Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

mreteguiz

Jul 2, 2004, 10:59 AM

Post #1 of 23 (1914 views)

Shortcut

Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

I am planning a visit to Guadalajara the end of August for a week. My goal is to begin the process of looking around for a place to rent year round. I will be staying in a B&B. Any suggestions on where to start. I hear the American Society is a good source of information. Should I rent a car or can I depend on public transportation (taxi, bus) to get me around town?

Maria

raferguson

Jul 3, 2004, 4:44 PM

Post #2 of 23 (1831 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mreteguiz] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Since no one else has answered, I will suggest that you not rent a car. Buses in Mexico are very cheap, and taxis not expensive, while rental cars in Mexico are very expensive. Even if you use taxis freely, it will be much cheaper than renting a car, I believe.

As far as looking for a place to stay, most people suggest that you ask everyone you meet, use word of mouth. Classified ads in newspapers are not universally used, and the ads are often missing important information like the price.

Good luck, perhaps someone can provide more specific information.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

gpk

Jul 3, 2004, 4:47 PM

Post #3 of 23 (1829 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mreteguiz] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

There must be better informed posters, but I have a question. Are you interested in Guadalajara or the Chapala/Ajijic area? The major foreign outpost is in the Chapala/Ajijic area.

Bubba

Jul 3, 2004, 5:34 PM

Post #4 of 23 (1821 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gpk] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

What is this "American Society"?

johanson

Jul 3, 2004, 6:19 PM

Post #5 of 23 (1809 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Bubba] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Bubba: you asked, what is this American Society? It is often called AMSOC. It is Guadalajara's equivalent of the Lake Chapala Society. It is centrally located at Avenida San Francisco 3332 in Colonia Chapalita. Office hours are from 10 AM to 2 PM. For more information you may phone 3121-2395 :)

Uncle Donnie

Jul 3, 2004, 6:41 PM

Post #6 of 23 (1806 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mreteguiz] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post |

I just returned from a rainy/haily month in Guad. Back in Chapala and actively looking for something resembling Mexico.

What type of lodging are you looking for? Furnished? Un? There are literally hundreds of apartments in all price ranges and all areas of town. You'll have no trouble finding them.

Houses are a bit more difficult, but I saw a variety of upscale places of various designs.

Look in the Guad Reporter for a few leads then hire a cab by the day. Find a driver you think you can live with and tell him what you're doing. He should be able to help. And the cost will be relatively low. Be prepared to offer lunch and soft drinks and enjoy your time exploring.

If you want a BIG damn old-style refurbished casa in a very convenient area about 6-8 blocks from the main plaza let me know and I'll send you a #. If you prefer a 60's California cool style I know where one is, along with a few others in the same neighborhood.

And Nervo Square is a tiny park with a couple of buildings facing onto a nice tranquil little plaza with a big fountain and lots of trees. Walking distance to the Cathedral.

And there was an ad for a $250 a month apt. near the plaza. Lots of options. There's also a guy who will show you around for a fee. Look in the Reporter. I'd hire a taxi driver---much cheaper, probably just as informative.

And in spite of cheating at cards and numerous other bad habits and sinful ways, I am NOT in any way affiliated with the real estate circus. As I've told many intoxicated young cowgirls---You can trust me.

Just my take on it, but a damn good one.

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

Georgia

Jul 4, 2004, 4:29 AM

Post #7 of 23 (1773 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Uncle Donnie] Ditto UD's suggestion

Can't Post | Private Reply

When my husband and I were considering moving here, we hired a driver on several occasions and we're very glad we did. Not only did he speak English, he knew the neighborhoods, taught us the rules of the road, and was a weath of information about real estate, shipping, customs, etc. etc.

wendy devlin

Jul 4, 2004, 4:14 PM

Post #8 of 23 (1713 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mreteguiz] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

A friend of mine from san Francisco moved to Guadalajara two years ago.

At first she took an exploratory two-week trip there to find a suitable apartment before moving all her household effects down.

As she had no Spanish language schools and no experience in Mexico, she found it nearly impossible to communicate with the people who had the ads in the Guadalajara papers.

So she hired a bilingual Mexican woman to help her relocate. This gal took all of my friend's specifications for a rental, size, price etc. and selected a number of rentals fitting these requests. Then the woman took my friend in her car, to interview each landlord and view the rental.

Once a rental was determined, she helped my friend get a rental agreement to both parties satisfaction.

There was a reasonable fee of course, which my friend was happy to pay. She stayed in that place for a year.

By the next year, she had made plenty of contacts and was able to rent the next place on her own, in Zapopan.

wendy devlin

Jul 4, 2004, 8:08 PM

Post #9 of 23 (1676 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Bubba] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Captain Bubbly,

From my brief interaction with AMSOC, I think that you may find your experiences with this association, similiar to your experiences with the Lake Chapala society.

But heh! Why not check it out for yourself?

They frequently have Friday night 'socials'...cocktails...and 'dancing'...as advertised in the Guadalajara Reporter. Although the night my daughter and I went, the dancing bit seemed not to be organized.

But as we were leaving...we heard someone was going to get a tape machine.

In the newspaper it said that the dancing was 'scheduled to start at 8:00 but they were running on Mexican time and there was no dancing when we left around 9:30.

I'm betting you'll get another story to tell:) Wendy

mreteguiz

Jul 6, 2004, 5:50 AM

Post #10 of 23 (1602 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mreteguiz] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thank you all who responded to my question. The idea about hiring someone (not a realtor) to show me around is an excellent one. I currently subscribe to the GR and get it on line and hardcopy. It is a great source of information. I am excited about this new prospect and hope to run into some of you nice people when I am down there.

Maria

mreteguiz

Jul 6, 2004, 11:07 AM

Post #11 of 23 (1565 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gpk] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

I am not sure. This trip will be one of a couple that I will be taking. I am planning to move my father to Mexico and will be staying with him on my subsequent trips. He is very excited about the prospect and speaks the language. I know that the Lake area has many Gringos, but this will not be my main concern. I want to find a reasonable 2 bedroom, 2 bath house little courtyard in an area where maid service is available. He is very anxious to get out of the cold weather. He lives in Pennsylvania. I will be flying into Guadalajara at the end of August and am looking to stay in a B&B around the Chapala area. This way I can peruse the Lake area and other areas for suitable living. From all accounts, the best course of action would be to find someone who would take me around to different rentals (not a realtor). I subscribe to the Guadalajara Reporter so I will be looking in the paper.

Any ideas based upon my criteria?

Maria

mreteguiz

Jul 6, 2004, 11:09 AM

Post #12 of 23 (1563 views)

Shortcut

Re: [wendy devlin] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Would you happen to know what this person's name was? This sounds like a good idea and would like to take this approach.

Maria

gpk

Jul 6, 2004, 12:09 PM

Post #13 of 23 (1552 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mreteguiz] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

I moved to Mexico from Bucks County, PA--and I'm not going back!!

The two environments are quite different, especially since Guadalajara is a very large city--with all the accompanying advantages and disadvantages. Your father must have a preference.

Anyway--don't eliminate realtors from your search, just don't limit yourself to realtors. Realtors will probably have the higher-priced listings, but they will also be able to provide legal leases, homes that actually come with appliances, advice about resources in each area (doctors, stores, etc.), and other valuable information. The landlord will pay their fee (or at least make sure that is the deal), so it costs you nothing00not even cab fare.

Uncle Donnie

Jul 6, 2004, 10:46 PM

Post #14 of 23 (1504 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gpk] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post |

A minor correction to your statement that the landlord pays the realtor's fee. In most cases that is figured into the rental payment each month. The landlord passes the fee on to the renter. IOW, if the owner wants 4,000 pesos, the real estate person would need to rent to you for 4.000 plus their monthly fee. The realtor fee runs as long as you rent the house in most cases.

There are a few companies that will find you a place for a one-time flat fee. Make sure of the arrangement up front.

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

gpk

Jul 7, 2004, 4:31 AM

Post #15 of 23 (1501 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Uncle Donnie] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Here in Guanajuato the fee is the first month's rent and it can only be added to the rent price if the market will bear, which it usually doesn't here.

mreteguiz

Jul 7, 2004, 6:09 AM

Post #16 of 23 (1492 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gpk] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

I am glad to hear that you feel so positive about your move to Mexico. I live in Pike County (northeast PA) and although I love it, my father doesn't. I moved him here to be near me about 5 years ago from California. He will go wherever I go. He hates the cold weather and so do I, but I am not quite ready to retire yet. My plan is to get my father situated in a place where he is comfortable and happy and hire someone to look in on him every other day. He is healthy, but getting on in years.

I will check out some realtors when I am Guadalajara as well.

It is so comforting to get all of these responses to emails from people I don't even know. There is certainly a sense of community.

Thanks again.

Maria

Uncle Donnie

Jul 7, 2004, 8:17 AM

Post #17 of 23 (1462 views)

Shortcut

Re: [gpk] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post |

Oh, yes! I imagine daily life in Guanajuato is much more civilized than much of what the rest of us are exposed to.

On a long shot here, are you by any chance the author of the book on living there? I found it on the web one day and then promptly lost the site address.

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

sandykayak

Jul 7, 2004, 2:05 PM

Post #18 of 23 (1416 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Uncle Donnie] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Do you mean this one:

Retirement Tales – Two Gringos Living in Mexico Charlie Montemayor 2003
Author and his wife moved to Guanajuato in 1995. This book contains the best of the articles they wrote in their newsletter to family and friends.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

gpk

Jul 7, 2004, 3:52 PM

Post #19 of 23 (1400 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Uncle Donnie] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Never wrote any books. I live in the city of Irapuato.

Uncle Donnie

Jul 7, 2004, 7:37 PM

Post #20 of 23 (1372 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sandykayak] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post |

Yes darlin', is it any good?

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

olalla

Jul 7, 2004, 9:35 PM

Post #21 of 23 (1353 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Georgia] Ditto UD's suggestion

Can't Post | Private Reply

How did you find the driver who spoke English and was very helpful? Can you pass on his name and how to get in touch with him? Thanks.

Georgia

Jul 8, 2004, 6:02 AM

Post #22 of 23 (1336 views)

Shortcut

Re: [olalla] Ditto UD's suggestion

Can't Post | Private Reply

We were staying at a B&B in Tlaquepaque. My husband's Spanish, at the time, was heavily tainted with Italian and was a bit obscure - so an English-speaking driver seemed like a good idea. The driver's name was Oscar Willy Klauditz. (aka Willy) His phone number three years ago was: (international) 011 52 333 683 2194. According to his card he provides: "English & Spanish, complete city tours, taxi services, exporting contacts, factory trips, professional negotiator and packing help" A jack of all trades. We just used him to get around, learn the area, etc. but there are people who come to Tlaquepaque on buying trips for their businesses who use his services.

sandykayak

Jul 8, 2004, 8:34 AM

Post #23 of 23 (1300 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Uncle Donnie] Visit to Guadalajara

Can't Post | Private Reply

Re the GTO book: I said I had it...I didn't say I had read it!! This one is on the pending list...but it looks like a good read if only because it covers a different area and offers another perspective.

They have a website listed at the back, but I know it changed. Would have to see if I was given the new one. If not, perhaps a google search will work.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque