Comments on: Interview with Jennifer Swarts from Mazatlan

By: Redhead Real Estate » Shopping in Mexico: You May Be Surprised At Your Options

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:22:20 +0000

[...] is also Dairy Queen, Subway, Burger King, McDonald’s, Dominoes, and Applebee’s” said Jennifer Swarts an expatriate living in Mazatlan. We also talked to the author of the Rivergirl blog about how [...]

By: Shopping in Mexico: You May Be Surprised At Your Options | Mexico Real Estate Investment | Mexico Real Estate, Retire in Mexico, Living in Mexico

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:23:06 +0000

By: Mazatleca

Mazatleca — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:03:50 +0000

There are quite a few inaccuracies in this article, but as a newcomer who doesn’t know the language Jennifer is not to be faulted completely. Some responsibility for checking accuracy should be on the person publishing. For example, a phone line costs nowhere near $50.00 a month as stated here. On Jennifer’s blog she states that she didn’t get a phone because of an outstanding charge against the house (that’s a Mexico thing, but quite different than she wrote here about not having a phone because it’s too expensive). We regular mexicans have phone lines. They cost $200 pesos a month or about $20.00US with Telmex. We get 100 free calls and additional calls after 100, the price is still very low.

There is no way to buy a house for $15,000.00 USD here these days (maybe more than 10 years ago, yes). That was someone spinning a tale and someone else believing it. The government sponsored homes for workers, tiny little homes, are over $30,000.00 and gringos can’t buy them.

Construction workers are making much more money than $9.00 a day. So are plumbers, so are electricians. This is not current information, or more likely a gringo rumor. Cleaning ladies make about double that, in fact.

I hope you allow this post to stand, since publishing inaccuracies does no favors to anyone. People move here, and then are very disappointed that things aren’t as they read. Check your facts folks. Mil gracias.

By: Mazatlan Real Estate: Why We Are Bullish on Mazatlan | Mexico Real Estate Investment | Mexico Real Estate, Retire in Mexico, Living in Mexico

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:20:27 +0000

[...] Interview with Jennifer Swarts from Mazatlan [...]

By: Moving from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico: Interview with Nancy from Mazatlan | Mexico Real Estate Investment | Mexico Real Estate, Retire in Mexico, Living in Mexico

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:17:55 +0000

[...] Interview with Jennifer Swarts from Mazatlan [...]

By: Patti

Patti — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:19:34 +0000

Thank you, your article is facinating.
In your quest for a mexican residence did you research Merida?

By: pedro

pedro — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:36:24 +0000

We have lived here for 4 years and love Mazatlan. I have met Jennifer, but I don’t really know her. I will say I agree with almost all she has said. I thought she covered living here very well.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:18:03 +0000

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and warm wishes. We love it here and feel very blessed to call Mazatlan our home.

I would like to point out that the minimum daily wage in Mazatlan was $51MXN in 2007. I don’t know what the 2008 rate is. The construction workers I know make about $9USD a day. Police officers make about $15USD a day. A visit to the doctor is about $20USD. The low wages, underemployment and unemployment are the reasons there is such a tragic poverty level here.

By: Gudrun Crittendon

Gudrun Crittendon — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:06:44 +0000

Oh Jennifer, what a beautiful description of your experiences and feelings when moving to Mazatlan. We briefly “spoke” here on the internet a year ago when we ourselves were preparing for our move here. As you stated, the kindness that was shown to us from all sides has made our move easier than ever expected. We are still somewhat newbies after being here just 8 months and have a lot yet to discover, but are so anxious to see what interesting things this city has to offer. Each day something new happens and our friends back home are just dying to get our mail and pictures as we share our experiences with them, simple as they may be. Again, thanks for your wonderful story and I am sure some day soon we may bump into each other out there.

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:42:59 +0000

A couple of things…..I applaud her enthusiasim but NEVER try to go up the lighthouse after 10 a.m. unless it is Jan. or Feb. - otherwise it is way to high to climb in any sort of heat!
Ejido property can be purchased, just like “regular” properties but the process is long and can be expensive, by the time you get every member of the ejido to agree to sell.
While the water can be turbid in some parts of the city, mostly it is only contaminated with sediment, which filters can take care of easily. Or you can put in a home purification system, using more filters and an ultraviolet light - very safe. We have never had a problem while living here many years.
Labor costs: there are federal minimum rates, depending on what part of the county where you reside. They are posted and way more than $90 pesos per day.
I would heartily agree with Jennifer to get a good real estate agent and notario before entering into any “deals”!
And also agree not to leave your brain at the border…..wishing them much happiness here in Mazatlan.