe a whole lot of them--will need this information that you really can't find easily on your own with only tourist Spanish under your belt, so I'm glad he's got it in here.
I think this is the best Mexico guidebook around.
12 Great for gay and/or recovering alcoholic travelers
But if you are not gay or a recovering alcoholic, don't bother reading this book. The introduction chapters are only OK and give some helpful information but, nothing new. His insight on individual cities does not tell you much except whether or not they are gay-friendly and if they have an English speaking 12 step program. The only other information that he imparts is very basic like, "Mexico is not like the USA". This simplistic style of information is also very redundant. For example, you can find the following statement in at least 50 places throughout the book - "The best way to find out whether such and such town in Mexico is for you is to just go visit it".
So if you just want a list of gay-friendly Mexico cities that have AA programs then this book is for you. Otherwise, don't bother.
13 Excellent Advice
- Now in its third edition, this popular book offers "practical advice" for living and working in Mexico. Thinking of relocating south-of-the-border? This is an excellent primer. Kudos to the author and editor who have made this edition the best yet.
14 New and updated information
I've followed Mexico Mike's travel advice for years. I know Mexico well enough myself to discern when he's right about a place I've been, so when I started thinking about retiring there, I bought the updated version. I'm fifty, I'm gay, and I'm in a 12 step program. Mike's book doesn't assume every retiree is an old white couple in bermuda shorts. Mike talks to single women, the younger person who wants to quit the rat race, and to people who want to lead an active, healthier lifestyle. AND he's added the new information about getting your car into Mexico.
