Vancouver and Beyond

by Rick Cropp and, Barbara Braidwood
The Province

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Have you ever thought about owning a piece of waterfront property in Mexico or retiring there? The Canada2Mexico Retirement Seminar (www.canada2mexico.com) will save you hours of Internet research and answer the hundreds of questions you may have.

Subjects include the many options and benefits of buying real estate in Mexico for holidays or retirement, whether it is best to buy or rent, the pros and cons of coastal or inland lifestyles, medical and healthcare costs, documents and immigration, banking, cost of living and info on the treaties between Mexico and Canada that cover pensions, taxation and investment.

The event takes place on Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre.

In addition to the seminar, there is a free lifestyles exhibition where you can find people willing to answer specific questions. The seminar tickets start at $98 for a single ($120 at the door) to $185 for couples.

Mountain pampering

Head to Whistler this fall to relax and recharge. Indulge with Whistler Spa Escapes until Oct. 31 and take advantage of the Fall Spa Specials offered by nine participating spas. Plus, if you pay for your spa treatments with your Visa, you can get added savings.

For example, the Avello Spa and Health Club at The Westin Resort and Spa is offering a Fall Spa Special of 25 per cent off selected spa treatments. Pay with your Visa card when you indulge in an 80-minute massage and you’ll receive a complimentary Heavenly Milk Bath.

Have a look at www.whistler.com/ spa_escapes for details. Room rates start at $99 per night.

Famous house tour

The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles is exhibiting Between Heaven and Earth: The Architecture of John Lautner (1911-1994). Chances are you’ve seen one of his houses. At least two of them have been in numerous films. The most famous is the “Chemosphere,” which is a flattened sphere with wrap-around windows that stands high above a canyon on a single support.

The exhibit runs until Oct. 12. On that date there will also be a special tour of the 1963 Sheats/Golstein House. Tickets are $55 US.

See www.hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/139/ for details.

Britrail savings

You can save 20 per cent on a BritRail Consecutive Day Pass or a BritRail FlexiPass for travel between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28 when you buy it before Feb. 15. BritRail passes are not available in Britain and must be purchased before you leave home. Contact www.britrail.com or a travel agent.

Barbara Braidwood and Rick Cropp are Vancouver based-writers.

© The Vancouver Province 2008

Toronto

Canadians Interested in Mexico Real Estate Opportunities Learn the Ins and Outs from Canada2Mexico Consulting

Customized for Canada, winter seminar series delivers keynote speakers and
ready-to-use information about the growing Mexico real estate market.

September 3, 2008 – For Canadians looking to benefit from the Mexico real estate opportunities now available, leading event-organizing specialists Canada2Mexico Consulting is inviting holiday-home buyers, baby boomers and retirees to what is set to be this year’s key event for Canadians looking to live part-time or retire in Mexico. Held over a week in October at three locations across Canada – Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto – the seminars will cover everything from real estate in Mexico to Visa requirements and more.

“Mexico is the top destination in the world when it comes to retiring and enjoying winter breaks, particularly for Canadians,” says Cecilia Ronderos, founder of Canada2Mexico Consulting.

“The reason for this is simple – Mexico offers first class healthcare at a fraction of the cost of its Canadian equivalent. Add in affordable beachfront properties, the abundance of opportunities for starting your own business and the genuine friendliness and warmth of the locals, and you can see why living or retiring in Mexico offers such an attractive prospect. Our seminars will help to make that prospect a reality.”

The Canada2Mexico seminars are now an annual event following their successful introduction in 2004. This year’s seminars see some of the foremost experts in Mexico’s investment, taxation and medical fields bring their expertise to answer any questions attendees may have.

• David Ingram – Canadian and Mexican taxation expert and media personality.
• Luis Brasdefer – Corporate and Real Estate Law expert and founder of Mexico Consulting.
• Caren Cross – Award-winning documentary filmmaker, director of Lost and Found in Mexico.
• Victoria Pratt – Formerly a resident of BC, who worked as public relations director with Mexico Boutique Hotels before entering the Mexico real estate field in 2004.

Offering an insider’s angle to the seminars will be Tom and Diane Barroll who moved to Mexico from Calgary in 2000. Owners of a successful property management business that was founded in Mexico, the Barrolls will offer their insight into why living or buying real estate in Mexico is the ideal step for Canadians planning for the future.

Rising house prices, an unstable economy and increasingly expensive medical and healthcare costs in Canada is changing the way many Canadians consider their future. The Canada2Mexico seminars will show why these same Canadians should look at buying real estate in Mexico.

Seminar Dates and Locations
• Vancouver
Saturday, October 18, 9 am to 5 pm
Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre, 515 W Hastings Street

• Calgary
Sunday, October 19, 9 am to 5 pm
Delta Bow Valley, 209-4th Avenue SE

• Toronto
Saturday, October 25, 9 am to 5 pm
University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street

To RSVP and for more information about media trips to Mexico, please contact:
Laura Serena
Immedia PR
604.408.6511
laura@immediapr.com

About Canada2Mexico Consulting
Canada2Mexico Consulting is an independent company that organizes the annual Winter and Retire in Mexico Seminars and Exhibition, the largest event of its kind in Canada. The company continues to offer expert advice and help for Canadians who are looking to purchase real estate or retire in Mexico.

Further information about the seminars can be found at www.canada2mexico.com

Contact:
Cecilia Ronderos
Canada2Mexico Consulting
647.892.4052
cecilia@canada2mexico.com

Taking a beach vacation to Mexico is one thing – moving there involves much more planning. Find out everything you need to know about investing or retiring in Mexico. At the Retire & Winter Seminars and Exhibitions you will access all the important information you need to make an informed decision about investing and moving to Mexico. Come and hear the experts from Canada, the US and Mexico. You will learn about tax benefits for Canadians, legal matters to consider, health care issues, Mexican culture, real estate and more.

Remember, our exhibitors and speakers are there to give you the tools, resources and tips to make your investment or move to Mexico a complete success. (no time share are sold)

Dates & Venues:

Vancouver – Saturday, October 18, 2008 — Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre
Calgary — Sunday, October 19, 2008 — Delta Bow Valley 209-4th Avenue SE, Calgary
Toronto — Saturday, October 25, 2008 — University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street
» REGISTER ONLINE » ENTER TO WIN A HOLIDAY FOR TWO

Program
We bring Mexico to you! We have the answers you are looking for about living, wintering and investing in Mexico. Get information about taxation; visas, immigration and real estate. Learn practical tips for a smooth transition to Mexico. Find out about Mexican culture; the people and their national heritage.

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Lifestyles in Mexico Exhibition
Free Admission – At this exclusive exhibition we feature Real Estate opportunities, Travel information and services, Spanish schools, Medical tourism and more. Learn about San Carlos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, Baja, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Ajijc and Lake Chapala and other favourite destinations for snowbirds and retirees.

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Speakers
Canada2Mexico connects you to experts with up-to-the-minute detailed, information. Whether you have been at our events in the past, or this is your first time, you will get new perspectives with this year’s new speakers and experts. The Agenda will be posted on September 15th.