Pondering Move to Mexico: So Many Questions

[Steve Hazzard]

3. Is it practical to pack up and move, or is it better to sell things off and start afresh? I've read about the "taxes" at the border, but then I've seen some of the furnishings in the online listings and I'd rather have my stuff. Some of it, anyway.

Hi Rebecca! I was involved in the household goods moving and storage business for over 25 years. I'm an ex-long haul trucker with Mexican customs experience. I was also involved in international freight forwarding, both military and civilian. Unless you have irreplaceable items and stacks of cash (certified funds only, no credit cards!) for expedited and exclusive use services, it's personal items and clothing only! What's known in military circles as a Code 1 baggage shipment. Whatever your mode of transit, be aware that you will pay duties an anything not considered as "normal personal effects". That would include small appliances, electronics, cameras, excessive jewelry, artwork, etc. A household goods shipment will be dutied on anything considered to be of excessive value, which in the eyes of Mexican customs, can be just about anything! It's all left to the customs agents at the time of inspection and they are about as honest as a drunken prostitute! Save your dinero; buy what you need in Mexico!

[Steve Hazzard]

Hi Rebecca! Here is some info re bringing household goods into Mexico. What the info doesn't mention is the customs bribe which is usually in the form of a US$100 bill in an envelope taped to the inside of the shipping container! Been there, done that!

Import of Household Goods into Mexico


Requirements for Household Goods Visa:

FM2 or FM3 (Mexican authorization to live or work in Mexico, issue by the Ministry of the Interior of Mexico or any Mexican Consulate, during previous six months)



Original and four photocopies of the household goods inventory in Spanish and typewritten.
First page must have the name of the person
who holds FM2 or FM3, address in the USA and
his/her temporality of residence and the
address in Mexico. The last page must be
signed by the titular of the FM2 or FM3.



Electronic items must be described with model, serial number and brand.



Consular visa fee: 122.00 us dollars.




It takes 24 hours to process this visa at this consulate

[sparks]

Here is the best info for moving to Mexico and bringing household goods in with an FM3. Never-never is a bribe required or suggested

How to Move to México
by Rolly Brook

I have no idea what this means below

Consular visa fee: 122.00 us dollars.
It takes 24 hours to process this visa at this consulate

[Steve Hazzard]

Originally Posted by sparks

Here is the best info for moving to Mexico and bringing household goods in with an FM3. Never-never is a bribe required or suggested

How to Move to México
by Rolly Brook

I have no idea what this means below

Sparks! I guess that you missed the line in my posting "Been there, done that"! In my time in the household goods hauling business, I cleared many shipments through Mexican customs, US Dollars are the "grease" that expedites the customs process! "OK! No problemos" was my favorite words from Mexican customs officers!

[jrod]

Rebecca,
I live in Ajijic so I'll try to add to others' responses to you. The two webboards are good recommendations, as is Judy King's e-zine (online magazine, $40 US annual subscription) called Mexico Insights (look up the URL--it won't let me post it here.) It's full of invaluable information--especially access to the archived issues.

On to responses to your questions, in no order:
Ajijic is primarily a retirement-aged community. Fewer expats in their 40s and 50s than those 60 and above. There's a whole lot of English spoken here; however, you really limit yourself to the opportunities and life in Mexico if you don't either know--or actively start to learn--Spanish. However, some people do it, especially older folks who find it more difficult to attempt the new language and experience the culture.

It is relatively easy to connect with people here, but you do have to take the initiative. Without work as a common denominator, people's social circles revolve around their areas of interest. Most people are couples; there are many singles, however, but not a good singles network. Lately, I've seen some postings for roommates on the webboards mentioned previously by other posters, although that is pretty new.

Check online for international regulations for pets to Mexico. Shots have to be up-to-date (within the past year, documented) and an International Health Certificate provided within 72 hrs of border crossing (most vets can provide, and maybe even leave date blank for you to fill in.)

It is almost impossible to get an FM-3 with working papers at the moment in the Lakeside area. That doesn't mean that you can't work online, from home, at your US job, but you will be hard-pressed to get a job in the Lake Chapala/Lakeside area. Your US income will be taxed by the US accordingly; get a good tax adviser with international experience to fill you in--before you make any decisions.

The weather Lakeside is marvelous and is a draw for many of the expats, as is its relatively good location for venturing into other parts of Mexico. Temps are fairly constant, except for mid-April thru June; we get several months of heavy rainfall, but mostly at night. Because of the demographics, housing is comparatively expensive for Mexico, especially if you want upscale US amenities. These homes will cost as much--or more--as many parts of the US. Central heating and a/c don't exist. You can rent or buy; most people suggest being here for six months or more before you commit. Neighborhoods differ tremendously and there is no "zoning", as you know it in the US. It really helps to do some serious exploring before putting down roots, but many jump right away.

There are a few well-known movers in the area. They seem to know the ins-and-outs of the international move, but it is very expensive to move goods here--about $1US per pound, or more. Most people bring the minimum and/or some hard-to-find things. Furniture styles from your US residence may be out of place here: we live outdoors most of the year; wood can rot, etc. and your antiques, etc. will disintegrate quickly in the open air/dust. Better to see some homes here before you decide. People can tell you what's hard to get (good linens, towels, tools are limited and more expensive), but you really can get most everything.

Because of the large number of expat seniors and the way the villages are set up, not too many people drive after about 9 pm. That means, many restaurants (none US five-star, or even close, but some decent and trying) close very early. Evening entertainment: music, some dancing, etc. also finishes pretty early. Nearby Guadalajara (about 30-45 minutes) is our airport and hub for box stores, nicer-end restaurants, theater, etc. Many people who go to Guad for evening activities stay the night in the city, as the drive is unlit and the roads at night attract horses and cattles due to the warmth of the pavement.

Lakeside, you can be as busy and active or as lonely and isolated as you wish. People's personalities don't change because they move SoB. However, Mexico is an experience, and the people who seem least satisfied are those who come here, expecting to make changes to the status quo and way of life. It's not the US, nor is it is supposed to be. Successful expats seem to be fairly well-traveled, open-minded, and enjoy the fact that Mexico is not a suburb of the US town from which they came. Those looking for a cheap clone of the US, while maintaining a US-style lifestyle on a shoestring budget, will be greatly disappointed and, to a certain extent, will be isolated. People who have made their home here like it, and aren't afraid to ask the perceived bad apples to vacate the barrel, so to speak.

Lakeside, we have no big box stores, and just three pretty small shops that cater to American import foods and products. Other than the two-lane main drag, streets are 500-year-old cobble-boulder, shared by cars, horses, and pedestrians alike. We have a three-screen cinema and an English-weekly paper from Guad. There's many, many OK restaurants as well as a lot to do, though, especially if you are into volunteering for a variety of charities or are into the cocktail or garden scene. During the winter months (Nov-April) we are inundated by snowbirds, many from Canada, and the ensuing saturation of services and amenities can be stressful.

As to your beach questions, we are about 5 1/2 hours to Puerto Vallarta (called "PV"); about 4+ to Manzanillo. Neither drive is particularly difficult, but there are lonely, very windy, treacherous mountain passages to navigate, especially during the rainy season.

Like any place, it takes a while to make a new place your home. Mexico is not for the faint of heart, but it is an experience that's not to be forgotten. What type of experience it is depends on you and how well you fit into your surroundings. It for sure is not for everyone.

[El Toro Furioso]

When you get an FM3 Visa, you have 3 months from issuance to move your personal used possessions without paying duty. If you get your menaje (list of items being moved, in English and translated into Spanish) approved by a Mexican consulate within those three months, the actual move can take place after more than three months. If you move more than three months after getting your FM3, you have two other options: 1) declare everything you are taking to be worth $999 USD and pay the duty, which will be almost nothing if they take you at your word or, 2) hire an expediter at the border and pay no duty, though you will pay "standard" moving costs for delivery to your home. We used an expediter in Laredo to move us across the border and to the Ajijic area way after the FM3 was too late. She was great and we paid no duty. There is also the 200 peso note hidden in the palm of your hand as you greet the border guards, but I don't recommend that.

As to whether to move a lot or a little, we tried to find a middle ground. Now my wife complains that we should have brought this and we should have brought that. She has regrets about things left behind, so it is best to live first in Mexico for at least 6 months (we were here for over two years before moving our stuff), then to think long and hard about what to move and what to give up.

Good luck!

[Steve Hazzard]

There is also the 200 peso note hidden in the palm of your hand as you greet the border guards, but I don't recommend that.

When I was hauling household goods and clearing Mexican customs, my experience was that a US$20 bill under the first page of the customs paperwork resulted in a big smile from the customs officer and "OK, no problemos" as he waved me through the entry point!

[sparks]

Immigration and Customs are getting more professional and 'by the book' lately so I would never suggest a bribe to anyone in Mexico unless it is somehow suggested first. Even then, a bad practice!

[stevebrtx]

Originally Posted by El Toro Furioso

declare everything you are taking to be worth $999 USD and pay the duty, which will be almost nothing if they take you at your word

I crossed in early Oct towing a trailer on a tourist visa. They opened the trailer, looked for a moment and asked if I thought everything was worth $1,000. I thought for a moment and said probably, they said ok, $147 please, I got a green light and was gone. I had a new flat TV, 3 pc's, clothes, dishes etc.

[Rodrigo84]

Originally Posted by RebeccaWriter

Hello out there!

I'm a writer in Texas, pondering a move to Mexico. I've transitioned out of a law practice, and want to move forward into the next step of my dream: living on the beach, walking with the dogs in the sand at sunrise .... (There are several other motivations for this lifestyle change, of course.)

But here, a few questions for the group:

1. I absolutely have to have fast, reliable internet connections for my work. If I am investigating a spot with a somewhat sizable expat community, can I assume that 24/7 DSL is a given?

2. I'm planning on moving solo - but it sure would be nice to plan all this with some other folk who are in process, too. Anyone know where there's an InProcess Forum?

3. Is it practical to pack up and move, or is it better to sell things off and start afresh? I've read about the "taxes" at the border, but then I've seen some of the furnishings in the online listings and I'd rather have my stuff. Some of it, anyway.

4. I've got two dogs. Any problems with walking pets, with the strays on the streets that I've read about?

Thanks so much, in advance, for any advice you provide -- it's so appreciated!!!!! Oh - I guess I should write, Muchas Gracias!!!!

Rebecca

You can get reliable fast, Internet here, it isn't as fast as you are used to in the U.S., but it works for most things.

My cousin moved down here all by himself 6 years ago, I am sure that when he joins he can add somethings.

My cousin filled out a menaje de casa which allowed him to bring his stuff in without tax, other users can comment on this.

Not sure about the dogs, though, sorry.