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JGiff

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Posts posted by JGiff

  1. On 10/25/2019 at 5:09 PM, freewilly said:

    Okay that's a surprise first time driving down to chapala and you bought a house..... So I would imagine you have flown before?

    Sorry for the late reply freewilly.

    Yes  I bought the house on the internet. I had been looking for about a year and then saw this one. A friend of my wife , they went to university in Bangkok together, has a house in Ajijic with her husband.  This was the first time we had heard of Lake Chapala. Did some research online and decided it was a place we would like to live in. We didn't want to spend a lot of money so when I saw the one we bought I got in touch with a realtor who lives in Ajijic and is originally from the province I am from. She checked it out and sent me pictures and we made an offer subject to inspection. Offer accepted, we flew down , closed, flew home  and now driving down in January. 

     Yes, some of our friends thought we are nuts but hey, my wife and I met online and it's been bliss for years.  You could say we both are grateful for the internet being created.  88.gif

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  2. 16 hours ago, Youngtimer said:

    There is a lot of info on Inter cam bank on this forum. You can go to the Lake Chapala Society and they have a rep there .

    My spouse and I went right to the bank on the Carretera last week and opened a checking account with Inter cam. Because my wife came as a tourist we had to open it under her name only until I get my RT card then I can be added to that account. She will be added to my RT as a dependent after I get my Card, but that is a different story. They let us use our old home address even though it was sold to get us started, a bank name for reference from back in the states, and a utility bill from back in the states.  I wrote a USA bank check and paid right at 2.5% exchange rate. I had never done a bank wire to Mexico before so we chose that route. We need a used Mexican car and need cash . That would be a lot of ATM withdrawals.

    If you can get a Capital one 360  debit card or a Charles Scwabb debit there is only 1.5% exchange rate or ATM fee at the ATM in Walmart the one on the right side.

    If you use those cards mentioned or even a Capital one credit card for purchases the exchange rate is less than 1%

    Being from Canada those are not available to me.  Thanks for the info

  3. I'm late to this but and I am not sure of a few things.  I am coming down and getting my RT visa, yes I am seeing the consulate here in Canada first, and opening a bank account so I can pay my utility fees for my house when I am back in Canada in the summer. 

     I have read a few posts about banking and banks and have never heard anyone talk about Itercam Bank.  Do any gringo's use this bank ? I ask this as I have been thinking of opening an account there on a suggestion form a friend. 

     My Canadian bank does not charge me for drawing money from International ATM's.  If you have an account at bank at Lakeside and use their ATM are there fees ?  

     After reading this post I am assuming that an average price for using a ATM other than your banks is going to charge you an average of $65p.  

    Any info appreciated. 

  4. 4 minutes ago, freewilly said:

    I have spent months in San Carlos and suggest you stay there the first night...or two or more. It is a destination for many from BC and very pleasant resort town. Great beaches and restaurants and easy to feel comfortable. Warning...you might just stay there,..if you decide to stop I can give you hotel tips on the beach.

    We usually hit San Carlos about 4 to 5 pm from nogales. These guys must drive faster.,.

    Thanks for the suggestion but I have to get to my new house in Chapala as quick as possible.  My wife will have to fly back to Canada 2 weeks after we arrive there and there is lots she would like to accomplish before she heads back.  

  5. 2 hours ago, mudgirl said:

    JGiff-  It's still called a Temporary resident visa when you get the card. That's the residency status- Temporal. What you get at the consulate is called a pre-approval.

    My Bad   Thanks for the explanation.  The websites I was looking at were saying the consulate gives you a temporary visa and then go get a temporary card.  I didn't realize it was still called a visa.   

  6. I'm sure this has probably been covered and I'm sure there are probably variables but I couldn't find anything that's current.

    I will be going to the Vancouver BC Mexican Consulate on Nov 20th to get my temporary resident visa. Then I will be driving down to Chapala at the beginning of January to arrive the 13th. I did tell the consulate the date I would be leaving for Mexico. 

     I am wondering how long it takes to get the residency card after I visit the INM. I will be staying at my new home till the beginning of April before I head home. 

     Before someone says that I can stay there with a tourist visa, I know that but I can't get a bank account and it's much easier to get other utility accounts. Also after this winter I plan on staying at my place for more than 6 months each year. 

    Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated. 

  7. Hola

    I know this has probably been asked many times but I've searched online and forums but haven't seen anything that is newer than 5 years. I am driving down from Vancouver BC to Chapala this January. It will be the first time. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on a quick route. I'm thinking it's about a 6 day drive ?  I'm pretty sure I have the route planned to Tucson but I am not sure from Nogales which way to go and how many days it will take. The best towns to stop for the night before Chapala. 

     Any help from those that have done it would be greatly appreciated 

  8. On 9/29/2019 at 9:59 AM, Hud said:

    What did people use where

    What did people use where you came from? Surely the thieves,robbers, etc. were just as bad, or worse in your area there

    ?

     

    Well, where I come from in western Canada the you won't drive around seeing homes walled with razor wire or electric wire on top of those walls. Most homes I have seen in the Lake Chapala area , which I have fallen in love with after one visit, have metal bars on their windows and doors.   Silly me for asking my question.  So sorry if it offended anyone.  Geezzzz. 

     Some of you obviously have way to much time on your hands  

  9. Hi All

     I am coming to Ajijic at the beginning of Sept and I have looked for a rental car at GDL. 

    Would some be able to enlighten me on why when I search Expedia, Kayak, etc I get results that show $1-$3 a day for a rental car.  What are they hiding in the extra costs and will the accept my car insurance from Canada for collision and such ?  My insurance covers me for North America. 

     

    Any info would be greatly appreciated 

    Cheers

  10. 1 hour ago, Go Solar said:

    Cell service is generally good in San Nicolas; you can get the Telcel Amigo plan with data and "pay as you go", just visit a local Telcel shop in Chapala for  the SIM card and any setup assistance needed.

    more than enough data, inexpensively, to use your cell as a wifi hotspot to your laptop / etc.     Added bonus - the Telcel plans also work in the US & C.....!!   For both calls and data.

    Thank you very much Go Solar.  I am glad to hear that..

  11. Hola

      I am new here and I am purchasing a place in San Nicolas de Ibarra . Does anyone know what the cellular service is like in that area ? I know it's a personal thing but who would you use in the area for a supplier. 

     I am looking at having a MiFi that I can connect my electronics to, like I do when I travel to the USA.  I'm from WC Canada.  Do people use these there and if so is it expensive ?  I have looked at some of AT&T's plans but not sure how good it is. 

     I will only be part time in Mexico, 4-5 months, so I'm not sure how it would work for have hard wired internet/cable tv at the house.

    Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers 

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