About lijame85

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Mexico: Cheapest cost of living?:

I would suggest you check out San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. We are 7,000 feet above sea level, nice temps all year round (except for right now where it's getting down to the 20's a night...but that is only for a couple weeks). San Cris has a beautiful mix of cultures, great food (international options too) and has a small town feel but has a Sams Club on the outskirts of town. It's worth checking out, or at least come for a visit. Youtube San Cristobal Chiapas... :)

Mexico: Getting Married:

I'm engaged to a Mexican national and we are making plans to marry sometime next year (2016). I am currently in the states and trying to gather all the necessary and expensive documents so that we can apply for the marriage license and do the deed. I am a bit confused on the difference on the terms legalizing, certifying, and apostillizing, and am also confused on where to get these documents certified/apostillized at. I have read places where it has to be done at the State's office, and I have read other places where it has be done at your nearest consulate. But then I read, you are only going there for information. They don't do anything. So I am so confused. I don't want to do something wrong, or go back to Chiapas without all of my documents. Is there someone on here who has recently married a mexican national and can give me some incite!? Thank you!

Mexico: Getting Married:

I'm engaged to a Mexican national and we are making plans to marry sometime next year (2016). I am currently in the states and trying to gather all the necessary and expensive documents so that we can apply for the marriage license and do the deed. I am a bit confused on the difference on the terms legalizing, certifying, and apostillizing, and am also confused on where to get these documents certified/apostillized at. I have read places where it has to be done at the State's office, and I have read other places where it has be done at your nearest consulate. But then I read, you are only going there for information. They don't do anything. So I am so confused. I don't want to do something wrong, or go back to Chiapas without all of my documents. Is there someone on here who has recently married a mexican national and can give me some incite!? Thank you!

Mexico: Temporary Residence Visa options:

I've been looking into my options for staying in Mexico long term. I've been in Chiapas for over 2 years, entering and exiting every 180 days on the basic tourist visa. I can't continue doing this for many reasons and have started looking into my options. I've been talking to an immigration lawyer in D.F. via email but she hasn't responded back to me for awhile now. Maybe she is taking a long vacation? Anyway, I wanted to get some feedback from people who have already gone through this process, especially recently since the rules have changed a couple years ago. I was told my three options would be to either have a job, savings (with the minimum amount required) or have a bound with a Mexican (family relation or if I marry). Out of those options, I can only use either a job or a bound with a mexican (my mexican boyfriend and I are serious and talking marriage, he is the reason why I am looking into temp. residency). I don't make enough to reach the minimum amount required to apply. At this time, my main question is, would I still need to meet the financial requirements to apply for a temp. visa going the route of work or bound? I have been confused with this. I asked many people and they all give me different answers. Any advice would be helpful! Thank you!

Guatemala: The amount of money needed to save up before a single person moves....:

Like Bajasur said, that all depends on where you will be living and if you can actually legally work. In some tourist towns, you might be able to find a cash job, but those are not always available or pay very well. Just depends on a lot of factors. I would say for your first couple of months, you would need around $1,000 a month. Not saying you will spend that much, but you probably will want some cushion to be safe. Last year, I lived in Antigua with no salary (just the money I saved up before arriving) and I spent around $600/month plus had to pay my bills from back home. I hope this helps. PM me if you like.

Guatemala: Visiting Antigua--some questions...:

I don't know of a realtor, and I can't really reccommend an area just outside of Antigua, BUT I can reccommend a good hotel for you to stay while searching. Look up Posada La Merced. It is around $45 a night. Centrally located (a block from La Merced) and close to everything. If you need help with booking, I suggest contacting Elizabeth Bell at Antigua Tours....google it. Good luck!

Mexico: San Cristobal de Las Casas:

I have been living in San Cristobal for just under six months (I'm making plan to leave for Guatemala this week to "renew" my tourist visa). I love it here! Most of the markets are open every day, what is sad is that many of the textiles that you buy here are actually from either Guatemala or manufactured from India/China. Not all but a lot. Usually the "shiny" ones are manufactured. You can usually tell if it was made by hand by looking at the back of the textile. There are many shops in the center open every day that have many options available to you, as well. Lodging: depends on what price range you are looking at. Let me know a price range and I can try to help you out.

Mexico: Tourist visa:

My 180 days end this month. I live 3 hours from the Guatemalan border so I am going to cross there and stay for a couple days for a short vacation, and then come back to Mexico. I have been told different things about renewing your visa but if you plan on going to Panana or Costa Rica for a few days/week or so, then you shouldn't have any problems returning. Good luck and safe travels to you!

Guatemala: Bottled water:

The smaller .5 liter and 1 liter bottles are fine, and Salvavida is a very popular brand, but I always had problems with the 5 gallon jugs that are refillable. I still drank from it though and am still alive. Just don't drink from the tap water and you will be fine.

Mexico: Expats and utility bills:

Yeah, like kittvincent said, the electric bill comes once every 2 months, so that means you pay your bill for 2 months worth of electricity. Thankfully, I give the money to my landlord and then he goes and pays it for me. So much easier. Good luck!

Date Joined:

1/18/2012

Total Posts:

23

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