LAKESIDE
LIVING |
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If you are thinking about living at Lakeside or you have recently arrived
and are still settling in, there are some basic facts you should know,
particularly about health, the law, your personal safety, and finances. Once you have these taken care
of, you can concentrate on what brought you here: enjoying yourself.
The following paragraphs cover the basics. The observations of
a chartered financial planner from California are
given at the end of this section. The Legal
section of this web site provides more information on Mexican
law, courtesy of Ajijic Legal Services.
Since so many retirees from
Canada and the US live here, there is an infrastructure catering to their
needs. You can buy almost anything here that you want, many shops and
restaurants have English-speaking employees, and there is a wide variety
of clubs and organizations for expatriates. However, there are a number
of factors that you should be aware of in order to make your stay as trouble
free and enjoyable as possible. Detailed information is available at the
Information Desk at LCS, from 10 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday. A
Mexican lawyer answers legal questions on the Patio at LCS from 10:30
am to 11:30 am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The following are summaries of more
detailed info found in Legal
Matters. There are four
immigration status options, FMT, FM-3, FM-2 and Inmigrado. FMT is a
temporary tourist visa, good for from three to six months. Renewing it
requires a trip to the border. It is recommended only for initial trips to
Mexico to determine if you might want to settle here. FM-3 is good
for five years, renewable yearly. It allows you to bring in one motor
vehicle and one shipment of household goods. The FM-3 has a minimum income
requirement of $1000 dollars per month for an individual and $500 dollars
per month for a dependent. These income requirements are cut in half for
those who own their home in Mexico. There is no limitation on how much time
can be spent outside Mexico, as with the FM-2. FM-3 holders may drive
foreign-plated cars. If the FM-3 is obtained outside Mexico it MUST be
activated upon arrival. FM-2
is good for five years, renewable yearly. It allows importation of
one motor vehicle and a household goods shipment. It is intended for those
who are considering permanent residence in Mexico. Minimum monthly income is
1300 US dollars or equivalent, and 650 dollars per dependent. These are cut
in half for those owning their own home in Mexico.
Holders of an FM-2 cannot leave Mexico for more than three months a
year. Holders of an FM-2 may legally drive foreign-plated cars. After
holding FM-2 status for five years, you may apply for Inmigrado status. Inmigrado gives
all the privileges of a Mexican citizen except voting or holding political
office. For example, an Inmigrado may hold a job without getting permission
from the Mexican government as is required for FM-2 and FM-3. Inmigrado
status may be applied for after having FM-2 status for five years.
Inmigrados may not legally drive foreign-plated cars. No fees are required
after initial granting of Inmigrado since there is no renewal. You may import
one car duty-free and drive it in Mexico as long as your FM-2 or FM-3 is
valid. A Mexican or someone in Inmigrado status may not drive a foreign-plated car. Mexican wills
are good in the US or Canada, and American/Canadian wills are good in
Mexico, but only after being probated in the country of origin. This can
result in a considerable delay in disposing of property. If you have
significant property in Mexico, including household goods, you should have a
Mexican will made. Disposition of your house depends on how it is held, by
direct ownership or by a trust (fideicomiso). Generally, houses held by
direct deed go first to the surviving spouse or if no surviving spouse it is
evenly divided among the children. A trust allows more flexible disposition
but involves a substantial yearly payment to the holder of the trust. Check
with your realtor and/or lawyer for the details. Buying a house
usually means paying for it in full at closing. There are almost no
mortgages in Mexico; however, there is the possibility of financing under
very limited circumstances. Employees often
come with the house, if you are buying one that has been lived in. The new
owner incurs legal obligations if he/she keeps the existing maid or
gardener. The result may be a substantial payment, according to Mexican law,
if later on you want to let the employee go. Post Life
Planning is a program available at LCS to assist you to legally specify how you
want your remains disposed of e.g., by cremation or burial. Having this specified in
writing can make things much easier for your survivors. Tips Get maps of the area. These are available at the bookstore in Bugambilias Plaza (where Torito´s grocery store is located). You can also get maps at the LCS Information Desk. Get phone cards. The pay phones in Mexico do not take coins. Phone cards are available at the shops on the Ajijic Plaza. Carry copies of your FM-3 or FM-2 and your drivers license in your car if foreign-plated. Join the Lake Chapala Society and take advantage of the services and activities and local discounts. Use cleaning solutions which contain bug repellent for mopping floors. One brand is Repelente. Another is Ajax Expel. Keep copies of
Emergency Numbers by all your phones Some
approximations of metric to British measurements: A meter is
slightly more than a yard A kilometer is
six-tenths of a mile A kilogram is
slightly over two pounds. If you want about a pound of something ask for
“Un medio kilo,” which is 1.1 pounds. To convert
Celsius to Fahrenheit approximately, multiply by two and add thirty. E.g.,
20 Celsius is about 70 Fahrenheit (precisely, it is 68 F) A hectare is
two and a half acres A square meter
is about 11 square feet
The major bills
are property tax, water, electric and telephone. You may also need to pay
for your Internet service and for cable or satellite TV service. Property tax is
paid at the Chapala City Hall, at Madero #202. This bill is much lower than
property taxes in the US or Canada, typically running from 300 to 1500 pesos
(equivalent to 30 to 150 US dollars). There is a discount for paying early,
in January or February. It must be paid yearly. The water bill
is paid yearly. The bill is due in January, with a discount for
paying early. The yearly bill is calculated based on size of property,
number of bathrooms, whether there is a pool or not, and other factors. It
is not based on metered usage. Typical bills run from 1000 to 3000 pesos per
year. If you are renting be sure you know whether water cost is included in
the rent. Electric bills may be paid on-line if you have an account with Banamex, Bancomer, Banorte, Santander, Serfin or Inbursa: go to http://www.cfe.gob.mx. Click on English in the upper right-hand corner, then follow the directions. |