moving to mexico

I am sure you have all answered these questions a million times, but do please answer it one more time. I want to retire in lake chapala or close by in the next year or so. I have a 4yr old adopted boy who needs to go to school. Is this a problem? I want to buy a small place that I can rentovate with local craftsman. (no money for the great developers pockets) I need something really cheap. If it has good bones I can do the rest. I would also like to know if there is a need in the gringo community for a dog groomer.? That is my trade and I would like to supplment my income if possible. Thank you for all your time and effort in helping me with these questions. I am now learning mexican spanish and hope to be will taught when I get there.

[joseph]

Try posting your queries to the Chapala area web board Chapala Forum

I do not believe there are any true bi-lingual schools in the lake area. There are several in GDL in the Chapalita and Chapalita Sur areas.

If you plan to live in Mexico, rather than be a snowbird, you will definitely need to acquire an FM3 visa. (check Ajijic Legal and Immigration Services website http://www.ajijiclaw.com/ . They keep their site quite current.

If you plan to pursue dog grooming, be sure to be legal in setting up your business. As to the needs in the lake area, again I suggest you query the folks on the lake area forum. There are several vets, kennels, and animal rescue folks in the area. I suspect there are seveal groomers also.

Housing costs have gone crazy, especially since the level of the lake has risen. Even if there is no lake view, it seems the price has been raised. Makes no sense to me. Cheap housing may be VERY difficult to find. But, you should not buy immediately anyway.

RENT for at least six months; a year would be even better. And don't burn all the bridges behind yourself and your son. You may find that you do not like Mexico once you are actually living here. Lots of folks never make it past the first two years. So, don't tie up you money in a property that you have to try to unload if you decide to move, either to another place in Mexico or out of the country.

If money is an issue, you are chosing one of the two most costly areas of Mexico in which to live. San Miguel de Allende being the other one. Of course, if you do not speak Spanish, which you likely will not learn quickly, there are advantages to living in one of those two areas. Primarily, there will be people around with whom you can communicate, plus lots of familiar services. It´s a mixed blessing.

[randellmorgan]

A couple of good resources when moving to San Miguel de Allende are www.SanMiguelHousing.com - great site to find a place to move to.

Also www.SanMiguelMoving.com - great international moving company based out of San Miguel de Allende that can move your household from the states to San Miguel.

Randell