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Veracruz and Huatulco - information needed please

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MrsS
  10/20/2007 20:58 EST

Once we retire, we plan to winter south for 6 months of the year. We are considering purchasing property either in the Veracruz City area (30 minutes north) or Huatulco area (20 km out of town). Other than the obvious geographical differences, we would appreciate any input on either or both areas. Thanks in advance.

homesweetmexico
  10/21/2007 00:38 EST

MrsS,
I couldn't resist adding more confusion into your question. Due to the differences between living in Mexico and living in the U.S or Canada, I believe that it's really important to rent in Mexico prior to buying property.

Have you previously spent extended periods of time living in Mexico? Do you know Veracruz well?

Actually, renting could help you make your final decision about where to purchase property. It would also give you time to make contacts and have a better chance of getting a "good deal" and just what you want. Maybe you already know this, but as an outsider in Mexico there are always hidden difficulties--things that get revealed with time, experience, cultural understanding, friends in the right places, etc.

Hopefully this "food for thought" will be useful rather than distracting at this point in your research.

Enjoy Veracruz!

Julia Taylor, author of Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and creator of www.home-sweet-mexico.com

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snorklebum
  11/30/2007 20:39 EST

I agree with that 100% and I'm not the only one. Three days ago I talked to an American couple who'd moved South. When I mentioned that I knew Mexico Mike Nelson they said it was his advice that caused them to rent in the Yucatan before buying and they are very glad they did.

The other side of the ledger, is a long, sad tale of woe.

Just ONE consideration...you live somewhere a year and you end up learning what contractors and realtors and such can be trusted and which not.

Rent before buying is the way to go. And I would add that anybody thinking of retiring year around in Mexico live there a whole year around before making that sort of committment.

SuzannaMaria
  12/3/2007 11:50 EST

Yes, I'll echo these posts. If you are not very familiar with these areas and have not spent much time in Mexico it is probably better to rent to get a feel for the place. We rented for a year in Puerto Vallarta and then decided to move to Playa del Carmen! Owning would have complicated the issue. The exceptions would be if you already know the area, or the real estate is really hot and prices are increasing rapidly and it would be an investment for you for resale or holiday remtal if you decided not to stay. Sorry I do not know Veracruz or Huatulco well enough to specifically offer advice on those areas.

Stuart
  9/7/2008 18:04 EST

This is totally correct - ren t first. I almost went straight for a purchase but am now relieved that I didn't. I was surprised to find that one realtor - of some repute, apparently - tried swindling me and had I not been ultra cautious I could have been in an unenviable financial mess.
Acutally living in my first rental showed that area was NOT the place to buy! People get too emotional about a building and fall in love with it after which they seem blinded to some realities!
This is where I'm afraid the dicussion takes a swerve. I have been in PV for eighteen months and am now familiar with all the pro's and cons. I might be tempted to think about Veracruz or Playa del Carmen I would be interested to learnw hat prompted hyou to move on from PV.

SuzannaMaria
  9/8/2008 13:07 EST

To answer your question Stuart, we actually moved from Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen about 6 years ago. We really liked PV but moved basically because we still wanted more adventure. A friend who had moved to Playa told us the beaches were nicer, it was less developed and there were lots of business opportunities here. He was right on all counts. We moved the whole family sight unseen and it turned out to be an awesome move. Playa del Carmen is different now, but we still love it.

Suzanne Marie Bandick, life coach and author of: Only in Mexico You Say? The Humorous side of Living in Mexico. www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com

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