The Space for Expatriates

August 2009 Blog Posts (42)

Hurricane Jimena and the Costera 250.

Special thanks to George Puckett for his continued hard work and great site! In case I forgot, thank you for the feature position! I met some new friends who will be joining us.

La Paz. 5.37. Just finished raining.

We are all getting ready for a little wind and rain, and have provisions for an army!

Generator is ready in case we loose power, and the fridge is stocked. If you are in the area and are getting ready for Jimena, remember to help your neighbor!… Continue

Added by Rory King on August 31, 2009 at 4:57pm — No Comments

memory

George - I know that 'thank you' went thru my head 40 times when you featured me.........but I can't remeber if I typed it.........anyways MUCHAS GRACIAS - I do remember getting several invites that day too.........Pancho

Added by Francisco Escobar on August 31, 2009 at 3:58pm — No Comments

Great Value Products- WalMart

I know, I know, many people think of WalMart as the "evil empire" and while I do not want to get into the politics of if it is really true or not I do want to say that WalMart for the most part plays on a different playing field here in Mexico. Beyond all that, WalMart can be a life saver here in Puerto Vallarta.

They often stock those items you can never find SOTB (South of the Border) and you either have to "mule" down or do without. Sweater drying racks, face cloths, Benefiber and… Continue

Added by Brenda Rivera on August 31, 2009 at 3:11pm — No Comments

Happy Anniversary to Lewis & Mina Pace - 43 Years & Counting

Our program recognizes birthdays but not anniversaries. I received the following note from our member Lewis Pace Jr. and I would like to pass it on to the entire membership. I guess I'm a little sentimental.

George P

OLD FRIENDS AND FAMILY ----

MINA AND I HAD OUR ANNIVERSARY SUPPER AT ITALIANI'S TONIGHT ---

RAFA & HIS WIFE, MELINA --- "MY KIDS" HERE IN QUERETARO

FRANCOIS VAUCHER… Continue

Added by George Puckett on August 31, 2009 at 4:26am — No Comments

Hurricane Jimena Strengthens in the Pacific

Jimena strengthens to Category 4 storm in Pacific

(AP) – 8:30 a.m. Pacific

MEXICO CITY — Jimena developed into a dangerous Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast Sunday, threatening to hit the Baja California peninsula as a major hurricane in coming days.

Jimena swirled far enough away from land Sunday to spare Mexico's southwestern coastline, only sprinkling the port of Manzanillo with light drizzle.

If it stays on its northwestern track,… Continue

Added by George Puckett on August 30, 2009 at 11:30am — 2 Comments

As of August 27 Here are a group of people that believe we need to atract more tourism through hard work for Penasco

As of August 27th 2009 List of supporters (and we will update often, its time to get in)

Cholla Bay Jet Sky Rental

Manny's Tequila Factory

Casa Monica Bed and Breakfast Cholla Bay

Gretchen Ellinger C21

Head Out to Rocky Point

Kayak Rocky Point

Sun Valley Immigration Services

The Thirsty Parrot

Vania Guzman and Tony Ximenez

The Black Dog

JJ's Cantina Cholla Bay

Sonoran Sun, Sky, Sea, and Spa

St James Gate

Victor… Continue

Added by Russ Black on August 27, 2009 at 5:27pm — No Comments

New Mexico Rental Site

Hello Everyone~

I have just created a new Ning site called Mexico Bound-Rentals. After spending two full days searching through vacation and long-term rentals in Mexico this idea popped into my head. There are many great vacation rental sites, some with the same property listings, which is wonderful marketing yet it can deter one away from the site further if you see the same listings. Once in while there are variances in the same property listing. Also I had a hard time finding an… Continue

Added by Christina Trevino on August 27, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

2009 AMAR International Conference in Mexico City

2009 AMAR International Conference September 10th, 11th and 12th, Mexico City.

AMAR – (Mexican Association of Retirement Communities) is the first non-profit organization committed to creating a sustainable future for senior housing communities in Mexico through providing education, lobbying efforts, promotional events and networking opportunities for the benefit of those who have… Continue

Added by George Puckett on August 27, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

RIP

Little prayer for Ted Kennedy.

Added by Francisco Escobar on August 26, 2009 at 1:08pm — No Comments

Gringos Who Own Mexican Corporations Must File Special Forms with the U.S. IRS

If you own 10% or more of a Mexican Corporation you must file Form 5471 with your U.S. Tax return. Expatriates must file this return whether or not they owe any tax. This filing requirement exists both for real estate corporations and for business corporations. The failure to file this form on a timely basis each year can result in a penalty of $10,000 per year. Often this form can be alleviated if a late filing excuse is attached to the return and the corporation does not have any unreported… Continue

Added by Don D. Nelson on August 26, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

OPPORTUNITY! HUGE LAKEFRONT SUBLET IN AJIJIC, LAKE CHAPALA

IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING VISITING OR MOVING TO LAKE CHAPALA, YOU CAN RENT MY BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT TWO BEDROOM,TWO BATH APARTMENT FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER WHILE YOU CHECK OUT OUR BEAUTIFUL COBBLESTONED, COLONIAL VILLAGE WITH MORE EXPAT RETIREES THAN ANY PLACE ELSE IN MEXICO. THIS APARTMENT IS FULLY FURNISHED AND EQUIPPED AND HAS TELEPHONE, ONCE A WEEK MAID, HI-SPEED INTERNET, CABLE TV IN LIVING ROOM AND BOTH BEDROOMS, LIBRARY-COMPUTER ROOM, DINING ROOM, LIVING ROOM,MEXICAN TILED KITCHEN WITH… Continue

Added by Gloria Harrison on August 25, 2009 at 2:04pm — No Comments

The Warden Network : the eyes and ears of the Consulate in Baja.

To facilitate the comunication between U.S. citizens in Baja California and the Goverment and to ensure fellow citizen is always nearby in a time of a crisis the Embasys Consular Section has established a "Warden Network "

the warden Network is a comunication/assistance network made up of U.S.citizens The U. S. Consulate employs the network to disseminate and receive information and render assistance to American residents or tourist in Baja California .

The warden Network serves to… Continue

Added by JAIME CAYUELA on August 25, 2009 at 1:56pm — No Comments

FOREIGNS TAKE JOBS FROM LOCAL PEOPLE (LORETO BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR )

Today was reported in our Mexican local news paper The sudcaliforniano that is people that they are providing services to the tourist industry without the proper permits.

They are complainig that are many foreigners providing house for rent, room for rent ,fishing trips,rental of Kayakas,parking spaces for rent , pick up and delivered to the airport etc .

These people are not authorized , they dont have the proper permits ,or pay the proper taxes here in Mexico.

they book the… Continue

Added by JAIME CAYUELA on August 25, 2009 at 12:34am — No Comments

Nothing Stays the Same: In Tribute to 3 Special Friends

There is no permanence in life, my friends. Today I learned another friend in Mexico has died. That makes three since May. No, these were not H1N1 victims: they were my friends from Mexico who suffered from varying health issues. These were people who like me had felt the pull of Mexico on their heart strings and answered it's call. Unlike me, they had made homes and lives there, and committed to it fully by living in Bucerias year round. And each year as I returned they welcomed me back to the… Continue

Added by Linda Watson Lauer on August 24, 2009 at 4:30pm — 5 Comments

US Fideicomiso Tax Rules

If you own property in Mexico in a Fideicomiso you must file Forms 3520 in its initial year of existence and in its final year of existence. You must file form 3520A for each year that it exists. That form was designed to be filed by the Trustee Bank, but none of them will do it, so therefore under IRS rules you as the beneficiary must file the form. These forms are filed separate your from your personal tax return. These forms must be filed even though your income is too low to require you to… Continue

Added by Don D. Nelson on August 22, 2009 at 2:15pm — No Comments

MEXICO REPLACES CUSTOMS STAFF

This article was posted by "SMM" Sean on the Bucerias Yahoo group August, 19, 2009.

This should be of interest to the majority of the group. Those driving into

Mexico should probably expect longer border crossing times, and should

definitely avoid crossing on a Sunday afternoon or evening.

Mexico replaces customs staff, revamps bordersBy ALEXANDRA OLSON Associated

Press Aug. 16, 2009, 6:01PM

MEXICO CITY — Mexico has replaced all 700 of its customs… Continue

Added by Linda Watson Lauer on August 21, 2009 at 7:06pm — No Comments

THE NITTY GRITTY ON MEXICO REAL ESTATE - FROM INMOBILIARE MAGAZINE

I have found that this excellent publication has lots of great information and NUMBERS that normally we can't get any where else about the Mexican Market in Real Estate.

They have a beautiful printed edition that is sold at Sanborns in big cities - don't know where in your little towns. You can get a subscription also. Here is a link to their ONLINE editions.… Continue

Added by Mercy Stirling de Duenas on August 21, 2009 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

Get Inspired for A Good Cause

To the members of Mexico-My Space:

Most of you know that I have 2 sons that are paralyzed. One is quadriplegic & the other is paraplegic. Our family has been able to care for these two for years, making up for the lapses in State & Federal support. I recently read this appeal for support from this gentleman whose wife has MS. However, he was not seeking support for himself or his wife, but for the National MS Society by supporting him on this fund raising bike… Continue

Added by George Puckett on August 20, 2009 at 11:53pm — No Comments

Helpful Information for Members and Visitors

Helpful Information (Links)

Nor Really A Pro With Computers

Hello to all,

Computer Problems?

About 13 years ago, while living in Ensenada, I purchase my first computer. I knew nothing about computers but I had to learn. A soon-to-be good friend of mine and Missionary taught me the basics. His name is Matt Needles and he is a Member of Mexico-My Space.

Whenever I ran into problems, and there were… Continue

Added by George Puckett on August 20, 2009 at 6:09pm — 1 Comment

How McDonald’s Influenced My Decision to Retire Abroad

Posted: 19 Aug 2009 03:22 PM PDT

Although I am a youthful 50 something, I had just enough years at my job for retirement on a decent pension. In fact, my income was just starting to peak and my job was getting easier … sometimes too easy. My dream to retire abroad always seemed a few years away.

Retirement did not immediately cross my mind. There were always a… Continue

Added by George Puckett on August 20, 2009 at 2:47am — 2 Comments