How to find your overseas dream home in Mexico
By Vancouver and Beyond | Filed in Beyond Vancouver
The Ottawa Citizen
Saturday, January 12, 2008
- Check out International Living’s retirement havens and quality-of-life lists. (Go to www.internationalliving.com)
- It helps to make a list of what’s important to you. What factors will allow you to enjoy a good lifestyle? Is it warm weather you’re after? What cultural and leisure activities are important to you? Is it important to be a short airplane trip from home? What kinds of communications do you need — Internet? Cable TV?
- Once you’ve chosen a prospective country, you’ll want to zero in on a particular area that offers those characteristics. Climate varies widely in a country as diverse as Mexico. The central highlands boast what the locals call “perpetual spring.” The north is hot and dry. The south coastal regions are hot and humid.
- Once you’ve selected a possible country, contact the embassy or consulate to ask about health care, education, property ownership and residency requirements, culture, taxes, special benefits for seniors and any other topics that are important to you.
- Spend time exploring the country and specific area you have in mind. What a great excuse for a vacation — “I’m scouting out prospective retirement places.” Do not buy property impulsively on your first trip.
- Consider political stability, climate, housing prices, cost of living, red tape and whether foreigners can own property. And talk to Canadians who’ve done it already. They’re your best source of information.
- To obtain more information about moving to Mexico, go to www.canada2mexico.com or contact the Mexico Tourism Board in Toronto at 1-416-925-0704, ext. 24. Montreal and Vancouver also have Mexico Tourism Board offices.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008
Tags: canada, canada2mexico, mexico, real estate, retirement, snowbirds