Moving to Cozumel (part-time)

[DarkCoffee]

I'm toying with the idea of moving to Coz for three-four months (perhaps more) of the year on an ongoing basis. Anyone doing that now?

The 'blue sky' plan is to buy a residential, fix it up then approach a time-share group to manage the property for the remainder of the year when we're not using it. (not even sure if that's do-able, just was thinking this as an option)

I've been learning about fideicomisos, ejido lands and the such and have had a few ex-pat Canadian Coz residents suggest a 'trial run' of 3 to 6 months to see if we like the place as much once the 'holiday' mentality goes away.

Anyone here tried this and have any comments or thoughts on the matter?

 

[Christi]

I'm toying with the idea of moving to Coz for three-four months (perhaps more) of the year on an ongoing basis. Anyone doing that now?

The 'blue sky' plan is to buy a residential, fix it up then approach a time-share group to manage the property for the remainder of the year when we're not using it. (not even sure if that's do-able, just was thinking this as an option)

I've been learning about fideicomisos, ejido lands and the such and have had a few ex-pat Canadian Coz residents suggest a 'trial run' of 3 to 6 months to see if we like the place as much once the 'holiday' mentality goes away.

Anyone here tried this and have any comments or thoughts on the matter?

It sounds like you are on the right track and doing your "investigating" before jumping right in.

As an island resident and business owner here for 8+ years, I agree 1000% with your friends that suggest you do a trial run here before deciding to move here. Living here on a day to day basis and vacationing here are two entirely different animals. Not to say that living here is bad - it's just very different than what you're accustomed to and there are many challenges dealing with day to day things that we take for granted in the US or Canada.

Not sure what your plans for income are, but don't get your hopes up of working as a divemaster here. You must have a specific work VISA (FM3) for whatever job you want to do. This has to be approved by immigration and they do not issue FM3's for foreign DM's - only instructors and even then - VERY RARELY. The basic rule of thumb is that unless you have some unique qualifiers (such as being multi-lingual with a niche market that relies on a specific language, own your own business that employs other Mexican Nationals, etc.) there are certain jobs that they will not allow foreigners to do because it's taking work away from the locals. Some examples of the "no foreigner" jobs are: DM, Boat captain, bartender/waitress

Hope this helps. Good luck with your adventure

 

[parrotheaddiver]

So I guess being your housekeeper would be out of the question for me
but I am pretty good at swinging a mop

 

[geokr]

You might want to ask around in the "Discussions" forum at cozumelmycozumel.com. There are quite a few people there who might be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Specifically - http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=127

 

[deborahdelamar]

I moved into a condo in Coz last October and have absolutely no regrets except that our retirement plan went out the window so I can't stay there full time as I'd wished.

I didn't take the trial run -- I'd spent enough time in Coz as a tourist to know that it's where I wanted to be. For the most part, life there is very easy and inexpensive and people are extremely helpful. There are a few challenges but they are surmountable if you are both patient and persistent.

Christi's comments about working are correct -- please take her advice to heart. Also, non-waterfront rentals won't return a living but may help offset your expenses of ownership and management. Unless you have a prime location, it's easier to rent to locals than to tourists, but locals don't have the income to pay high rents.

I don't know why you've studied ejidal properties. Best advice is to stay away from those, especially on Cozumel where the situation is volatile and your chances of obtaining a clear title are extremely small. The fide will be necessary but it's not a big deal since your closing attorney will handle everything for you.

 

[deborahdelamar]

Oh, Ann. Please. Come over and mop. Anytime. Guest room's yours!

 

[Jim Baldwin]

We bought a home on Cozumel four and a half years ago after making numerous trips downs over the past 10 years.

You have two avenues to think about. Buying a finished product turn key ready to move into home or going the fixer up route. You need to think long and hard on how much time, experience and skill you really have before you do the latter.

We went the fixer upper route. No brag but I have better than average skills. I have rewired several homes here in the states and can handle plumbing and carpentry without much problem.

Buying things you need for your house and getting them to Cozumel can be a challenge especially now that just about every bag costs.

There simply are some things that you cannot get on Cozumel. Blue Tap Con screws, Liquid Nails and black latex caulk just to name a few. We were lucky when the 70lb. luggage limit was in effect. During one summer we got 13 69.5 lb bags that were brought down by friends and family at no cost.

We packed down a microwave, ice machine, eight ceiling fans, breaker boxes, rolls of electrical wire, conduict boxes, outlets, switches, just to name a few things.

Hiring all the work done and not being there to supervise has its problems as well.
Sometimes things in translation don't mean the same thing. I wanted to rent a ladder, (escalator) and wound up with a truck load of scaffolding that I couldn't use.

As the others have said Cozumel is a great place to live. I like being able to walk out on the street and flag down the propane and water trucks. As long as I live I will never forget the gingle on the propane truck. I can hop on my bike and take a ride to the hardware store or grocery store something I can't do here in Louisiana.

We made three road trips last year to Cozumel and I will be driving down again this summer. A two hour plane ride from Houston sure beats a 2 1/2 day drive from Brownsville but there are just some things that you can't put on an airplane. I do like my new stainless gas grill and wrought iron furniture and I will be bringing down a new vehicle to replace the one I drove down three years ago.

If you've got questions feel free to drop me a PM.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

Oh, Ann. Please. Come over and mop. Anytime. Guest room's yours!

Thanks for the offer Deb I wish it were that easy:blinking:

 

[MMM]

The longest time I spent in Coz as a tourist was maybe 6 weeks. Like Deb, I had spent a lot of time there on shorter trips and just knew it was where I wanted to live part time. We bought a turn-key home and quite literally didn't need to buy a thing. It even came with a great cleaning lady.

We decided against renting it out. First and foremost, we didn't NEED any revenue (You can pick up a very nice house for far less than you'd pay for a beach cottage at home). Second, we decided there probably wouldn't be much revenue between what the property management firm would charge and what we'd have to pay in taxes if we were to do things legally. Third I figured renters would be a PITA. And 4th, I wanted to keep all my "stuff" down there including clothes in the closets, clothes in the drawers, cell phones, UW cameras etc. So I didn't want to have to pack up/lock up nor did I relish the thought of strangers pawing through my belongings.

 

[Jupiter31]

All great suggestions

YOU had the best one; "come down for 3 - 4 months on a trial basis"

Once you are there, and the vacation mentality goes away, you will know if its for you or not.

Plus, you will have plenty of time to research properties, management companies, etc to see if you want to buy - or not.

Others may (likely will) disagree - but if I was planning on coming down for 3 - 4 months, I'd look at the price of rentals (off the beach area) before I'd tie up money in real estate in a foreign country - I know me; I would not have the paticence to build, or rennovate property - and it makes it difficult to rent for 6 or 9 months.

So you are forced to rent by the week - and by the time you pay the management company, deal with the wear and tear of short term renters......not for me. I don't have the skills - or paticence - of Jim Baldwin, but again thats me.

I'd also not want to be limited to vacationing in one place - but YMMV.

Realize others will see it differently - don't know your financial situation, but if any of your plan is dependent on some form of rental income - I would not buy.

Just another side of the equasion to consider.