34 replies to this topic

[Chiquito]

I have heard that. I also heard the laws were revised to make it much harder to do. I'll look into it. It's a problem for absentee landlords in Costa Rica. So much so that it is well advised to have a local property manager to keep anyone from setting up a homestead on the land.

I haven't kept my visas current so no. Not really interested in Mexican Citizenship anyway. Other than land ownership there is no advantage I see.

[George Costanza]

Chiquito the Ship house idea is cool. How bout a big pirate ship here in Otay somewhere
Eye-Matey

[libertythor]

A pirate ship made out of old Tecate caguamas! You can even set up a gated side street with several houses of the type. "Privada El Jolly Roger"

[Scooby]

Do you have two years with a Mexican visa while married to her?
Either way 5 years of provable legal residence with a knowledge of Spanish and the history of the country is sufficient.

People have told me that one can squat on an abandoned property for 5 years. Upon proving this, they get title to the land.

Like Chiquito says, I heard the squatter/homesteader laws were changed around 10 years ago. Lately though, I noticed that a number of TJ public transit vehicles have anti-PRI slogans (probably PANistas) on their windows stating "Gobierno solapa invasiones" (goverment allows/covers up invasions). I'm assuming that they are meaning land invasions.

Regarding obtaining MX citizenship for gringos, does the USA allow for dual citizenship for non foreigners ? I don't think MX has enough for me to want to exchange my citizenship for. Maybe Sweden, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxenberg, or hell, even Canada!

[Scooby]

. . .. . By the way. she grew up on the north side of Milwaukee (where we are from; Waukesha) so I definatelly knew she could handle herself. .. .

You mean North as in North Sherman Blvd & West Fon du lac Ave ?
Seems like it was just a few years back,
that the local government was giving away big old empty homes to help bring in some new neighbors.
Wow, Wisconsin brings back memories.... 8)

[libertythor]

That sounds like a good idea. Janderson4645, do you have an exact address on that abandoned lot? I can go check the property registries and maybe locate the owner.

I have been considering setting up a corporation "Sociedad Anonima" in Mexico to be able to have indirect ownership of property until naturalization. There aren't people that hang out there late at night, are there? A picadero would be kind of risky to take over.

[janderson4645]

libertythor...my shack/cabin/retreat/hacienda/villa (depends on how bad/good the hangover is in the morning) is 13930 Huitzlipotli Calle and the property is adjacent south of me. If my AOL cheapo digital cam worked, a pic woild be here. Hope that helps.

[janderson4645]

libertythor
did you check out the place I mentioned yet?
AND
Are there any check into cash places this side of the border or a check cashing place?
thanks

[janderson4645]

also where can I find info on starting a small (bar) business in TJ?

[libertythor]

I haven't made it out there yet to check out the property because of time constraints. This Saturday or the next Saturday will be probable.

For information on setting up a bar, you need to check at two places first. The immigration office (Instituto Nacional de Migración) for information on visa persmission and the city hall (Palacio Municipal) for local permits.

Once you have the info, there is the issue of registering with SAT at the Hacienda (The Mexican IRS) and gathering state info.

I don't know of any check into cash places in Tijuana that will do US checks, but there are several in San Ysidro and Chula Vista. To use those, you will need a non PO box mailbox in the United States..

There are several place in San Ysidro that offer a PO Box that appear as a street address and a number that looks like an apartment number. Get one of those and have your bank statements and check going there. I think at some places the price is roughly$35 for 6 months. You can also use one of these to register to vote, if you don't want to use the absentee system from your home state.

[TJGringo]

I heard it can take years to get a liquor license in Tijuana and if your a gringo your chances can be next to none. Your best bet is to buy a bar that already has a license.

[Chiquito]

A couple years back there was an announcement in the local papers that Tijuana would not be issuing any more permits for selling liquor as it was felt there were too many already. I have no idea if that is still in effect. As said above, your best bet is to buy into an existing bar. There are certainly enough of them that fail repeatedly.

Checks in general are hard to deal with in Tijuana. For quick cash most people pawn things.

[libertythor]

If you purchase an existing bar, the same holds with checking immigration and the city/state/federal governments. Even though the process can be daunting, speaking with the right person can make it much less intimidating.

Before I moved down here, I spoke with a public relations person at the UABC about enrolling as a foreigner. She gave me a step by step process that was complicated, but it took the edge off of going into the unknown.
The state office of economic development "Secretaría Estatal de Desarrollo Económico" is in the building on the same block as the Office Depot in Zona Rio, almost across from Baby Rock. Mr. Collins, who speaks perfect English, is helpful with guiding people in the right direction.

[janderson4645]

thanx libertythor and if you decide to look at the place, let me know and I will fire up the grill and put a few cold ones in the cooler for ya

[janderson4645]

thanx tjgringo and chiquito for the info. I have managed bars before and am amazed at how owners blow such a gold mine chance by being the best customer and "good joe". My dad had a good saying for business in that you don't "poop on your plate".