Forums > Areas > Southern Mexico

bluedog

Feb 28, 2004, 9:46 AM

Post #1 of 15 (1855 views)

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Valladolid

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I and 2 life long friends will retire to MX.We have been there many times and have talked about this for years. Currently thinking about Valladolid as a place to settle and notice that apparently nobody on the forums is from there. Actually found a piece of property on metros cubicos that might do. House fallen down but lots of land for a place in the city. Am I wrong that there are no folks living there or near? Again, am learning soooo much from you "old hands", and will be continuing to check out the forums.

Sally Broom
bluedog

(This post was edited by Rolly on Feb 28, 2004, 10:43 AM)

soft drink

Feb 28, 2004, 10:28 AM

Post #2 of 15 (1844 views)

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Re: [Sally Ann] I'm starting a new building project.

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Hi Sally,

Excuse my ignorance, but the only Valladolid I know so far is in Spain, could you tell us more about that place you're talking about?

Maybe then more people will tell their experiences.

Thanks!

S.D.

Ed and Fran

Feb 28, 2004, 12:48 PM

Post #3 of 15 (1827 views)

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Re: [soft drink] I'm starting a new building project.

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I could be wrong, but I would expect that she's referring to Valladolid in Yucatan, between Merida and Tulum, Q.R.

Regards

E&F

Carron

Feb 28, 2004, 1:22 PM

Post #4 of 15 (1820 views)

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Re: [Sally Ann] Valladolid

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One reason many ex-pats chose the same areas of Mexico over and over again is the climate. In some places, such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guadalajara, etc. the climate is spring-like most of the year. Living is therefore not only quite comfortable but less expensive as well, since there is no need for A/C or central heat. Though I have not been to Valladolid myself, my family and I have spent time in the Yucatan and it can get pretty hot and humid there. What is your personal comfort level with regards to heat and humidity? How is your conversational Spanish and will you enjoy living in a place where there are apparently few other foreign residents? Just some of the things we all consider when we pick our places to settle. Obviously, it all boils down to your personal preference. I would suggest you plan to spend some time in residence there before you buy property. Then, again, if you are already in love with Valladolid, go for it and let us know how things are on the peninsula. Maybe you will start a trend to your area!

Ed and Fran

Feb 28, 2004, 2:01 PM

Post #5 of 15 (1813 views)

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Re: [Carron] Valladolid

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You might try posting over on the Yucatan Penninsula forum. While it doesn't get as much traffic as the other areas specific forums, the moderator, 'Jim in Cancun', may have some info that is useful to you.

Regards

E&F

smokesilver

Feb 28, 2004, 7:55 PM

Post #6 of 15 (1787 views)

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Re: [Sally Ann] Valladolid

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I found Valladolid to be a charming old town. For those who havn't visited it is an old colonial town in the middle of Mayan country. Indeed it is just east of Piste which is the town just outside Chichen Itza. I have found that many people from this area tend to work at the resort areas of Quintana Roo. They always tell me that they will 'go back' one day. Many cities in Mexico were named after Spanish cities.

Jim in Cancun / Moderator

Feb 29, 2004, 3:24 AM

Post #7 of 15 (1770 views)

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Re: [smokesilver] Valladolid

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I have been to Vallodolid a couple of times--always on the way to somewhere else like Merida or Chichen Itza. As someone already suggested, it would be a good idea to live there for some time before buying and search around before buying. And on that theme--are you familiar with foreigners purchasing property in Mexico--specifically in the restricted zones? If not, investigate, be very careful and look for that topic as well as other invaluable information on living, working and retiring in Mexico at the link

http://www.mexconnected.com/...ivinginmexindex.html

After you have read all of that--particularly the articles written by people who have already done it, adjusted, adapted and stayed for more than 2 weeks come back if you have any specific questions and feel free to ask.

bluedog

Feb 29, 2004, 8:20 AM

Post #8 of 15 (1754 views)

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Re Valladolid

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Boy, I'm off the map I guess. This Valladolid is between Medida,and Playa del Carmen on the Playa side of Chichen Itza. It is the place that the Cast War began. No doubt named after the one in Spain. We were there in Dec. Nice sized town, beautiful old Nunnery, cenote and of course downtown is around the zocalo with the govt palace and the cathederal. Some lovely neighborhoods and good places to eat. Not on the beaten tract or anything like "gringo gulch". We already know that we are not interested in moving to a place in MX that is all English speaking retired folks. My interest is in finding someone that can tell me about the surrounding neighbors for the address of the place we are comtemplating but looks like there might not be anyone here. Thanks for you interest and reply.

Sally
bluedog

sfmacaws

Feb 29, 2004, 11:55 PM

Post #9 of 15 (1729 views)

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Re: [Sally Ann] Re Valladolid

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Valladolid is better described as between Merida and Cancun, you will have to turn south in Cancun to get to Playa. While I don't doubt there are few ex-pats living there it does have a daily 'tide' of tourists flowing through, it's not really an out-of-the-way spot. Personally, I'm not fond of the town. The locals seem less friendly and more on-the-take than in other towns in the Yucatan. It may be that I have a different viewpoint or that I keep hitting it on bad days. There is a nice hotel there, a beautiful cathedral with a Jesus statue wearing human hair, and the cenote nearby, Dzitnup, is really pretty. It's a hub for most roads in the Yucatan peninsula so if you live in this area and travel at all you will find yourself at least going through there a lot. Yes, it can be very hot especially in late April and May before the rains start. It is a hub, but it is not close to either the gulf or the caribbean such that you could just go to the beach. I definitely recommend that you spend some time there before purchasing.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

JimOfMex

Mar 4, 2004, 7:53 AM

Post #10 of 15 (1698 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Re Valladolid

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Hi,

What is a cenote?

sfmacaws

Mar 4, 2004, 8:33 AM

Post #11 of 15 (1693 views)

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Re: [jimOfBoston] Re Valladolid

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There are no surface rivers in the Yucatan, it is all limestone and they have sunk and run underground. When the rock collapses (sort of like the roof falling in) over parts of these underground rivers, it creates a beautiful, circular hole with clear water that is called a cenote. In some of these the roof did not fall in but there are openings that let in light. The entire Yucatan is riddled with cave systems from underground water, some of them are dry now and some aren't. They are filled with incredible formations and are very beautiful. Scuba diving in the caves and passages that are under water is a huge attraction of this area. It is also possible to snorkle and swim in some of them.

One of the ones outside Valladolid, Dzitnup, is reached through a crack with stairs cut into it. Once inside there are ledges to sit on and dive from, a huge cavern about half full of clear water and a small circular hole at the top that lets in a shaft of light. There are stalactites and stalagmites that you can swim around. It's very gorgeous. There is a small charge to go in and on very hot days, the cool air and water are wonderful.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

RickS

Mar 4, 2004, 9:34 AM

Post #12 of 15 (1685 views)

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Re: [jimOfBoston] Re Valladolid

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Jim, look at:

www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-cenotes.htm

www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-caves.htm

JimOfMex

Mar 4, 2004, 3:34 PM

Post #13 of 15 (1664 views)

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Re: [RickS] Re Valladolid

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Wow! The Dzitnup cenote is beautiful. What a wonderful thing. Thanks for the info and the links.

Marie Boitano

Mar 6, 2004, 3:15 PM

Post #14 of 15 (1627 views)

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Re: [Sally Ann] Valladolid

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A Canadian woman opened a retreat in Ek Balam, north of Valladolid, in about November 2003. Although I believe her father did much of the construction, as a resident and businesswoman in the area she may have helpful information for you and your friends. The website is: www.genesisretreat.com.

Mucha suerte, Marie Boitano

bluedog

Mar 9, 2004, 9:25 AM

Post #15 of 15 (1591 views)

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Re: [Marie Boitano] Valladolid

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Thank you very much for the information-I will contact her. Gracias,Sally
bluedog