You sound a lot like me — while the realities of trying to live on Soc Sec are scary and have to be faced, I’ve always wanted to live in another country and immerse myself in the culture and the language.

I, for one, want the experience of living in and learning about a different culture. Not to mention the fact I don’t like the direction in which the US is headed.

I don’t think anyone is flocking to Mexico just to get treated at Mexican general hospitals and sign up for the Mexican social security health insurance, IMSS.

Too many other factors are at work, not the least of which is the huge culture shock for those who move to Mexico unwilling to embrace a new culture. You shouldn’t move to Mexico just to save money, or else you’ll always be a miserable fish out of water, even with more money.

It should be noted that it is possible to live in the poorest areas of the US such as Brownsville/McAllen,Texas, for less than the overall costs of desirable areas of Mexico, with excellent health care, Medicare, and all the other safety nets of the US.

But it is very hard to live a desirable standard of living in the US on many people’s incomes, Social Security or not, and lower health care costs are part of the more affordable standard of living in Mexico even when you have to pay cash.

I have a book coming out in a week or two called The Best How-To Book on Moving to Mexico which has in-depth chapters on health care costs and quality in Mexico, including a lengthy personal report on my own experiences having two knee replacement surgeries in Queretaro.

The total cost in Mexico was about $6,800 per knee, compared to at least $40,000 in the US. Even though Medicare would have covered much of the hospital costs, all the related costs of having the surgery and rehab done in the US were far higher than the $6,800 in Mexico.

I’ve been treated for irregular rapid heart beat in a general hospital in San Miguel de Allende for about $50 USD per four-hour visit including x-rays, EKGs, IV meds and cardiology specialists. Private doctors charge as low as $20 for a full hour, and about $50 an hour visit for a specialist who usually has had some training in the US.

My first book, Falling…in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security, also has a lot of information giving specific prices for our retirement to Mexico seven years ago.

If anyone wants in-depth information on all aspects of moving to Mexico on a budget, including health care costs, please check out my website at http://www.fallinginlovewithsanmiguel.com, and my two books, the first of which is already on Amazon.com and the second one will be out within two weeks.

Carol Schmidt

A few years back — 10 or so — my son broke his hand. It required surgery and several pins, screws, etc., as well as multiple doctor visits before and after. My recollection is that even back then it cost over $25,000. Fortunately, at that time we had insurance that paid all but reasonable deductibles.

Just a few days ago I wrote a post on the same subject, comparing the costs of medical treatment in the U.S., France, and Spain, which might interest you:

http://expat21.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/comparing-costs-of-health-care-treatments-in-france-america-britain-and-france/

A procedure for treating a broken arm in France cost 2230 Euros (to someone vacationing there)while the same treatment in America would cost $30,000 in Denver, according to a physician friend I have there.

Expat 21