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San Miguel de Allende: A Place in the Heart - Expatriates Find Themselves Living in Mexico Reviewed by James Tipton

John Scherber's thoughtful and satisfying book, San Miguel de Allende: A Place in the Heart (2010), is a collection of stories about North Americans "who live here full time, as I do." San Miguel de Allende is their home.

The idea of the book originated when Scherber, after living in San Miguel for only eight months, began asking himself questions like: "What had I given up to come here, and what had I gained? What was my new role in the community? Was I an exile? An expatriate? Would I ever live in the States again? How did I react to Americans I saw here visiting? What had I done?" read more
adjusting book-reviews lifestyles San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Ask the old gringo about Mexico welcome mat, value system, jail time and hot billboard Marvin West

Officials of the beach community of Puerto Escondido, in the state of Oaxaca, threw a December party to celebrate foreigners. A few hundred attended. Free food and drink remains an exciting lure. Mexican dignitaries were there and many immigration personnel worked the crowd, nice to meet you, so glad you are here. There were music, smiles and handshakes. A good time was had by all. How's that for welcome? read more
perspectives question

Mexico lost-and-found fishermen still waiting for massive payday Marvin West

Three Mexican fishermen, lost at sea for nine months and nine days, were world news for a few minutes in 2006.

Their survival was a miracle of faith and fierce determination, or the biggest fish tale ever told. read more
perspectives San Blas, Nayarit

Volunteers get involved on Mexico's Nayarit Riviera Christina Stobbs

Yes, Mexico is beautiful! Whether you plan to enjoy a vacation or the experience of living in Mexico, you'll find it to be an enriching life experience where one is immersed in a warm, vibrant and welc... read more
adjusting social-issues Nayarit Riviera

Moving to Mexico's Lake Chapala: Checklists, How-To's, and Practical Information and Advice for Expats and Retirees Reviewed by James Tipton

Moving to Mexico's Lake Chapala
This book really does tell you about everything you need to know if you are planning to move to Lake Chapala, one of the most popular retirement sites in the world for North Americans.

Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez, Editor-in-Chief of El Ojo del Lago, has this to say: "I found it highly readable, most comprehensive, and flawlessly organized. I think it's the best book of its kind that I have read, and I have been down here for 25 years."

Is the information current? You bet! Why? Because Lisa Jorgensen only moved here this past spring. read more
book-reviews how-to moving Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

Ask the old gringo about ocean-front property, butterflies, boxing and the next Mexico crisis Marvin West

No question about this, the monarchs are coming, the monarchs are coming from Canada and the United States to the massive butterfly campgrounds in the mountain ranges of Michoacan. read more
perspectives question

Will mold be a problem in Mexican real estate? J. Brad Grieve

When you rent or purchase Mexico real estate, you'll find that construction techniques as well as climate are probably very different from what you are accustomed to. Will you struggle with mold in your Mexican home? read more
health real-estate

Ask the old gringo about Mexico green energy, sexy models, police protection Marvin West

Kiosk in the plaza of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico © Renée J. LaPerrière de Gutiérrez
Question: I have read about the millions or billions the U.S. has lost on solar investments that went bankrupt. How is Mexico doing on green energy? read more
perspectives question

Unraveling Mexico red tape Marvin West

Palacio de Gobierno in Guadalajara, Mexico © Sergio Wheeler, 2012
Some of the tall tales about government bureaucracy and red tape are probably exaggerated but some are tragically true. I and others got a chuckle out of the recent government campaign to identify "the most useless procedure" in delivering public goods and services. Ordinary people jumped all over the opportunity to fuss about paperwork in triplicate which bogs down registrations, health care, education, social security, property transfers, tax administration, almost everything, even banking and discount cards — at state and local levels. read more
perspectives

Mexico real estate: Who is at fault? J. Brad Grieve

As it is anywhere else, real estate is a major investment. What about shifting foundations due to the earth's movements? Who is at fault? This is not a discussion of legal liability but rather a discussion of geology.

In Mexico, the term "fault" has been used to describe a special soil condition that has caused damage to some homes here at Lake Chapala. The damage was generally caused by an uneven settlement of the foundations. read more
real-estate Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco
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