Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

elcomputo

May 19, 2003, 10:57 AM

Post #1 of 8 (883 views)

Shortcut

No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post | Private Reply

I just arrived in Xalapa Friday. I plan on staying at least six months and need to rent a house or apartment. I have had a friend respond to advertisements in the newspaper, but, just as in the U.S., landlords do not want to rent to people with dogs. I have two very well behaved, un-noisy, housebroken dogs. As a recovering depressive, I find they keep me from blowing my brains out, and I am not going to part with them.

In the U.S., one can eventually find a place that will take animals if you give the landlord a damage deposit. I don't know that this concept exists in Mexico.

Can anyone offer any tips on how to negotiate a lease in this situation?

Carol Schmidt

May 19, 2003, 12:05 PM

Post #2 of 8 (867 views)

Shortcut

Re: [elcomputo] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post | Private Reply

Dogs have a bad rap--too many unowned ones messing on the sidewalks and in flower beds, barking at all hours, and even the ones lucky enough to have owners are not always cared for well. Both places I've rented in San Miguel have taken our dog with no question, but she is small and looks adorable, though she has the personality of a piranha. Looks count in the dog world too.

Maybe look for places where you see dogs on leashes already, and where you see logical places to walk them. Point out to the landlord exactly where you would like to walk the dogs rather than just shoving them out the door. Bring along a box of plastic sandwich bags to show you do pick-up of all messes (I hope you do!).

If the dogs present well and are very well-behaved, bring them along on your interviews. Many people can't stand dogs in general but like particular dogs once they meet them. Offering a damage deposit can't hurt either. Good luck!

Carol Schmidt

alex .

May 19, 2003, 3:31 PM

Post #3 of 8 (845 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Carol Schmidt] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post | Private Reply

So how is that little doggie anyway?

Alex

pathall

May 19, 2003, 8:39 PM

Post #4 of 8 (819 views)

Shortcut

Re: [elcomputo] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post | Private Reply

We've been renting houses and apartments in San Miguel for years and we always have our Clumber Spaniel with us. We've been lucky and had landladies who love dogs and especially our Rosie. We've never been asked to give a damage deposit, but I would suggest that if you are having problems. We've always cleaned up after her and periodically cleaned up hair as well so that the maid wouldn't complain about her constant shedding. For some reason most landladies like smaller dogs, but once they get to know Rosie, they don't object to her size.

PeggyS

May 20, 2003, 11:21 PM

Post #5 of 8 (764 views)

Shortcut

Re: [pathall] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post | Private Reply

Please don't give up on renting that house or apartment, you just haven't found the right one yet. I stopped to look at some ads on a bulletin board here in Ajijic today, and found the usual rental ads: pets allowed, Pets Okay, no cats- owner allergic, and my favorite: house on beachfront, great for dogs!
So keep on looking and the right one is bound to come along.

jennifer rose

May 20, 2003, 11:33 PM

Post #6 of 8 (761 views)

Shortcut

Re: [elcomputo] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post |

A large damage deposit isn't always a guarantee. How about offering the landlord, say, $50 USD extra per month in rent for permitting the dogs? I think that would provide more incentive to a landlord than simply a larger damage deposit.

elcomputo

May 21, 2003, 1:43 PM

Post #7 of 8 (730 views)

Shortcut

Re: [PeggyS] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post | Private Reply

I have found two places that will accept dogs -- one through the classifieds and one I saw on the way to see the first place. Both are extremely small. The first is excessively cold (white tile on both floors and walls -- it looks like a segmented bathroom) and the other is excessively tacky. The first is 350 pesos and the second 300 pesos. I know that is cheap for Xalapa (and very cheap for places like San Miguel), but it's about the maximum I can afford on Social Security, and if I don't like the places, I might as well be living in a trailer in South Cow Patty, Arkansas. At least there I would not have the frustration of having to deal with my lousy Spanish -- they speak a close version of English in Arkansas.

I am at a loss as to what to do. I cannot impose on the hospitality of my host here much longer. And, to boot, I am feeling very much alone. I was alone in Austin, too, but there were places I could go and people I could talk to. I'm beginning to think I made yet another rotten decision in my life.

Sorry to bring you down, if I am. I'm just feeling very troubled and alone.

Martin

jennifer rose

May 21, 2003, 8:16 PM

Post #8 of 8 (696 views)

Shortcut

Re: [elcomputo] No les gustan los perros. Ay ya ya ya yi!

Can't Post |

Whether it's $350 M.N. per week or per month, that kind of money is going to deliver a fairly grim rental, IMHO. Keep on looking. FWIW, a lot of rentals aren't even advertised in the classifieds but instead by a simple sign.

It sounds as if you're going through the "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore" stage, which affects a fair number of people. Unquestionably, for the newcomer, living here can be a culture shock. In time, the rewards are revealed. Remember, you haven't even been in Mexico for a full week. Give yourself -- and Mexico -- the benefit of time.