New Member needs input.

New Member needs input.

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Hi Everyone,
I just joined this site. Marlene pointed me in the right direction. My husband and I have decided to retire in Mazatlan and I'm trying to glean as much info as I can from fellow Americans, Canadians or anyone else who lives in Mazatlan itself or close by.
My concern right now is about shipping my household stuff. We don't 'sit' on a 'mega buck' retirement and don't have big bank balances. We are a couple who would like to live in comfort and we sure can't do it here in Washington State.
So ....
What do I really need to bring? Not my whole household I'm sure. What would using a shipping company cost approx from Olympia, WA to Mazatlan? Rough guess? Is there a way to use a U-haul service and drive ourselves through Nogales? Does anyone know any good shipping company that's very reasonable in price and how I can contact them? Does anyone know a good Real Estate Agent who keep our interests at heart? My cousin from the UK wants to buy a house and we will live in it.
So, if any of you lovely people out there have any advice and suggestions for this 'gringo' who has never been to Mexico before, your help will be greatly appreciated. I bet all of you are sitting there in the sunshine, relaxing, perhaps Tequila in hand while I sit looking at chilly weather, dark storm clouds and rain. Woe is me!
Alison.

Rolly

May 21, 2005, 7:00 PM

Post #2 of 52 (3791 views)

Re: [Alison Cunningham] New Member needs input.

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You might start by reading this: http://rollybrook.com/...o_move_to_mexico.htm

Good luck on your move.

Rolly Pirate

Carol Schmidt

May 21, 2005, 7:02 PM

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Keep reading, Alison, we've all been through it before, and we've written about it all before many times. First, read a bit more here and you'll find many of your questions already answered. Use the search option of the website to find out more. Stick around a bit and see what's already here on Mexconnect and then ask the questions you can't find answers to. Good luck!

Carol Schmidt

Alison Cunningham

May 21, 2005, 7:20 PM

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Dear Rolly,
Thank you so much. Great information, especially about moving. I will really have to do some sorting out, won't I? And some deep thinking about what to, and what not to take. Then again, nothing good is attained without stumbling blocks to overcome. Right?
Alison.

Alison Cunningham

May 21, 2005, 7:23 PM

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Thanks Carol. I'll do just that. Do I type in my queries into the search engine? Not that 'puter' savvy, you know.
Thanks again.
Alison

Carol Schmidt

May 21, 2005, 10:45 PM

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Re: [Alison Cunningham] New Member needs input.

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Click on "search" in the blue line on top of the Mexconnect screen. If you want just info from the articles, go ahead and put key words into the box and click on "search." If you want all the input from members on the forums, click on "forums" and follow the same instructions there. Probably you'll want to search both areas. Choose key words and put phrases in quotes--"moving companies," "real estate agents," or single words like Matzatlan--not an entire question.

The fact you've never been to Mexico and want to move solely on economic reasons makes me wonder if you shouldn't try to come on a visit first and look around, before yo make the huge commitment of a move, especially to a foreign country. There's lots you need to absorb and think about before making the final plunge. Read the forums a lot to see what daily life is like here.

Lots of people come down expecting to love Mexico and find they hate it, or think they love it for a few months until they wake up one morning wondering what the heck they're doing. Matzatlan is not a suburb of Seattle; life is going to be very different indeed, and you may not have the slightest idea of all the ways that will be. Look before you leap!

Carol Schmidt

Ed and Fran

May 22, 2005, 5:45 AM

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Carol: The fact you've never been to Mexico and want to move solely on economic reasons makes me wonder if you shouldn't try to come on a visit first and look around, before yo make the huge commitment of a move, especially to a foreign country. There's lots you need to absorb and think about before making the final plunge.

Amen. I can't imagine anyone making a decision to move to a foreign country without first scouting out the area. Mexico is very different from the U.S. Not necessarily worse, not necessarily better. But very different. Some people thrive on the difference, some never adjust. You really need to come down, for more than a couple of days, before making up your mind.

[Edit] Okay, saw your follow up post saying you were planning on coming for a visit. Just disregard what I said. ;-)

Good luck,

E&F

(This post was edited by Ed and Fran on May 22, 2005, 5:48 AM)

May 22, 2005, 10:47 AM

Post #8 of 52 (3671 views)

Re: [Alison Cunningham] New Member needs input.

You will not find a Mexican real estate agent with your best interests at heart. Probably won´t find one up where you live either. They will have their own best interests at heart.

Instead of trying to haul all your belongings to Mexico, a enormously common error, I heartily recommend that you sell everything you own except items of sentimental value. Everything but your clothes and your toothbrushes. Toss the sentimental stuff in an extra suitcase.

With the money you earn from the sale, you can buy new stuff down here, cheaply, with change left over. Doing that also will make the move soooooo much easier. Just fly down.

That is what I did, and I often read and marvel at the headaches and needless expense other people put themselves through trying to haul their Gringo lives down here, lock, stock and barrel. Sell your car, too. Good, cheap, public transportation is everywhere until you buy a nice little vehicle in Mexico. It will have Mexican plates, and the insurance will be lower.

Read, at least, the first of my websites listed below. Chockablock with valuable information on moving south, stuff nobody told me before I moved to Mexico.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

(This post was edited by palomares on May 22, 2005, 10:51 AM)

gpk

May 22, 2005, 10:52 AM

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I agree. Not too long ago it was difficult to find lots of household/furniture items that everyone needs/wants in Mexico, but those days are gone. Things are not as cheap here either as they were a few years ago, but the hassle and expense of moving replaceable items can be overwhelming.

julian3345

May 22, 2005, 11:31 AM

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I think that what you bring with you to Mexico is a complicated issue. If you live in an area with ready access to necessary items, it might be wise to follow the advice of Palomares et alia. I brought almost everything, but to Zacatecas where it is difficult to locate comfortable or really good quality furniture; books in English, or even reasonably priced books in Spanish; cookware; nice linens, etc. etc. I had an easy move which cost about $4,000 from Oakland, CA and I was very comfortable within a week of delivery of my belongings. I wish I had brought more...but I did bring an IKEA catalogue... I showed pictures to a young carpenter/friend here who simply copied and customized the shelves and work tables necessary to "build" my kitchen. In my area, shopping is not fun if you have anything specific in mind. I was able to spend my time on much more enjoyable "settling in" projects...like my garden! Buena suerte.

MazDee

May 22, 2005, 11:55 AM

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Carol: The fact you've never been to Mexico and want to move solely on economic reasons makes me wonder if you shouldn't try to come on a visit first and look around, before yo make the huge commitment of a move, especially to a foreign country. There's lots you need to absorb and think about before making the final plunge.

Yes, you will want to spend some time here before making the big move. One thing you might consider is that almost all those who post here truly love their new home, whether it be Mazatlan, San Miguel de Allende, or another of the countless places we live in this big country. So, you will not hear many of the reasons some people do NOT like Mexico, and who can't wait to get back to familiar surroundings. I for one love Mazatlan, as I have since my first visit in the 60s, and have no intention of moving. But I also have travelled around the country a bit, and explored other areas before making a decision. I hope you love this place as much as I do! Be sure to make the Friday afternoon gathering at Canucks restaurant to meet other expats. Best, Dee

May 22, 2005, 12:14 PM

Post #12 of 52 (3640 views)

Re: [julian3345] New Member needs input.

You speak the truth. But the lady in question is moving to Mazatlan, a good-sized city. It´s a far cry from Jerez, Zacatecas, which is just a step up from my backwater of Tzurumutaro, Michoacan. She´ll be able to find whatever she wants in Mazatlan, I would guess.

By the way, the city of Zacatecas has all manner of good stuff available, WalMart even, and a lovely spot it is, too. Wish I lived there.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

Marlene

May 22, 2005, 12:31 PM

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I guess it depends upon individual's perceived needs, and some might disagree with me, but as far as I am concerned we have everything we could possible need to survive here in Mazatlán, and more!

Your websites are great, by the way....You have gone to alot of work to put all that together and I quite enjoyed reading through it all.

julian3345

May 22, 2005, 12:42 PM

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Chacun a son goût. Walmart ?...surely you jest! Might as well stand in the Plaza de Armas tearing up 200 peso notes as to waste my money on their merchandise (except for booze on sale). Sorry, you will not find anywhere in Zacatecas anything remotely similar to my W & J Sloane white haitian cotton upholstered sofa with down cushions! Ask me if my Mexican friends don't enjoy flaking out on my sofas! I doubt that even Mazatlan would provide such an item. And...this new member may not like Mazatlan after all! Caveat emptor. Joan

MG Rabon

May 22, 2005, 2:41 PM

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Quote

Instead of trying to haul all your belongings to Mexico, a enormously common error, I heartily recommend that you sell everything you own except items of sentimental value. Everything but your clothes and your toothbrushes. Toss the sentimental stuff in an extra suitcase.

With the money you earn from the sale, you can buy new stuff down here, cheaply, with change left over. Doing that also will make the move soooooo much easier. Just fly down.

I couldn't disagree more. Unless your old life was full of things you won't miss, of great monetary value, you won't get much for them in a yard-type sale.

Also unless your new life in Mexico is to be bereft of manufactured products I think you will find that you will wish you had brought your stuff down with you.

A refrigerator like we have in the states that was purchased new for about $950, MIGHT bring $400 at a yard sale (with luck). An equivalent replacement refrigerator at Sam's in Acapulco was just pennies shy of $2000us. Front loading washers that are $650 in the US are about $1900 in Mexico. LCD televisions that are $2000 in the US are about $8000 in Mexico. Also the top-quality stuff in Mexico is often only about mid-level in the US, so if you like high-end stuff you better bring it with you.

And it isn't just the big ticket items that will break you, replacing all the little things you have accumulated over the years can be VERY expensive.

We are still about a year from doing our menaje de casa and at this point I think with luck we'll have it all pared down to two 40' shipping containers. I'd hate to even THINK about replacing all that stuff.

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

manda405

May 22, 2005, 3:02 PM

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when my husband and moved down the first time, we packed all our stuff into a ford ranchero and a 12' trailer, paid all the taxes at the aduana and worried about finding a hotel with a parking garage (not easy on highway 200) every night on the way down. That was 4 years ago and items I thought I "couldn't live without" are still in boxes upstairs. Think very carefully about what you want to bring. Of course sentimental items have a place on the bus, but do you really need that pots and pans set, toaster oven, table lamp, etc?

What happens down in Mexico...Stays in Mexico.

May 22, 2005, 3:19 PM

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I actually intend to bring my household down. It will be more hassle than beginning anew but so what! Looking at the furniture on Select real estate.com in San Miguel-it's so ugly. Yes I am liquidating what I can but the rest comes with me. And of course I know you can buy wonderful furniture in Mexico. But it doesn't all come from one place and then I would be stuck with what was available. Either that or start traveling to find those perfect pieces. I don't want to do that. I know exactly what I want and nothing else can substitute. I expect to spend $10,000.00(I'm hoping that is a high guestimate) but these days in real life that's peanuts.
I do recommend someone with less attachments-I am a devout materialist- start over.

May 22, 2005, 4:18 PM

Post #18 of 52 (3559 views)

Re: [MG Rabon] New Member needs input.

You are wanting $2,000 (U.S. bucks) refrigerators, $1,900 washers, $8,000 TVs?! Well, dang, I wish I lived that Mexican lifestyle. Must have Antonio Banderas living next door. I have a perfectly good fridge, washer and TV for a miniscule fraction of those prices, and it all was bought here en nuestro Mexico Lindo.

But, you are right, it depends on what luxuries one thinks indispensable. You sound like you live pretty well. Que suerte.

However, I bask in the moral support of GPK, Marlene, Manda405, and, in her last paragraph, the inimitable, but high-living, Cuerva.

I do not live very humbly, and I bought everything I need right here in Mexico. I did not spend that much either. It can be done easily, and so I stick by my original recommendation. It is cheaper and far easier to move to Mexico via plane with your bank account and suitcases. I think, to a great extent, it has much do with how emotionally attached one is to the past.

Perhaps our differences of opinion on this spring from places deeper than money.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

(This post was edited by palomares on May 22, 2005, 4:39 PM)

May 22, 2005, 4:26 PM

Post #19 of 52 (3553 views)

Re: [julian3345] New Member needs input.

Quote

W & J Sloane white haitian cotton upholstered sofa with down cushions!

I think if you need such stuff, you definitely should ship them over the border. I languish quite comfortably in an incredibly cushy, subtly-colored, tasteful sofa purchased at Fimmsa in Morelia. The same sofa would have cost far more in the U.S. For more astute takes on this subject, gaze just above.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

jreboll

May 22, 2005, 4:46 PM

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Last year I had planned on taking a new refrigerator to Michoacan but because of logistics I was unable to. Once I got there I went shopping to Morelia and Guadalajara and just couldn't find what I was I was looking for. Finallly on the advice of my sister-in-law I went to the local stores and was pleasantly surprised to find a nice stainless steel on black refrigerator for less than 500 dollars. Since coming back I have gone to the local Home Depot and Sears and have been unable to find as good a deal.

May 22, 2005, 5:01 PM

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What a relief! I can always count on you to level the playing field. I've been told by the man whose house I am buying that it makes more sense relative to parts & such to buy a washer and dryer, fridge, stove -that sort of thing in Mexico. I'm not planning to bring those items. The house has traditional Mexican burners under all that beautiful tile,& there is already an almost new fridge. I don't require the best or most expensive appliances. The best blender I ever got cost me about $18.00 in San miguel. It shockingly threshes everything! But the antique Mexican furniture( how embarrassing), the incredibly comfortable leather couch and chair, an extensive art collection, oh my god, not to mention the textiles and jewelry! High living? I've got a knack for it. As to the cost of moving- I want it to cost $4000,00.
I still say "sell everything and come in clean if you can". I'm capable of coming in with only suitcases full of jewelry and textiles but my beloved isn't going for it. Anyway why settle for less in life.
I do not spend very much money. I live very simply. I don't eat in restaurants because what could be better than what I cook.My kitchen is beautiful and I'm so happy to be in it. The kitchen and the garden are the heart of my home. I'm not out there paying for extraneous information cause I've got enough. As to humbly living, well, I didn't want to downgrade my standard of living. I am trading one very unique and special home for another.

MG Rabon

May 22, 2005, 10:38 PM

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Well, I wasn't suggesting that all this stuff is necessary, nor was I suggesting that someone run out just prior to their menaje de casa and buy a bunch of fancy stuff in the US. But if you already have all this stuff why take a bath selling it as used stuff just so you can buy a more modest replacement in Mexico? A hurricane last year destroyed my home in Florida and I've had all this stuff that was mostly new, in storage. I'd like to get some use out of it SOMEDAY, and I sure don't want to give it away.

Moving is tough work, across town, across the country, or to another country. If you were transferred to San Diego, would you sell everything and take just your suitcases? That would be more work (or so it seems to me) than simply moving all your stuff, replacing EVERYTHING would seem to be such a daunting task.

Fantastic I guess, if a new start is what you are doing (great if that is you), but some of us are just wanting to continue our current lives, at a slightly slower tempo, and with a latin rhythm. :-)

Certainly it seems the whole point of the menaje de casa is so that you can retain some of the value of the stuff you've accumulated, instead of having to dump it all and start anew?

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

May 23, 2005, 7:32 AM

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Also very on point. I'm trying to liquidate what I can but I'm not going to give it away. There is always some of that .People always say "sell it all at garage sales". But that is pennies on the dollar as you feed the substrata who can't or won't pay for it.

(This post was edited by cuerva on May 23, 2005, 7:34 AM)

Gringal

May 23, 2005, 8:22 AM

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" I expect to spend $10,000.00(I'm hoping that is a high guestimate)- "
________________________________________________________________________

I don't know where you're moving from or to, but we had under 6900 lbs. in our menage de casa load coming from central California to San Miguel. The movers (United Van Lines and Seymi) charged almost $10,000 U.S. last November. We had pared down on personal items and household furnishings, but couldn't part with the art work and some family heirlooms. We shipped some electronics but no large appliances. (We were able to find good ones locally at a much lower cost than someone else posted in this thread.) We used an estate auction company to dispose of things we weren't taking. I haven't much use for "garage sales", especially for valuable things. We have moved quite often in the past because of job changes and have found that moving costs are much higher than they were a few years ago, partly because of fuel price increases. Just be sure you're sitting down when the moving company rep comes in with the cost estimate. May your move be "uneventful". Good luck!

(This post was edited by gringal on May 23, 2005, 8:27 AM)

May 23, 2005, 8:51 AM

Post #25 of 52 (3390 views)