How difficult is it to move to, and live full-time in Mexico?

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Sans

My husband and I are 30-something living in Mazatlan. Hubby works real estate, and I am a full time bum. It's pretty easy moving here, actually. Just move and fill out the apps for the appropiate FM, find an American consulate, they'll walk you through everything. As far as purchasing real estate, get a reputable realtor and a real estate attorney. BTW, you can own beach property in Mexico now, All of the prime real estate (within 50 kilometers of the beach) must be owned through a Bank Trust also known as a Fideicomiso. This is similar to a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) which is a very common way for people to own commercial real estate in North America. Basically, you own the LLC and the LLC owns the property. Down here any bank with a Trust Department sets up a renewable 50 year Mexican Property Trust, or fideicomiso, which holds the property in your name. You have all rights of ownership like selling, refinancing, transferring, leaving the property to your heirs in a will, ownership succession upon your death and the like. Most of these are insured by USA trust companies, so no worries! Best town or city to live in? Depends, this is a big country. Do you want mountains, beach, seasons or year round tropical weather, are you planning on looking for employment? Do you want rustic, or do you want a city with all the trappings? A bit more info on likes/dislikes would answer that question a bit better.
Good luck!

Nazki13

Monterrey you live very good really we have very good services but is a little expensive

check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterrey

Marian

what state are you moving to firstof all?

I have lived in Mexico City well about an hour away but its basically the same thing. Now remember that Mexico and the way of life are not what you may be use to but if you are adaptable it will grow on you just fine. really things aren't what they seem to be just go with the flow don;t fight it or compare situations to those in your former country b/c you are not there. It's very laid back and as far as which places are better to live in it all depends on what you intend to do.

Annie C

It must have been easy because I was only 18. I lived in Puerto Vallarta and a little beach town to the north called Buercias. They definitely are not the biggest cities. You could get an FM3, but I never did. I was albe to go home every six months, because the "vacation" visa you're are given on the plane says you can stay for a max. of 180 days at a time. I would go home and visit for a couple weeks, and then go back to PV. Have fun and good luck!

retired_gringo

I live in Mazatlan and you just move here. When you find a Casa, apply for a Mexican FM3 card and you are now a full time resident. The book (Mazatlan is Paradise) by Charles Hall will tell you everything you need to know.

kyra k

there are some difficulties.the easy part is going to the nearest mexican embassy-most states have them in their capitol cities-and applying for a mexican passport and other papers.there is a small fee.u will have to go to ur local courthouse and have a criminal background check done on urself/other family members..u will have to get ur bank to show proof of income,and there is a certain minimum u must have in the bank,i forget what it is.please be aware u must sign a paper that u will not be seeking employment in mexivco,or u wont be let in-so,if u are under retirement age and have no us pension to live on,u will soon find urself without cash or a job!buying a property is also difficult.we have tried 4 times to buy a vacation home,each time it has fallen thru-at the last minute,relatives of the sellers have appeared(briothers,cousins)etc,have stated that they have a claim on the land,and asked for more money than the agreed-upon closing costs,because they have a claim on the land-or say they do.and not a little claim-each time the closing costs had thousands tacked on-so we backed away.the latest,a 10 acre hacienda,was due to close THIS MONTH,but our realtor in mexico did some research and found that the land comes with tax debt,which the current owners refuse to pay.not wishing to add back taxes to our costs,we declined.u can buy a lot and build a house on it,that is easier but much more expensive than buying an existing property.bear in mind,for each deal that fell thru,we lost hundreds in inspection/surveying fees and in plane tickets,hotel and food costs.i am ready to give up,but my husband has a retirement dream,altho we are no where near retirement age-he wants to vacation there now,move there eventually.i guess we'll keep trying,but we lose money -realtors fees,etc and dont seem to get anywhere.be aware u cant buy beach-front either-near the beach,yes,but not on it.that being said,san christobal de las casas is a lovely place-google it-in chiapas,mexico-but despite 4 years of w effort,we still dont have a place there.

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