Chapala…

If you’re a long-time visitor of  my blog,  you’re probably familiar with Charlie in the Chapala Area…

Charlie lives in the Ajijic/Lake Chapala area, an area well-known for its warm, provincial feeling, along with a large North American expat community and low cost of living.  Seems pretty perfect doesn’t it?

A reader had asked me to put her in contact with Charlie because she had some questions she needed answered about the Chapala area.  When Charlie kindly answered her email, after I put them in contact with each other, he sent me a copy of the questions with his answers.  I, of course, want to share the info with all of you:

Question 1:  Are there any homes that are furnished, for rent?   If not, are there any available that are unfurnished?   

Answer:  Most everything is furnished.   A nice two or three bedroom, near me, runs from 300 to 350 USD a month.   

Question 2:  How did you find your place – through a realtor or just looking around?  

Answer: There are no realtors over here and if you found one, they would probably raise the local Chapala prices. Word of mouth or just looking around is the best way to find bargains.  I found mine through referral – word of mouth.   

Question 3:  What is the average monthly cost for the following services:  Electricity, water, phone, satellite, trash disposal.  

 Answer:  These numbers are approximate:  

 $50 for electricity,  

$1.20 per liter bottled water.  

$50 for phone and high speed internet service,  

$52 for satellite, this will vary with what you subscribe to, 

Trash disposal is usually included in the rent – depending on the area – I pay $400 a year for my trash, water and security.   

Question 4:  Is there Bus service both around the local Chapala area and to Jocotepec and how is it?  Do you need a car? 

Answer:  Bus service here is great but a car is preferable.  

Question 5:  How are the Medical facilities? 

Answer:  Medical is great but there are many different ways to approach it (Read my articles on site and also the newsletters, on my site, for lots of info on health care – Barbie)  

Question 6:  What about Banking? 

Answer:  My money is in a brokerage house in Ajijic, 45 minutes away.  I never go there, I just use a money machine in my town.  I get %8 minimum on investments for the past three years.  

Question 7:  Do you have local Chapala shopping – stores or mercados? 

Answer:  I get my staples just about 1/4 mile away.  I get other things in my little town 3 miles away.   It is 15 minutes to 80% of my desires and 45 or 50 minutes to Walmart, Sam’s and Costco!  

Natural air conditioning in Mexico

 Finally, here is an interesting email from the  Chapala area I received:

Hi Barbie,
My husband and I (and our dogs and cats) have now been just outside of Ajijic since Sept. AND WE ARE LOVING IT!! The Mexican people are so friendly, and the support from the expatiates and the local clubs, like LCS, are great.

I think our children and other relatives first thought their parents were crazy, but more and more we hear from everybody how much happier we sound since we no longer deal with all the issues in the States!
The big question has always been “yea, but what about crime?” well, we feel much safer here than in Little Rock, AR! Your information certainly has been helpful! — Sincerely, Maria W.  

 Now, my plea to any of you now living in Mexico, email me some info on your area – I’ll pass it on to the questioning folks considering Mexico as a possible place to retire. 

What do you think? Do you have a question about retiring in Mexico? I’d love to hear from you. If you don’t see the comment box below, read the full article and scroll down. Let me know what you think!

Chapala article by Barbie. 

Bob has questions

about moving the

household.

He writes:

“My wife and I enjoy reading your info abour Mexico. We are in the process of house hunting in Ensenada and would like to learn how to take our household goods (furniture, etc.) into Mexico when we move there. If you have any particular info about Ensenada and that area, we would appreciate that too.”

That’s a really good question.

HI, Bob:

This is a pretty long answer – but here ’tis:

IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR HOLDERS OF FM3 OR FM2
You must use the importation without tax privilege within the first six months of your move to Mexico…AGAIN:  All foreigners to Mexico who apply for and receive an FM3 permanent residence document are carefully instructed by the Mexican officials that the newly documented resident has the one-time right to import his used household furnishings to Mexico without the necessity of paying import duties.
All household goods must be inventoried.   (An inventory should include:   make, model and serial number for ALL electronic devices and electrical devises. You also want to list the estimated value – individually – for EVERYTHING.  You may import a quantity of used items which would be appropriate for a normal household.  WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF YOUR MOVE TO MEXICO.  New appliances are prohibited.)

The list must be in Spanish, typed in single space on white paper, leaving a space of two inches from the top.

Each household item must be numbered progressively and on a separate line, beginning with the electrical appliances, specifying make, model and serial number (including kitchen appliances).
Small household articles packed in boxes or crates must be described and numbered in the list as one box (crate) containing clothing, kitchen utensils, etc.

Each page of your original list must be signed in blue ink on the bottom, right-hand corner.

The original list, and five copies, must be presented to the Consulate General to obtain your visa.

Take your original FM3 or FM2, and six copies of the page(s) where your personal date is located.

Make sure you take six copies of your valid passport, the page with your personal data, picture and signature.

You will then, pay the consular fee of $127.00 US dollars, either with cash or money order, payable to the Consulate General of Mexico.  Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted.

Once the Mexican gov’t official receives all the requirements, it can take five business days to process your application.
You may either mail the above documents, or bring them in person. (Any thing you can do in person, we’d suggest you do – papers can get lost in the States, let alone in Mexico!)  Make sure you take proof of U.S. residency, for the past two years when you go to the Consulate.
If you decide to mail your documents and want them mailed back, include a self-addressed prepaid envelope, completed FEDERAL EXPRESS or UPS.  The Consulate does not assume any responsibility concerning mailed documents.
Consulate locations and info are listed on pages 67, 68, and 69 of Retire In Luxury.
 
If possible, get a minimum of three written relocation proposals from reputable household goods forwarders. Do this at least 30 days in advance of your planned move-out date. International moving estimates are NOT binding.

Will your household items work here?

REMINDER:
Within six months of obtaining your FM Visa, you are able to import used household goods and personal effects in quantities which would be considered normal for the number of family members in your household.
Prohibited. Furniture and especially electronics and appliances MUST have been in use for more than 6 months. Items deemed to be new may be subject to confiscation by Mexican customs officials and the owner may not get his furniture back until a substantial fine is paid. (Import taxes)
 In my book, just to review:  After you have decided to move to Mexico as a perpetual tourist, you will probably want to bring your household goods down…or just get rid of your stuff.
However, if you decide to keep your things:
Hire a shipping/moving company (there are several you can locate via internet who offer moving service to Mexico) or have a truck of your own.
Get your items inventoried.
Procure your FM-3.
Give your shipper the stamped inventories and a notarized (by Mexican Consulate) copy of your FM-3.
Then when your household goods show up at your new home, have cold drinks and snacks available to the workers.
It is wise to use someone you have received a personal reference from. Check on the chat sites where you’ve decided to move. Have every detail in black and white – with many copies available. Include price, exact performance such as packing, loading, unloading at your new home, dates, etc.

Dick and I felt it easier to sell most of our household stuff in the U.S., and just replace…we planned to downsize a lot anyway – who wants to clean and dust “stuff” during retirement?!

Best to you,
Barbie

Household article by Barbie

Ixtapa /

Zihuatanejo

Imagine not one, but two hidden seaside havens, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Let me share my story with you…     

It’s another early day and already the sun is shining brightly, the cloud layer is quickly dissipating so the brilliant blue sky is appearing.  Our ship is laying in the harbor of Zihuatanejo, 3 ½ hours north of Acapulco,        

Zihuatanejo is a dreamy, picturesque fishing village with a shallow, but inviting bay. Because of this, a tender – a small boat holding 15 to 50,  picks you up from the cruise ship, and takes you to a dock and dry land at Zihuatanejo for the usual tours of the area, shopping, eating, or just walking around and relaxing for the day.    

The transfer from the ship to the tender was one of the more exciting parts of the cruise – bouncing up and down and trying to step from a big cruise ship into a little boat was pretty unique.  

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No one had any real problem, though there was a lot of laughing and gasping by most of the women boarding. We were politely escorted everyplace we toured, filled with information, and were very well taken care of.       

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The main income for this area still comes from fishing and agriculture.  Zihuatanejo, according to our guide, translates to “The place of the beautiful lady”.     

There are many retired N.A.’s who live here both full time and part time.  Because of this not being a major port, costs are lower, and the natives, as well as the retirees here are hoping this part of Mexico doesn’t change, as many areas have, once the ExPats move in, but stays natural as it is now.    

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 Marie, our tour guide, invited us all to come visit her at her home, but she warned us, laughing, that we would have to sleep in hammocks, because they have no beds.  Because of not having air conditioning and because of the humidity and heat, I guess the hammock, with breezes blowing, is the best answer!       

The village of Ixtapa, “place of the white sand”, is just a bit north of Zihuatanejo, along the coast, and is where the more exclusive resorts are located in general. In the 70’s, the government funded the building of some resorts, to help generate additional tourism dollars.  There is an International airport about ½ hour by taxis or bus.    

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 It is very tropical here; today the temperature is 93 degrees with 78% humidity.  But, along with the beauty comes a bit of danger -  you must be aware that there are crocodiles around.   

They are found in the ponds and streams  and can even be found in the shallow ocean waters – so be careful.  Dick and I had already experienced that situation with alligators when we lived in Louisiana.  The animal patrol people were often called to remove alligators from people’s pools.  Actually, the area did sort of remind us of southern Louisiana.  

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Dick and I had a wonderful day seeing more of the natural Mexico.  But it was time to head back from Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, to the little boat for a short water ride back to the ship.     

We would have a few more days being pampered on the ship, and then a trip home, until our next adventure.      

 Do you have a question about retiring to Mexico?   You can do a search with the search box at the top-right of my site.  Type in the subject you are curious about, and you’ll find my articles involving that subject.  In fact, it will probably bring up multiple articles (1,2,3, etc.) which appear toward the bottom of the articles.  If you still haven’t found your answer,  just ask me!  If you don’t see the “write a comment” section below, click on Read Full Article and scroll down. Share your thoughts and concerns with me. I will always reply to you personally.    

    

Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo article by Barbie

2010

Passport

Regulations

Due to Mexico’s and the increased security at the border crossings, new Federal regulations now require that U.S. and Canadian visitors must present their passport when entering Mexico by land, sea or air.  

Exceptions: 
1.  Cruise passengers debarking at Ensenada. 
2.  If you are a cruise ship passenger.  
3.  Visitors to border regions planning to remain in Mexico less than 72 hours.
 (not 72 hours and 5 minutes – 72 hours…period.) 

Border area is defined – usually – as 20 kilometers, 12 ½ miles from the border. 

Authorities are claiming that the area extends as far as Ensenada – but, my husband, Dick, and I would never attempt to travel that far into Mexico without our U.S. passport… just in case.  

Entering Mexico from the United States

If you are traveling beyond that point (what is considered the border area) or are remaining for more than 72 hours, you are required to present a passport and obtain a tourist card, or FM-T, which are available at the border and at Mexican consulates. 

Manzanillo

This is the continuing saga of Dick’s and my cruise of some of the coastal cities of Mexico.

The cruise ship itself turned out to be quite a world-wide representation of every nationality imaginable, which was quite interesting in itself.  We found ourselves engaged in some very interesting conversations throughout the cruise.

Now, here’s our stopover at Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico:

The sun was just starting to peak out from behind a cloudy sky, the day we arrived in Manzanillo, Mexico.  With all the water around, the sun seems to shine brighter in the coastal areas of Mexico.  The weather was about 85 degrees, with 70% humidity – but with the ocean breeze, it was perfect. 

Dick and I decided to take the city bus tour, and after having room service for breakfast, we proceeded off the ship and into the line that was headed by a guide holding a large sign proclaiming “Manzanillo City Tour”.   By now, the sun was shining bright!  We relaxed and enjoyed the whole day, letting the tour guides take care of us.  And they did a great job, chauffeuring us around to many points of interest, in a very nice air conditioned bus, complete with rest room!

From Guadalajara, it’s 6 to 12 hours on the free road, but only about 3 hours on the quota (toll) road, which I always suggest tourists use.  Plans are to make the road, or at least a portion of it, eight lanes.  From Puerto Vallarta, to the north, it takes about 4 hours to travel to Manzanillo.

I want to include this email, that I received after the last article I wrote, mentioning earthquakes in Mexico:

The writer, Robert, wrote:
You mentioned that ” Acapulco also has the questionable honor of being named as one of the most earthquake-prone areas in Mexico !”  This brings up the question which retirement area(s) are the most environmentally stable?  That is, least likely to be hit by earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, lack of drinking water, etc..

My answer:
For earthquake info: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqstats.php  
Make sure your home – structure is sufficient to stand up to the quakes that may happen – and they happen all the time, world-wide…did you know that earthquakes hit Yellowstone a LOT!  But, as most earthquakes, they are small and pretty much harmless.  Earthquakes cannot be forecast at this time.

hurricanes:  http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/weather-events.html
Hurricane tracking makes you aware and gives you time to clear out.
 
floods:   http://www.floodsafety.com/national/life/statistics.htm
Don’t live in any designated flood zone.
 
The rest, droughts, lack of drinking water, ….  That’s up to the powers that be also.
 
Pick someplace where the cost of living is what you’re looking for, visit it, study it (read all my articles) and see what makes you happy.  There are lots of people in Acapulco living quite contentedly – also in the Yellowstone area – also along the Mississippi River (big fault there too).
 
And my writer replied with this:
Thanks for taking the time to get this info.  I just thought it might make an interesting paragraph or so in a future article you write.  Media has a way of distorting everything, particularly if it is news outside of our borders.  I do volunteer work in Reynosa each summer and you would think the place had been washed away, or everyone died of swine flu or getting shot by drug lords, or you name it.  It is like you say, do your homework. Thanks again. Robert

After our day of touring and exploring, and soaking up more information, we headed back to the ship for a wonderful dinner in the beautifully appointed dinning room, and then off to our cabin to finally fall asleep, still talking about our fun, exciting, interesting day in beautiful Manzanillo, Mexico.