Mexico is a glorious country, and Mexican people are the salt of the earth and very hard working.
Do you speak Spanish? If not, you'll want to learn.
(If you don't have tons of money, LA is pretty expensive.)
Mexico wasn't formed politically the way the USA was, so don't expect them to hold the same truths that we hold to be self-evident... When you get the gist of "Solo hay UNA conquista--" you'll start to understand living in Mexico.
Que vayan bien.

They rake it up and it is back the next day rotting and smelling and turning the ocean water brown. A state of emergency has been declared on the whole Yucatan caribbean coast. Until the crisis resolves itself i would not put my money into pesos.

A ton of people moving to Mexico skip this step and it winds up biting them later. Mexico has consulates in Dallas and New Orleans, whichever is closer to you. You'll need a non-immigrant long-term visa called the FM3; it is renewable indefinitely and not much hassle at all but it keeps you on the correct side of Mexican law.

We are making a list. We still have to get our passports up to date.

With me now being retired, and the only one of 3 kids in same State as elderly parents, it's up to me to keep watch on two of them. They're able to do for themselves and live under their own roof, but it seems each passing year, both tend to forget more than remember. I do plan on moving from 70 miles away to lots closer. Who knows what I'll do once both are gone, but Mexico does sound tempting!

Good Luck to you both, the above suggestions on Visas does sound to be sage advice.

both of my parents are dead and my mother in law is 90, but the two siblings have a handle on that.

to have the health, resources, and gumption to do this. I would love to move but I'm lacking on all three.

Access to health care would be one of my primary concerns, as we drift further into old age and have special needs. Adapting to the culture, local dialog, water and food might be challenging - depending on your family's sensitivities.

You might consider availability of local service and parts in Mexico when shopping to replace your car.

Best of luck and hope you can keep us posted on your progress....... ........

Income and health care are a big challenge. Shopping to replace our car is #1. We have to get to where we are going - wherever that might be. Right now our Ford Explore is Ford Explored - not driveable at all as the transmission is entirely out. I grew up in Texas and know some Spanish ... I am finding that I know more than I thought I did.

would be one of my lingering fears and Mexico has its share, although many other nations would be far worse. Even at 71, I'm still a naive country boy and stoic, and vulnerable to assuming people will be fair and truthful.

I think it would be a serious fear there for me because I don't speak the language which makes one even more vulnerable. I assume one would need to learn the local area dialect in addition to a working ability to speak basic Spanish.

The town you mentioned sounds very attractive and culturally interesting (from Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Miguel_de_Allende )........

I assume it is because you may have family there and have spent time there and speak the language as well.

we are cold averse. and money is a big issue

cover you in Mexico. Here's one site to visit: https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-health-coverage-options/medicare-and-living-abroad/medicare-coverage-for-those-who-live-permanently-outside-the-united-states

For information: https://blog.aarp.org/travel-experience/if-i-go-abroad-what-happens-to-my-medicare

If you do go abroad and are eligible to receive medical coverage through that country's system, you may end up having to pay a penalty to Medicare for the years you spent outside the system if you decide to move , back to the US. I know that sounds strange and I don't really find that it makes sense either. But please be sure to check that with someone knowledgeable.

I was eligible to retire in Switzerland (and chose that option in 2007) because I had worked here legally for 13 years before my retirement. Because I had the status of an "international civil servant," special health insurance was provided to me by my employer. Unfortunately, I had worked with two different employers: one for seven years and one for six. This meant that I did not meet the 10-year vesting period for either. Switzerland does not have a national health care system, but rather a state-monitored private insurance system much as Obamacare was intended to be. So, as a condition of my residence permit to show proof of insurance coverage, I must purchase insurance on the Swiss market. The cost is not unreasonable. I have only had two occasions where I have really needed it in the past 12 years. In both instances I found the coverage quite satisfactory and the company very helpful.

Because I travel often to the US to visit family, I chose a GP before I became Medicare-eligible and have continued to pay Medicate premiums because I tend to have most routine work and tests done in the US. Together with the Swiss, it's a lot out of pocket for medical insurance. But at least I am able to sleep at night.

Other things to see about: will you want to maintain a US Driver's License? These are state-issued and the requirements vary. But there are some new requirements called "Real ID" in some states at least where you must provide proof of residence in the state by correspondence from two institutions, i.e., bank, tax returns, etc. You may want to get all that squared away before you leave or find out what else you can do in order not to find yourself caught in a dilemma.

The last two things: taxes and voting. You are responsible for payment of federal US taxes and, in some cases, state taxes even when you live outside the US. Be sure to get this settled so that you understand your rights and responsibilities. I am not sure whether you must also pay taxes in Mexico. I only know that as a condition of my residence in Switzerland, I must also pay Swiss taxes.

Because of a bilateral tax agreement between the US and Switzerland (which I am sure that the Trump Admin will manage to botch up just as it has everything else), I basically pay no income taxes in Switzerland as per the tax law, the same income cannot be taxed twice. But where they get me is with something called a "wealth" tax - which I wish that we would adopt in the US so that the wealthy pay at least part of the share that they should. This means that while I may not be taxed in Switzerland on income generated from investments, including IRA withdrawals, I must report the Dec 31 value of all investments (excluding my IRA value), real estate, bank accounts, etc. for each tax year and must pay a tax on that. I don't pay much, because comparatively I don't have all that much. But this amount is NOT deductible from my US tax liability.

Be sue to check out tax situations that may apply to you. It is better to be safe than sorry.

As for voting, you can vote for federal candidates via the Global Ballot based on your last voting address in the US. See https://www.votefromabroad.org/

But this ballot ONLY applies to federal elections and candidates, i.e., President, Vice-President, Senator and the Representative from the state and district where you last voted. You cannot vote for any state officers, including Governor.

There is really a lot to think about with an international move. Those who plan ahead generally are most successful and happy.

Did your daughter's Labs and kitties every find safe homes? Hope they're all okay now.

but things are fine for now.

Son in law is not in custody and the dogs are with him for now. Not a long term resolution, but they are safe.

PM me on any SMA/Mexico questions you have. I'm in San Miguel frequently.