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chrisk

Feb 21, 2005, 2:46 PM

Post #1 of 14 (1774 views)

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Advice for long term stay

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-- Our family is planning on living in Mexico for a year to learn as much Spanish as possible and to immerse ourselves in the culture. (we have 3-year-old twins). We are hoping to find a town where we can become part of a Mexican community. We don't think we need the support of a large US ex-pat community. Is this too idealistic?

We want to rent a furnished house or apartment. Any advice on approaches and what we should budget? (is it worth trying to line something up over the internet or wait until we get down there?)

We would like to enroll in an immersive Spanish school for a couple of months... and put the kids in a Mexican pre-school.

We are considering, Guanajuato, Moreila, and Patzcuaro. Any suggestions based on what we are looking for?

We will be driving down from the SF Bay area in Sept.

Thanks in advance

jennifer rose

Feb 21, 2005, 4:28 PM

Post #2 of 14 (1762 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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Unless you're planning on making a run for the border with the entire family in tow every 180 days, you'll have to get FM-3s to live here for a year, showing inflows to your bank account in an amount of not less than $1150 for the primary FM-3 holder and 50% of that figure for each dependent.

While I can't speak for Guanajuato, you're not likely to find a large US expat community to support you in either Morelia or Patzcuaro. Becoming part of a Mexican community in the space of a single year is going to depend a great deal upon your personalities, level of interaction, and where you land. Generally, there's a New England attitude of looking over the newxomers to decide if they're going to fit in. There have been instances where a newcomer can become part of the community in less than a full generation, but you'd better plan on being treated like the exchange students that you are for that year. The smaller the town, the tighter existing social networks are.....and the harder the entre.

How much you should plan on budgeting depends upon what you want to pay for housing. There's a huge range from Infonavit housing to a gated community up on the hill. You're not apt to find much in the way of lower- and middle-end rental housing online, and you will likely need an aval for higher end properties.

gpk

Feb 22, 2005, 7:28 AM

Post #3 of 14 (1737 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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JR's advice may sound harsh, but it is definitely valid and all true. Moving to Mexico is not a visit to Disneyland and life here has many complications--and, of course benefits. I personally would recommend that you go to San Miguel de Allende. You will not get immersed in Mexican life there, but you can make it a wonderful cultural experience if you work at it. There are other foreigners in San Miguel with children and there are good places to study Spanish. If you plan a 6 month trip, you can stay with a tourist visa. If you decide to stay longer, a trip to the border can get you another 6 months.

chrisk

Feb 22, 2005, 7:56 AM

Post #4 of 14 (1737 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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Thanks for the practical advice. We are in the process of getting our FM3 now.

chrisk

Feb 22, 2005, 3:24 PM

Post #5 of 14 (1711 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Advice for long term stay

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Thanks again for your thoughtful advice. It is helpful to have realistic expectations.

We think we are up to speed on getting a FM-3 for us and our vehicle, aware of the issues relating to long term rental (lack of appliances, possible need of an aval, etc.). We have lived in France for a year previously (albeit without kids) so have some feeling of the need to be adaptive, self reliant and resourceful to have a good experience.

Any advice on living with young children other than going to San Miguel de Allende which we are considering?

esperanza

Feb 22, 2005, 3:47 PM

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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You are aware that you have 90 days from the date your FM3 is issued to cross the border and be stamped in by Immigration? If you miss that 90-day window, you start the application process over again.

And that you have 30 days from the date you are stamped in at the border to register your FM3 in your Mexican place of residence? Failure to register within 30 days results in a fine.

Timing isn't always everything--but in this case, it counts for a lot.

And you know that your vehicle permit is not part of the FM3 but rather is something separate and apart from your immigration status? You can temporarily import a vehicle whether you enter on a tourist card, an FM3 visa, or an FM2 visa.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

chrisk

Feb 22, 2005, 3:57 PM

Post #7 of 14 (1702 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Advice for long term stay

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-- So we are being infomed. Thanks

bunny

Feb 23, 2005, 9:22 AM

Post #8 of 14 (1659 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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I sent you a private reply, for which you will need to check in "messages."

Take care.

Gretchen
a mom in Morelia

"El Gringo Jalapeño"

Feb 25, 2005, 6:44 PM

Post #9 of 14 (1603 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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Chrisk:
Please forgive me, JR, for "la metida de cuchara", but I think Xalapa is an excellent option for this family. Right now I have a family living upstairs over my studio in the 3 bedroom apartment. The gentleman has a Fulbright scholarship for a year and his 4 year old son is going to a bilingual school with good results. Let me know what you think.
¡Mucho gusto y hasta pronto!
Roy B. Dudley "El Gringo Jalapeño" See more about Xalapa at www.xalaparoy.com

"El Gringo Jalapeño"

Feb 26, 2005, 10:35 AM

Post #10 of 14 (1559 views)

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Re: [trukinbear] Advice for long term stay

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Thankyou for your observation and opinion. I try very hard not to be self-serving with my posts and had definite doubts about this one. However I also wanted this couple to know, as well as other people, that the apartment is available. Sorry that I could possibly have offended you or others for having given this suggestion and option.
Enjoy your day wherever you are.
¡Hasta pronto!
Roy B. Dudley "El Gringo Jalapeño" See more about Xalapa at www.xalaparoy.com

TigerTonio

Feb 26, 2005, 4:37 PM

Post #11 of 14 (1547 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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Chris,

Please report in from time to time with your progress. As one who would love to be residing in Mexico (preferably Michoacan) one day, I love reading about how people deal with the major changes with moving to Mexico from the US.

I recently spent some time in Morelia and found it to be of an unassuming sort of city at first. But after a couple of days, I discovered its hidden gems. People are educated, arts scene is outstanding, and restaurant and nightlife are wonderful.

For a larger Mexican city, I expected more English (Personally, I don't find this to be a bad thing). However, if this doesn't bode well for you and you family, I agree with the other poster in that San Miguel would be a fantastic choice.

Best,

Tony Anaya
Chicago

(This post was edited by TigerTonio on Feb 26, 2005, 4:39 PM)

jennifer rose

Feb 26, 2005, 5:55 PM

Post #12 of 14 (1530 views)

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Re: ["El Gringo Jalapeño"] Advice for long term stay

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I don't see any advertisement or self-promotion in El Gringo Jalapeño's post. Jalapa, even though it's not the Bajio, does merit consideration. Its somewhat smaller size than Morelia could make it less overwhelming than Morelia, while offering more critical mass than Patzcuaro. In both Morelia and Patzcuaro, there is a marked shortage of turnkey, furnished rentals. The standing joke in Morelia is that "furnished" can mean the landlord left a lightbulb still in the socket and a couple of spare equipales. Jalapa does bear exploration.

MG Rabon

Feb 27, 2005, 7:21 AM

Post #13 of 14 (1466 views)

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Re: [chrisk] Advice for long term stay

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Hi Chris, sounds like a wonderful adventure for you and your family.

San Francisco, Guanajuato, Moreila, and Patzcuaro, all seem to have something in common, they aren't broiling hot in the summer. I agree with the other poster and Tony, who I had the pleasure to meet in Morelia last year (Hi Tony!), that San Miguel de Allende merits inclusion into that list as the climate is the same. I will add however that San Miguel has no convenient shopping and is on the expensive side. If you like the climate in the above places you will probably CROAK in the summer in Xalapa, it's climate is more like Austin, Tx.

Compórtate bien, y si no puedes, invítame!
MG Rabon

(This post was edited by jennifer rose on Feb 27, 2005, 7:26 AM)

TigerTonio

Feb 27, 2005, 9:46 AM

Post #14 of 14 (1438 views)

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Re: [MG Rabon] Advice for long term stay

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For goodness sake! I thought your photo looked familiar but wasn't sure. Anyway, good to see you in these parts.

Best, Tony