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Can anyone tell me where I can get cost-of-living information like rental of a modest apartment, cost of groceries, etc.?

... in response to I am thinking about moving to Mexico., posted by Griffin redux on Jun 23, 2003

[This message has been edited by pablo]

Griffin,

Try this useful site for information on Mexico: http://www.mexconnect.com
Also, Randy (Alteno),who has contributed to the board, moved from Oregon down near Guadalajara had much to share about his experiences.  Check the archives.  Hope this helps.

Pablo

... in response to I am thinking about moving to Mexico., posted by Griffin redux on Jun 23, 2003

Here is a start.

Decent site.

http://www.escapeartist.com/

Escape artist dot com.

... in response to I am thinking about moving to Mexico., posted by Griffin redux on Jun 23, 2003

Mexico's a big country...have a particular city in mind?

Here's a link to a whole pile of newspapers, look in the classifieds. http://www.arab2.com/n/a/mexico.htm

... in response to Re: I am thinking about moving to Mexico..., posted by Michael B on Jun 23, 2003

I would prefer living in the mountains in a non-touristy, not too large town but not so small that it doesn't have electricity.

... in response to Thanks.  Just started thinking about it., posted by Griffin redux on Jun 23, 2003

Have you read "On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel" by Tony Cohan? It's a good read and it's fun to daydream about doing something like that. The book is in the same vein as "Driving Over Lemons" (Andalucia), "Toujours Provence" (the series by Peter Mayle) and "The Hacienda" (Venezuela).

I'm still waiting for a good ex-pat book about Colombia or Peru.  Know of any?  And who knows, maybe Wayne could write about his adventures catering to the swanky set from San Diego and Costa Rica! :)

... in response to Thanks.  Just started thinking about it., posted by Griffin redux on Jun 23, 2003

Don't move there without taking a really long vacation in that location.  At least 3 months before you pull up any roots in the states.

My wife and I live in Costa Rica and we hate it.  6 months and we are planning our exit right now.  These people really suck in this country.  The Ticos don't like Mexicans, Colombians, or Nicaraguans.  They are racist pieces of shiiiiit.  Arrogant like they are God's gift to Latin America.

Careful before you leap.

Wayne

... in response to Re: Thanks.  Just started thinking about..., posted by Wayne11 on Jun 23, 2003

Wayne,

I did visit Costa Rica and Nicaragua last year.  I did like the Nicas better than the Ticos and sensed that there were more investment opportunities in Nicaragua and so I began investing there.

Have you considered conducting your business from that country?  Also I have heard some good things about Honduras.

Hamlet

... in response to Re: Thanks.  Just started thinking about..., posted by Wayne11 on Jun 23, 2003

Yeah, I know, I was married to one of them for 16 years (the vice-president's grand daughter, no less)...favorite saying: "We're not like those damned Indians". Never heard her say much about Colombians, but she sure doesn't like Nicaguagans and absolutly hates Mexicans (except for her sister's husband of course, but they make sure you understand that he's a SPAINARD Mexican, not 'one of those damned.......').

... in response to Re: Thanks.  Just started thinking about..., posted by Wayne11 on Jun 23, 2003

C'mon Wayne, tell us how you really feel.

Seriously, does that mean the sailing business' days are numbered or will you try to relocate it?

... in response to Re: Re: Thanks.  Just started thinking a..., posted by Red Clay on Jun 24, 2003

RC,

Well this has been my business since I was 22 so it's what I know how to do.  So it's definately not the end of this type of business for me.  After only 6 months in Costa Rica we have probably 90% of the day sailing business in my area.  Maybe it's not because we are so great, it's more because the our competition is so bad with old boats and lousy services. So it's a very profitable business already, and our standard of living is very nice in Costa Rica.  We rent a nice big house with a pool up on a hill overlooking the ocean.  This house and location would cost 2 million in San Diego.

My problem is that I am really, really angry at this place and people.  This is the country of marketing....  It's all an illusion until you actually drop the money, invest and come down here.  Investor friendly...what a joke.

I had my wake up call at the Costa Rican embassy in Los
Angeles when my wife and I went to get her "tourist" visa.  US citizens don't need a visa but Colombians do even though my wife is a legal US resident.  When they found out she was Colombiana, they took her out of line to another room and asked her many disrespectful questions about if she has ever been a prostitute, drug trafficking and if she had family that were guerillas.  I got so angry that I yelled at the Consulate General and got thrown out of the Consulate. (I'm not done with this guy yet)  I was sent an e-mail later telling me that if I returned with my wife, we would both be denied entry into Costa Rica.  We had to drive to Los Angeles 5 times with ever changing requirements just to get her a 1 month tourist visa. I waited in the car while she went up. At that time I just chalked it up to bad consulate staff and since I had seen similar bad behaviour in our own consulates, I didn't think the rest of the country could be that bad....

Wrong....  I should have listened to my instincts and bailed.

So no matter how pretty the trees are, and how nice your house is, when you have to deal with these 3rd grade graduates on a daily basis, it becomes intolerable.

All the smart gringos that move here are gone within a year.  The only ones who stay are running from the law, or brain damaged.

It looks like we are going to sail on through the Panama Canal and head over to the resort Island of Roatan to take another crack at it.  It's a two hour flight from Miami.  You guys are welcome to come over and hang out.

One thing you guys have to be prepared for when you marry one of these girls from Colombia is that the stigma of Colombia while you are travelling is often unpleasant.  The magic blue passport looks better every day.

Wayne
www.sailingcostarica.com
soon to be www.costaricasucks.com

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Thanks.  Just started thinki..., posted by Wayne11 on Jun 24, 2003

Wayne,
Since the business is making money could you sell it at a profit,more than the replacement cost of your boat?You could tell prospective buyers the immigration thing with your wife is the reason.Better skip hating the place.
Some people specialise in starting busineses and selling them.If there is a good income stream they could have real value.Also competition could come along that would make you not the only good boat there.
Panama sounds like a better place if the business is there.
Costa Rica seems like a good example of the potential for a latin country if the safety seems to be there.Its gotten them so much tourism and retirees that they think they are pretty unique and spoiled the hell out of them.Other countries can do the same.A preputation for security is the key.Panama could be the next Costa Rica.Also,it has alot of available island property.
Colombia has the natural attractions but is a long ways off in solving security issues and negative reputation it has.

Pete

Pete

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Thanks.  Just started th..., posted by Pete E on Jun 24, 2003

Wayne,
I know you said you didn't like passages.Reminds me of a story I heard.A friend of mine said sailboats were cheap in Hawaii because people would sail them there,the trip would scare the hell out of them and they would fly back leaving their boat for sale.
I am more of a powerboat guy but I know you can get excellent buys on used boats,a fraction of the new cost.So if you could sell the business with the boat and replace it cheaply there might be huge profit.
I was telling a joke to my friend about boating.The deinition of a boat:"A hole in the water you pour money in."
He had a better one "If it flys,floats or fu--s you are better off renting it."

Pete

... in response to Sailboat cost follow up, posted by Pete E on Jun 24, 2003

Hi Pete,

Yes, I could probably sell the business and make some money.  It is already a 6 figure income for someone that has the business experience to make it fly.

But... I don't really know what I would do if I sold the boat at this point.  It is a very specialized boat built in Australia for day charters, kayaking and snorkelling.  If I sold the boat, I would need to have another built, wait for it to be shipped and then go to the work of outfitting it once again.  For the amount I could sell the business for, counting the down time for building, it's probably more economical to just go on down the coast and continue the adventure.

It's not as simple as just picking up another boat at a good deal.  High end resort success depends on the selection of the perfect boat.  There are many resorts around the world in idealic locations that would love to have a luxury day cat for their guests to enjoy.

This post is getting way off subject...sorry.

Ya know there are some amazing girls down here from
Spain.  And we also have pretty girls on our boat from Spain almost every day.  Have any of you guys gone to Spain to meet women ?   Seems like a really good option....

Wayne

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Thanks.  Just started thinki..., posted by Wayne11 on Jun 24, 2003

Wayne:
Sorry to hear it isn't working out. Hope the Carib works out better for you. Probably you'll be pretty disappointed with anywhere that has a really low cost of living. There's a reason why places with high costs of living are that way. Not too many low cost paridises left in the world.

Keep us posted where you end up.

- Jeff