A good, informative, nicely edited video. I would be interested in learning more about the downsides (ex. crime) and other challenges of moving to (ex. requirements) and living in Guatemala. Thank you.

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Really good video with useful information. Please consider changing the music, it was hard to follow the talk. Thank you.

Antigua Guatemala is so beautiful 😍

@latinaalma1947

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it is and it is very similar to San Miguel Allende which we considered too. We came first to Antigua in 1999 lived with a famly next to LaMerced and they introduced us to all the owners of the then private homes ..many including the one we lived in then, are now commercial properties on Fifth Avenida and Fourth Calle. There are many expats in the towns and developments around Antigua: Jocotenango, Ciudad Vieja, San Miguel Duenas, Paramos, and many many more each jas its own flavor ,demographic and economic mix, % of expats, amenities, and vibes as well as different property price points. It is best to rent on a short term basis in several of these areas FIRST before BUYING to see which you prefer. The outlying areas are less expensive prices, insIde Antigua more and more properties have been turned into commercial rentals. I know many landlords and the rents they command can be many tens of thousands of US dollars annually for a large colonial style house divided into many locales...shops. A very nice passive income for old antigueño families. So those families often have built NEW residences outside Antigua and have moved OUT of the old family home to the outlying areas.The entire character of thentown has chamged in the past 20years.Yet is still a safe and liveable area but with fewer residences each year. Land and building lots in the areas vary by location and become more valuable every year. Property taxes are low by US standards. You are much better off if you plan to STAY permanently to buy rather than rent. If you think you will stay less than five years I personally would not buy because selling up and leaving isnt as easy and fast as in the USA..Five to ten years its an economic toss up but ten years and over it makes more sense to buy. It is important to know though it can take years to sell an existing home unless younare willing to cut your asking price. There is NOT tremendous demand ofr EXITING houses unlike much of the USA. Guatemalans tend to want to build rather than buy existing because there is no financing. Long term that .eams theynpay nominterest costs greatly reduccing housing costs over a lifetime espcially since property costs are lower thamthe USA. There is a custom to strart small with a basic house even for capitalanos wanting an Antigua vacation home. These they later often turn into a retirement home out of the city for a calmer traffic free lifestyle.They will build a two bedroom ,,living room, dining room kithchen and bath house on the lower level planning to go up another one or two stories later withnadfitinalmore expansive bedrooms and baths. These can become quite lovely and spacious homes in a decade or two onma build as you go basis with covered third floor terraces which are becoming popular with volcano views giving beautiful outdoor living areas on a small footprint lot in outlying areas not controlled by the Antigua consejo. Antigua is architecturally controlled as a UNESCO world heritage site. Most people now prefer to build outside the controlled area for that reason and for cost effectiveness.Construction materials go up at a high annual rate of inflation because steel rebar is an internationally traded product while concrete and concrete block the major other materials go up.at a slightly lower annual inflation rate being produced in Guatemala. Imported appliances, many lower end from Mexico and higher imports add to the construction costs but are at.least available whereas as once duties on such items were prohibitively expensive as were new and recent model cars...those duties are now competitive which has caused an enomous influx and adoption of autos by Guatemalans in the past decade with traffic congestion into the capital, to the airport, and even street parking in Antigua becoming problematic in recent years. Traffic into the capital and commute times of many hours have become common for capital workers who live in outlying areas and Antigua is one of those areas.A commute that took an hour or hour and a half in 2000 now tales 3-4 hours! This is maming is less and less possible to live in the Antigua area and commute daily. Of cñurse for retiree expats this is only.an issue with appointments in the capital and international.flights. The airport was completely renovated to modern standards in the 2000s. A far cry from the airport of 2000! Imported US food products are now widely available but those increase your food bill. It is nice to.have US seasoning products and condiments I must admit...far superior mustard etc etcThe more local produce,.chicken, pork etc you eay yhte lower your food bill and it can very economic and healthy eating local foods far better than a standard fast and processed foods American diet...you'll likely live LONGER from a better diet and more relaxed stress free lifestyle.

We are currently in Nicaragua but will be in Guatemala for 6 months starting in February. We are traveling between Mexico and Argentina in search of our favorite retirement city., with our two senior dogs. (We were traveling with 3 seniors but lost one last month to cancer)We plan on staying in Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Xela. Any tips ?

@garydavisguatemala6185

Жыл бұрын

Every country has something great. but it's really about what you think you are looking for....big, small, walkable, safety, climate, closeness to the USA? Buenos AIres and Santiago are great cities, but I travelled there for work & the distance to the US is just too far. Antigua clicked the boxes for me. It's small, but because of tourism, it has everything in terms of culture, foodies, walkability and year-round fantastic climate. People complain about the large number of foreigners living in certain places, but at the end of the day, that helps in terms of stability of the government (in my view)--the more there are, the less likely the government is going to suddenly take away one's property or something extreme. Nicaragua is too tumultuous & I would be hesitant to buy there. Atitlan is pretty but much more rustic. Xela is big, but too far away. Antigua is close to Guatemala City & the international airport, but small with everything that we need. Hope that helps.

@therehastobesomethingmoore

Жыл бұрын

@@garydavisguatemala6185 Very helpful. Thx

Do you still work in sales for Latin America

@garydavisguatemala6185

2 ай бұрын

I retired!

Your voice is too quiet and music too loud

The music drowns out the commentary.

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