Monday, January 26, 2015

Mi Casa es Su Casa

Last spring when The Cowboy & I decided to spend this winter in Mexico the first item on the agenda was to secure a comfortable place for us to call home for 5-6 months. Starting with Craig’s List and focusing on our wants and needs we were able to narrow it down to this 2 bedroom fully furnished condo in a 4 plex. Keep in mind that this was our first trip into the heart of this country so while location was important, we had no idea where we needed to be.

Condo Robert 1 Dining - 1

These photos are from the ad – completely equipped kitchen includes all dishes, pots & pans, cooking & baking utensils, even wine glasses! May not have all the comforts that we have at home and now I’m questioning why I have 2 full drawers full of all those handy kitchen gadgets at our home. A ‘new to me’ gadget’ is a lime squeezer and while it looks like a garlic press, it does not serve well to mince whole garlic cloves. Just sayin’!

Condo Robert 1 Living - 2

All utilities are included except electric (last month $7.00) – unlimited internet & satellite TV. Propane is supplied for the stove and hot water heater. Drinking water in the kitchen comes complete with UV filter system.

Hallway

With the large walk-in shower this pristine bathroom not only creates an ensuite from the master bedroom but also has an access door from the hallway/living room area.

Condo Robert 1 Bathroom

Condo Robert 1 Master Bedroom

A dresser and lamps have been added to this very large, sun filled bedroom. Both bedrooms have lots of shelves and closets.

Condo Robert 1 Master Bedroom - 3

Very roomy with ceiling fans in every room

Condo Robert 1Master Bedroom - 1

This is the extra bedroom that has your name on it! Consider this to be an open invitation to anyone out there reading this.

Condo Robert 1 2nd Bedroom

The icing on top of the cake has to be this spacious roof-top terrace. We start our day here while watching the sun rise over the mountains while enjoying our morning coffee.

Spacious Roof Top Terrace

Or our evening refreshments at sunset complete with star gazing and viewing the nightly fireworks from the Malecon.

Internet is also working on the terrace!

Close to a 360 degree view of the Sierra Madre – Mother Mountain – range.There is also a laundry room and another spacious patio area complete with clothes lines.

Mountain View

Sometimes we have get-togethers with our neighbours . . .

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Or just enjoy a quiet relaxing brunch or a glass of wine with friends. . .

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This is our little piece of paradise. We are feeling very blessed to be able to do this and in fact, are making plans to do it all over again next year.

We signed a 6 month (Nov to Apr) contract which is considered a long term lease to get a better rate:

6 months = $49,500 Pesos and with today’s exchange rates works out to $3,388.37 US$ or $565 US per month. Plus $500.00 US security deposit.

To take it one step further and again with today’s rates that works out to $702.00 CDN per month. We feel we would be hard pressed to find a fully furnished, utilities included, 2 bedroom apartment in Canada for the winter.

To ease your minds - we are in a ‘real Mexican’ neighbourhood but have never felt safer. All of the people down here are extremely friendly and very helpful. We both agree that we feel safer here than we ever did in the 7 years we spent in the Rio Grande Valley.

Mexico is a Third World country which means it is a poor, underprivileged country. What you don’t hear about this beautiful country is, they are happy, very proud and friendly people who are grateful and sincerely content with the life God has given them.

8 comments:

  1. You did find an awesome place and pretty good rates as well. Some people pay more than that for an RV site in the gold USA.
    We spent 3 months rving there through the small towns and villages and loved it.
    Glad you are enjoy that very friendly county.

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  2. Thanks George - We definitely are enjoying. Also been following your blog and have to tell you how much we admire your positive attitude. Plans change and we do what we have to do. Stay warm and keep smiling. Hopefully we can get together this summer. Hugs to both you & Suzie.

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  3. I traveled Mexico way back in the 50's and always loved it. We drove from Sarnia to Mexico City one time and spent time in Monteray a couple of trips.It is a different world than Canada for sure..Enjoy your stay and hope to see you this summer sometime..Hugs

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    1. Thanks Elsie for your comment - It is indeed very different from Canada and we are really enjoying - the weather, the people and the food. We fly back on April 20th - how about you?

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  4. wow looks like a great place to spend 5-6 months! I'm sure you are both thoroughly enjoying it.

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    1. Thanks Lin - it is pretty amazing . . . come on down and join us!

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  5. Again, Sharon, a great blog. Larry is really starting to rev up about possibly heading to Mexico. Consider this 'fair warning' if I can get him onto the plane we might scoop the spare room this year!! Loving hear about your adventures and would love to be a part of it. Love to you both.

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  6. Heeded the 'fair warning' and the offer still holds! Would love to share all of this with you. We've heard from our nephew & his wife and they may be coming down too. Their travel dates are Feb 15th to the 20th so if you can work around that we'd love to see you! I'm going to PM you with some more info. Hugs & Love to both of you!

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