Got my FM3

Once I arrived in Mexico I found that there was more to do to get my FM-3 visa....even though I had it in hand and got it stamped at the airport I was told to do the third step at immigration within 30 days--it looked like it just would be some sort of stamp or signature. Because it seemed like it was a simple one stop thing and I was going to be there for two weeks I thought I would do it a day or two before leaving.

Fortunately I had a premonition and decided to get up early a few days after I arrived and took myself down to the immigration office prepared to get my booklet stamped and be done with it. Ha! Once I got there they wanted me to fill out most of what I had done in LA plus they needed a electricity bill and a photocopy of my builders ID card. When I was in LA the nice ladies helped me fill out the one questionaire that was in spanish--I hadn't a clue what some of the form said.
Now I had to fill it out again and I didn't have those nice LA ladies to help.

Luck was with me again and a nice mexican lady now took me under her wing and took me to her office next door where I was able to call my builders secretary who had to get in touch with my builder, Octavio, (who was out of cell phone reach but eventually did get within reach). She was awsome and faxed over Octavio's info plus a electricity bill for the whole building (which I guess is ok for immigration). Fortunately I still had a copy of Octavio's letter (in Spanish) that I'd used for my LA FM3 --it was saved in my email so I printed that out. I had also brought more of my front and side view photos. This saint-of-a-woman put together my whole packet and only charged me for the faxes and computer time ($8USD)--she even had her secretary write the letter I needed to give them in Spanish stating that I wanted to live in Mexico, my address, etc. Back I went to Immigration with my folder in hand and was told to show up on the 6th (I was leaving the 7th) to get my FM3 visa booklet back. Whoa! They were keeping my FM3 visa! I'd entered Mexico using it and needed to show upon departure! That was a surprise...good thing I went when I did.

After hearing tales from everyone that when I was to go back I would encounter more things needed to complete the paperwork and watching the people in line ahead of me being turned back as they needed something more I started getting discouraged and was prepariang my speech about how I had a flight the next day and would now need to get a special letter from them to leave the country....but.... once my number was called they just fingerprinted me and handed over my wonderful visa!!!! (nice thing was that doing it myself was pretty easy even though it might not sound like it from the above... and cost about $140 USD and people are paying anywhere from $275 - $500 USD to have someone else do it)

Getting an FM-3 visa

Since my decision to eventually move to Mexico I have been trying to figure out how to get my FM-3 visa. The FM-3 visa allows you to bring in your household goods, to have multiple entries as a resident and you can get a refund of some of the tax you pay for your airline ticket. It must be renewed each year at the time you first obtain yours (in my case today's date in 2010). There are several services that can do it for you and they seem to charge between approximately $270 - 380 USD.

Since I live near a Mexican Consulate I decided to go over and talk to them. I did that last week and they gave me a list of what I needed to bring there. (2 passport sized photos taken from the front and 2 from the right side), $134 USD in cash, something showing income (I took 3 months of bank statements), a letter stating that you wish to reside in Mexico and your address there)

The Consulate in Los Angeles is open for the visa service M-F from 7am - 11am. This morning I drove the 4.5 miles there and took my paperwork and money in. Within 1 hour (a little less) I had my FM-3 visa.

When I enter Mexico I will enter through the Residence line and they will stamp it on the first page. Within 30 days I must register my address in Mexico. I will have 6 months from todays date to bring in my furniture (should I decide to do that) without paying duty.

So...if you are near a Mexican Consulate that seems to be the easier way to go but be sure to bring everything with you unless you live nearby as I imagine that could be more of a hassle than waiting until you are in Mexico and paying someone to do the leg work for you.

Happy Hour in PV

Laurel asked about how much margaritas cost in PV which got me to thinking about that important subject. I actually don't remember.

I've stayed in quite a few places in PV over the years and they all have "happy hours" which seem to begin in the late afternoon (after the requisite 'siesta'). Where I play Mah Jongg they ring a bell to indicate it's happy hour (for you non-drinkers 'happy hour' means 2 for the price of 1--I think).

At the hotel/villa I stayed at this last time they let happy hour start anytime you ordered after around 11am even though the posted time was 5 - 6pm. (my favorite this trip was fresh strawberry margaritas--2 was enough-- and when I ordered them along with a quesadilla I was a happy camper).

Some friends who live in PV told me that there is a local bar that has a special one day a week when they have free Hors d'Oeuvres and for the price of one drink you can eat all you want and it is so much it makes up a complete meal. I'll be searching that place out as it is apparently a place the locals go to for that special night and is a lot of fun to boot!

Living in PV

I just checked on some old blogs posted by my wonderful friend Laurel who recently moved to a place that's located near places she can walk to...that got me thinking about what my life in Puerto Vallarta will be like. I have a great location and can easily walk into 'old town' where there are lots of cool restaurants, shops, coffee houses, beaches and more.

If I decide not to walk to town there is a bus that stops right in front of my place and it takes me just about anywhere for approximately 40 cents. Sometimes there are random guitar players and / or singers who will hop on and entertain the whole bus.

I've been living in Los Angeles for almost two years at a central location (this after living in Monterey where I had to drive to get to the closest Starbucks...and drive even further for movies, groceries, etc--not a long drive but a drive) In PV I will be able to walk to almost everything. Now that I've experienced living so close to so many things I would never want to go back to having to drive like I had to do in my previous residences. I am already planning for my morning walks on the beach ending in town with a latte at the coffee shop/book exchange.

Take a look at the PV Condo!

Video #1 of my new place

I'm Baaaaccckkkk

Got back from PV on Friday and left for San Jose (Calif) on Saturday for a family function. Now that I'm home in LA and very, very tired I am going to add some photos (and if I can figure it out some videos).

If you want to be updated whenever I add to this blog just click the 'follow this blog' at the right side of the page--much easier than checking back every day to see if there is anything new.

Future blogs will discuss visas (advantages and disadvantages), bringing a car in or buying one there, some of my 'finds' and more so stay tuned.