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moving to Guatemala

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cherylsherron
  3/21/2017 13:45 EST

My husband is returning to Guatemala after 18 years in the US (so he is not real up to date on what it is like there now). I will be moving back there with him. I am a science teacher who will be retiring to do this and will be selling my farm/animals and whatever else to do this. I am excited but have no idea what this entails as far as how/what to bring with me, finding a home, where to move (he is from Jutiapa but we can move anywhere we choose), can I bring my dogs with me, health care?, is just Guatemala City dangerous (he is worried about my safety), etc. I'm finding it hard to get started as I don't even know where to begin. This will be a forever move so I need to get it right. I have lived overseas before in the far east and middle east when I was younger and did very well...loved it so I'm not concerned about adapting to a new culture. it's all the details that have me at a loss. I have about a year before I will actually move....where do I begin? Thanks for any help or advice you can give me.

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 09:35 EST

I just want to point out the Guate City has 25 zones and not all of them are dangerous like people think. Get a map and label the (un)safe zones.

Safe Zones to walk and drive Day and Night*: Zones, #10, #9, #13, #14, #15, #16, as well as the 50 km stretch all the way up Carretera a El Salvador. It starts from the edge of Guatemala City in Zone #15 and goes all the way down the road to El Salvador (that’s the PAN AMERICAN HWY called CA-1). You will see vast new medium and upscale developments on either side of CA-1 (this is ground zero in the real estate bubble)

Safe Zones to walk and drive by Day only: Zones #12, #1 (all around the historic center, the 6th Avenue pedestrian walking area and central park areas only), #11(the upscale shopping areas: Miraflores and Tikal Futura)
UN-SAFE Zones to avoid: Zones #18, #6, #2, #5, #4, #7, #8, #21, and anywhere in the adjacent city of Mixco.

Note: nearly all zones are safe to drive through day and night (but if it’s a known crap area why drive through at night?)

*When we say “SAFE” at night: that means take the usual precautions and don’t walk down lonely, not well-lighted, deserted streets. Dress down and use the same precautions you would use at night in your own big USA cities.

As for the bad or “iffy” Zones: keep away from air B&B's and hangouts in most of these Zones unless you are with a group of people:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17,18 and all of Mixco (note that Mixco is actually a city that butts right up to Guatemala City and has its own Zones)
The above is by no means a complete breakdown. For example, there are parts of some of the more decent “good zones” like 13, 14, 16,15, 9,and 5 that have very very high-end parts yet also have some “iffy” parts I wouldn't walk through at night. Most Zones are not purely good or bad, there is some overlapping. You can drive by car through most any zone safely and you can walk around in most zones alone or with friends during the daytime. However you wouldn’t want to walk alone at night in about half the Zones unless you were with someone or a group.

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Guategringo
  3/22/2017 10:12 EST

Can I ask where this information comes from? A great deal of this is just plain WRONG.

bajasur
  3/22/2017 10:14 EST

sojournerEXPAT. Let me get this straight., you want to move to Guatemala so you visited here. Don't know how long you were here or where you visited while here. But, you are an authority of the dangerous areas of Guatemala City and Mixco. Is that correct? My girlfriend lives in Mixco, one block from Central Park, so I guess she is in ground zero of the most dangerous area of Mixco. You failed to mention the various zones of Mixco and all the dangers of living in those upper end Zonas of Mixco. Your post about all the zones of GC and Mixco sounds like it came directly from the US Embassy web page. Care to explain where you came by this information?

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 10:14 EST

You sound overwhelmed and understandably so. It takes the edge off when you visit the country and see how safe it is. I felt safer there than the US. Cities under 100,000 people are really safe there and some are even self policing. Any city anywhere in the world that has a population more than 100,000 starts to get major crimes committed.

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 10:15 EST

You sound overwhelmed and understandably so. It takes the edge off when you visit the country and see how safe it is. I felt safer there than the US. Cities under 100,000 people are really safe there and some are even self policing. Any city anywhere in the world that has a population more than 100,000 starts to get major crimes committed.

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bajasur
  3/22/2017 10:18 EST

David, you just got to love these folks with the infinite wisdom and knowledge Guatemala after only visiting and not living here. Hope all is well with you and your family.

Guategringo
  3/22/2017 10:18 EST

How long were you here? How did you come up with these stats?

Guategringo
  3/22/2017 10:20 EST

we are all safe and sound... I just cannot believe what I read from this poster. How are you? You said your girlfriend is from near the park in Mixco, my son did a work study program at the Muni in front of the park and walked around there day in and day out for months...

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 10:21 EST

Now I see what buttons to push to get responses on this forum. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion on what areas are safe. It is relative right? The report I shared is not my expert opinion, but from an expat that lives in Guate city. He shared this information with me while I was staying in the capitol. Sorry your offended. Might not be right to you, but someone that lives there believes it is and he has lived there a long time.

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 10:25 EST

How do you expect new members when you bash them for trying to help other members. You also hijack threads with your small talk.

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Guategringo
  3/22/2017 10:26 EST

So have I.. 24 years to be exact and while some of that info was correct much of it is off base... for example zone 12 has very few if any safe places to walk around day or night. My accountant was shot and killed in a car jacking in zone 12... La Reformita is a very terrible area... posting this is not the smartest of things to do... and if you are just doing so to push buttons it is a sad commentary on your part...

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 10:33 EST

I posted it try and help the original poster who has the impression it is unsafe in Guate.

bajasur
  3/22/2017 10:36 EST

You want someone that has lived here a long time listen to Guate gringo, over 20 years here. As far as pushing buttons you just admitted you're a troll on this site. Normally folks her ask intelligent questions, give educated responses and respect others, and do not just post incorrect information as you have here. Your post about GC was NOT a question or intelligent response to a question. Think about staying in the US we don't need expats here with an attitude we have enough here now.

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 10:38 EST

Maybe your info is off base. Or maybe it is all relative. I meet many people that use old info because they don't get out much and don't really know. My friend travels all over Guate and has been there over 24 years

Guategringo
  3/22/2017 10:47 EST

i have owned businesses her since 1995. I have traveled throught every zone and there are not 25 zones by the way.. zone 20 and 22 are non-existent. With two sons who grew up and whent to school here and are now in college and high school I have had to drive all over the city... stop making excuses... your outline of the zones is HORRIBLE at best

bajasur
  3/22/2017 10:47 EST

This morning I've received 5 PM's from other forum members asking "who is this guy sojournerexpat" What you need to do is ask intelligent questions and temper your responses and show respect to the other members. Enough said.

sojournerEXPAT
  3/22/2017 11:12 EST

Please give your breakdown of the zones then. The breakdown I posted is all I have to go by.

armandatitlan
  3/22/2017 11:25 EST

http://www.prensalibre.com/noticias/justicia/Crece-riesgo-robos-asaltos_0_1258074189.html

Hope you can read this link
it is from 2014

Rodrigo1974
  3/22/2017 13:17 EST

soujourner, don't pay attention to these territorial ego-bashers. a lot of the participants on this thread are really acting like lowlife cruds. why not consider xelia or antigua? plus, when it's your time and turn to be a crime victim, it can happen at anytime and anywhere.

cherylsherron
  3/23/2017 07:30 EST

Thanks....I'm not sure I'll have a chance to visit before the move...if I do it will be for only 2 weeks over the Christmas break. I know we won't settle in a city as Luis comes from a rural setting outside Jutiapa and we have a farm here in the states. Neither of us are "city people". Just trying to figure out where I need to start to make this transition.

FrancescaW
  3/23/2017 08:22 EST

Very best thing is to come and rent. That way you are not tied to any place or home. Give yourself time to adjust and explore, even rent in different places, talk to local Guatemalans as well as local foreigners.
It sounds to me like Lake Atitlan might be a better starting point. And if not there then one of the areas outside of central Antigua.
The Lake is one of the safest areas in Guatemala...and right now....in the world I think! Even around the Lake every single village is very different, so here there is something for everyone we say!
Best of Luck - I don't believe you will regret moving down here!

Rodrigo1974
  3/23/2017 10:19 EST

do not buy anything, especially when you aren't familiar with the country and/or aren't wealthy. keep it simple. that's my motto. furthermore, i believe that if one is unable to pay for the house completely in cash, buying is not a good idea. i have been a lifelong renter, even when i lived in new york city. to me, it's simply a unnecessary complication and risk.

guategene
  4/1/2017 00:48 EST

Dear Cheryl,
I have been visiting Guatemala since 2002 and bought a home on Lake Atitlan in 2004. I have sent total of three containers from the San Francisco area to the area. They can be a bit tricky but if you get the right company it works well. You can bring your dog as I have brought two from the US but it can be expensive and your vet can get the paper work together you will need to take it all to a Government vet that you can find on line. Guatemala is safe over all let the Embassy know when you get there. They will give you update of problem areas. Just stay away. I have a home on Lake Atitlan and I feel safe. I also travel a lot. If you do not get residence you will have to leave the country every three months. Look it over and enjoy your time.

armandatitlan
  4/1/2017 08:02 EST

Hi Guategene,

Great that you move on lake Atitlan.. I think your statement about leaving the country if you are not resident every 3 months is not accurate.. You can renew your tourist visa without leaving the country once. After 6 months yes you have to "technically" leave the country. It is not difficult to get residency and you might be interested by the tax exemption when being a resident of a foreign country

novato1953
  4/2/2017 14:14 EST

This thread is spinning into something close to the answer I came to the forum looking for: What's the general budget cost of living visiting Guatemala City lately, if you start with USD? I haven't been there in 25 years. Often stayed then at the Pension Meza in zone one or two, a few blocks from the Europa Bar and Tobaso's, or maybe Taboso's. Anybody got any info from this century?

JennyBeba
  4/5/2017 08:18 EST

Hi Cheryl
It sounds exciting you're moving to Guatemala. I can't offer advice as I've never been there but I'm moving there too. My boyfriend and I are planning to move there. He was born and raised there and came here at age 20. Then went back for a few years and had a family and moved back here. We are now both divorced after 20 years and have started a life together. It's tricky because his children are grown but mine are still young (11 & 5). So I'm anticipating problems with my ex. But we can have a better life down there. His family is there. He has land and we can build a home. We're planning for our future and retirement and it's hard to think of that because my girls are so young but now is the time I have to do this.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I've never loved anywhere else other than NY and now CT.

I'm concerned for the culture shock for my girls. Schooling and others.

Thanks
Jenny

cherylsherron
  4/5/2017 15:21 EST

Hi Jenny,
I am excited to be moving to Guatemala with my husband. He too has land but I'm not sure we will build on it as I think I want to live near Lake Atitlan or Antiguq. I am overwhelmed with all the details of moving....the logistics of ending things here and beginnning there again...who knew I had so much stuff. I'm not worried about culture shock or safety so much...have lived throughout the world in my youth so am very adaptable. Just wish I knew what to bring, what to leave, what do I need to know before I get there, etc. The 2 people that responded to this posting about my move have pretty much convinced me to rent for a short while before buying or building so I am sure where I want to settle. Since I will be retired and not have to worry too much about work I am pretty free to move where I want...within cost restraints of course. I think if you get your kids involved right away in discovering the newness of their new home while emphasizing that many important things are still the same they will adjust to culture shock. I too am moving from the east coast (VA). Perhaps we can exchange email and keep in touch with each other and trade tips we learn along the way. It would be a relief to have someone to bounce ideas off of that doesn't think I'm crazy.....Hopefully more expats in Guatemala already will post more responses to our postings so we can get a heads up on ways to make the transition easier. I have been watching some youtube clips by Guate expats and they have been somewhat helpful....you may want to look at some of those....just make sure to get a representative sample and not just a one-sided version. Good luck

kgriff
  4/5/2017 15:39 EST

It is smart to rent first before deciding to buy land and/or build, especially if one hasn't spent a significant amount of time here in the past. Most expats (but not all) live in the City, Antigua, by the Lake, or in Xela, so visiting those areas would be advisable too. Joining FB groups dedicated to the expats in Guatemala is good also. If I can help in any way, please let me know.

cherylsherron
  4/6/2017 07:17 EST

Thank you for the information. I am looking forward to moving down there.

cherylsherron
  4/6/2017 07:19 EST

kgriff...thanks for your reply...haven't looked into Xela....how do I join the FB groups? I really am starving for information and so eager to begin this next chapter in my life.

AlPavarotti
  4/6/2017 09:11 EST

I suggest you check out www.xelapages.com From what I've seen Tom. the Administrator has lived there for many years. And I'm sure he'll be glad to answer any questions posted on his forum. There are a lot towns around Xela that you can also check out on Youtube. Good schools and universities in Xela. Overnight cold/cool temperatures but always sunny and warm days. Good luck.

kgriff
  4/6/2017 10:01 EST

Search for Guatemala Expats on Facebook. Many knowledgeable people there.

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