Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Articles

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”
John Barrymore

In countries like the United States of America and Canada, life expectancy has increased dramatically. As we enjoy better health care and are more aware of proper exercise and diet, we find that we have more years to be active. Middle age is not just for retirement; it allows time for another career or two. For some, the next stage is to go on an adventure…to move to a foreign land…to experience the possibilities.

Typically an “Escapee” is:

1. A baby boomer that now wants to enjoy something different.
2. Retirees who now have the time to travel.
3. Individuals looking for new possibilities for fulfillment.
4. Persons who are ready for an adventure and want to leave the predictable.

Good times to run away include early retirement, traditional retirement, downsizing, being between careers, to renew a spirit of creativity…to overcome burn out. Many people don’t realize they have experienced burn out until later when they are into the new experience.

In the l990’s, Americans became more interested in moving abroad. Statistics showed that 20%-25% of the adult American population began thinking about moving abroad. Well -organized, career driven Americans were discovering that they wanted more time…. specifically more time for their families, home and hobbies.

According to the “International Herald Tribune: “The number of Americans living abroad has more than quadrupled in the past 30 years as Americans retire in countries where living costs are lower, they return to their ancestral homes, or they move abroad to do business or pursue other activities.”

The U.S. State Department estimates that in 1998, 3.3 million Americans lived abroad. This number rose by more than one million in the 1990’s.

The numbers of Americans and Canadians living abroad is hard to really track, as many persons living overseas (either full –or part-time) are never counted in the statistics. Many Americans keep ties with their families in the United States. Because they have bank checking accounts and mailing addresses, they are not counted as being outside of the US. Unless they register with their embassy or consulate, these Americans and Canadians are hard to include in the statistics of those living abroad.

Some questions that are asked of those of those living abroad may be: “Don’t you lose your citizenship?” The answer is No. U.S. diplomats who live overseas or persons doing business, serving in the military, or students studying abroad are part of the large number of loyal Americans or Canadians who want to expand their worldview. The choice of living abroad temporarily or forever doesn’t change the status of their citizenship unless they renounce it or lose it by being found guilty of treason.

“Expatriate” means to live outside of one’s native country. “Ex-patriot” means a former patriot.

Americans overseas may vote by absentee ballot. Embassies supply them. There are online versions of U.S. and Canadian newspapers, as well as satellite television, and a supply of imported newspapers and magazines in print. Expatriates can achieve a broader perspective of world events by being exposed to international news in addition to news “from home.”

Living abroad does not have to be permanent. The “escapee” can return when the adventure has run its course, or begin a new adventure.

Moving to a foreign country does not mean that you are being impetuous or acting on a whim. Calculated decisions are made either consciously or unconsciously. Traveling extensively before relocating is a common pattern for many expatriates. Many people moving to a foreign country already have friends or family that have made the move.

There are some that have wanderlust and those that are content to stay put. Many people who plan long-term adventures overseas have one thing in common: they have a desire to revitalize themselves and experience more variety from life.

A person’s personality figures into their decision to live abroad. Major corporations transferring employees overseas take into consideration that some people don’t function well abroad. There is a cross-cultural adjustment that is essential to being successful in such a dramatic move.

One of the most important aspects to adapting to the change is the person’s ability to accept and adapt to different ways of life, rather than insisting that theirs is the only way. It is valuable to be able to enjoy the process of discovery. A sense of humor is an asset, not in telling jokes, but in finding the humor in the situation.

Those making their “escape” can experience culture shock. The biggest adjustments can be the small things, not the big ones. The shower has no enclosure and is open into the bathroom. The local bookstore doesn’t stock new hardbacks in English. There is no true Thai food restaurant. Placing a call from a pay telephone requires a special debit card.

Customs are different. When you give someone a tip for an extra courtesy, you may want to say: “Thank you, please have a cold drink for your effort” rather than handing the person money with no explanation. This more polite exchange raises the level of communication to include respect.

Your lifestyle will change in order for you to experience and fit into a new pattern. It is better to eat lunch between 2-4 and observe the hours that businesses follow. This will allow you to reach business people in their offices after 5pm. Shops will be open later and you have time to pick up the items that you need.

Some people decide to buy a home in their new country of residence. If you are going to live permanently in an area and haven’t traveled there a number of times, it is best to take some time to live within the community first. Renting in the beginning can be a good option.

If you see the locale during all seasons of a year, you understand the weather as well as changes in the character of the community or the neighborhood. The populations may vary greatly in the various seasons and you need to know if you like that.

It is important to understand the complexities of purchasing property overseas and not to assume anything.
You are dealing with different laws, customs and language. Read as much as you can about purchasing in the country where you are interested in owning. As a minimum, you need a qualified real estate agent and a good attorney.

It is a good idea to talk to people who know the area well, but are not in a position to sell you anything. They can help you with more information. Know if you want privacy or like being in the middle of activity. Owning pets affects your choices where to live.

Before you buy, know yourself and what you truly want. Do a reality check to determine if what you want exists in the area where you are looking.

Will you be using public transportation or will you have a car? How close is the airport to where you want to live? What medical, educational, and recreational facilities are nearby?

Check into condominium fees and utility costs. Know what the rules are if you are living in a condominium or a homeowners’ association

If you decide you want to buy a fixer-upper, remember the overall cost can be more expensive than a home already in the right condition. If you don’t speak the language or know people to trust to help you, you can end up spending a great deal of money that you didn’t budget. The choice is yours.

Getting better at “reading” people will go a long way in you success of living abroad. You need new skills for problem solving, as you are not in your familiar element.

Price: There is price and there is cost. Does the price include furnishings, telephone, and appliances? What amenities are included in the price of the home?

Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t depend so heavily on your advisors that you give up your own responsibility to learn what is happening. Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Ask more questions.

Realize that things do not happen in a timely order that you may be expecting. Triple or quadruple the time you think you will need to complete a task. Listen, learn, and appreciate your experience.

‘THE REAL VOVAGE OF DISCOVERY CONSISTS, NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDSCAPES, BUT IN HAVING NEW EYES.’ MARCEL PROUST

This article is based upon legal opinions, current practices and my personal experiences in the Puerto Vallarta-Bahia de Banderas areas. I recommend that each potential buyer conduct his own due diligence and review. For more reading on making a major life change by living in a foreign country, a charming book is “The Grown-Ups guide to running Away from Home” by Rosanne Knorr.