Don't Check Your Brain at the Border

I always believed in the maxim, ?diversify your investments?. So during our working careers my wife and I used to buy real estate, especially south of the border.

When it came time to retire, we chose to live at least half the year on the shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico. Lake Chapala is at almost the same elevation as Denver, Colorado, but rarely gets as cold. There is a brief mild winter, but most houses are neither heated or air conditioned.

Because of the ideal weather and prices which are still less costly than in the United States, this has become a popular retirement community with people from around the world, but especially the USA and Canada. Ex-patriots in Mexico number in the hundreds of thousands.

As the baby boomer generation ages, this and other places like Roatan Island in Honduras, Costa Rica, the coasts of Mexico and, of course, most of the Caribbean will become more popular ? and more expensive - with retirees.

These are ideal retirement locations and I don?t mean to discourage anyone from considering them. But don?t check your brain at the border.

Except for Puerto Rico, these are all foreign countries. Not everyone speaks English and things are done differently.

If you are considering a second home and make inquiries, you will swiftly become acquainted with the large realtor populations of these places. Surprisingly they will mostly be very friendly Americans or Canadians, willing to wine and dine you, introduce you to the local ex-pat community and explain the ins and outs of foreign living.

About a year or so ago, International Living ran an article titled: ?Not All Sharks Swim Under the Water?. It was about ex-pat realtors and the tales they tell. And this is where the location of your brain becomes critical.

Take everything you?re told with a grain of salt. Hang out in any local pub, and you?ll likely meet disgruntled ex-pats who are disgusted with wherever you are. Also take what they tell you with a grain of salt, but carefully consider both sides of the picture.

When you are on a trip, you are on vacation. Things are all fun and games. You meet new people, party and drink too much. You sightsee and have a great time.

But living in these areas can be a lot different. The phones and electricity may not work all the time. Internet service can be spotty. You might have to pump and purify your drinking water.

There can be disputes with the native population, which you?ll generally lose.

There will be many sharks ? generally ex-pats ? that will be more than willing to take advantage of your naiveté.

So some advice:

1. Don?t believe everything you are told. Check everything out with as many different sources as you can. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn?t.

2. Remember you are a guest in a foreign land. Don?t act like a spoiled brat. The cultural gap can be huge. And even if a local resident speaks English, there are often misunderstandings due to that cultural gap.

3. Don?t invest your money with some friendly bloke you meet in a local pub, no matter what return he guarantees. As a matter of fact, keep your money in the states or Canada, safely tucked away in a reputable bank or brokerage firm. If you want to keep some local currency on hand, open an account at a real bank. Keep the same accountant that you had in the states or Canada.

4. The laws are different. In many countries a Notary will handle both sides of a real estate transaction. But you still have the right to hire your own lawyer, interpreter and building inspector and surveyor. You would be shocked to learn how many people don?t ? I know I didn?t. And in many countries, lawyer-client confidentiality and conflict of interest are unheard of.

5. While most of the native population will be respectful of you if you return the favor, you will be a target of local thieves. Crime will probably be lower than wherever it is you?re coming from, but it exists ? especially house break-ins and auto theft. You might also find yourself resented by the more well-to-do local population. It might be hard to make friends with them.

6. Try to learn the local language and customs. Don?t try to impose your values and watch where you try to butt in.

7. In many places, the only thing you will have in common with other ex-pats is the language. So be sure you choose a locale with a sufficient ex-pat community so you can create friendships. For the most part there will be many warm, welcoming people willing to include you in their social circle.

8. Be prepared to deal with poverty, people living in appalling conditions, child labor and more. There will be many groups to help, but there never seems to be enough to put even a small dent in the problem. Some of the problems are due to the local culture and there is nothing you can do about them.

There is no such place as paradise, at least not in Mexico, South America or the Caribbean. You can live a very nice life style, but nothing is perfect.



Posted by Sherry Dahrling on December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM

About Sherry Dahrling
Sherry Dahrling is affliated with Crye-Leike, Realtors, which is located in Chattanooga, TN. For further assistance please use the contact information located on the right.



Bookmark and Share
As of 05/25/12 the Sherry Dahrling RePage is ranked at 3,969 with 410 points.


Local Information for Chattanooga, TN

Latitude: 35.045473 -- Longitude: -85.267255


ZIP Codes for Chattanooga, Tennessee 37401  37402  37403  37404  37405  37406  37407  37408  37409  37410  37411  37412  37414  37415  37416  37419  37421  37422  37424  37450 
Area Code for Chattanooga, Tennessee 423
Time zone for Chattanooga, Tennessee EST



Other Area Cities:   Ooltewah, TN  Soddy-Daisy, TN  Chattanooga, TN  Signal Mountain, TN  East Ridge, TN  Red Bank, TN  Harrison, TN  Middle Valley Estates, TN  Hixson, TN  Collegedale, TN 

Enter our Photo Sweepstakes and Win $200 for your Chattanooga photos!

To see random photos for other cities Click Here.

Submit your photos of Chattanooga and become eligible to win $200. Click Here for details.





Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in Tennessee and the seat of Hamilton County. It is the state's second oldest major city behind Knoxville. It is located in southeast Tennessee on Nickajack Lake. Chattanooga is the corporate headquarters and home of Olan Mills, Rock Creek Outfitters, Double Cola, Krystal, CBL & Associates, Chattem, Covenant Transport, U.S. Xpress, Inc, National Model Railroad Association, UnumProvident, and Miller Industries, the largest tow truck manufacturer in the world. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which is also known locally as UTC, is the second largest campus of the University of Tennessee System.Chattanooga is the home to the Hunter Museum of Art. Chattanooga is home to the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera which is currently lead by Musical Director & Conductor Robert Bernhardt and holds its performances at the Tivoli Theatre.Chattanooga has traditionally marketed its tourist attractions very aggressively, including the Tennessee Aquarium. -- Source: Wikipedia.com




Tennessee 2000 Census Population Profile Map

Chattanooga Tennessee United States
Population 155,554 5,689,283 281,421,906
Median age 36.8 35.9 35.3
Median age for Male 34.5 34.5 34
Median age for Female 39 37.2 36.5
Households 65,499 2,232,905 105,480,101
Household population 149,728 5,541,337 273,643,273
Average household size 2.29 2.48 2.59
Families 39,650 1,547,835 71,787,347
Average family size 2.92 2.99 3.14
Housing units 72,108 2,439,443 115,904,641
Occupied units 65,499 2,232,905 105,480,101
Vacant units 6,609 206,538 10,424,540

Visit US Census




Ads from Infignos.com

Concentrix TSG


Concentrix TSG is one of the UK's leading CRM and ERP software specialists and IT providers. Concentrix TSG offers a range of quality solutions from leading suppliers, with fully comprehensive implementation, training, consultancy, hardware and support. Concentrix TSG is one of the UK's leading CRM and ERP software specialists and IT providers. Concentrix TSG offers a range of quality solutions from leading suppliers, with fully comprehensive implementation, training, consultancy, hardware and support.
Entered/Updated: January 3, 2012
Record Number: 1.


The Leader Spanish Real Estate


Headquartered in La Zenia, on the Costa Blanca, The Leader Real Estate helps international property buyers from all over the world. We have the very best customer-focused sales people covering the ground in all areas of Spain. Headquartered in La Zenia, on the Costa Blanca, The Leader Real Estate helps international property buyers from all over the world. We have the very best customer-focused sales people covering the ground in all areas of Spain.
Entered/Updated: August 28, 2011
Record Number: 2.



ATF Forex Trading


ATF Forex Trading provides realtime forex signals on short term positions (swing trading). Our company is dedicated to the Forex market with a strategy based on swing trading positions. We focus on steady gross performances rather than agressive and high risk trading. The service is provided through a monthly subscription with a 10 days trial period. ATF Forex Trading provides realtime forex signals on short term positions (swing trading). Our company is dedicated to the Forex market with a strategy based on swing trading positions. We focus on steady gross performances rather than agressive and high risk trading. The service is provided through a monthly subscription with a 10 days trial period.
Entered/Updated: July 27, 2011
Record Number: 3.



Lingerie & Perfumes


Buy beautiful stylish, sexy lingerie, designer perfumes, aftershaves, giftwear and Ink cartridges Buy beautiful stylish, sexy lingerie, designer perfumes, aftershaves, giftwear and Ink cartridges
Entered/Updated: March 8, 2011
Record Number: 4.


Wedding Singer


Wedding singer & DJ packages are provided across the UK. Wedding singer Luca & DJ Sally offer unique live wedding entertainment & tailored wedding music. Online audio demos available. Wedding singer & DJ packages are provided across the UK. Wedding singer Luca & DJ Sally offer unique live wedding entertainment & tailored wedding music. Online audio demos available.
Entered/Updated: February 9, 2011
Record Number: 5.


The category for this RePage is Real Estate.
This includes the following sub-categories: Air Conditioning Contractors & Systems Apartments Appliances-Major Dealers Appraisers Architects Asphalt & Asphalt Products Bathtubs & Sinks-Repairing & Refinishing Beach Front Home Beach Homes Beach Vacation Homes Builders Building Contractors Building Materials Burglar Alarm Systems & Monitoring Business Brokers Cabinet Makers Carpenters Carports Ceiling Cleaning Chimney Cleaning, Building & Repairing Closets Designing & Remodeling Commercial Property Current Mortgage Rates Drapery & Curtain Cleaners Electric Contractors Fence Financing Fire & Water Damage Restoration Fireplaces Floor Laying Refinishing & Resurfacing Floor Waxing, Polishing & Cleaning Furniture Cleaning Gas Companies Gas Line Installation & Repairing Heating Equipment & Systems-Cleaning & Repairing Home Inspection Services Home Loans Home Mortgage Home Plans Home Repairs & Maintenance Services Homes For Rent Homes For Sale House Plans Insulation Contractors Insurance-Fire Insurance-Flood Insurance-Homeowners Insurance-Property & Casualty Investments-Real Estate Land Companies Landscape Consultants & Designers Locks & Locksmiths Maids' & Butlers' Service Mls Mobile Home-Parks Mobile Home-Renting & Leasing Mortgage Calculators Mortgage Lenders Mortgage Rates Mortgage Refinance Information Mortgages Movers Paint Patio Builders Paving Materials Pest Control Services Plumbing Drains & Sewer Cleaning Pressure Cleaning Service Properties Real Estate Appraisers Real Estate B2B Services Real Estate Brokers and Agents Real Estate Developers Real Estate Information Real Estate Management Real Estate Rental Services Real Estate Schools & Courses Reverse Mortgage Roofing Contractors Septic Tanks & Systems-Cleaning Shopping Centers & Malls Siding Contractors Sod & Sodding Service Steam Cleaning-Industrial Surveyors-Land Swimming Pool Contractors, Dealers & Designers Townhouses Wallpapers & Wallcoverings .

Sherry Dahrling - Crye-Leike, Realtors
Sherry Dahrling
Crye-Leike, Realtors


1201 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402

VOICE: 423-756-0771

FAX: 423-756-6549



 Here are some of my
favorite links:

New Quest City
National Realty Directory
Buyers USA Relocation
Infignos.com

To send this page to a friend:
Click Here!




Getting Back Your Life E-Book




To create your RePage visit www.RePagesOnline.com. Serving businesses in the US and around the globe.

Another site by

Links


Disclaimer: Buyers USA Relocation does not necessarily endorse any of the businesses listed on this site. These participant profiles, blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision. Buyers USA Relocation does not warrant the accuracy of any information presented on this site. Users of this information do so solely at their own risk and agree to hold Buyers USA Relocation harmless for any consequences arising from such use.

© 2001- 2012 Buyers USA Relocation. All Rights Reserved.
Buyers USA, Buyers USA Relocation, New Quest City, RePages, RePagesOnline.com, Homebuyersusa.com are services marks of Buyers USA.

Number of Visitors: 382368 Last Date Visit: 05/26/12