John Cagney Nash
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- May 18, 2013
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<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Hello</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Introducing a newbie (to this and to other Mexico-related sites where I’ve also researched, thus am posting my questions, too). My name’s John Nash; I’ll be taking my first RV excursion south of the border when Fall approaches this year.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’m posting to seek advice, of course. Below is a list of the preparations I’ve so far made or set in motion. Any and all other input will be gratefully appreciated. </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Traveling and residing in my motorhome -- a well-restored, low mileage Champion Flagship running a Chevy 350 -- is nothing new to me. I’ll list a few of the places we’ve lived for three months or longer since teaming up in 2006: Key West; the Everglades; central Florida; Dallas; Las Vegas; northern New Jersey; north of Boston. The full itinerary is much longer. For the last two years we’ve been in central Montana.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Destination: I’m drawn to a completely new experience, so expect to travel as far south as possible. I love tropical heat and humidity -- as well as being near the ocean -- so figure the southern coastline of the Yucatan peninsula will be my best bet, down near the border with Belize. That should also allow me ready access to the history and culture of Oaxaca and Chiapas. I don’t envision spending much more than time-in-transit staying at campgrounds, and will be looking for a small piece of remote land close to the shore where I can effectively boondock; I’m entirely used to simplicity, and love isolation. Beyond that, I have no plans. I’m entirely flexible.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Okay, those above-mentioned preparations already made or set in motion:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’m learning Spanish (albeit only from Rosetta Stone; the immersion of moving to Mexico should polish that basic grounding pretty quickly)</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I have ordered copies of Woodall’s <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mexico & South America</em>, Mike & Terri Church’s <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Traveler’s Guide to Mexican Camping,</em> <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Street of Glass</em> by Robert Glenn, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Retirement Without Borders</em> by Barry Golson, <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The People’s Guide to Mexico</em> by Carl Franz and the <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guia Roji Atlas</em> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ve written to Banamex, requesting the application forms for whatever credit/ATM card they think will best suit my purposes, and have two other (U.S. bank) active Visa cards</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">The RV has two spare tires, three spares of each fan belt, spare headlights, spare spark plugs, a second water pump, a power surge protector, supplies of coolant and oil and octane enhancer, muffler bandages, air and fuel filters, a 15-amp-to-30-amp hook-up adapter; all the common-sense stuff. New carb; new belts; new distributor; new tires; oil changed; shake-down cruises completed</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">A few matters upon which I’d appreciate confirmation:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’m a British citizen, but a legal Permanent Resident in the United States. Both these countries are on Mexico’s ‘no visa’ list, correct? So I can drive over the border from the U.S. on my British passport -- valid for at least six months -- with my American driver’s license </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Am I correctly understanding Calderón’s wonderfully liberal migration laws? Is it the case that to legally reside in Mexico, I must (a) fill in an application for a Visitor’s Permit when I enter the country (costs about $23). This will allow me a six-month stay. Within that six-month period I must (b) apply for a Temporary Resident Visa -- an FM3? -- granting me non-immigrant temporary residency status for a maximum of four years; once granted, it’s then renewable indefinitely. The issue of a Temporary Resident Visa will allow the importation into Mexico of my household goods and other vehicles</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">The Visitor’s Permit can be arranged online before leaving the USA</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ve seen reference to a ‘points system,’ but have not found it well explained. It only applies to those wishing to become nationalized, though, right, not those happy to remain in the country as repeat FM3ers?</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ll be issued with a permit at the border which allows my motorhome to remain in Mexico for ten years. I can also arrange this permit online prior to my departure, which minimizes the risk of difficulties at the crossing. This I can do on the Banjercito website; I should complete the application at least one month prior to leaving the USA; the cost is U.S. $49.50. The vehicle’s U.S. license tags must be current</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I will need General Certificates of Health for my dog and both my cats confirming they are fit and well and have been immunized against rabies; these documents should be issued not more than ten days before the date of the border crossing. All animals should be protected against parvovirus, heartworm, fleas and ticks</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I should be reasonably safe from cartel-related catastrophe so long as I devise a route that stays on or west of 57-D, right? Enter at Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras, follow 57-D down to any east-west highway south of Tampico and then cut over to the coast</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I should not travel at night. Pemex stations on major routes have overnight parking areas for trucks, which RVs can also use (much like Love’s etc in the States); these are relatively safe. There are also Autopista rest areas that are patrolled by armed cops at night</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I’ll need full coverage (not just liability) auto insurance from a company licensed in Mexico, which has personal liability, legal counsel, court costs and bail bond coverage. Windshield coverage is a must. Again, this can be arranged online before departure</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: medium;">·</span><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">I make my living on the Internet, so can work without treading on any native toes, and will be contributing to the local economy by earning money elsewhere and spending it in Mexico. I sustain myself financially, and must provide at least three months’ banking records to prove this. Such proof should show monthly revenue greater than U.S. $1200. (Obviously, I’ll need to site myself where I can have access to the Internet at least once a week, at a location within sensible scooter-riding distance. Having a functioning ’phone is of no consequence to me, and I haven’t had a teevee in years.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">Thanks for any commentary, advice or warning shots across the bow that anyone thinks I should be aware of.</span></p>