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 GREETINGS FROM SUN COUNTRY MEXICO! Newsletter No. 1, Vol. 1, March 1, 2011
PRESS RELEASE - NEW REAL ESTATE COMPANY LAUNCHED Charlotte Bohner and Gretchen Ellinger have launched a new real estate company, Sun Country México Real Estate, serving Puerto Peñasco - Rocky Point, Cholla Bay, Las Conchas, and coastal Sonora. With over 30 years' combined experience in the real estate industry, Bohner and Ellinger bring expertise and optimism to the real estate market in Puerto Peñasco - Rocky Point. Licensed in both Arizona and Sonora, Bohner's early real estate career was in land parcel development and building. With her husband Dave, she owned a construction company, and her expertise lay in finding land parcels for building development. Many family vacations in Puerto Peñasco led to home ownership in the Mirador area of town, and to the local real estate industry with first Coldwell Banker, then with Century 21. After a long career in government service, Ellinger retired to her Cholla Bay home to operate a small bed and breakfast, but could not resist when the real estate opportunity presented itself. Licensed in Sonora, Ellinger has operated an independent real estate office in Cholla Bay for the past 8 years, under both the Coldwell Banker and Century 21 banners. When their Century 21 franchise recently relocated to Cancun, Ellinger and Bohner decided to combine forces and form their own real estate company. Sun Country México Real Estate provides a full range of real estate services and retirement expertise, and clients can expect the high level of integrity and service for which both Ellinger and Bohner are known. The main office, located in Cholla Bay, is staffed full-time, and can be reached at 382-5147 or 602-412-3311 from the USA. Visit their website at www.SunCountryMexico.com
TODAY’S QUOTE
"Think twice before saying 'It couldn't get any worse!' It can always get worse! So find your blessings, and be grateful for them!" Anonymous
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
   
Cholla Bay M27 L15 "Casa Lucia" $155,000 Absolutely darling 2-bedroom home, extremely well maintained, with views of Cholla's estuary and the Sea of Cortes from the Margarita deck! Home features spacious living room with dining area, separated from large kitchen by breakfast bar, 2 big bedrooms, unique two 1/2 baths that enable 2 people to use at once, in complete privacy. Completely furnished, including all appliances, and ready to move in! Cholla is well-known as a fishing community, and this home sports an enormous boat garage, plus an extraordinary outdoor entertainment area. For lease, lease with option to buy, or for sale. Call us today! If this home does not meet your needs, we have others! Check out all our listings at SunCountryMexico.com.
SUN COUNTRY NOTES
Welcome! Please tell us what you like about our first newsletter, and what you would like to see in the future! We are newsletter rookies, and can use lots of help! Send comments to us at info@SunCountryMexico.com, give us a call, or stop in to see us! Our office is open Thursday - Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone numbers are 602-412-3311 USA, 638-382-5147 local in Mexico. We hope to hear from you!
Gamble and Drink the Night Away, Hawaiian Style, for $20!!! You read that right...this just in from hostess Kathy Hill: On Saturday March 5th, 2011, the Cholla Bay Sportsmen's Club is hosting VIVA LAS VEGAS HAWAIIAN STYLE! It will take place at the Cholla Bay Club House, and will be a really fun night! The evening starts at 7:00 PM. Wear your Hawaiian attire. You might even get "lei-ed" or learn how to do the hula! For $20 per person (everyone is invited - no extra charges for non-members), you will get many "CHOLLA POKER CHIPS" (a lot more than $20 worth) to wager on a variety of Vegas-type games, such as Black Jack, Keno, Wheel of Fortune, Poker, and Texas Hold-em. No, you can't buy any additional chips - darn it all! Your $20 also gets you gourmet HAWAIIAN HORS d'OEUVRES to snack on throughout the evening and most beverages of choice, and I heard from our Chef Jerry that PINA COLADAS will be the specialty drink of the evening. There aren't many places you can go for $20 and get fancy hors d'oeuvres and all the cocktails, beer, or wine you want! As you accumulate your WINNINGS throughout the evening, there will be two (2) live AUCTIONS held for you to spend those winnings...the "House" will only accept "Cholla Chips" as currency for your bids. Up for auction will be FANTASTIC PRIZES, including an E-READER, DESKTOP COMPUTER, GPS UNIT, FORECAST STATION, JUPITER JACK, WATERPROOF MP3 PLAYER, FIRE PIT, PEWTER SERVING BOWL, WATERCOLOR PRINTS, BATH GIFT SET, GOURMET SALSA GIFT SET, 2 NECKLACES, UNIVERSAL REMOTE, VIDEO CAMERA, SHELL MIRROR, and other unique prizes. 94% of the prizes are worth a lot more than your $20 admission!!!! Come play with us in Cholla Bay!
CARNIVAL, or Mardi Gras, as it is called in the USA, is always a great time in Puerto Penasco. The town goes all out with a parade and LOTS of activities throughout several days and into the night. Check RPCal.com for details.
RPCal.com (Rocky Point Calendar) is a great place to find out what's going on all over Puerto Penasco - for details of this weekend's Carnival, as well as other activities, tuck RPCal.com into your favorites so you don't miss anything! BY THE WAY…
SPRING, AND SPRING BREAK, ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER, and rarely has a visit to Rocky Point been more affordable! Gas is inexpensive, at least south of the border, and many hotels and resorts are featuring special prices to lure you south! If you are still worried about safety in Mexico, you have been deceived by sensationalistic news stories, and led to believe that things that occur hundreds of miles away make Puerto Penasco dangerous! Ciudad Jaurez is dangerous, so you should not go to Mexico, right? That line of thinking could well lead foreigners to conclude that they should not visit the USA because Detroit is dangerous! Crazy, right? Right! Puerto Penasco/Rocky Point continues to be a safe and friendly destination for tourists, and we hope you'll visit! The staff in hotels, restaurants and shops are waiting to greet you with warm smiles, great service and genuine gratitude for your visit. You might even fall in love...with Rocky Point! That's what happened to me, and it's been a growing, changing, always interesting, often funny, occasionally sad relationship, and moving here was the best thing I have done for myself in years! Don't be afraid of phantoms from other places that don't exist here - come on down!
We hope to see you soon in Sun Country! Until we meet again, we wish you the best of times! Happy living from Sun Country Mexico Real Estate - Charlotte & Gretchen!
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Mexico just keeps getting better! Or maybe it's me, and my improving ability to appreciate the obvious. In any case, my recent trip to the Mayan Riviera, my second visit to Cancun and surrounding areas, made me want to go back yet again! There is sooo much to do and see there that you cannot possibly take it all in in one visit, and I even found myself toying with the notion of relocating to live there permanently. Warm weather, lots of green, sophisticated city, small towns, year round swimming, endless entertainment options...very alluring! Who wouldn't want to live in such a place? I found the article below in the "Overseas Property Professional," and it reinforces my impression that southern Mexico is thriving. Enough people are discovering the Mayan Riviera that a new airport is needed. Hooray for Mexico! Hooray for me for discovering the wonderful Yucatan Peninsula! And hooray for you if you plan to add that part of Mexico to your agenda! But don't wait for this new airport...go now, and see for yourself what draws so many people. You will be captivated by the beauty, the aquamarine seas, and the delightful people with their rich history...I certainly was!
From the "Overseas Property Professional" - Airport puts Mexico on flight to recovery
A new $250 million airport in Mexico is expected to boost international visits to the tourist region of Riviera Maya.
The Mexican government announced last week that from November it would accept bids for construction and operation of the new airport, located 50km south of Cancun in the former fishing town of Tulum.
The previously delayed project is expected to receive 3 million tourists by its third year of operations, according to Mexico’s communications and transport ministry.
Carlos Vidali, senior vice president for Mexico at consultancy Panorama International, said: “It will certainly improve access and facilitate travel to a region that has seen incredible traffic increase during the past few years, making the present Cancun Airport insufficient and inefficient to handle visitors, especially during the high season.”
The Mexican tourist industry has been hit particularly hard in the last year by the combination of the global recession and the swine flu pandemic. “The Mayan Riviera has shown great resilience in the face of the financial crisis and even hurricanes,” said Vidali.
“The secret of success is the wide variety of international origins of the visitors and the sophisticated menu of services and activities for all kinds of different tastes and budgets.”
The airport will encourage the diversification of the region’s tourist industry, said a government statement. "Among other benefits, the new airport will reduce travel time from Cancun or Cozumel to other destinations in the Mayan Riviera.”
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In an effort to see where we are going, several Cholla realtors put their heads together, and looked back at all Cholla property sales for the year 2010. According to the Puerto Penasco Multiple Listing Service (MLS), since January 1, 2010 nine properties (7 homes, 2 lots) have been sold in Cholla Bay. If you are working with Century 21 Sun & Sand, you are definitely working with the right real estate team; four of the homes and one lot were Century 21 Cholla Bay sales! Now for the pertinent data: Lots: Two lots have sold in 2010. Both were "interior" (not waterfront) lots, and the average price per square foot sold was $7.20 (USD). That's discouraging, especially if you are a seller! Homes: Seven homes have sold since January 1, 2010. Each was not comparable to all the others; i.e. two were very small old cabins, in really terrible (possibly tear-down) condition. Two were old cabins remodeled, in reasonably good condition. Two were newer homes, in excellent condition, and the last had never been lived in, and there was a variety of views (or not), so we felt there was good balance in this comparison. The lowest priced home sold was $50,000, and the highest sold at $250,000. The average home price, when considering all seven homes, was $99,425, and the average price per square foot of livable area was $81.78. We evaluated one home listing for sale at $175,000. The 1,500 square feet justify a structure valued at $122,670, and the 4,483 square foot lot justifies land valued at $32,279. This means the property should bring, at 2010 average values, $154,949. If the price has a 10% cushion added to allow for negotiation, then the asking price would be $170,449. In either case, with or without the cushion, unless the home is in remarkable condition and/or has incredible views and floor plan, it is probably overpriced at $175,000. It was felt by the realtors that if the sellers want to sell this home in a timely manner, aggressive pricing at around the current market value of $155,000 would be advisable. It is interesting to note that, while in past years waterfront and beachfront properties have been the first to sell if priced intelligently, not one single Cholla Bay waterfront home has sold in 2010. There are currently eleven water- or beachfront homes on the market, nine of which were on the market prior to 2010. Since sales are generally the best indicator of pricing viability, it could be deduced that all the water and beachfront properties currently on the market are probably overpriced. Note that this is not necessarily a reflection of the real values of the homes, but instead addresses the market values within the current market conditions. The logical conclusion is that NOW is a great time to buy property in Cholla Bay! Considering that as few as three years ago, the price of lots with no water views was roughly $20 per square foot, and waterfront lots sold for as much as $75 per square foot, property prices cannot drop much further. As market conditions improve, and they will, prices will increase. People who purchase now in Cholla Bay will be patting themselves on the backs in the not-too-distant future!
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This morning started out in with a glorious sunrise, cool temperatures and the tide so far out that it was hard to see the water line until the sun came up; perfect for tide pool explorers and sand dollar collectors. This afternoon the tide is high, all the way up to my patio steps, and the sun is hot; perfect for water sports lovers and professional relaxers. I think my neighbors have the right idea! Floating coolers of icy cold drinks and good company is an excellent way to spend an afternoon in Cholla Bay! Or what about sailing? There is just enough breeze push that little catamaran along its way around the bay! Casa Monica Cholla Bay B&B is booked up with SWES (Soil, Water, & Environmental Sciences) Club members from University of Arizona, who are coming to help with our semi-annual beach and community clean-up. 25 students will be here to do the big work...those young people are good at climbing among the rocks and hefting the flotsam that washes up in the tide. The 1-Club Open, a golf tournament like no other, tees off on Saturday morning; JJ's Cantina is the place to register - EARLY! Proceeds go to the Santa Claus Club to provide Christmas for needy Puerto Penasco Children. On Saturday evening the Old Boys' Social Club, which is also for old girls and everyone else except minors, is hosting the annual Oktoberfiesta at the Cholla Bay community club house. The evening kicks off Cholla Bay's season of community social events, which are fun, affordable and proceeds go to good causes. This year the Oktoberfiesta was coordinated with the SWES Club visit so that the Cholla Bay community could invite the students to dinner, recognize their efforts, and show them how to have fun Cholla Bay style. There will be cocktails, dinner, dancing - polka of course - and maybe even some apre-schnitzel activities. There is still time to plan a weekend here in Paradise. The trip is short and safe, the road good, October is perhaps the most beautiful month of the year in Puerto Penasco / Rocky Point, and look what you have to look forward to at the end of the trip! Join us here in Paradise for a weekend of fun and relaxation! You may do as I did, and decide to stay!
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 by Gretchen Corpe Ellinger For me, as for many people, life without a dog feels incomplete, and I have lived my life with standard poodles. My grandparents and my parents had them, all my aunts and uncles had them, then my sister and my cousins and I grew up and got them, raised our kids with them. There were other dogs along the way, a rescued Queensland heeler, a German shepherd mix that came home with my youngest son, but those “other” dogs were always secondary to the elegant, loyal, predictable, protective and intelligent standard poodles. My white standard poodle, Katie, helped me to change gears, build a house in Mexico, and eventually retire there. We learned Spanish together. She helped me with my real estate business. Except for the fact that dogs are not always welcome where I need or want to go, Katie was the perfect constant companion. She was with me for 12 years, and my heart was broken when I lost her. My well-intentioned friends gave me a teeny tiny white poodle puppy. While I loved them for trying to help me heal from my loss, I was not ready for any dog, and certainly not a yappy high-strung heel-biting teeny tiny poodle. Of course, after an appropriate time, I would find another standard poodle. However, I couldn’t figure out how not to keep this tiny puppy without hurting my friends’ feelings, and now, more than a year later, she more than fills those big dog paws. My tiny toy poodle has none of those little dog behaviors that I cannot stand, probably because she is a quick learner, and very eager to please me. As was Katie, Luna is an ambassador who attracts attention and helps me to meet new people. What’s more, she is every bit as smart, friendly, loving, athletic and protective as the standard poodles I have had, plus…there are lots of pluses…she eats less, grooming her is much less expensive, she is much easier to clean up after, and at about 5 pounds, she fits into a purse-size carrier and goes anywhere I want to take her. Luna is already an old hand at shopping, restaurants, client meetings, even flying. Left to my own devices, I would never have considered a small dog, and now I cannot imagine going back to the big dogs…Luna turns out to be the perfect retirement dog!
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by Gretchen Corpe Ellinger I just love a road trip! For a number of years I have dreamed of seeing Mexico up close and personal, instead of doing what I usually do, which is to fly from Mexicali to this city or that, and stay in that city for a few days, then fly home. I wanted to see what is between the cities I have visited! Hmm…I now drive a gas sipping hybrid car, August is a slow month for realtors in Puerto Peñasco, and I have never actually taken a month-long vacation...why not now? We got the car "legal" to go beyond Sonora, which used up a whole day of vacation time, packed ‘way too many clothes, never even thought to take jackets - why would we? We are going south in sunny Mexico in August, right? We filled a 12-volt fridge with healthy food, made sure the coffee basket was stocked, threw in our laptops and a 2006 road map of Mexico, attached my 5-pound poodle to her seatbelt, and headed south, with very little planning, which is what we had planned. Had we known we would drive 4,997.9 miles, we’d probably not have left Cholla Bay! Ohmygoodness! Mexico is beautiful! Full of mountains with roads that are incredible feats of engineering! We saw snow atop a volcanic peak from a cold and windy rest stop on a high plateau! Soon after we were in the lowlands buying pineapple chunks with chili sauce in a plastic bag from a roadside vendor! Gorgeous beaches, lush farmland, green rolling hills, tangled jungle that eclipses road signs, huge rivers, the most amazing bridges, four distinct bodies of salt water…the risk of a nap in the passenger seat is never knowing what you missed, because the topography changes dramatically, and often quickly. The Gas Sipper sailed by most gas stations, but we encountered many toll booths, at which we spent much more than the money we spent on gas! After being home two weeks, I am still sorting my impressions, memories, notes and photographs; each day is a story, mostly of gorgeous vistas, wonderful road food (some of that healthy food we packed came every mile with us), and good experiences with delightful people in unexpected places. We had one bad experience, which, in hindsight, probably could have been avoided. This Mexican road trip was the second best vacation I have ever taken; the best was a cruise to Italy when I was 19 years old…comparing the two is hardly fair. The first chapter of my book, the one I’m going to write someday, will be entitled "Getting Connected," and will tell the stories of the many mishaps with technology. Assuming that connectivity in Mexico is similar to what I have experienced in the USA, I made promises to parents, children, and friends, all of whom thought I had a screw loose for making this trip, that I would take my laptop and e-mail often so they would know we were as safe as I assured them we would be. Fortunately, my loved ones know me well, and, at least when it comes to me, they know that no news is good news. Since we had no real agenda, we had no reservations for lodging; how hard can it be to find a hotel or motel when you are ready to stop? Surprisingly difficult! Many towns in Mexico offer no lodging at all, and there is certainly not a Motel 6 in every town that loves my dog enough to let her sleep indoors with me! We quickly learned that we had to sacrifice internet connectivity in favor of places that would allow a teeny tiny poodle! When we finally found a hotel that allowed dogs and had available wifi, we checked in for two days, only to learn that internet was down in the entire city, but should be back up "soon;" it was still down when we left. One day we stopped in an internet café in a sizeable town. In order to purchase internet access, one had first to purchase coffee. It was a hot afternoon, and we asked for a cold drink instead, and the café had only coffee, so we decided that coffee was exactly what we wanted, and plunked down our $30 pesos. After making each of us a cup of instant coffee, the young lady told us that her internet was down, "probably until tomorrow." Oh just hell! Ten days or so into the adventure, I spent an entire day at Telcel purchasing a BlackBerry, something I have never wanted. In fact, I am suspicious of people who multi-task by carrying on a conversation while pecking at their miniature keyboard…they remind me of court reporters who record every single breath, but don’t process the information. I have new confidence in myself - I did learn to operate the e-mail application in a hurry, and was finally connected everywhere! I do plan to learn everything about the little taskmaster; I had to sign up for an 18-month plan to get Telcel to sell it to me, so I have another 17 months to figure it out! I could have left the telephone at home with the laptop, had I started out with the BlackBerry… Hindsight is 20/20…we were grateful every morning for the coffee basket; while the Oxxo convenience stores have good coffee (also clean bathrooms), there’s nothing like starting the day in your own room with a great cup of coffee. We hated all those clothes we brought…didn’t wear most of them, and they made our luggage heavy! Really wished we had brought washcloths…did not see one at all in any hotel or motel on the entire trip! Towels, yes…washcloths no. Should have brought jackets, or sweatshirts or something warm! We shivered more than once! We could have forgotten the laptops, and the cell phones, too, if we had been tech-savvy with a really good mobile device. When I do another road trip in Mexico, the BlackBerry will be my sidekick for staying connected, as well as to afford peace of mind to family and friends, and to allow more lodging options. The best part of all is that I will know how to use it before I leave home!
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A lot priced at less than the seller paid? YES! The seller is forced to sell, and has lowered to price to less than was paid for this lovely residential building lot! This lot would be a very wise investment. Many feel that the bottom of the local real estate market has been reached, and that prices will start to inch upward as economic conditions improve, making this the right time to purchase that little piece of Paradise. A good lot at a great price makes perfect sense, especially to those who have just a little to invest in Paradise, or to those who want to build their dream home and have not found exactly the right house, or to those who want to make an investment now for their distant future. Manzana 27 Lot 16 is a lovely "easy build" lot with a gentle slope toward Cholla's beautiful estuary. A two-story build would afford sunrise views over the water, and would be in keeping with other upscale residences in the area. Cholla Bay is a wonderful family-oriented community located on a peninsula, with every property a short walk from the water. Community amenities include beautitul beaches, a boat launch area, great shore fising, a clubhouse, local organizations, 3 markets, 3 restaurants, a cantina, a number of service providers, and great people. Call me at 602-412-3311 to discuss Manzana 27 Lot 16, and plan a visit Cholla Bay and see it for yourself. You may just fall in love with this wonderful community!
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I received the following announcement this afternoon, sent by the Rocky Point TVA (Tourism and Visitor Assistance) office. What a great place to retire...in a town where local officials are available and bilingual! Come visit our little corner of Paradise, and see why so many of us love living here so much!  Tourist and Visitors Assistance Office IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
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CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS WEDNESDAYS
THE NEW PUERTO PENASCO - ROCKY POINT CITY ADMINISTRATION Invites you ....
EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM
Mayor Alejandro Zepeda and his entire staff, including the Chiefs Of Police, Finance, Zoning, Fire Department, etc. all of whom are bilingual!
WHERE? On the city hall patio - located at the corner of Freemont and Benito Juarez
WHY? We want to hear your suggestions, take care of your problems or answer your questions and if you have any kind of complaint to take immediate action. WHAT CAN I DISCUSS WITH THEM? Property Tax Issues
Public safety questions or suggestions
Questions about starting a business
How best to promote an idea
Cultural activities or social organizations
Pavement or trash collection situations
Police Issues
ANYTHING YOU MIGHT NEED OUR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO HELP
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED THEY WILL BE THERE WAITING FOR YOU
PUERTO PENASCO CITY GOVERNMENT works, governs and protects everyone regardless of country of origin, language, race, political affiliation, sexual preference, visitor or permanent resident...We govern for all with equal opportunity and open doors!
IN PUERTO PENASCO WE TAKE CARE OF TOURISTS, RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS
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CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS WEDNESDAYS
THE NEW PUERTO PENASCO - ROCKY POINT CITY ADMINISTRATION Invites you ....
EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM
Mayor Alejandro Zepeda and his entire staff, including the Chiefs Of Police, Finance, Zoning, Fire Department, etc. all of whom are bilingual!
WHERE? On the city hall patio - located at the corner of Freemont and Benito Juarez
WHY? We want to hear your suggestions, take care of your problems or answer your questions and if you have any kind of complaint to take immediate action. WHAT CAN I DISCUSS WITH THEM? Property Tax Issues
Public safety questions or suggestions
Questions about starting a business
How best to promote an idea
Cultural activities or social organizations
Pavement or trash collection situations
Police Issues
ANYTHING YOU MIGHT NEED OUR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO HELP
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED THEY WILL BE THERE WAITING FOR YOU
PUERTO PENASCO CITY GOVERNMENT works, governs and protects everyone regardless of country of origin, language, race, political affiliation, sexual preference, visitor or permanent resident...We govern for all with equal opportunity and open doors!
IN PUERTO PENASCO WE TAKE CARE OF TOURISTS, RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS
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"Casita Vista del Mar" does not look like much from the outside, and the inside has lots of stuff covered with dust covers, so it is not too photogenic. But don't let this ugly duckling fool you...a swan is just over the horizon! The house is well-started, but never finished! One huge 24 1/2 x 35 ft. room, with a bathroom, is just begging for your imagination and expertise! Wonderfully located with unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortes, on a quiet street with nearly no traffic, and surrounded by upper-end homes, giving this home an edge from an investment standpoint. Construction is excellent quality, with quality materials, and has been planned to take advantage of the views of the Sea of Cortes. This would be a great purchase for a smart investor! Only $110,000, with owner financing possible! If it were as cute as it could be, the price would be double!
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Today started out with the Sunday morning slowzies. I was congratulating myself for my excellent choice of Mexican coffee beans, when I received a call from the USA asking me to check on a friend who was staying alone at his Cholla home, and who had made a distress call to his wife, also "up north." I shifted into high gear, raced to my friend's home, and found him debilitated by inhalation of noxious fumes. I rushed him to the Santa Fe Clinic & Hospital, located 5 miles away in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), and called the clinic from the road to let them know we were on our way. We arrived at about 10:30 a.m. to find the staff awaiting our arrival, and in short order my friend was in the emergency room being examined by a doctor, who communicated in excellent English, while the nursing staff prepared oxygen and took vital signs. After we knew that he was going to recover, I called his wife to tell her the good news, then left my friend resting comfortably around noon. The doctor said that they wanted my friend to stay in the clinic for 6 hours, and they would call me when he was ready to be released. At 3 p.m. the nurse called to tell me not to worry, my friend was much better, but not ready to go home. At 5:30 p.m. my friend called to tell me that someone had stopped by to visit, and he had a ride home. At 6 p.m. my friend bounced by my house to pick up his wallet, which I had taken home with me. What a pleasant end...he looked like his usual self, and said he feels 100%, and was 100% thrilled with the medical care he received. My friend is sure that the staff at the Santa Fe Clinic saved his life. I don't know how much my friend's medical emergency cost him; we will find that out when we return during "normal" business hours tomorrow when he will pay the bill and get a statement to send to his insurance company for reimbursement. Regardless of the cost, who ever heard of waiting less than a minute to be treated in an emergency room on a Sunday morning? Or any day, for that matter? One of the things I love about living in Mexico is that this sort of treatment is standard operating procedure in Mexico's medical facilities!
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Retirement is a serious matter -- your choice of locale will be central to your happiness in your retirement years. Nice weather and ocean views, as well as activities and lifestyle are important considerations as you think about retirement home choices. Unfortunately, for most of us, another important factor is cost. Many Americans and Canadians, even those who have planned carefully and saved consistently for their retirement years, find the constantly soaring costs associated with retirement in the United States or Canada discouraging.
As retirement costs have skyrocketed, often to the point of causing people to postpone full retirement, many citizens of the United States and Canada have looked south, and found in Mexico uniquely appealing and affordable real estate ownership, investment, and retirement options. If you have not considered retiring abroad, we suggest you re-think, and give serious consideration to retirement in Mexico!
Affordable Real Estate: Why spend your retirement years cash poor? Your retirement home needs to be everything you want in a home, but its cost needs to bear an appropriate relationship to your overall assets, allowing you to comfortably afford the leisure activities you have earned. Quality-built Mexican homes are, without a doubt, dramatically less expensive than comparable homes in the United States or Canada. Countless statistics attempt to quantify this, but seeing is believing. There is a high likelihood that those reading this are not located in Puerto Penasco, also known as Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico. We suggest you visit an AMPI brokerage, meet an agent, go shopping, and see how far your money will go in Rocky Point!
Overall Cost of Living: Many daily expenses are far lower in Mexico than in either the United States or Canada. You will find wonderful fresh produce for pennies on the dollar, and here in Puerto Penasco / Rocky Point, exquisite fresh fish and seafood is readily available for a fraction of what you pay in the United States or Canada. Inexpensive meals at lovely seaside restaurants that would cost a fortune in California are the rule. The list is long, and now, notably, includes gasoline, which Mexico -- with its plentiful oil reserves -- has chosen to keep at a stable price throughout the wild price fluctuations experienced by Americans and Canadians in the past several years. In addition, property taxes, even on swank beachside properties, are a fraction of what they would be in the United States and Canada.
Political Stability: Over the past 20 or so years, Mexican leaders have worked hard to achieve political stability. Current President, Felipe Calderon, is a Harvard-educated economist, and a strong believer in open markets. His election in 2006 made him the second president in a row from the PAN "opposition" party to the long-ruling PRI party, and confirms Mexico's status as a healthy and vibrant multi-party democracy. There has long been political consensus across party lines that immigration by retirees is in Mexico's best interests, and as a result, Mexico has long been a "user-friendly" retirement destination for Americans, Canadians, and citizens of the European Union countries. Retirement visas are available with no complications.
Financial Stability: The Mexican peso is a fully convertible currency, is backed up by Mexican assets, which include oil reserves, gold, Euros and US Dollars, and has generally held its value against major world currencies over many years. US Dollar accounts are available from virtually every bank, and major international banks such as ScotiaBank Inverlat, HSBC, Santander Serfin and our close friends at Grupo Financiero Monex (monex.com.mx) provide our friends retiring in Mexico with world-class financial services and account management tools.
Quality Medical Services: Mexico has long been a destination for quality dental care and affordable prescription medications, and Americans and Canadians are now discovering the excellent low-cost medical care that is available in Mexico. Puerto Penasco / Rocky Point is home to a number of excellent and affordable doctors and clinics. It is worth noting that there are medical insurance plans that are specifically designed to cover Americans who do NOT reside in the United States, and these plans are remarkably affordable compared to comparable coverage for those residing in the United States. Many of these insurance plans cover the cost of treatment in the United States if the patient chooses not to be treated in Mexico. A great deal of information about medical insurance for Americans living abroad, as well as online insurance premium estimating tools, can be found at globalinsurancenet.com.
Even if you are 45 years of age or younger, now is a good time to start thinking about retirement. I started this process years ago, and am now a happy owner of a beach home in Cholla Bay. I've encouraged my children to plan early for retirement, because it is never too early to start planning, and while on the one hand retirement may seem years away, on the other it sneaks up, and BOOM! It's here! Regardless of where you are on the road to retirement, some steps can be taken right now. It is never too early to shop for the community and home you know will be perfect for your retirement life. If you can buy, and perhaps even enjoy your retirement home part-time while you are still working, you will be perfectly positioned when that last day of work finally arrives!
For someone planning to retire today in Rocky Point, a property budget from $150K is perfect. Rarely has pricing and availability been kinder to buyers, and there currently exists on the market an abundance of exceptional properties at very competitive prices. If retirement is a few years away, a purchase now is a good idea for planners-ahead, too, even though they will have to wait to move to Mexico full-time. The plan may very well be to buy a home with savings, rent it, and let both rental income and appreciation of the value of the property improve the financial position. Once retirement age is reached, there will be options...move into the retirement home or sell the property and buy a better one!
It could be very useful to know that the strategy of purchasing with intent to rent, and a view to retiring either to that house or to another in the same community, even if that community is in Mexico, is exactly what self-directed IRA real estate investment is designed to facilitate. At our website, www.century21penasco.com, there are a number of articles and resources about buying Mexican real estate with IRA / 401(k) funds, notably "Buying Property in Mexico with Your IRA / 401(k)" by our friend Carl Fischer, Principal & Senior Self-directed IRA Administrator of Entrust CAMA (www.century21penasco.com). Beyond the use of IRA / 401(k) funds to invest in Mexican real estate, Century 21 Sun & Sand also offers a broad spectrum of services and advice for Baby Boomers retiring or planning to soon, such as helping foreigners to Mexico to buy Mexican real estate in their language, help with understanding the process of Mexican real estate purchases, introduction to the community, cultural advice, and "living in Mexico coaching" that will help you to enjoy you new life.
How to find the retirement home of your dreams? The main options are to go online and shop from the comfort of home, or tour the city on your own and chat with realtors and developers, keeping in mind that the agent representing the development works for the developer. These approaches are valid for early research, but when you are ready to seriously look at property with a goal of purchasing, make a point of selecting an agent from a well-known real estate company. Members of AMPI (the Mexican professional real estate organization) are qualified to represent you, and must adhere to the code of ethics for realtors. An expert realtor, with experience in Mexico, as well as expertise with retirement and lifestyle changes, will be able to protect your interests, and help you to choose the property that is truly the right property for you.
The precise completion of the documentation relating to your Mexican real estate purchase is the foundation of your ownership security. An excellent option is a retirement package that integrates a suite of services including bank trust, estate planning, IRA investment structures when required, medical emergency package, immigration processing and other services that you will make your retirement along Mexico's coasts effortless (Wouldn't you rather be at the beach?) and secure your investment for your children and grandchildren.
Many other parts of Mexico, such as Guadalajara, Chapala, Ajijic, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Cuernavaca and Queretaro, have large flourishing retirement communities of non-Mexicans. Each of these vibrant communities offers a distinct lifestyle and unique investment/retirement opportunities, including the option of fee-simple ownership off the coasts. We are experienced in structuring real estate acquisition and retirement planning strategies in these markets, as well as in Puerto Penasco / Rocky Point. Whether you are interested in retiring on or off Mexico's coast, we are always available to answer questions you have about retirement in Mexico: info@century21penasco.com
I am always available to respond personally to questions or comments, and can be easily reached via email at gretchenellinger@century21penasco.com or by phone from the USA and Canada at 602-412-3311.
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Cookies, candy and hot dogs, brought cherished grins from ear to ear to the small 40 faces of local children with jubilant thankful smiles just like Play station, I phone’s and video games do to more fortunate children today across the United States and other parts of the world. Yes, most of us are somewhat spoiled and need to take a moment to realize how small things such as candy or a hot dog can make such an impact. It was Santa Claus In Mexico 27 years ago.  John Fowler, organizer of the Santa Claus Club in Rocky Point, Mexico (Puerto Penasco) started this monumental giving organization to the local community over 27 years ago one Christmas holiday.
In 1981, originally from Natchez, Mississippi this part time Puerto Penasco resident had nothing to do for Christmas and with the help of the current Cholla Bay police chief in 1981, Augustine Leon, they rounded up 40 kids from the local community , invited them into JJ’s Cantina a local hangout along the beautiful Sea of Cortez in Cholla Bay, Rocky Point, Mexico and had a holiday party.
After that first year of 40 kids receiving holiday treats, the rest is history. The Santa Claus Club was organized and two years ago JJ’s Cantina Christmas Club party witnessed over 4500 kids.
From 40 to 4500 kids, Wow, the Santa Claus Club keeps growing each year giving away bicycles, clothes, toys even wheelchairs for children and seniors.
In 2009, with the attendee number so large, John Fowler states “Instead of them coming to us, we go to them, and not just Christmas but on a weekly basis.”
John talks about the thousands of people who live in cardboard boxes in the old town dump, where the sand has blown over. In today’s economy sad stories like this are plentiful but hard to imagine for those of us who are fortunate and have jobs and warm roofs over our head. Living in a cardboard box, with garbage all around, conjures up the movie scene of Slum Dog Millionaire. Yes, to most of us it is just a scene from a film, but sadly enough it is reality to many families. The good news is groups exist that are trying to assist by getting them out of cardboard boxes and into little stucco houses. Also, organizations such as the Santa Claus Club work year round to bring a little Christmas and giving to those in need. Right now, the Santa Claus Club goes out into areas where families live in dire straits to provide items such as clothing, blankets and bicycles.
This year John stresses, the Santa Claus Club “is trying to update ourselves into the real world. “ John who is retired and not familiar with the new technology of the internet and computers states, “It is important people know where the money is going . Now instead of my personal letter every year, we are gathering emails and updating ourselves on the web” As John gets active on the computer he is amazed how fast you can look someone up and get an email address.
Go to www.santaclaus.org. Check out the pictures, check out the statistics and if you have been pondering what to do with used clothing that has been hanging in your closet for a year, (that you never wear) or the used toys, games and bicycles your kids have out grown, here is your solution. Email Santa ClausClub@hotmail.com or call 602-840-1528 in the US or locally Puerto Penasco 382-5141. 100% of your donations go to the families of Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
Basically anything that someone else can use, pass it on, pay it forward, make someone’s holiday. Go to the website www.santaclaus.org contact someone who will get it to the right person and bring a little Santa Claus to those in need year round.
Yes, John, I believe, there is a Santa Claus and he’s visiting Mexico.
More information on visiting Rocky Point, check out the new Rocky Point Tourism and Visitor Assistance .
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