7 years to build a house?? That is a lot if you plan to move next year... also $300,000 for a house must be palace in Mexico. That is what you pay in Florida for a brand new house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lanai and pool included... also for that price you can be in a gated community
Yes! It did. And it is now a civil assoc. non-profit in Mexico. And in May my term was up on the board. So I did get my business license in Mexico and start my Gallery. And as luck would have it the board asked if I'd like to rent a space at the Art Center and be a part of their space. It is working out really well. The space is beautiful and I just had my 3rd opening artist show. There is a restaurant renting a space and doing well. They are having art house movies on Sunday nights. And art classes, yoga classes, lectures, and our fundraising events are taking place this winter season. We are hoping to raise enough money to have a free summer arts program for 100-150 local kids. Last summer they did 103 kids in 9 disciplines for free. You can look them up on fb under Centro for Arts and Culture in San Patricio is our English site. Centro de Arte y Cultura is the Spanish site.
Thanks for your reply@@jeannemcgee4183 . I actually am in Melaque and rode my bike by it today. I look forward to exploring it a bit more. Congratulations! Such a worthy effort.
Watching your video today May 5, 2019 just started looking at Mexico as a retirement option instead of Florida, due to the negatively Trump has created in the US. Wondering if you got your new house built. I definitely would want a pool. Do you swim at the beach? Glad it sounds like you got the art 🖼 gallery up and going so important for children to experience art in their lives. Do you have a Facebook page or your own TH-cam channel? Thanks for the information. Good luck 😉
I'm with you about Trump. Especially now with the virus going on. Yikes. Anyway, this lady in the video seems nice and all but she's not too savvy (she paid way too much for her house and speaks zero Spanish). I'm not trying to be rude but this an important decision and investment. If you're asking expats on this video series for advice, go with this lady because her Spanish is outstanding and she she set up her own business in Mexico: th-cam.com/video/57B4bp-zOBw/w-d-xo.html
What is the "Gringo" season. I am looking to coming down in May or June to start my search. Where do you recommend I stay for a couple of weeks or renting an apartment for a month?
Hi Michael...the gringo season here in Melaque goes from November to April. Most people arrive in December/January and start leaving in March/April. It starts to get hot again mid May/June but is still rather pleasant. July, August, Sept. and Oct. are very humid and temps can get close to 100. Most people leave for the mountains or go north to visit family if they can. But we have over 100 people now staying through the summer/fall months. The restaurants mostly close down too so things to do and places to eat are only a quarter of what they are during the gringo season. There are many places to rent by the month or weekly. Mexican tourists from Guadalajara and other inland towns come to Melaque for vacations once schools are done. You could try going to Laguna del Tule in Melaque or Hotel Barra de Navidad in Barra. Both are on the beach so you will enjoy whatever breeze there is and see some amazing thunder/lightening shows...as it's hurricane season starting in June-November. I have a two bedroom bungalow with a pool 2 blocks from the beach in Melaque. You can contact Leone at leeownrent@yahoo.com for more info and prices. The only thing happening at the Art Center in the summer are free art classes for the kids. We have other great beaches close by with bus service so you can get out and explore with easy day trips up to Colima for a respite from the heat...only 2 hours away and provides hiking the volcano too if you like that sort of thing. April/May might be a better months if you want a feel for what Melaque and the area offer during the gringo six months but without so many people as January/February have. Good luck with your search.
9:00 I don't agree with "...trying to build it now it would probably cost you about what we are trying to sell it for... and that's $300,000" comment. Not at all.
The presenter is talking about building more than a house but something closer to a school facility. She is talking about 3 floors or more, so it could cost $300,000.
Thanks for your insight. I am at the beginning of my expat journey. So I read, watch and explore everything I can find online. Is it me or does it seem that the idea of a “yard” green grass is a foreign concept in Mexico?
We have people with grass in their yards and along the street dividers here in Melaque...many people don't like the bugs they attract and others like to be able to rinse off the pathways into the grass...there are good gardeners here to help you take care of your jardin.
Some areas have more "grass" than others. In our area, in town almost no private yards. Many times common areas. But get outside the tourist town, and you will find many private homes with jardins. And of course there are the country homes with lots of yard or ranch land. We are in the high sierras, dessert....so "grass" is relative. It may not look like what you are used to.
We like open areas in the USA and there's not many in Mex. towns, generally, except maybe for soccer fields and the occasional golf course. We run our dogs on the golf course here, but harder in Mex. when we do that - maybe off season since it gets too hot for golfers. HOUSES are like downtown buildings all in a row and no room in between. The old colonel homes often have courtyards and the house is built around the courtyards. They also have yards inside of a wall around the house - nice when you have that configuration. Nice to have a yard if you have dogs. In jungle areas even empty lots have ground cover as high as you are tall, so there's not a lot of open areas for recreation unless you live in the country more. It can be economical to buy a small farm, too, so you can have some land.
I agree...its very expensive for Mexico. I live in the mountains here in a non Gringos tourist town which is considered expensive and the same $200,000 house sells for $75000. Rents for about $335 including maintenance, security in a small gated "frac". Most of the tourists here are upper middle income Mexicans from Mexico City. So yes, this place is quite expensive for Mexico. Of course, Gringos always pat more when there is a "Gringo community". In my area, there are only 5 U.S. Americans and 2 brits.
@@jfields6687 Sounds nice. I haven't found anything like you describe on the internet...so far. I don't want a damned Walmart and Costco and all that stuff...ugh.
Valerie, there are a hundred articles and nearly 400 blogs about expats on www.expatsinmexico.com and 38 videos...many of them just live on social security. We reflect a wide range of the lives of expats in Mexico, from those with beautiful homes on the ocean to those who live in charming colonial towns on less than $1,500 a month.
If you have a house and a car from your life's work, you live on the social security and already have your needs met. Houses in Mex. can start at 35,000 and you can get nice houses for 75K to 200K range. If you are at 300-350K range, it is an upscale home usually with gringo conveniences like kitchen cabinets and excellent finishing touches in an upscale neighborhood - Mexican style maybe limited hot water and shelves for the kitchen, because they tend to live a bit more primitive. In these cultures, it's economical to eat outside daily and the weather leads to living outside the home more.
Crazy prices, I just bought lot in Melaque for $75,000 house building cost about $50,000.
Exelente explicacion acerca del lugar muchas gracias y que siga disfrutando del lugar.
Gracias, Javier.
7 years to build a house?? That is a lot if you plan to move next year... also $300,000 for a house must be palace in Mexico. That is what you pay in Florida for a brand new house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lanai and pool included... also for that price you can be in a gated community
It’s much nicer in Malaquee than Florida. And more interesting. Unless you want to golf.
I am a single senior lady of 69, looking at retiring there, how much to rent a room of monthly hotel please?
Jeanne, did your arts centre get built? It is now Jan 2019 and I'm curious. Is there an art gallery?
Yes! It did. And it is now a civil assoc. non-profit in Mexico. And in May my term was up on the board. So I did get my business license in Mexico and start my Gallery. And as luck would have it the board asked if I'd like to rent a space at the Art Center and be a part of their space. It is working out really well. The space is beautiful and I just had my 3rd opening artist show. There is a restaurant renting a space and doing well. They are having art house movies on Sunday nights. And art classes, yoga classes, lectures, and our fundraising events are taking place this winter season. We are hoping to raise enough money to have a free summer arts program for 100-150 local kids. Last summer they did 103 kids in 9 disciplines for free. You can look them up on fb under Centro for Arts and Culture in San Patricio is our English site. Centro de Arte y Cultura is the Spanish site.
Thanks for your reply@@jeannemcgee4183 . I actually am in Melaque and rode my bike by it today. I look forward to exploring it a bit more. Congratulations! Such a worthy effort.
Watching your video today May 5, 2019 just started looking at Mexico as a retirement option instead of Florida, due to the negatively Trump has created in the US. Wondering if you got your new house built. I definitely would want a pool. Do you swim at the beach? Glad it sounds like you got the art 🖼 gallery up and going so important for children to experience art in their lives. Do you have a Facebook page or your own TH-cam channel? Thanks for the information. Good luck 😉
I'm with you about Trump. Especially now with the virus going on. Yikes. Anyway, this lady in the video seems nice and all but she's not too savvy (she paid way too much for her house and speaks zero Spanish). I'm not trying to be rude but this an important decision and investment. If you're asking expats on this video series for advice, go with this lady because her Spanish is outstanding and she she set up her own business in Mexico: th-cam.com/video/57B4bp-zOBw/w-d-xo.html
What is the "Gringo" season. I am looking to coming down in May or June to start my search. Where do you recommend I stay for a couple of weeks or renting an apartment for a month?
Hi Michael...the gringo season here in Melaque goes from November to April. Most people arrive in December/January and start leaving in March/April. It starts to get hot again mid May/June but is still rather pleasant. July, August, Sept. and Oct. are very humid and temps can get close to 100. Most people leave for the mountains or go north to visit family if they can. But we have over 100 people now staying through the summer/fall months. The restaurants mostly close down too so things to do and places to eat are only a quarter of what they are during the gringo season. There are many places to rent by the month or weekly. Mexican tourists from Guadalajara and other inland towns come to Melaque for vacations once schools are done. You could try going to Laguna del Tule in Melaque or Hotel Barra de Navidad in Barra. Both are on the beach so you will enjoy whatever breeze there is and see some amazing thunder/lightening shows...as it's hurricane season starting in June-November. I have a two bedroom bungalow with a pool 2 blocks from the beach in Melaque. You can contact Leone at leeownrent@yahoo.com for more info and prices. The only thing happening at the Art Center in the summer are free art classes for the kids. We have other great beaches close by with bus service so you can get out and explore with easy day trips up to Colima for a respite from the heat...only 2 hours away and provides hiking the volcano too if you like that sort of thing. April/May might be a better months if you want a feel for what Melaque and the area offer during the gringo six months but without so many people as January/February have. Good luck with your search.
9:00 I don't agree with "...trying to build it now it would probably cost you about what we are trying to sell it for... and that's $300,000" comment. Not at all.
The presenter is talking about building more than a house but something closer to a school facility. She is talking about 3 floors or more, so it could cost $300,000.
What's with the 300k houses in Mexico? I find that to be outrageous. Gringos ruining everything.
northofyou33 no they actually helping the economy duhhh
@Nomad Wizard no not the housing but tourism helps the economy. 300k is outrageous. I shouldv read what i was commenting on
I totally agree...American materialism and greed moving south...sickening!
@Nomad Wizard Yes...I agree with YOUR point of view! My nice in the U.S. only cost about a third of that.
There's not enough gringos here to "ruin" anything. However, there may be too many Canadians...
Thanks for your insight. I am at the beginning of my expat journey. So I read, watch and explore everything I can find online. Is it me or does it seem that the idea of a “yard” green grass is a foreign concept in Mexico?
We have people with grass in their yards and along the street dividers here in Melaque...many people don't like the bugs they attract and others like to be able to rinse off the pathways into the grass...there are good gardeners here to help you take care of your jardin.
Some areas have more "grass" than others. In our area, in town almost no private yards. Many times common areas. But get outside the tourist town, and you will find many private homes with jardins. And of course there are the country homes with lots of yard or ranch land. We are in the high sierras, dessert....so "grass" is relative. It may not look like what you are used to.
We like open areas in the USA and there's not many in Mex. towns, generally, except maybe for soccer fields and the occasional golf course. We run our dogs on the golf course here, but harder in Mex. when we do that - maybe off season since it gets too hot for golfers. HOUSES are like downtown buildings all in a row
and no room in between. The old colonel homes often have courtyards and the house is built around the courtyards. They also have yards inside of a wall around the house - nice when you have that configuration. Nice to have a yard if you have dogs. In jungle areas even empty lots have ground cover as high as you are tall, so there's not a lot of open areas for recreation unless you live in the country more. It can be economical to buy a small farm, too, so you can have some land.
Do you need a business licence to sell art as an expat in Mexico?
Reply Greatly Appreciate.
No it is not reasonable.... for Mexico.. Maybe Cali, or Seattle
I agree...its very expensive for Mexico. I live in the mountains here in a non Gringos tourist town which is considered expensive and the same $200,000 house sells for $75000. Rents for about $335 including maintenance, security in a small gated "frac". Most of the tourists here are upper middle income Mexicans from Mexico City. So yes, this place is quite expensive for Mexico. Of course, Gringos always pat more when there is a "Gringo community". In my area, there are only 5 U.S. Americans and 2 brits.
sounds more like my kind of place.. I disagree with creating exactly what i just left.. Thank you for the reply
I have to agree, Martin.
WHAT CITY do you live in?
@@jfields6687 Sounds nice. I haven't found anything like you describe on the internet...so far. I don't want a damned Walmart and Costco and all that stuff...ugh.
$300K...are you KIDDING ME??? Please interview a few people who are trying to live on social security. This is very disheartening.
Valerie, there are a hundred articles and nearly 400 blogs about expats on www.expatsinmexico.com and 38 videos...many of them just live on social security. We reflect a wide range of the lives of expats in Mexico, from those with beautiful homes on the ocean to those who live in charming colonial towns on less than $1,500 a month.
If you have a house and a car from your life's work, you live on the social security and already have your needs met. Houses in Mex. can start at 35,000 and you can get nice houses for 75K to 200K range. If you are at 300-350K range, it is an upscale home usually with gringo conveniences like kitchen cabinets and excellent finishing touches in an upscale neighborhood - Mexican style maybe limited hot water and shelves for the kitchen, because they tend to live a bit more primitive. In these cultures, it's economical to eat outside daily and the weather leads to living outside the home more.
S