Outside of the US for over two years. Is it really all as bad as we're hearing?

We're US citizens, but we live in Mexico, have for over four years. (And that's after having lived here for fifteen back toward the end of the last millennium. I've actually, at nearly 60 years of age, spent over half of my life living outside the US.) It's been over two years since we were last stateside. My wife has a thing for getting back to visit family. My attitude is that if family wants to see us badly enough, it's their turn. They can damn well come down here, especially since I was the last one to go north to see them.

We own a house down here. We have friends, a real life. Actually, I find life here to be much more satisfying than it ever was stateside. My friendships here are deeper, more meaningful. Neighbors actually visit with one another where we live. I know my neighbors' names, if you can believe that! The culture fits me so much better than any place I've lived in the US. And there is much more of a feeling of liberty here. (All the crap you hear about Mexico being a "war zone" is just that; crap. I can think of many place in the US that I'd feel much more in danger than any of the places I frequent here in Mexico, including the neighborhood that I grew up in.)

We follow the news from the US. Not "the news" as in mainstream propaganda. I gave up on that crap back about 2008. But we do follow what would be considered alternative media. ATS Live page is actually one of my main sources of news that I peruse every morning with my coffee, and we're subscribed to several channels on Telegram. I follow a lot of conservative outlets and alternative reporting.

Maybe I'm in an echo chamber. Maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear to justify hiding out down here in Mexico. I dunno; but I have absolutely no interest in crossing the border north and finding myself back in the USA. Honestly, I almost feel afraid to cross the border. I feel like I may get up there, then the dementia-patient in chief might decide that some mandate is in order that'll not allow me to cross back into Mexico.

My wife's sentiments are not far off from mine, but she - just a little while ago - said, "That's why we need to go, while we still can."

So, what think you, ATS? Have I allowed myself to be brainwashed into a senseless paranoia? Is it all not really as bad as all that? Or is the feces really hitting the fan daily by slow but ever increasing degrees?

Is there still a window wherein it might be "safe" to cross the border? Or is that window closed or closing? Or am I crazy and there is nothing to worry about?

I'm curious as to what folks with boots on the ground might think.

ETA: Just to comment on some of what I'm hearing and digesting from here:
1. Supply chain collapse and real or looming shortages in stores.
2. Sharp socio-political division in society.
3. Mandates flying around every where, from local, state and : gov't as well as private entities, demanding wearing of stupid face diapers, injections proof for some basic activities, etc.
4. Breakdown of general law and order.

:

Trust your instincts.....stay
a reply to: incoserv

I can relate to what you are saying. Having lived now out of the States for nearly 30 years and when I last visited, my hometown changed and I just saw on Zillow.com the house we owned now is all graffitted (sp) .
Although I long to return because as I'm a bit older then you, life here is not easy at my age. Its a culture of one. Maybe different in the big cities, but even then they ( foreigners ) have their own communities. I am happy to hear that you like Mexico. Also you mentioned your family should visit you. My siblings are old now and have health problems so they won't be traveling overseas to visit. ( travel restrictions )

For me , living in Asia was a dream come true, but I kind of wish I lived in Thailand though. This country has too many rules and most people don't believe it, but the govt. here controls all aspects of your life.

a reply to: incoserv

No, it's not as bad as they are saying. I've spent a lot of time outside of the US. The one thing I would avoid if you are anti-mandate is certain cities such as NYC, DC, etc, which DO have mandates and covid tyranny. I'm avoiding those places.

I currently live in a semi-rural area in the US and it's 90% normal, and has been for a while now. Lots of the US is for all intents and purposes back to normal.

However, please remember that many parts of Asia and Europe, as well as Australia, are far far more strict with the mandates. Entire countries in Europe have vaccine mandates. Canada is more restrictive than the US. So is Australia.

Mexico by the way has far higher crime and murder rates, as well as corruption, so it's not any better. I have cherished my time there though.

originally posted by: musicismagic
I can relate to what you are saying. Having lived now out of the States for nearly 30 years and when I last visited, my hometown changed and I just saw on Zillow.com the house we owned now is all graffitted (sp) .
Although I long to return because as I'm a bit older then you, life here is not easy at my age. Its a culture of one. Maybe different in the big cities, but even then they ( foreigners ) have their own communities. I am happy to hear that you like Mexico. Also you mentioned your family should visit you. My siblings are old now and have health problems so they won't be traveling overseas to visit. ( travel restrictions )

For me , living in Asia was a dream come true, but I kind of wish I lived in Thailand though. This country has too many rules and most people don't believe it, but the govt. here controls all aspects of your life.

We were outside for about 25 years straight, 15 here and then 10 en central Asia. When we returned for a few years back in the early 2000s, the first thing that I perceived after being back stateside for a few weeks was the total loss of the concept of boundaries in society. Seriously, people, in the 25 years that we' been away, had nearly completely lost the concept of personal boundaries. I mentioned that to a friend in the states and he told me I was crazy, but then about a year or two later, he came to me and said he understood what I had said and I was right.

Things have changed much and not for the better. I, honestly, don't mind the thought of getting old and dying here one day.

I don't think Donald is coming back, I don't think all Americans are all ejits, or Eejits...follow what you want, I'm more curious about that..RT perhaps???

a reply to: Madviking

I know what you hear about Mexico, but I disagree - as someone with boots on the ground here.

The neighborhood that grew up in, you don't drive through even in the daytime. Yeah, there are places like that here, too. General societal breakdown seems to be prevalent everywhere. It's generally a matter of just knowing where to not stick you nose.

I had an uncle who lived on the border. He told me once that he'd never go to Mexico because a friend's car was stolen there. I said, "So, no cars ever get stolen in the US, right?" He shut up at that.

And, yeah, there are places that are clearly worse than the US in terms of tyranny; but it seems like things are heading that way there, if not most everywhere.

I do agree that living rural would be much preferable to living urban anywhere in the US. We live rural here and by nature I just prefer that lifestyle.

a reply to: smurfy

"RT?" No comprendo ...

a reply to: incoserv

When I last visited, I saw fear in the eyes of my fellow Americans. It just seems as if everyone was being dumbed down. Maybe its the food that is doing it. Also having small eyes, I just couldn't believe how large people got. Must be like 90% of the population has some kind of eating habit. Yes, I'm a bit stocky, so I don't have much room to speak, but I'm just built like a tank. More of in the Italian genes I guess.

originally posted by: musicismagic
a reply to: incoserv

When I last visited, I saw fear in the eyes of my fellow Americans. It just seems as if everyone was being dumbed down. Maybe its the food that is doing it. Also having small eyes, I just couldn't believe how large people got. Must be like 90% of the population has some kind of eating habit. Yes, I'm a bit stocky, so I don't have much room to speak, but I'm just built like a tank. More of in the Italian genes I guess.

The "fear in the eyes..." Not so much that was what I saw, as just an unwillingness to fade reality. I guess that is a specie of fear, not being willing or able to face what is in front of you. But kicking the can down the road, ignoring the dangers, "hoping" things straighten out seemed to be the thing. Almost a fatalism. Most folks seemed scared of anybody who was willing to rock the boat.

originally posted by: incoserv
a reply to: Madviking

I know what you hear about Mexico, but I disagree - as someone with boots on the ground here.

The neighborhood that grew up in, you don't drive through even in the daytime. Yeah, there are places like that here, too. General societal breakdown seems to be prevalent everywhere. It's generally a matter of just knowing where to not stick you nose.

I had an uncle who lived on the border. He told me once that he'd never go to Mexico because a friend's car was stolen there. I said, "So, no cars ever get stolen in the US, right?" He shut up at that.

And, yeah, there are places that are clearly worse than the US in terms of tyranny; but it seems like things are heading that way there, if not most everywhere.

I do agree that living rural would be much preferable to living urban anywhere in the US. We live rural here and by nature I just prefer that lifestyle.

I didn't "hear it," I"ve traveled in Mexico, and throughout Central America. The metrics don't lie.

10 most violent cities in the world

Based on a report released by the Citizens’ Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, the article lists the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world that have the highest homicide rates per 100,000 inhabitants. They are as follows:

Celaya, Mexico – 109.39 Homicides/100K
Tijuana, Mexico – 105.15 Homicides/100K
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico – 103.61 Homicides/100K
Ciudad Obregon, Mexico – 101.13 Homicides/100K
Irapuato, Mexico – 94.99 Homicides/100K
Ensenada, Mexico – 90.58 Homicides/100K
St. Louis, United States – 87.83 Homicides/100K
Uruapan, Mexico – 72.59 Homicides/100K
Fiera De Santana, Brazil – 67.46 Homicides/100K
Cape Town, South Africa – 64 Homicides/100K

Mexico has the 17th highest murder rate as country, and that INCLUDES war zones and post-conflict zones which are always the worst.

Country murder rates

USA is 59th.



Country by country danger index

Mexico 24th, USA 36th. Even this scaling is BS because Honduras is far more dangerous than the US.

I guess this question depends on who you ask and their perspective. However, looking around the world-each country is dealing with a lot of trouble right now. The fact is the biggest crisis someone would actually go through is if their wifi shut off in the US. We don’t have major problems, which is why we create them.

a reply to: musicismagic

The fear is repulsive to me. I've tried to be sympathetic, but when people would rather listen to others rather than observe or search for the answer themselves, I lose all interest in their perspective. I won't comply with the nonsensical mandates(masks or shots) because I won't subject myself to being a lower tier of citizen.

The control that the US govt thinks they have is only intensified by compliance of it's subjects... I mean citizens.

The biggest issue I believe, is the lack of accountability, at all levels. Starting with personal accountability, we can't keep saying "it's normal, everyone's doing it, the govt. needs to do something... etc." We've got to be willing to critique ourselves to make ourselves better, then we can expand outward. We can't do that if the govt. wants a one solution fix for hundreds of millions of people, and we follow obediently.

I think it highly depends on where you are. The large blue states are pretty bad I think. Most of the more red states are getting back to normal as much as possible. I live in a metro in a red state. The mayor would love to govern as a democrat, but he's restrained a bit by the AG and governor.

The US is just a bunch of separate countries at this point doing their own things. I think Florida is about the most normal.

originally posted by: ketsuko
I think it highly depends on where you are. The large blue states are pretty bad I think. Most of the more red states are getting back to normal as much as possible. I live in a metro in a red state. The mayor would love to govern as a democrat, but he's restrained a bit by the AG and governor.

The US is just a bunch of separate countries at this point doing their own things. I think Florida is about the most normal.

I agree, and the last 4 odd years have only underlined and accelerated the differences in US states. After leaving NYC in 2020, and being in a relatively free (covid, firearms, etc) semi-rural area, I know my lifestyle has often been night and day more free than those living in NYC, DC, Michigan, or parts of CA. But then add in the extreme views of many in those locations and politics, and it's even more true.

I grew up in CA and lived in NYC for virtually all of my 30's. If you had told me 10-15 years ago I'd prefer to live in a semi-rural, more red area not in the international "blue" cities or states, I would have thought you daft. With how things have changed and their insane policies, I've done a full 180.

a reply to: Madviking

Those larger places in Cali and New York were always places I wanted to visit someday, but these past few years, I don't see a need to ever go there, not without a lot of cleanup work taking place.

I am really concerned that the decay is spreading all over though. If we're all living like that, then no one will see how bad it actually is in some places.

a reply to: incoserv

Murder and crime is running rampant in the cities.

Rural areas are still fine, gas is high, shortages of materials, price gouging lumber and food, etc.

It is getting progressively worse.

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Madviking

Those larger places in Cali and New York were always places I wanted to visit someday, but these past few years, I don't see a need to ever go there, not without a lot of cleanup work taking place.

I am really concerned that the decay is spreading all over though. If we're all living like that, then no one will see how bad it actually is in some places.

Yeah, I'd suggest waiting just due to the insanity right now, defund police, covid mandates, etc.

But, I highly suggest the natural areas of California. Amazingly beautiful. Redwoods, Yosemite, etc.

a reply to: infolurker

Again, you have to go city by city. Things are getting rougher as times get tougher, but for the most part, if you know the area, you know how to avoid trouble. Most of the problems in KC are in certain trouble spots, for example. Avoid those, and you are doing relatively fine.

I think that unless things get better economically, we're going to be looking at a return of Depression standards, and crime was all over then just like homelessness was.

We're US citizens, but we live in Mexico, have for over four years.

We are busy here Building Back Bitter!