Who Are We?
Living In Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
PV Letters

Deborah & Robert Foster photo by Robert's sister, Barbara Tresenriter

Carl’s note: A few years ago, Lorena and I received an email from Robert and Deborah Foster, in which Robert described their house and comfortable new life just outside of Puerto Vallarta. I know... for many People’s Guide readers, the thought of living in or even near a major Mexican tourist resort is about as appealing as a condo in Disneyland. In our subsequent exchange of emails, however, I was greatly impressed by the Foster's skillful transition from Colorado to Mexico, and their choice of a deliberately modest lifestyle. I’ve often said that you don’t have to go very far from any city or resort to find the better side of this country.

•¿Can I Find Computer Work in Puerto Vallarta?

I'm a Sr. Computer Guy... I have enough cash to relocate there and probably live for a year or so on my savings... however, I'd like to go into some type of work. What type of work I can get in Puerto Vallarta.... (more) Answer by Robert Foster

•Puerto Vallarta, Cheap and Easy? Banking, Investments

Questions: "We are looking for an inexpensive area to live, possibly renting at first. We do not require a large residence (600 to 1000 sq. feet). Do you have any idea how much it would cost to buy or rent a basic accomodation of that size? Do you have any info on deposit interest rates and guarantees through Lloyds? I have heard that the interest rate, paid in pesos, is quite good. Any info you can give us would be greatly appreciated." Answers by Robert Foster

•Working in PV?
Part II of Robert Foster's Answer to Rick & Lisa

•We want to move to Puerto Vallarta

We fell in love w/ PV the first time we vacationed there. Have gone other places but, always loved returning to PV. 10 days at a time, however, is not enough to experience a lifestyle. We would like to try relocating to PV & see if we can call it home.

Any hints on how to get started & where to find a rental on a month to month basis for 3 month to 1 year would be welcomed. Since we cannot generate an income in Mexico, we will need to stay on a budget. Is renting for $600 to $800 reasonable. I like the idea of being close to activities yet not on top of them....from Lisa & Rick

Robert Foster responds

You will have a wide range of properties to choose from in the $600 to 800 per month area. Obviously, if you sign a year's lease, you may have more negotiating clout. Be wary of month to month deals. They'll shoot up dramatically when high season hits, and you either fork it over, or you're out. Especially in low season, you can actually rent something fairly nice and spacious for that amount, IF you rent in one of the slightly outlying working class suburbs, such as Pitillal or Coapinole. These are serviced by the local bus system, at the local rate of 3 pesos.... (more)

Budget Living In Puerto Vallarta, Part II

How did your friends and family back home react to your move to Mexico? Shocked? Dismayed? Supportive? ... and today?

There was no shock -- my eccentricity and determination are too well established for that. Some dismay, based on the standard fears of inevitable kidnapping and robbery (insert your paranoia-of-choice here). That's mostly dispelled by now. We keep assuring the fearful types back home that we're fine. Really. Feel safer than we did back home. Really. Etc.

There's a great line in Charles Macomb Flandrau's classic book, Viva Mexico. Something about how his friends found the idea of his moving to Mexico to be positively MORBID.

Today, our friends and family are mostly past the denial stage and into acceptance. They admit that we seem happier and look healthier than before, "But, still..."

Budget Living in Puerto Vallarta, Part III:

Lorena asks: would Deborah like to reply directly to any of our questions?

"Deborah misses the social aspects of work. We are not sociable in our private lives, so, Deborah’s only real social outlet was her friends at work. She would occasionally go to lunch or out for drinks after work with her peers, and she misses that. Also, in common with many newly-retired folks, Deborah misses feeling needed. She felt relied on at work, and here she doesn't." by Robert & Deborah Foster

•Buying Restricted-Zone (Coastal and border zone) property

First, as most folks are aware, Mexican residential property in the coastal or border zones can be legally purchased by foreigners, but only through the fideicomiso (bank trust) method set up expressly for this purpose by the federal government....(more) by Robert Foster