© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Estudio de Mercado
REPORT OF THE EXPAT SURVEY
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Page
3
Introduction
7
Terminology
8
Moving to or Living in Mérida or Another Area in the State
10
Active Adult, Independent Living and Assisted Living
51
Characteristics of EXPATS
61
Health, Insurance and Medical Services
70
Income, Home Value, Wealth and Expenditures
78
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Executive Summary
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PAGE 1
Introduction
This report summarizes the results of a survey of EXPATS living full or part-time in Mérida or the state
of Yucatán and individuals who are thinking of purchasing a residence and living at least part-time in
this area. The Internet-based survey was publicized via the on-line newsletter of the Yucatán Expatriots
Society, printed announcements made available at the Mérida English Library and other establishments
in Mérida and Progreso.







49% of the respondents living full-time, 33% live part-time and 17% are contemplating moving to the
area.
72% of the EXPATS moved to the area between 2006 and 2011.
95% of the EXPATS living full-time and 25% of EXPATS living part-time in the area state this is
their permanent address.
74% stated the U.S., 19% identified Canada and 7% listed other countries as their country of origin.
The climate, people, culture and cost of living are the primary attributes that attract people to locate
in the area.
57% rated their experiences of planning, making the decision and completing the move to the area as
an 8 or higher on a 10-point scale where a “1” equaled the worst possible experience and a “10”
equaled the best possible experience.
The two most frequent comments about services that would have helped the move to the area were to
have bilingual service providers (19%) and a trusted source for reliable information (16%).

Concerns about moving to the area were: rights of ownership/fideicomiso (14%) and crime (12%).

The most frequent recommendation by the respondents was “Clean up the garbage” (13%).
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
The survey was conducted between February 5, 2011 and February 27, 2011. A total of 286 participants
completed all questions on the survey, 444 participants completed at least part of the survey.
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PAGE 2



30% of the EXPATS live in Santiago or Santa Ana and the remaining 70% live in 72 different
neighborhoods or towns in the area.
89% are satisfied with the quality of their life in Mérida or the state of Yucatán. The most frequently
mentioned attribute (19%) that contributes to this sense of quality is “the people.
52% have lived in two or more homes, 48% have lived in one home, 23% have lived in two homes and
29% have lived in three or more homes since moving to the area.

92% are satisfied with their homes.

51% feel safe all of the time and 46% feel safe most of the time.

18% mentioned “break-ins” as growing concern relative to their safety.

62% of the full-time residents and 45% of the part-time residents volunteer their time and
81% contribute to a charitable or civic cause in Mérida or the state of Yucatán.

76% own their homes and 22% own two or more homes in Mérida or the state of Yucatán.

51% do not own a home outside of México.



19% of the EXPATS indicated they are likely or very likely to move from their current home in Mérida
or the state of Yucatán. The most frequently mentioned reason for moving was crime (15% of
comments). The majority will move to another home in the area and 17% will return to their country
of origin.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.

Those who live in Mérida or the state of Yucatán full-time either have an FM3 (56%) or FM2 (41%)
visa. 64% of those who live in the country part-time have an FMT Tourist visa, 29% have an FM3 nonimmigrant residency visa and 7% have an FM2 permanent residency visa.
29% rated an active adult 50+ lifestyle community as appealing or very appealing. 62% of these
respondents would prefer an active adult community with a continuum of care.
(10%) of 315 respondents were likely or very likely to move to independent living and/or assisted living
community.
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PAGE 3

Those who live full-time in Mérida or the Yucatán are significantly more likely to converse in
Spanish (52%) than those who live part-time (34%) or are thinking of moving to the area (33%).
Characteristics




60% are married, 4% widowed, 17% divorced/separated, 6% never married, 14% are in a domestic
partnership.
71% of the EXPATS 55 to 64 years of age compared to 32% of the same age group residing in the
U.S. and 76% of those between 65 and 74 years of age compared to 25% of this age group in the
U.S. have graduated from college.
50% are retired, 44% work full or part-time, and 6% are not in the paid labor force.
21% live alone, 61% live with one other person, 10% live in a residence with three people and 8%
live in a home with four or more people.
Health and Medical Services






75% rated their health as very good or excellent , 20% rated their health as good and 5% rated it as
fair.
3.5% need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, shopping or meal
preparation. 50% receive unpaid help from a family member or friend and 50% receive help from a
paid source whose job it is to provide help.
81% have health insurance. 52% from the U.S. and 28% from Canada say their insurance is usable
both in their home country and México.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.

73% were between the ages of 50 and 74 years.
9% have applied for and receive IMSS coverage.
Among those who have received medical care in the area 66% rate the medical services as
excellent, 30% rate them as good, 3.5% rate them as fair and 0.5% rate them as poor.
60% reported their annual household income is between $50,000 and $200,000+.
5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – PAGE 4
Financial Attributes



The largest proportion of respondents (46%) said the value of their home when they sold it or that
they own today was within the range of $100,000 to $299,999.
The median net worth of the EXPATS participating in this survey would fall in the range of
$500,000 to $749,999.
The mean (average) amount the EXPATS spend per month is $3,001 and the median amount is
$2,000. The monthly expenditures reported ranged from a low of $500 to a high of $10,000.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.

60% reported their annual household income is between $50,000 and $200,000+.
6
INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes the results of a survey of EXPATS living full or part-time in Mérida or the
state of Yucatán and individuals who are thinking of purchasing a residence and living at least parttime in this area.
The survey was conducted between February 5, 2011 and February 27, 2011.
Goal
Goals for the survey included:
Learn about the EXPATS: where they used to live and where they are living now, who they are –
demographic, economic, occupational characteristics
2.
Learn the EXPATS thoughts and opinions about Mérida and the Yucatán state before, during and
since their move to the area.
3.
Obtain the EXPATS assessment of improvements that should be made to the city and state.
Survey Participants
We targeted EXPATS and people thinking of living in Mérida or the state of Yucatán. The survey
participants were obtained through three primary methods:
1.
The Yucatán Expatriate Society published an article about and a link to the survey in their on-line
newsletter;
2.
The Mérida English library provided information about the survey to individuals who visited the
library, attended events and saw printed announcements about the survey; and,
3.
Printed announcements about the survey were distributed to various locations around the city of
Mérida.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
1.
Sample Size
A total of 286 participants completed all questions on the survey, 444 participants completed at least
part of the survey. Many questions were dependent on answers to previous questions as to whether or
not they appeared in the survey.
7
TERMS USED
Area: refers to Mérida and the state of Yucatán
Domestic Partnership: A domestic partnership is a legal or personal relationship between two
individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are neither joined by
marriage nor a civil union. In some countries and jurisdictions (states) in the U.S. a domestic
partnership is almost equivalent to marriage, or to other legally recognized same-sex or differentsex unions.
Continuum of Care Community: A community that provides housing such as independent living
with services including housekeeping, a dining program, transportation, and social and
recreational opportunities; assisted living that includes all of the above plus assistance with daily
activities; and nursing care services that provides all of the services listed above as well as nursing
care provided by health care professionals.
Independent Living Community (may be part of a community with a continuum of care): An
Independent Living Community is usually a multifamily apartment complex that is often rental
and has a dining program on-site. The individual apartments usually have kitchens, but the
community may have one or more dining rooms where typically most residents eat their “big meal”
each day. Basic services such as housekeeping, transportation, and dining programs are typically
included in the fee. Fees or rent are paid monthly. The community typically provides various
educational, entertainment, cultural, fitness, and wellness opportunities.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
55+ Active Adult Community: An Active Adult Community is a community with a minimum age for
residents, usually 55 years. It may have single-family homes, townhomes, or for sale
condominiums, and a clubhouse, and perhaps other lifestyle amenities, such as a swimming pool,
tennis courts and walking trails or other amenities. This type of community does not generally
provide meals or housekeeping services. People who move to these communities choose them for a
number of reasons that often include: the access to the amenities (golf, swimming); opportunity to
live near other people with similar interests and schedules; reduced lawn and home maintenance;
ability to leave and feel that your house is secure, and specific covenants that make the community
more predictable. Children are always welcomed as guests, even for extended stays, but are not
permanent residents.
8
TERMS USED – PAGE 2
Assisted Living Community (may be part of a community with a continuum of care): An
Assisted Living Community is usually an apartment-like building that provides housing and
services designed to assist people with everyday activities and provides three meals per day.
Services are usually planned for each person based on his or her requirements but may include
help getting from one place to another, bathing, dressing and managing medications. Fees are
paid monthly.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
9
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
MOVING TO AND LIVING IN
MÉRIDA OR ANOTHER AREA IN
THE STATE OF YUCATÁN
10
FULL-TIME OR PART TIME IN MÉRIDA/YUCATÁN
Amount of Time You Live in
Mérida/state of Yucatán
FullTime;
49%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
The survey participants are divided into
three groups for additional analysis
 Full-Time – those who live full-time
in Mérida or another location in the state
of Yucatán
 Part-Time – those who live part-time
in Mérida or another location ion the
state of Yucatán
 Thinking – those who are thinking of
moving full-time or part-time to Mérida
or another location ion the state of
Yucatán
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Among all who completed the survey, 49% live
in Mérida or the state of Yucatán full-time,
33% are part-time residents and 18% of the
respondents are visiting the area and thinking
about moving either part-time or full-time to
the area.
Visiting;
18%
PartTime;
33%
People who live full-time, part-time or are
thinking of purchasing/leasing a home and/or
moving to Mérida or the state of Yucatán were
invited to complete the survey.
11
YEAR STARTED LIVING IN AREA
Percent of EXPAT
Respondents by Year
Started Living Full or
Part-Time in Mérida or
state of Yucatán
2001 to
2005
15,4%
2011
2,5%
2009 to
2010
34,4%
2006 to
2008
35,1%
Seventy-two percent of 279 EXPAT survey
respondents who completed this question moved
to the area between 2006 and 2011.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
1996 to
2000
6,1%
Before
1995
6,5%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
12
PERMANENT ADDRESS BY RESIDENCY STATUS
Among those living part-time in Mérida or the
state of Yucatán, the majority (56%) said their
permanent address is in the U.S., 19% said it is
Mérida, and 17% said their permanent address
is in Canada.
Among those who are thinking of moving to
Mérida or the state of Yucatán, 74% have a
permanent address in the U.S., 18% in Canada
and 7% are in another location in México.
Status of Living in Mérida or the State of Yucatán and
Location of Permanent Address
Permanent
Address
Status of Residency
Full-Time
PartTime
Thinking
About It
Total
Mérida
70%
19%
1%
41%
Some other location in
the state of Yucatán
25%
6%
0%
14%
Another location in
México
2%
2%
7%
3%
United States
1%
56%
74%
32%
Canada
1%
17%
18%
9%
Other
1%
1%
0%
1%
100%
100%
100%
100%
95% of the EXPATS living full-time in Mérida
or the state of Yucatán state this is their
permanent address.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
The majority (70%) of the respondents who said
they live full-time in México stated their
permanent address is Mérida, 25% said it is in
another location in the state of Yucatán and 5%
said their permanent address is either in
another location in México, the U.S., Canada or
somewhere else.
25% living part-time in Mérida or the state of
Yucatán say this is their permanent address.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
13
FORMER OR CURRENT U.S. ADDRESS OF FULL-TIME
AND PART-TIME RESIDENTS
A greater proportion of full-time EXPAT residents listed in states in the southeast, mid-south and
pacific west as their residence of origin. A greater proportion of part-time residents listed the
northeastern area .
0.8%
16.7%
18.6%
10.0%
4.2%
8.3%
4.2%
10.2%
6.8%
8.3%
11.7%
6.7%
10.2%
6.7%
17.8%
21.2%
11.7%
11.7%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
5.9%
8.3%
Full-Time
Part-Time
Current or Former Address of EXPATS by ZIP Code Region in U.S.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
14
PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS BY LOCATION OF
PERMANENT CANADIAN ADDRESS
Percent
10%
3%
10%
13%
15%
5%
5%
5%
18%
18%
100%
Name of Area
Metropolitan Montreal
Eastern Ontario
Central Ontario
Metropolitan Toronto
Western Ontario
Northern Ontario
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
British Columbia
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Code
H
K
L
M
N
P
R
S
T
V
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
15
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
What is your country of
origin?
Other
7%
Seventy-four percent of the respondents are from the
U.S. and 19% are from Canada. Nineteen of the survey
respondents listed countries other than the U.S.,
Canada or México as their country of origin.
Travel to Country of Origin
Seventy-five percent of full-time residents and 98
percent of part-time residents travel to their country of
origin each year.
Number of Times Return to
Country of Origin Each Year
U.S.
74%
100%
90%
80%
Other Country of Origin
N = 19
Country
United Kingdom , England, Ireland,
Netherlands
South Africa
Austria
Denmark
Poland
Puerto Rico
South African born, U.S. citizen
Switzerland
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
70%
Number
9
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3%
7%
5%
19%
60%
50%
40%
13%
10%
20%
40%
Five+
Four
Three
Two
One
30%
44%
20%
10%
10%
None
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Canada
19%
25%
0%
Full-Time
2%
Part-Time
16
REASON FOR MOVING TO MÉRIDA AND THE YUCATÁN
Those who chose Mérida and the state of Yucatán, are almost equally enamored by its assets
of climate, culture, cost of living and people.
Comments
“Have visited Merida several times, and find it to be very friendly, safe, and charming.”
“I have visited the Yucatan several times and like it more each time I visit. It has reasonable costs, great climate
and a rich and interesting culture.”
“I am retired and tired of snow and ice and sleet and impassable mountain roads in the winter months and would
like to spend 3-4 months in a warmer clime in a Spanish -speaking country relatively close to the US.”
Reason for Moving to Merida
N = 119
Category
Climate
Culture
Love the area
Cost of living
People
Retirement
Safety
Activities
Location
Business opportunity
Lifestyle
Medical care
Percent
14%
14%
13%
11%
10%
8%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
Category
Slower pace of life
Atmosphere
Economy
Air travel (easily accessible)
Amenities
Family originally from the area
Food
Housing
Better retirement options
Living conditions
Wanted a change
Percent
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
“I am from the US. I love the people and way of life in Mérida and the Yucatan. The mix of modern, colonial, and
ancient Mayan is ideal. I also like the family values and balanced way of life/living that are part of the culture. I
have always felt welcomed, and, in fact, fell for a Yucatecan.”
17
REASONS FOR THINKING OF MOVING TO
MÉRIDA OR THE STATE OF YUCATÁN
Percent of Respondents Who are Thinking
of Moving to Mérida/Yucatán state by
Their Reason
Percent
20%
15%
13%
9%
7%
7%
6%
4%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Cost of
living
Climate
Approximately 60 of the 76 respondents who are thinking of moving to Mérida or the state of Yucatán
provided their reasoning for their move. Many listed more than one reason.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Reason for Choosing Area
Climate
Cost of living
People
Culture
Love it there
Lifestyle
Safety
Slower pace
Health care
Adventure
Retirement options
Proximity to U.S.
Housing
Business opportunities
Beach
Amenties
People
The most frequently mentioned reasons for thinking about moving to the area included the climate, the
cost of living, the people and the culture
18
PRIMARY FEATURES ATTRACTING…
When asked to identify the features of Mérida and the Yucatán that were attractive to those who have
moved or are thinking of moving to the area, the same three elements appear: people, culture and
climate. Other features that are mentioned include activities available, history, the city, and
architecture,
Primary Features Attracting You to Mérida/State of Yucatán?
n = 183
Percent
Category
Percent
People
16%
Language
2%
Sample of Comments
Culture
14%
Safety
2%
Climate
9%
Community
1%
Mayan culture. English language library
and opportunities to volunteer and get
involved in community.”
Beaches
8%
Food
1%
Cost of living
8%
Opportunity to volunteer
1%
Activities
7%
Amenities
1%
History
5%
Cleanliness
1%
Lifestyle
4%
Freedom
1%
City
4%
Low crime rate
1%
Healthcare
3%
Nature
1%
Architecture
3%
Pensionado programs
1%
Love the area
3%
WiFi access
1%
Proximity to U.S.
3%
Transportation
1%
Air travel
2%
“Mayan culture (ruins, cuisine, history),
Caribbean feel and beaches, cultural
activities, low crime rate and warmth of
Yucatecans, not overly developed, access
to good medical care, the arts.”
“Vibrant city with culture, friendly
people, many events, colonial mixed with
modern architecture and ways of doing
things that are both traditional and
progressive at the same time.”
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Category
19
NUMBER OF VISITS TO MÉRIDA/YUCATÁN STATE
Percent of EXPATS by
Number of Visits
Five to
Ten
17%
One
31%
Four
8%
Three
17%
Two
17%
On the other end of the spectrum, 15% visited
the area more than six times. There were three
respondents who said they had visited 50 times.
 Based on the high proportion of EXPATS
who make their decision to move to Mérida
on their first or second visit suggests that
Mérida has a strong positive first
impression.
A well-designed 50+ Attraction Program
targeted to the right market sectors should
show positive results in a relatively short
period of time.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
None
5%
Eleven +
5%
More than half of the EXPATs living in Mérida
or the state of Yucatán visited the area two or
fewer times before deciding to take up residence
in the area. Five percent made the decision
without ever having visited, 31% visited once
and 17% visited twice.
20
NUMBER OF VISITS BY THOSE THINKING OF MOVING
Sixty-four respondents who are thinking of moving to Mérida or the state of Yucatán provided the
number of times they have visited this area. It is interesting to note that many of those who are
thinking of moving to the area have visited the area significantly greater number of times than
those who have already made the move. Twelve percent of those who live full or part-time in the
area visited more than five times before they made the decision. In contrast, 50% of those who are
thinking about moving have visited the area five or more times.
Those thinking of moving to the
area are:
None
8%
One
13%
Eleven+
23%
Two
13%
Five to Ten
27%
Four
9%
Thinking of Moving to the Area
Compared to Full-Time or
Part-Time Residents
Three
8%
 More likely to be employed
 Less likely to be retired
 No differences in age, marital
status, health, income and wealth
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Number of Visits to Mérida or the
State of Yucatán
21
CONCERNS ABOUT MOVING TO MÉRIDA/YUCATÁN
Survey participants were given a list of concerns they may have had when thinking about and
making the decision to acquire a residence (purchase or lease) in Mérida or the state of Yucatán.
Forty percent of fewer of the participants indicated that they experienced any of these concerns. The
most frequently identified concern was whether or not they would be able to communicate.
Ranking of Concerns about Moving to México
Percent
Being able to communicate
40%
Process of buying home
38%
Cost of living
37%
Quality of medical services
35%
Safety of the area
34%
Confidence in Mexican real estate laws
34%
Price of the home
32%
Fitting into the community
29%
Climate
27%
Finding friends and people with common interests
23%
No concerns
12%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
List of Concerns
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
22
EXPERIENCE MOVING TO MÉRIDA OR THE STATE
Survey respondents who have established a residence in Mérida or Yucatán state rated their experiences
encountered in finding a residence, moving and settling into their homes. The average rating each of their
experiences was above average. And, more than 57% rated their experiences as an “8”or higher on a 10 point
scale.
The best experience was finding a residence they liked at a price they were willing to pay (average rating 8.1
on a 10 point scale). The lowest rating was setting up the household, such as connecting with utilities and
telephone services (6.6 on a 10 point scale).
Experience
Finding a residence that you liked at a price you
were willing to pay.
Finding the location you liked.
Obtaining reliable information about purchasing
or renting a home in México
Completing the financial transaction to acquire
the residence.
Completing the legal requirements to acquire
the residence
Obtaining reliable information about moving to
México.
Planning your move to México.
Moving to México.
Setting up your household (utilities, telephone,
obtaining services, etc.)
Worst
Experience
Average
Experience
6
2
3
4
0.6%
0.0%
1.0%
2.3%
3.6% 11.0% 10.7% 24.6% 25.2% 21.0%
8.1
0.6%
0.0%
0.3%
0.6%
4.2%
9.1% 10.7% 26.9% 24.6% 23.0%
8.2
1.6%
2.3%
2.3%
4.9%
3.6% 12.3% 11.7% 23.0% 20.7% 17.8%
7.5
1.9%
2.3%
2.9%
4.2%
4.5%
7.8% 23.3% 24.3% 20.7%
7.7
1.9%
1.3%
2.6%
2.9%
5.5% 10.7% 9.7% 21.4% 23.0% 21.0%
7.7
2.9%
1.6%
2.9%
3.6%
6.8% 15.2% 10.0% 19.7% 21.0% 16.2%
7.3
1.6%
2.3%
1.3%
1.3%
1.3%
0.0%
1.3%
2.6%
5.8% 15.2% 15.5% 24.6% 17.2% 16.2%
7.1% 11.0% 14.6% 22.3% 21.4% 17.5%
7.6
7.6
3.6%
2.9%
5.5%
5.2% 10.0% 14.2% 16.8% 19.7% 13.9% 8.1%
6.6
8.1%
7
8
9
Avg
1
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
5
Best
Experience
10
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Rating of experiences in finding a residence, moving to México, and settling in.
23
ASSISTANCE IN LEARNING ABOUT MERIDA
AND THE AREA
Many respondents listed suggestions of information that would be helpful to people thinking about or planning
a move to the area.
Sample Suggestions
“Bilingual EXPAT cultural exchange office or website working in conjunction with the state government that
offers official interpretation or guidance Maybe a downloadable package explaining various departments and
processes There are similar offerings from various sources in piecemeal or for a fee.”
Assistance in Learning About Merida and the State of Yucatán (N = 51)
Category
Info about available services
Info about legitimate real-estate businesses
EXPAT advice
Information about getting home loans
Official package outlining legalities of owning property
Easy access to local government services
Information about the city
Legal information
Bilingual services
Bilingual medical care
Info about how to start a business
Consulate services
Ambassador service or website
Bilingual EXPAT cultural exchange office
Info about authorities
Info about banking
Percent
10%
8%
6%
6%
6%
6%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
Category
Percent
Info about cost of living
2%
Info about EXPAT friendly places to rent at reasonable prices
2%
Info about jobs available
2%
Info about organizations
2%
Info about other towns
2%
Info about population
2%
Info about school systems
2%
Info about security
2%
Info about taxes
2%
Info about the immigration process
2%
List of property managers
2%
Newcomer groups and organizations
2%
Ombudsman services
2%
Info about the process of moving
2%
Website from state government that offers guidance
2%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
“An official booklet clearly stating requirements for real estate ownership, an official booklet clearly stating
availability of health care services, ability to use Medicare, etc.”
24
WHAT SERVICES WOULD HAVE HELPED?
What Services Could Have Improved Your Experience (N = 260)
Category
Category
Percent
Information about education options
1%
Information about purchasing or building a home
1%
Regulatory body for lawyers and reliable legal services
1%
Reliable information about health insurance and healthcare
1%
Daily English newspaper
1%
Easier process for buying household furnishings
1%
Easier process for obtaining a visa
1%
Info on neighborhoods of Merida
1%
Information about tax laws
1%
International phone service/internet
1%
Less confusing paperwork
1%
More travel options, Cheaper air travel
1%
Make the area safer
1%
Better communication between EXPAT services
0%
Better maps
0%
Information about running a business in Mexico
0%
Comments. Some cultural preparation would have been helpful to me. I would like to learn more about the Yucatecan
community - history, culture, and how an outsider can learn to make some sort of fit. It is more difficult than I
imagined to find a comfortable place here - I am perceived as a rich gringo (I am unable to afford the high cost of living
in the US) and do not feel so comfortable with the EXPAT community, much of which does not seem to feel the need to
study the language or culture or appreciate what it has to offer. Perhaps a course in cross-cultural communication for
we outsiders might be in order.”
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Percent
Bilingual services
19%
Reliable information Official website, Official Guidebook
13%
Easier process for establishing utilities
9%
Honest realtors, List of reliable contractors/architects/realtors
9%
Clearer information regarding shipping/importing
6%
Government agency that is friendly with EXPATs
4%
Improved customs process
4%
Better banking service and information about banking
4%
Clearer information regarding laws
3%
Clearer information regarding vehicle registration and buying a car
3%
Welcome center, welcome wagon service, or welcome package
3%
Add moving assistance to tourist department
2%
More reliable and honest police force
2%
Better trash collection and recycling centers
2%
More reliable postal service
1%
Consulate office
1%
Ferry service
1%
“At the time we bought land and built here, there was little information to help foreigners choose reliable builders and
other services. It would have helped enormously if there had been a central government office that was a clearing
house for reliable information.”
“Availability of bilingual (English) services at banks, utility companies in Merida. Also bilingual assistance to purchase
refrigerator/stove etc.”
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
25
CONCERNS ABOUT MOVING TO MEXICO
Concerns About Moving to Mexico (N = 100)
Housing costs
American relations
Border issues
Cost of living
Difficulty relocating
Dishonest realtors
Distance from U.S.
Unreliable mail service
Fear of Mexico becoming more like U.S.
Ability to earn income
Too many foreigners
Reliable internet access
Rising costs
Road conditions
Slow economy
Water
Percent
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Comments
“Looked at rights of ownership, tax liabilities, confidence and safe guards of a legal transaction. Risks of political
change and attitudes and ability to sell at a future date.”
“Concern is buying real estate through a trust held by the bank. What protection is there from the bank simply
seizing all of the trusts?”
“Fear that I might lose my investment due to political struggles; drug violence itself and it's impact on other wealthy
foreigners/locals buying property, working with an advisor but learning too late that the purchase wasn't properly
executed so government could take property back.”
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Rights of ownership, Fideicomiso
Crime
Confidence in legal transactions
Safety
Stability of government
Acquiring health insurance/healthcare
Real-estate values
Tax liabilities
Difficult to maintain property from abroad
Language barriers
Garbage/pollution
Climate
Corrupt police
Distance from family
Stray animals
Mexican laws
Percent
14%
12%
8%
8%
8%
6%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
“We are concerned about incidents of corrupt police; fearful of an automotive accident that could land us in jail with
bribery as the way out; If there was any message we would want you to give to the state government it would be to
train and pay the police well so bribes would not be tempting; nor would any activity related to the drug wars.”
26
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
General Recommendations (N = 387)
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Category
Percent
Category
Percent
Clean up garbage
13% Smooth visa process
1%
Crack down on police corruption
5% Close the Plaza Grande to vehicles
1%
Bus system/Improve/reorganize bus routes
4% Improve customer service with TelMex and CFE
1%
Improve sidewalks
4% Improve safety
1%
Bilingual services
4% Offer educational opportunities and programs
1%
Clarify legal system for non-Spanish speakers
4% Put utility lines underground
1%
Enforce laws, rules, and regulations
4% Control beach erosion
1%
Improve roads
3% Improve utilities
1%
Close Centro to all vehicles or at least buses
3% Add bike lanes on the streets
1%
More police protection
3% Advertise volunteer programs EXPATs can participate
1%
Get rid of stray animals/government animal control agency
3% Clean up graffiti
1%
Better utilities at lower utility costs
3% Close streets to vehicles around the main Zocalo area
1%
Create a definitive place to pick up a packet of reliable information 2% Create public housing for the poor
1%
Create incentives for recycling
2% Do away with fideicomiso
1%
Provide legal documents and brochures for everything in English
2% Educate people in customer service positions
1%
More direct flights to area
2% Eliminate vacant/dilapidated empty houses
1%
Add more parks and green space
2% Have better signage on roads
1%
Reduce noise level
2% Help establish alternative energy use
1%
Liaison between government and EXPAT community
2% get rid of the "Manana" syndrome
Comments. “Improve the roads on the beach front particularly the side roads..”
“Crack down on petty crime. It makes everyone - EXPATs and Mexican national - feel unsafe
Please start regulating the real estate industry here. There is no single thing that scares EXPATs away so quickly,
before they even buy.”
“Anti litter programs, the city is dirty and littered. A historic city like Merida should not be so dirty!”
“Repair the dangerous holes and cracked concrete on the side-walks; repair or replace the broken and/or missing ManHole coverings on the side walks; this is life threatening!!”
27
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTINUED )
Additional Recommendations by Individuals
Allow payment of utilities by check by mail
Allow people to move items here duty free if a residence is owned
Attract more businesses to the pueblos and along the beaches to
develop tourism more
Better control of custom agents on the port
Bilingual speaking people in government offices
Make the Yucatanean government the national leader in
transparency, responsibility, and accountability.
More street lights
More Telcel towers
Mosquito control
Offer current website in perfect English
Offer spay and neuter programs
Provide a ferry service between mainland U.S. and Yucatan
Switch to Eastern Time Zone to add an extra hour of light at night would be good for tourism
Provide cultural awareness and daily living assistance to new arrivals.
Provide more Asian food supplies in stores and supermarkets
Raise standards
Stop allowing businesses to use mounted loud speakers on vehicles in
neighborhoods.
Stop cell phone use while driving
Bring more business to Merida
Implement the ecobici programme that's available in Mexico City here
Stop charging for bringing pets into the country via Cancun.
in the Yucatan. Ecobici is a bicycle sharing program.
Continue illumination project on Paseo Montejo
Stop talking and act, instead
Create an online forum to collect and distribute reliable information
Get parking under control with homeowner permits for one street
relevant to foreigners in the Yucatan.
spot only
Curb alcoholism
Teach population about good nutrition
Do something about the invasion of foreigners coming to Merida for sex
Use machines to clean the sargasso on the beach
tourism
Encourage Telmex to extend Infinitum
Wash streets daily downtown during hot months where pigeons roost
Get rid of junk shops in Centro
Reduce paperwork
Join the 21st century
Provide bus service in the evenings
Less bureaucracy
Calendar of monthly events in city and state
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Negotiate with American government about honoring Medicare
payments in Mexico
Include bilingual services with EXPAT services, law enforcement
Provide bus guides in English
Regulate the real-estate industry and require realtors to get licenses
Add a train service to the Cancun airport
Add more open-air markets
Add restaurants
28
TYPE OF VISA
Type of Visa

FMT
Tourist
visa, 24.1%
There were no differences in the type of visa
held by the survey respondents by when they
began to live in the country (no chart).
100%
90%
FM3
Nonimmigrant
residency
visa, 46.2%
29%
80%
70%
FM2
Permanent
residency,
28.9%
56%
7%
60%
FM3 Non-immigrant
residency visa
50%
FM2 Permanent
residency
40%
FMT Tourist visa
64%
30%
20%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.

Those who live in Mérida or the state of
Yucatán full-time either have an FM3 (56%)
or FM2 (41%) visa. 64% of those who live in
the country part-time have an FMT Tourist
visa, 29% have an FM3 non-immigrant
residency visa and 7% have an FM2
permanent residency visa.
41%
10%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
0%
3%
Full-Time
Part-Time
29
ADAPTING TO LIVING IN THE AREA
Ease of Adapting to Living in Area
45%
42%
35%
32%
30%
25%
20%
18%
15%
10%
5%
5%
1%
0%
0%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Only a small proportion (6%) said
adapting to living in México was
difficult. On the other hand, just
18% said it was “very easy.”
40%
30
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
ADAPTING TO MÉXICAN LIFESTYLE
Ease of Adapting to Méxican
Lifestyle by Type of Visa
100%
90%
0%
1%
0%
4%
10%
33%
34%
28%
Very difficult
70%
Difficult
60%
50%
Somewhat
difficult
28%
Somewhat east
46%
40%
48%
30%
Easy
Very easy
20%
33%
10%
18%
There may be a perception that adapting to the
Mexican lifestyle will be easier than that experienced.
A statistically significant (p < .006) greater proportion
of respondents with a tourist visa (FMT) rated their
experience of adapting to the Méxican lifestyle as
“very easy” compared to those with an FM2 visa (18%)
or an FM3 visa (11%).
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
80%
1%
2%
4%
11%
0%
FMT
FM2
FM3
31
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
SENSE OF BEING INTEGRATED IN COMMUNITY
Extent to Which You Feel You Have
Integrated into the Community
60%
50%
A higher proportion of EXPATS who are very
satisfied with their quality of life in Mérida or
the Yucatán believe they are integrated into the
community than those who are satisfied or
somewhat satisfied.
40%
30%
22%
22%
20%
10%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Being integrated into a community means that
you have a sense of being part of the community
and that you belong there. Slightly more than
one-fifth of the EXPATS said they feel integrated
into the community and the majority (55%) said
they feel somewhat integrated.
55%
1%
0%
Integrated
Somewhat
integrated
Minimally
integrated
Not at all
integrated
32
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
SENSE OF BEING INTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNITY
100%
3%
90%
80%
0%
1%
19%
20%
29%
Not at all
integrated
60%
49%
58%
50%
40%
Minimally
integrated
Somewhat
integrated
57%
Integrated
30%
20%
33%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
70%
The EXPATS who have an FM2 visa providing
permanent residency in México are significantly
(p < .04) more likely to have a sense of being
integrated into the community (33%) than those
with an FM3 non-immigrant residency visa
(22%) or those with a tourist visa (12%).
22%
10%
12%
0%
FMT
FM2
FM3
33
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
WHERE EXPATS RESIDE IN AREA
 30% of the EXPATS live in Santiago
or Santa Ana.
 An additional 38% live in the areas
listed in the table below.
Location of EXPATS
Santiago
Santa Ana
Progreso
Chelem
San Sebastián
Garcia Gineros
Centro Historico
Mejorada
Churburna Pto
Chicxulub
San Cristobal
Santa Lucia
16.7%
14.6%
8.8%
7.6%
3.8%
2.9%
2.6%
2.6%
2.3%
2.0%
2.0%
2.0%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011




























La Ermita
Col. Emiliano Zapata Nte.
Itzimna
Buenavista
Franciso Villa Poniente
San Antonio
Cinta/MonteCristo
Xcanatún
San Juan
Los Pinos
Caucel
Izamal
San Benito
Xmatkuil
Sisal
San Nicolas Norte
Celestun
Jardines de Merida
San Benito Playa
Campestre
Ticul
Centro, San Sebastian
Kamchén
San Bruno
Col. Mexico Norte
Valladolid
Chablekal
La Ceiba
San Crisanto
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
 The remaining 32% are scattered
throughout the areas listed to the right.
Other Locations of EXPATS
Dzityá

Xcumpich

Col. Maya

Malaga

San Ramon Norte

Benito Juarez Norte

Ermita

Abalá

Colonial Chichen

Monterreal

St. Gertrudis Copó

Centenario

Montes de Amé

Alcala Martin

Cozumel

Motul Tanya

Sudzal

Telchac Puerto

Aleman

Altabrisa

Emiliano Zapata Norte

Nuevo Yucatán

Telchac (San Bruno)

Cholul

Chen Bech

Avila Camacho

Fracc. Montebello

Tepakan

Chuminopolis

Baca

Fracc. Montealban

Puerto Morelos

Umán

34
SATISFACTION WITH LIFE IN THE AREA
Satisfaction with Their Quality of Life
in Mérida/State of Yucatán
50%
46%
43%
40%
Research has shown that those who
are “very satisfied” with where they
live are at least four times more
likely to recommend their
“community” to their friends than
those who are “satisfied.”
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
7%
4%
5%
1%
Learn the attributes of the
community that make people very
satisfied as well as the attributes of
the people who are very satisfied.
Matching people with areas that will
make them very satisfied, will
increase recommendations to their
friends and families to move to
Mérida or the state of Yucatán.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
45%
Eighty-nine percent of the EXPAT
respondents are satisfied or very
satisfied with the quality of their life
in Mérida or the state of Yucatán.
There is not a difference in the
proportion of people who are
satisfied relative to if they are fulltime or part-time residents.
0%
Very
satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
Dissatisfied
Very
Dissatisfied
35
SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY OF LIFE
Satisfaction with Quality of Life
N = 252
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
Comments
Negative comments were listed by a
smaller proportion of respondents, but
most are related to poorer quality
community services . Some
representative samples include:
“Garbage pick up is not consistent
even though yearly fee has been paid.”

“I would put very satisfied if a couple of
issues, like garbage pick-up, worked a
tiny bit better.”

“Banking is like having teeth pulled
without any pain killer. “


“Internet speed needs to be faster.”
“I live alone and I have to worry about
the men who work and service the empty
beach homes. I`ve had three rape
attempts. “

© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Category (Positive) Percent
Category (Negative)
Percent
4%
People
19% Crime and break-ins
3%
Culture
9% Garbage/pollution
2%
Climate
9% Traffic – too fast, congestion
2%
Safe
8% Bureaucracy
1%
Cost of living
7% Electricity, water, sidewalks
1%
Activities
5% Streets in disrepair
1%
Community
4% Climate
1%
Goods and services
4% Noise
1%
Health care
3% Police
1%
Housing
3% Poor workmanship
<1%
Peace and quiet
2% Lack of goods and services
<1%
Food
1% Mail delivery
<1%
Transportation
1% Reliability of workers
Ambience
1% Transportation – poorly organized <1%
<1%
Location
1% Expensive
<1%
Clean
1% Over-priced workers
<1%
Infrastructure
<1% Banking
<1%
Land
<1% Food
<1%
Shopping
<1% Landlords
<1%
No high-rise buildings
<1% Air travel to/from Mérida
<1%
Volunteer opportunities <1% Dishonest people , scams
<1%
Workers
<1% Plumbing
<1%
Street dogs
<1%
Wages
Those who are satisfied with
Mérida and the state love the
people, the culture, the climate
and their sense of safety.
“Info online is very misleading. More
expensive than expected even though
living much below standard in states.”

“Would like to see the city buses
updated to less polluting models.”

36
NUMBER OF HOMES
Since you began living in México, in how
many different residences have you lived?
The majority of EXPAT respondents (52%) have
lived in two or more homes since moving to
México. Forty-eight percent have lived in one
home, 23% have lived in two homes and 29%
have lived in three or more homes.
Number of Homes
Lived in México
Five
5%
Six Seven
1%
2%
Four
6%
 The majority of EXPATS appear to a
temporary residence when they first move to
the area, then find their primary residence.
One
48%
Three
14%
Almost half (48%) have lived in only one
location.
 About 15% of the EXPATS have lived in
four or more residences. Some of these may
live in a residence as they fix it up for resale.
Eight+
1%
Two
23%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
There is not a statistically significant difference
in the number of residences in which the
EXPATS have lived relative to if they are fulltime or part-time residents in the area.
37
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
EXPATS SATISFACTION WITH THEIR RESIDENCE
Percent by Satisfaction with
Their Residence
60%
 92% of the survey respondents are
satisfied with their homes.
54%
 54% are very satisfied
40%
38%
30%
20%
10%
6%
2%
0%
Very
satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
50%
0%
Very
Dissatisfied
38
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
SATISFACTION WITH CURRENT RESIDENCE
 Positive comments about their homes far out number
the negative comments., but there are frustrations.
Satisfaction with Current Residence
N = 218
Positive Comments
28%
Home has all necessary
comforts
Location
Good neighbors
Home is centrally located
Cost of living
People
Green space
Beach
Feel safe
Good landlord
Pool
Maintenance support
Quiet
Wireless Internet
Negative Comments
Utilities/Electrical outages/plumbing
and water issues
Percent
4%
11%
Noise
3%
8%
5%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
Lack of maintenance support
Garbage/pollution
Location
Inconsiderate neighbors
Home lacks necessary comforts
Bad landlord
Lack of green space
Construction issues
Dishonest realtors
Eroding beaches
Lack of pool
Insufficient parking
Buildings too high, blocks view
Area being over-developed
Dishonest contractors
Lack of building restrictions on beach
Poor construction
Home needs repairs
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
“It is turning out to be more of a
'fixer-upper' than I had originally
thought.”
“The property taxes, water and
electricity are continually raised
despite the fact that the
government does nothing for
Centro. The streets are filthy, the
electricity is unreliable and the
water is hardly potable.”
“Very happy with house, but
renovation process difficult. Time
schedules often not respected by
workers, for example. The
Yucatecan custom of telling a
customer what they want to
hear, rather than the truth really
wears a person down. Example was told by workers they would
be at my house on Monday
morning for work. I waited all
day for no one. I found out later
that Sunday was a holiday, that
people drank a lot that night and
no one planned to, or would, be
working on Monday. But, I
wasted my day and waited”
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Nice home
Percent
Comments
39
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
SENSE OF SAFETY IN MÉRIDA/STATE OF YUCATÁN
I feel safe….
Rarely
1%
Never
0%
The majority of EXPATS feel safe all of the time.
And, virtually all feel safe most of the time. Two
percent feel safe sometimes and 1% said they
rarely feel safe.
Most of
the time
45%
All of the
time
51%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Sometimes
2%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
40
SENSE OF SAFETY (COMMENTS)
 The majority of
respondent’s comments
indicate they feel safe.
Category (Positive)
Feel safe
Police presence
Good people
Safer in Merida
Safe during the day
Percent
48%
10%
4%
1%
<1%
Category (Negative)
Break-ins, beach break-ins, heard about
Break-ins, personal experience
We stay alert to our surroundings
Fear that it’s becoming more unsafe
Traffic
Drugs
Crime in other areas
Police extortion
Police bothersome, of concern
Buses
Bad experience with taxi drivers
Gangs in areas
Government is corrupt
Percent
13%
5%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
Comments
“As a single woman I walk home alone at night several nights a week and only three times in three years has
anyone even bothered me. Can't say that about California.”
“Current situation in Yucatan is pretty safe, at least as safe as in the US but there is always the feeling that this
could change. Current governor has done an excellent job of safeguarding living conditions but she is out in 2012.”
The drug wars are taking a toll on everyone. I do not have the confidence I used to have as far as safety issues.” Seven respondents expressed fear that it was becoming increasingly unsafe in the area.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
 Some expressed
concern about break-ins,
particularly in the
beach area.
Sense of Safety
N = 270
“Currently, I feel personally safe, but I do not feel like my belongings are safe or protected. I also feel that the
growing issue of homes being broken into will escalate into personal safety being in jeopardy.”
41
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
SENSE OF SAFETY IN MERIDA/STATE OF YUCATÁN
Satisfaction of EXPATS is tied to their sense of safety. Seventy-three percent of the EXPATS who are
very satisfied say they feel safe all of the time. In contrast, 36% of those who are satisfied, 23% who
are neutral and 21% who are dissatisfied say the feel safe all of the time.
Sense of Safety by Level of Satisfaction
100%
Percent by Sense of Safety
0%
3%
1%
5%
0%
21%
26%
80%
7%
70%
Never
Rarely
61%
60%
73%
50%
40%
0%
Sometimes
50%
Most of the time
73%
30%
20%
All of the time
36%
23%
10%
21%
0%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
90%
0%
1%
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Dissatisfied
Level of Satisfaction with Quality of Life
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
42
PERCENT OF FOREIGNERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Percent of Foreigners (U.S./Canada) in Your
Neighborhood
70%
62%
50%
Only 6% of the EXPATS live in an area
where the majority of their neighbors are
foreigners.
40%
30%
20%
14%
10%
8%
10%
4%
1%
1%
76 to
99%
100%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Seventy-five percent of the EXPATS
stated they live in areas where fewer
than 25 percent of their neighbors are
foreigners (U.S., Canadian or other
nationalities).
60%
0%
0%
1 to 25
%
26 to
50%
51 to
75%
Don’t
know
43
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
VOLUNTEERING
Frequency of Volunteering
0%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Several times per week
19%

23%
From time to time
Only when asked
Once a year for a specific
event
41%
2%
2%
62% of the full-time residents and 45% of the
part-time residents volunteer
The difference in the proportion who
volunteer between full-time (62%) and parttime (45%) residents is statistically
significant (p < .004).
Percent Who Volunteer of
Full-Time and Part-Time
Residents
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
38%
55%
No
Yes
62%
45%
Full-time
Other
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Once per week
56% of the survey respondents volunteer
their time to a charitable or civic
organization in their Méxican community?
Part-Time
12%
44
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Amount Contributed


More than $20,000
81% of the EXPATS contribute financially
A slightly greater proportion of full-time
residents (85%) contribute financially than
part-time residents (73%).
$10,000 to $19,999
$5,000 to $9,999
Percent Who Contribute
Financially by Full-Time or
Part-Time Residency
$1,000 to $2,499
$750 to $999
100%
$500 to $749
90%
85%
80%
$400 to $499
73%
70%
60%
$300 to $399
50%
$200 to $299
40%
30%
$100 to $199
20%
$51 to $99
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
$2,500 to $4,999
10%
0%
$1 to $50
Full-Time
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Part-Time
25%
45
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
HOME RENTAL OR OWNERSHIP
Three-fourths of the
EXPATS own their
homes.
Other
3%
Number of Homes
Owned
Three
6%
Rent
22%
Own
76%
One
78%
Two
16%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Own or Rent
22% of the EXPATS own
two or more homes.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
46
HOME OWNERSHIP IN COUNTRY OTHER THAN
MÉXICO
Number of Homes Owned
Outside of México
Two
9%


One
38%
None
51%
Half of the EXPATS do not own a home
outside of theMéxico.
There is not a statistically different number
of homes owned by EXPATS relative to the
type of visa or full-time or part-time
residency in the area.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Three+
3%
47
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
MOVE FROM HOME IN MÉRIDA OR THE STATE?
How Likely is it You will
Move from Your Current
Home in México?
Likely
11,7%
Unsure
24.5%
Unlikely
26,7%
There is not a statistically significant difference
in the proportion who are considering moving
from their home relative to the type of visa or
full-time or part-time residency in the area.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Very
unlikely
29,3%
Very
likely
7,7%
Approximately 19% of the EXPATS indicated
they are likely or very likely to move from their
current home in Mérida or the state of Yucatán.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
48
REASON FOR MOVING FROM MÉRIDA OR THE
SURROUNDING AREA?
Reason for Moving From Mérida
Forty-seven of the 53 participants who said
they might move from Mérida listed the reason
for their move. The most frequently
mentioned reason for moving was crime (15%
of comments).
“Because our neighbors break the law and the
government does nothing about it, which is
destroying our property value and quality of
life.”
“Crime can become a major deterrent.”
“The crime continues to increase in the beach
towns and I have no confidence in the
authorities to control this growing problem.”
“The overall deterioration of Merida because of
the police and government.”
Category
Crime
Better/larger home
Noise/want quieter neighborhood
Want a change
Corrupt police
Garbage/pollution
Government
Have property in another area
Moving back to U.S.
Want more green space
Can’t make a living
Climate
Want to experience other areas of Mexico
Family responsibilities
Want fewer vacant buildings around
Better schools
Lack of confidence in authorities
Like smaller towns
Move away from beach
Not happy with Semarnat, Profepa, CFE, and TelMex
Overall deterioration of Merida
Safety
Too crowded
Zoning issues
Utilities
Percent
15%
11%
11%
9%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Comments
N = 47
49
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
LOCATION OF MOVE
Where Will You Move?

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Country of origin
17%
To another location in
Mérida or area in the
Yucatán
To another location in
México
To another country
Don’t know
49%
4%
11%
81% of the 53 respondents who said they
might move prefer to own their residence
and 19% prefer to rent.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.

Among the 53 respondents who said they
might move from their current home in
Mérida or the state of Yucatán, 49% said
they would move to another home within the
area, 19% don’t know where they will move,
and 17% will return to their country of
origin.
19%
50
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
APPEAL OF 50+ LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY
 29% of the EXPATS rated a 50+
Lifestyle Community as appealing or
very appealing.


Very
unappealing
23,3%
Very
appealing
11,3%
Fewer than 1% of the respondents said they
live presently in a 55+ community. None of
these respondents live full-time in Mérida or
the state of Yucatán
Aware of Active Adult Lifestyle
Communities
Appealing
17,9%

Unappealing
16,7%
Neutral
30,7%
60% of the respondents are aware of 55+
active adult communities in the U.S.,
Canada or México. The majority listed were
in the U.S. with Del Webb Sun Cities
mentioned most frequently, and The Villages
at Lady Lakes and Leisure World listed
second and third most frequently. Three
communities were mentioned in México: Las
Fincas in Mérida, one in Puerto Vallarta,
and one in Guaymas
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Opinion of Appeal of Active Adult
Community Near Mérida?
There is not a statistically significant
difference in the proportion who find a 55+
community appealing relative to their visa or
having full-time or part-time residency in
México
.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
51
MOVE TO 50+ LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY?
If it were available, how likely is it
you would move to an active adult
community in Mérida
or the surrounding area?
60%
Among the 24 respondents who would consider
moving to a 55+ community – 17% prefer only an
active adult community, 62% prefer an active
adult community with a continuum of care, and
21 percent did not have a preference.
52,0%
40%
When Might You Move to 55+
N = 24
30%
19,4%
20%
< 1 Year
8%
21,2%
Don't know
25%
10%
5,2%
2,2%
0%
Very
likely
Likely
Unsure
Unlikely
Very
unlikely
> 5 Years
46%
1 to 3 Years
8%
3 to 5 Years
13%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
50%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
52
MOVE TO AN INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY?
If it were available, how likely is it you
would move to an independent living or
assisted living community in Mérida
or the surrounding area?
50%
Independent Living
45%
35%
30%
Fifty-two percent of the respondents stated they are
Assisted Living 45%
aware of independent living communities and 56% are
45%
aware of assisted living communities in the U.S.,
Canada or Mexico. The proportion aware of
communities is considerably lower than the awareness
level among individuals in this same age group who are
living in the U.S. Among those living in the U.S., 75%
are aware of independent living community and 84%
are aware of assisted living community.
25%
23%
25%
22%
25%
When Might You Move to Independent
Living or Assisted Living
N = 31
20%
15%
Independent Living
10%
5%
6% 6%
60%
Assisted Living
54%
50%
45%
40%
1% 2%
32%
29%
30%
0%
Very likely
Likely
Unsure
Unlikely
Very
unlikely
20%
10%
0%
9%
0%
5% 4%
9%
13%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
40%
Thirty-one (10%) respondents out of the 315 who
answered this question were likely or very likely to
move to independent living and/or assisted living.
< 1 Year 1 to 3 Years3 to 5 Years > 5 Years Don't know
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
53
MOVE TO AN INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY?
When Might You Move to Independent
Living or Assisted Living?
(n=31)
Independent Living
60%
Assisted Living
54%
50%
40%
32%
29%
30%
Independent living is more of a discretionary move
than assisted living, which is a move of necessity.
Nursing Care
20%
10%
13%
9%
9%
5% 4%
0%
0%
Within the 1 to 3 years 3 to 5 years > 5 years Don’t know
year
Thirty-four respondents said they would move to
nursing care if it were available and they needed
nursing care services. None of the respondents said
they would be likely to move to a nursing care
facility in the next three years.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
45%
A slightly greater proportion of the respondents who
would at least consider a move to independent living
(14%) would consider moving within three years
than those who would consider moving to assisted
living (4%). A greater proportion (67%) said they
would consider moving to assisted living and 54%
said they would consider independent living when a
longer time frame of three to more than five years
was indicated.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
54
PREFERENCES FOR AMENITIES
Preferences for Amenities [n=142]
Essential
61%
53%
52%
50%
46%
44%
41%
40%
38%
38%
32%
32%
32%
26%
24%
18%
18%
16%
14%
13%
13%
12%
7%
7%
6%
6%
4%
Desirable
36%
41%
29%
45%
46%
46%
50%
54%
55%
53%
61%
59%
62%
55%
46%
62%
62%
54%
55%
60%
45%
53%
27%
34%
43%
40%
46%
Unnecessary Do not want
4%
0%
4%
1%
18%
1%
5%
0%
8%
0%
9%
1%
7%
1%
6%
1%
6%
1%
9%
0%
6%
1%
6%
3%
6%
1%
16%
3%
29%
1%
19%
1%
19%
1%
26%
4%
25%
6%
24%
4%
37%
6%
28%
7%
44%
21%
51%
8%
39%
12%
44%
10%
42%
8%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Those who would at least
consider moving to an active
adult or independent living
community were asked to
indicate their preferences for
amenities in these
communities. Their
preferences are generally
similar to those of
prospective consumers for
these communities in the
U.S.
ATM
Outdoor walking paths and fitness trails
Computer room
Medical center with medical services
Full-service pharmacy
Storage room inside residence
Convenience store
Restaurant style dining
Outdoor swimming pool
Library
Outdoor dining area
Fitness center
Free shuttle service to local shopping areas
Bar and grill
Full-service bank
Theater for live performances or movies
Private gardening area
Gourmet coffee shop
Arts and crafts room
Rooms for playing games and cards
Indoor swimming pool
Workshop
Golf course
Music practice room
Jacuzzi or hot tub
Sauna or steam room
Billiards room
55
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
OTHER ESSENTIAL AMENITIES
Some respondents listed additional amenities they would like to see in an active adult or independent
living community.
Comments
“Ability to keep my dogs with me and walk with my dogs. An off-leash area for my dogs. Wifi everywhere.
An on-call or in-house tech support.”
Other Essential Amenities
N = 48
Category
Dog park
Access to transportation
Educational programs
WiFi access everywhere
Availability of healthcare
Spa/salon
Green space
Housekeeping services
Large room for parties
Outdoor activities
Walking trails
Access to cultural events
Activities director
Bike trails
Book clubs
Community garden
Percent
Category
Percent
8%
6%
6%
6%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
2%
Cultural center
High-quality food
Home close to community
Horse stables
Language classes
Nearby parks
Nearby restaurants
Near schools
On-call tech support
Outdoor grilling area
Personal trainer
Services
Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous
Tennis courts
Travel agent
VOIP
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
“Hair / manicures / pedicures available if called. Small "bar" for at least a "Happy Hour" room to meet,
dance, listen to music, etc....We're not dead yet!!! A place to walk the dog(s).”
2%
2%
2%
2%
56
PREFERENCES FOR SERVICES
The services desired most by those interested in an active adult or independent living community are year round
maintenance of landscaping, driveways and sidewalks and exterior home maintenance.
Thirteen percent believe that a prepaid dining program is essential and 51% rated it as desirable.
Essential
Desirable Unnecessary Do not want
Year round maintenance service for your landscaping, driveway,
sidewalks, parking area, etc.
39%
54%
6%
1%
Exterior home maintenance
37%
57%
4%
1%
Transportation services (scheduled at specific times)
32%
63%
5%
0%
Housekeeping services
32%
57%
10%
1%
Interior home maintenance
19%
64%
15%
1%
Fitness/wellness program with personal coach
19%
58%
18%
5%
Dining program (pre-paid meals)
13%
51%
31%
6%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Preferences for Services
[n=134]
57
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Respondents were asked to list other essential services they would require. Those listed most frequently were
entertainment and educational opportunities.
Comments
“An activities program staff who would oversee travel, education and entertainment services.”
“Housekeeping and Interior home should be on an "as needed" basis etc, as should the dining program. Prices per
couple/person for a lot of these things should be based on what they want/pay for.”
Category
Percent
Entertainment
Educational classes
Access to public transportation
Activities director
Amenities
Dining as needed
Guest suites
Housekeeping as needed
In-home medical services
Personal care services
Professional services such as attorneys, estate planners
Psychiatrist
Religious services
Salon/Spa
WiFi
12%
12%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Other Essential Services
N = 17
58
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
FREQUENCY OF EXERCISE
Frequency of Exercise
Daily
Eighty-six percent of the EXPATS said they
exercise at least once per week and 66% said
they exercise at least three times per week.
Fourteen percent exercise everyday.
14%
Six times weekly
4%
8%
Four times weekly
Favorite Form of Exercise
N = 198
7%
Percent
Three times weekly
32%
Twice weekly
18%
Once weekly
3%
Less than once
weekly
10%
Never
4%
0%
Walking
Swimming
Yoga
Biking
Lifting weights
Aerobic exercise
Dance
Cardio exercise
Exercise machines
Strength training
Gardening
Golfing
Stretching
37%
19%
11%
6%
6%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
Percent
Zumba
Hiking
Jogging
Low-impact aerobics
Martial arts
Pilates
Riding
Running in pool
Skiing
Squash
Stair-climbing
Tennis
Water aerobics
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Five times weekly
Twenty-eight percent of the respondents belong
to a fitness center or club (no chart).
10% 20% 30% 40%
59
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
FITNESS CLASSES
Likelihood of Participating
in Fitness Classes
Yoga and stretching classes were the most preferred
with one-third of the respondents saying they were
very likely to participate in these classes.
Other Fitness Classes
N = 43
Very
likely
29%
Classes
Unsure
26%
Likely
33%
Likelihood of Participating in an Exercise Class
Very Likely
Likely
Unsure
Unlikely
Very
Unlikely
Yoga
34%
28%
22%
9%
8%
Stretching
32%
38%
17%
8%
5%
Tai Chi
23%
22%
35%
12%
8%
Water aerobics
22%
43%
17%
11%
8%
Aerobics
14%
26%
27%
23%
11%
Spinning (group riding stationary
bicycles)
4%
25%
35%
18%
18%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
Dance
Weight lifting
Pilates
Swimming
Walking
Ballet
Martial arts
Zumba
Balance classes
Chi gong
Competitive sports
Golf
Jazzercise
Low-impact exercises
Strength conditioning
Tennis
Exercise machines
Percent
23%
16%
12%
7%
7%
5%
5%
5%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Unlikely
7%
Very
unlikely
5%
Sixty-two percent of the respondents said they were
very likely or likely to participate in fitness classes.
60
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPATS
61
SPANISH SPEAKING ABILITIES
Spanish Speaking Abilities
I do not speak any Spanish.
I can understand and use a few phrases (greetings, getting directions, basic questions).
I can speak a little Spanish, but speak Spanish only when I have to.
I can usually hold a conversation in Spanish without too much trouble.
I could function in a business or professional environment speaking Spanish among native Spanish speakers.
I consider myself fluent in Spanish.
2%
24%
29%
27%
7%
12%
100%
Sixty-five percent of the respondents
90%
said they have limited skills in
speaking Spanish. Those who live
80%
full-time in Mérida or the Yucatán
are significantly more likely (p>.004)70%
to converse in Spanish (52%) than
those who live part-time (34%) or are60%
thinking of moving to the area (33%).
50%
12%
2%
9%
5%
12%
7%
23%
14%
35%
Fluent
Function in business
setting
Conversation
23%
32%
Speak a little
40%
30%
40%
20%
10%
0%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
Phrases
29%
32%
Do not speak
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Fluency in Spanish by Time Spent in México
17%
1%
Full-Time
1%
Part-Time
5%
Thinking
62
AGE
Age of Survey Respondents
< 45
8%
45 to 49
8%
65 to 69
16%
50 to 54
16%
60 to 64
26%
55 to 59
20%
Eighty-four percent of the survey respondents
were 50+ years of age. The ages of the
respondents were the same relative to when they
first established a residence in Mérida or the
state of Yucatán, whether they live part-time or
full-time in the area, and the type of visa they
hold.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
70 to 74 75+
2%
5%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
63
MARITAL STATUS
Sixty percent of the survey respondents are married, 4% widowed, 16% divorced and 20% either
single or in a domestic partnership. The U.S. data shown are for the population 18 years of age and
older. Thus, some of the variations in the rate of divorce and proportion who are single are likely a
result of the differences in the age composition of the groups.
EXPATS
70%
60%
U.S.
60% 57%
50%
40%
26%
30%
16%
20%
4% 6%
10%
1%
0%
Married
Widowed
14%
10%
Divorced
Separated
6%
Single-never
married
Domestic
partnership
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011 and US Census Table 56. Marital Status of the Population by Sex,
Race, and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/population/marital_status_and_living_arrangements.html
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Marital Status of EXPAT Respondents
64
EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
EXPATS are significantly more likely o have a four-year or advanced college degree than their U.S.
counterparts in the same age group. Seventy-one percent of the EXPATS 55 to 64 years of age compared
to 32% of the same age group residing in the U.S. and 76 percent of those between 65 and 74 years of age
compared to 25% of this age group in the U.S. have graduated from college.
Education of EXPAT Survey Respondents
100%
37%
14%
19%
48%
70%
9%
60%
50%
34%
20%
10%
11%
0%
Two year degree
28%
15%
30%
4% 0%
55 to 64
55 TO 64 US
EXPAT
36%
3%
18%
11%
Four year degree
16%
18%
40%
30%
6%
Graduate or professional degree
Some college
High school graduate or G.E.D.
18%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
80%
11%
13%
90%
Not high school graduate
3%
0%
65 TO 74
EXPAT
65 TO 74 US
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT SURVEY 2011 and US Census. 2011 Statistical Abstract. Table 227.
Educational Attainment by Selected Characteristics: 2009
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/education.html
65
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Fifty percent of the EXPATS are retired.
Employment Status
Not in paid labor force
6%
Work from home fulltime
Employed outside home
part-time
Employed outside home
full-time
50%
9%
 Half of the EXPATS who completed the
survey are not retired. Marketing
messages should not focus on the age of
the individual nor their employment
status. Pitching Mérida and the Yucatán
as a retirement destination may not
appeal to a large proportion of the target
market.
11%
4%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Retired
Work from home parttime
Among those still working, 59% percent plan to
semi-retire at the age of 58, 41% do not plan to
retire and the 59% who plan to semi-retire plan
to fully retire by the age of 62 years. At present,
Sixty-two is the age at which someone may begin
to draw social security.
20%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
66
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOME
Number of People in Home
by Age Group
Number of People in Home
Three
10%
100%
Four+
8%
10%
One
21%
90%
22%
5%
4%
7%
16%
10%
80%
60%
60%
35%
50%
69%
62%
Four+
48%
Three
Two
40%
Seventy-nine of the survey respondents live with
at least one other person and 21 percent live
30%
alone.
With the exception those 75+ years of age, a
greater proportion of the survey respondents in
Mérida and the state of Yucatán live alone
compared to the proportion of each age group
who live alone (one person in home in the U.S.
Twenty-two percent of the respondents 55 to 64
years of age live alone compared to 17% in the
U.S., and 30% of the respondents 65 to 74 years
of age live alone compared to 23% in the U.S.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
20%
One
39%
10%
0%
40%
18%
22%
30%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
70%
Two
61%
0%
4%
< 45
9%
45 to 55 to 65 to
75+
54
64
74
Percent Who Live Alone in the U.S
12%
17%
23%
39%
67
STAIRS IN HOME
Rate the Impact of Stairs in
Your Home
70%
59%
60%
40%
34%
30%
20%
7%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Forty-one percent of the respondents to the
survey acknowledged that stairs are at least a
small problem in their home.
50%
10%
In the U.S., approximately 18 percent of
households move from their home because of
difficulty with stairs. We have noted that many
homes in Mérida and the surrounding area have
steps from one room to another and from one
floor to another.
0%
A big problem
A small
problem
Not a
problem
68
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
MAINTENANCE OF HOME
Rate the Upkeep and Maintenance
of Your Home
100%
90%
70%
59% 56% 56%
66%
Maintenance of homes does not appear
to pose a problem for the majority of the
respondents regardless of their age.
59%
60%
Not a problem
50%
A small problem
40%
30%
A big problem
27%
39% 36%
28%
20%
10%
0%
14%
6%
8%
7%
34%
Only 7% or the respondents reported
problems with maintenance of their
homes.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
80%
7%
< 45 45 to 55 to 65 to All
54
64
74 Ages
69
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
HEALTH, INSURANCE AND
MEDICAL SERVICES
70
HEALTH
Compared to Others Your Same Age
How Do You Rate Your Health?
100%
90%
0%
23%
0%
4%
60%
20%
25%
0%
5%
A large number of empirical studies
have demonstrated that a person’s own
appraisal of his/her general health is a
powerful predictor of future morbidity
and mortality.
20%
33%
38%
50%
36%
Poor
Fair
39%
Good
40%
30%
Very Good
Excellent
55%
20%
47%
35%
31%
39%
10%
The proportion who reported their
health as excellent declined from 55% of
those younger than 45 years of age to
31% of the respondents 65 to 74 years of
age.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
23%
0%
5%
16%
80%
70%
1%
6%
Among all of the survey respondents
75% rated their health as very good or
excellent , 20% rated their health as
good and 5% rated it as fair.
0%
< 45
45 to
54
55 to
64
65 to
74
All
71
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
ASSISTANCE
A small proportion (3.5%) of the respondents to the survey need assistance with activities of daily
living such as bathing, dressing, shopping or meal preparation. At first glance this proportion seems
small, but this survey was likely completed predominantly by people who are in good physical and
mental health. Among the 3.5% or respondents who required assistance with activities of daily living,
50% received unpaid assistance from a family and friend and 50% received help from someone whose
job is to provide the assistance.
Amount of Difficulties with Physical Activities
Physical Activities
None
Some
Walking one block
96%
2%
1%
0%
Sitting for about two hours
88%
9%
2%
0%
77%
19%
3%
0%
93%
3%
3%
1%
65%
27%
5%
3%
92%
6%
1%
1%
88%
8%
2%
2%
Getting up from a chair after sitting
for long periods
Climbing one flight of stairs without
resting
Stooping, kneeling, or crouching
Reaching or extending your arms
above shoulder level
Lifting or carrying something over
10 pounds
Moderate Significant
Assistance with Daily Activities
Bathing, Dressing, Shopping, Meal
Preparation, etc.
Assistance
3.5%
No Needs
96,5%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Thirty-five percent have at least some difficulty stooping, kneeling or crouching, 23% have difficulty
getting up from a chair after sitting for long periods, and 12 percent have some difficulty sitting for two
hours or lifting or carrying something over 10 pounds.
72
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
HEALTH INSURANCE
81% have
Health Insurance
A large proportion of the respondents to this
survey have health insurance. The respondents,
however, have greater academic achievement
and incomes than the comparable age groups in
the U.S.; and Canada.
Twenty-eight percent of the respondents from
Canada said their insurance is usable in both
Canada and México.
U.S. Insurance
52% usable in U.S.
and Mexico
Canadian Insurance
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
A majority (52%) of the U.S. respondents said
their health insurance is usable in both the U.S.
and México.
28% usable in
Canada and Mexico
73
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
IMSS
Have you applied for
and/or received the
Méxican social medicine
coverage (IMSS)?
No, and
I do not
plan to;
48%
No, but I
plan to;
43%
Among those whose insurance is not usable in
México, 1.6% have applied for and have received
the IMSS coverage, an additional 48.4% plan to
apply and 50% do not plan to apply for the
coverage.
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Yes; 9%
Nine percent of all of the respondents have
applied for and receive IMSS coverage.
74
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
RATING OF MEDICAL CARE SERVICES IN MÉXICO
Have you used medical
services in México?
Please rate the medical
services in México
No
29%
Good
29,8%
Yes
71%
Excellent
66%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Fair Poor
3,4% 0,5%
75
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
MEDICAL SERVICES
The respondents have received a wide variety of medical services. The largest proportion (29%) stated they have
received general care such as an annual physical. Respondents listed having received services from most medical
disciplines.
Type of Care
General care (yearly check-ups, etc.)
Dental
Surgical
Emergency care
Cardiology
Dermatology
Internal Medicine
Prescription
Blood analysis
Ophthalmology
Gynecology
Gastroenterology
Optometry
In-home care
Otolaryngology (Ear, nose, and throat)
Urology
Intensive care
Percent
29%
13%
9%
7%
6%
4%
4%
4%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
Type of Care
Orthopedic
Bone density test
Neuropathy
Oncology
Physical therapy
Plastic Surgery
Doppler test
Endocrinology
Glaucoma testing
Neurology
Podiatry
Psychiatric services
Specialist
Sports medicine
Stress test
Thyroid
Traumatology
Percent
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Medical Services You’ve Used in Mérida
N = 332
76
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
EXPLAIN RATING OF MEDICAL SERVICES
The number of positive comments from the EXPATS about the medical services they have received in the area far
exceed the negative. Fifty-eight percent volunteered they were happy with the services they received
Explanation of Rating of Medical Services (N = 205)
Category (Positive)
Percent Category (Negative)
Percent
58%
2%
Happy with service
Dated facilities and equipment
10% Poor service
1%
Fast service
9%
1%
Low cost
Slow service
3%
2%
Great facilities and top-rate equipment
Service was okay, not excellent
2%
<1%
Doctor gave us his cell phone number
Cleanliness of facilities is an issue
1%
Home visit by general practitioner
Doctors do not educate about prescriptions <1%
1%
<1%
Very similar to medical service in U.S.
Doctors are overworked
<1% Language barriers
<1%
Conservative medical treatment
<1%
Consultants are available even on holidays and weekends <1% No instructions received for diabetic care
<1% No records were kept
<1%
Dental care is excellent
<1%
Doctors are well-informed
<1%
Easily accessible
<1%
Excellent cardiology
<1%
Received a free rabies treatment after dog bite
<1%
Private service is excellent
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Comments
“With one exception, all of the Medical personnel (doctors, nurses, technicians, etc) have been professional, welltrained and friendly.”
“We have private insurance and cash. I was knocked over by what very little money here can buy in the way of
medical services.”
“We do nearly all of our annual medical preventive care in Mexico at Star Medica and are very pleased with the
quality of care and the cost.”
“The private system is excellent, the public system adequate but very time consuming.”
“The Doctor and care were top notch, as good or better than north of the border!”
77
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
INCOME, HOME VALUE, WEALTH
AND EXPENDITURES
78
EXPATS BY ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Sixty percent of the survey respondents reported their annual household income is $50,000 or more.
< $10,000, 1.6% $10,000 to
$14,999; 4,5%
$200,000+; 7,3%
$20,000 to
$24,999; 6,5%
$25,000 to
$29,999; 5,3%
$100,000 to
$149,999; 13,1%
$30,000 to
$34,999; 4,9%
$35,000 to
$49,999; 12,2%
$75,000 to
$99,999; 15,1%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
$150,000 to
$199,999; 8,6%
$15,000 to
$19,999; 4,9%
$50,000 to
$74,999; 15,9%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
79
EXPAT INCOME BY RESIDENCY IN AREA
EXPATS living full-time in Mérida or other areas in the state of Yucatán are more likely to have lower
annual household incomes than those who are living part-time in the are or those who are thinking of
moving to the area.
A natural assumption to make is that the EXPATS who live in the area full-time may be older than those
who are living part-time or who are thinking of moving. This is not the true. The average age of full-time
resident EXPATS is 58.6 years, for part-time EXPATs is 57.5 years and for those thinking of moving is
57.2 years. These small differences in age are not statistically significant.
60%
50%
Full-Time
Part-Time
Thinking
49%
44%
40%
33%
31% 31%
30%
23%
20%
15% 17%
19%
16%
12%
11%
10%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Similarly, there are small differences in the marital status of the three groups, but these are not
statistically significant, either.
0%
<$30,000
$30,000-$49,999
$50,000-$99,999
$100,000+
80
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
ESTIMATE OF VALUE OF HOME
Home Value and EXPAT Group. There was not a
statistically significant difference in the value of the
EXPATS homes relative to their status of living in Mérida
full-time or part-time, or if they were thinking of moving to
Mérida.
Home Value and Age Group. Home values of EXPATS
showed some differences. Those 65 to 74 Years of age had a
slightly higher proportion with homes in the $100,000 to
$300,000 range, as well as the $350,000+ range than the
EXPATS between 55 and 64 years of age.
EXPAT Home Sale Price or
Home Value Estimates
Home Value
Percent
1.2%
Less than $50,000
5.2%
$50,000 to $99,999
11.6%
$100,000 to $149,999
11.6%
$150,000 to $199,999
10.4%
$200,000 to $249,999
12.4%
$250,000 to $299,999
6.0%
$300,000 to $349,999
8.0%
$350,000 to $399,999
5.6%
$400,000 to $449,999
5.6%
$450,000 to $499,999
9.6%
$500,000 to $599,999
4.8%
$600,000 to $699,999
2.8%
$700,000 to $799,999
2.4%
$800,000 to $899,999
0.4%
$900,000 to $999,999
2.8%
$1,000,000 or more
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Respondents were asked to provide the amount for which
they sold their homes or the amount they believe they could
sell their home today if they still own it. The largest
proportion of respondents (46%) said the value of their home
was within the range of $100,000 to $299,999. The median
price of all homes including land sold in the U.S. in February
2011 was $202,100.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
81
HOME VALUE AND INCOME
Ninety-three percent of the households who reported the value of their home was $50,000 or less reported an
annual income of less than $50,000. The majority of EXPATS with homes valued between $300,000 and $749,999
reported annual incomes from $35,000 to $149,999 and the majority with home values exceeding $750,000 reported
annual incomes from $50,000 to more than $200,000.
Annual Household Income by Home Value
Less than $50,000 to $100,000 to
$50,000 $100,000
$299,999
Annual Household
Income
< $ 10,000
$300,000 to
$499,999
3%
$500,000 to
$749,999
3%
$750,000 to
$999,999
$1,000,000 to
$1,999,999
$2,000,00
0 or more
3%
$10,000 to $14,999
27%
19%
6%
$15,000 to $19,999
20%
6%
6%
5%
$20,000 to $24,999
13%
19%
6%
15%
$25,000 to $29,999
7%
13%
6%
3%
9%
8%
6%
5%
9%
5%
6%
12%
18%
21%
5%
7%
25%
21%
18%
15%
21%
17%
24%
13%
21%
21%
17%
5%
9%
15%
8%
12%
6%
3%
13%
13%
11%
17%
21%
17%
40%
15%
35%
$30,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $49,999
27%
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 to $199,999
$200,000+
7%
6%
6%
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
3%
6%
5%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
Home Value
82
TOTAL NET WORTH
The EXPATS estimates of their total net worth ranged
from less than $50,000 to more than $2,000,000. The
results suggest that the median net worth of the EXPATS
participating in this survey would fall in the range of
$500,000 to $749,999.
U.S. Data Source: Table 720. Family Net Worth -- Mean
and Median Net Worth in Constant (2007) Dollars by
Selected Characteristics of Families, (U.S. Census
Bureau, The 2011 .Statistical Abstract).
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/income_exp
enditures_poverty_wealth.html
Under $50,000
6.5%
$50,000 to $100,000
6.9%
$100,000 to $299,999
14.3%
$300,000 to $499,999
17.3%
$500,000 to $749,999
14.7%
$750,000 to $999,999
17.3%
$1,000,000 to $1,999,999
13.4%
$2,000,000 or more
9.5%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
In 2007 the U.S. median net worth of households 55 to 64
years of age was $253,700 and $239,400 for households
headed by someone between 65 and 74 years of age (U.S.
Census Bureau, The 2011 .Statistical Abstract)
EXPATs by Estimated Total Net Worth
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT Survey 2011
83
AMOUNT SPENT MONTHLY
It is apparent that not everyone
is trying to live frugally.
In the U.S. households headed by someone 55 to 64 years of
age spend an average of $54,783 annually which is $4,565
per month. Those between the ages of 65 and 74 years of age
spend an average of $41,433 annually or $3,453 per month.
The EXPATS living in Mérida and the Yucatán
spend $500 to $1,500 less per month on expenses
than those in the same age range spend per
month in the U.S.
EXPAT Monthly
Expenditures
Amount
Percent
$500 TO $999
7%
$1000 TO $1499
14%
$1500 TO $1999
12%
$2000 TO $2499
16%
$2500 to $2999
10%
$3000 to $3499
11%
$3500 to $3999
6%
$4000 to $4999
6%
$5000 to $5999
8%
$6000 to $10000
10%
© ProMatura Group,LLC 2011 All rights reserved.
The respondents indicated the amount that they spend each
month for all of their typical living expenses including
everything that are regular expenses for their residence,
utilities, transportation, food, entertainment, health
services, meals, etc. The mean (average) amount the
EXPATS spend per month is $3,001 and the median amount
is $2,000. The monthly expenditures reported ranged from a
low of $500 to a high of $10,000.
Source: SIFIDEY EXPAT SURVEY 2011 and US Census, Table 685. Average Annual Expenditures of all
Consumer Units by Race and Age of Householder, Statistical Abstract 2011
84