For American expats Ellen and Jim, Merida in the Mexican state of Yucatan has it all: a tropical climate, an abundance of recreational activities, and a wealth of opportunities to work and live comfortably. Read on for their experiences and adventures in Mexico, about the business they are running there, and about their desire to help other people appreciate life in the Yucatan.	Ellen and Jim Fields

-Where were you born?

Ellen was born in Woodstock, New York, and Jim in San Luis Obispo, California, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

We are living in Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan in Mexico.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

We live with our two adopted dogs, our two California cats and each other. Our four grown children still live in California.

-How long have you been living in Mexico?

Seven years now.

-What is your age?

We are 53 years old.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Mexico?

After losing our jobs in the dot-com bust, we realized we would have to leave Central California to get a job... instead of moving to an obvious place like San Jose, we decided to make an adventure out of it. We wanted to move somewhere tropical, somewhere that had a European influence (colonial architecture...), we wanted to learn a useful new language, we wanted to be close to scuba-diving and we wanted to be somewhere where housing was relatively inexpensive but opportunities abounded. Merida had it all... and we had never heard of it before we started looking! 

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No, not at all. We just had to prove that we had some money in the bank.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

At first we didn't know how to do it. Now we're hooked up and it's easy... there are companies now that specialize in insurance for expats.

-How do you make your living in Mexico? Do you have any type of income generated?

We create websites for both local businesses and companies back in the USA. We started our own business seven years ago and have never looked back. 

-Do you speak Spanish and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

We had very little Spanish when we got here, but we have learned. We are learning every day. We think it is very important to understand and appreciate local customs... it's one reason why we created our website.... to help other English-speaking people appreciate the Yucatan.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

Absolutely, our kids. And I miss the mountains of California. But we have so much here... it's a tradeoff. 

Our favorite thing to do is set out early in the morning and explore the countryside around Merida. We have beaches, Mayan ruins, Maya villages, colonial towns... there's so much to see and do. And we're photographers... it's a photographer's paradise here. 

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We bought a renovated home when we first moved here for a little over $100K. We sold it to build a larger house in another, less popular part of town. The price doubled in five years. 

-What is the cost of living in Mexico?

We just wrote an article about that:

http://www.yucatanliving.com/yucatan-survivor/the-cost-of-living-in-merida-yucatan.htm 

-What do you think about the Mexicans? How are foreigners treated?

Foreigners are treated extremely well by the Mexican people. Everyone we've talked to feels very welcome here. 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Mexico?

Positives: the culture, the people, the weather, the cost of living, the close proximity to home, the history

Negatives: the garbage and the way dogs are treated here 

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Mexico?

Read our website... it's full of tips! Far too many to mention...

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Mexico?

Our site is Yucatan Living (www.yucatanliving.com) and is written to help people understand and appreciate living in the Yucatan. We've gotten many compliments about how useful and informative and entertaining it is. We love doing it and put our heart into it, and it is a good overview of what it is like to live here.

Another useful website, if you are traveling here, is www.travelyucatan.com.