Paradise Found In Huatulco
Sept. 30, 2008
Panama City, Panama
PLUS:
n State-of-the-art
Infrastructure…Wide, Tree-lined Streets…Best Golf Course In Latin
America…Great Seafood…Easy Access To The U.S. And Canada…Plus…
n Fully Serviced Residential
Lots For US$35,000…
n “Is The Overseas
Retirement Letter Something Separate?”…
AND:
n What Am I Doing In
Antigua? Living Like A King On US$1,500 A Month!...
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with real estate investment experts about where and how to pursue your dreams of
living, retiring, or owning a second home in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Dear Overseas Opportunity Letter Reader,
“After many years of being a general contractor in Canada,” writes fellow
reader Lanny Berner, “I decided to move to a location where the weather was warm
365 days a year and where I didn’t have to live in the so-called rat race
keeping up with the Jones.
“I started taking five months vacation every year in the cold winter months
and traveling throughout Latin America. I’m the kind of person who needs
something to do every day, so I started to teach English and to learn Spanish.
“After five years of extensive travel in this part of the world—in Mexico,
Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and many
of the Caribbean countries—I thought I was ready to make a move. I had my sights
on Panama.
“Then I heard of Huatulco, this undiscovered Pacific
paradise. I made a quick trip down here and, within 48 hours, decided that
Huatulco had everything I had been searching for.
“Since I moved here permanently two years ago, I have talked to numerous
tourists who say the same thing about Huatulco. Why did we waste our time going
to these other resorts, when all the time Huatulco was sitting here waiting for
us?
“Huatulco is the cleanest place I have been in all Latin America. It is a
Fonatur (that’s the Mexican government agency responsible for developing
particular resort areas throughout the country) project, and the federal
government has injected approximately US$600 million in the town’s
infrastructure. It is second-to-none. We have two hospitals, a new university,
five major banks, many doctors and dentists, five car dealerships, and probably
50 or 60 restaurants. We have state-of-the-art septic and water treatment
plants. You can drink the water right out of the tap.
“The streets are wide, double-lane, and paved. No, they are not lined with
gold, but they are lined with palm trees and manicured grass.
“We have an international airport 10 minutes outside town, a cruise ship dock
that last year saw 83 cruise ships, and two marinas.
“And, golfers, we have an 18-hole professional golf course approximately
7,500 yards long, again beautifully manicured. And you don’t need a tee-off
time. Just show up and walk on. I golfed last Sunday with a friend, and there
were only eight golfers on the whole course. The locals don’t golf, and the
tourists who come to Huatulco are so mesmerized by the ocean and the beaches
that few of them take time for golfing.
“Perhaps the greatest advantage of this place is its natural situation.
Huatulco is nestled in a narrow strip between the mountains and the ocean. It
has 36 beaches—beaches with restaurants and bars and beaches where you can be
dropped off for an hour or a day and never see another person. The ocean is
pristine. Great scuba and snorkeling. Sport fishing. Horseback riding. And, get
this: not one time-share salesman in sight.
“Another important advantage for Huatulco is that here you can buy a fully
serviced residential lot with guaranteed title for as little as US$35,000. Do
you know some place else where you can buy a residential lot right on the ocean
minutes from all the services I’ve mentioned for US$35,000? I don’t. They’re
harder and harder to come by here in Huatulco, but it’s still possible.
“While much of the rest of the world is seeing falling real estate values,
prices in Huatulco remain strong. It’s simple supply and demand. All the regular
weekly flights and all those cruise ships continue to deposit lots and lots of
tourists to this little corner of Mexico. Once they get here, many of them, like
me, like what they see and don’t want to leave. On the other hand, property
supply is limited.
“I came here to Huatulco to enjoy life, to make some good investments, to
play some golf, to eat great seafood, and yet still to have easy direct access
back to Canada.
“I recognize how fortunate I am to have found this place. I feel like I’m in
the right place at the right time…and still able to be close to my children and
grandchildren.”
Lanny is happy to answer questions about Huatulco. Reach him here:
Huatulco@LiveAndInvestOverseas.com
Kathleen Peddicord
P.S. “I read that you are starting the Overseas Retirement Letter
in October,” writes another fellow reader this morning. “Is this a part of your
free e-letter that I receive or is it something separate? I have tried to
determine on your website, but cannot figure it out. Please advise.”
We’re sorry to confuse you, dear reader, and our intention certainly isn’t to
keep you guessing. We must ask your patience, though, a few days more. No, the
Overseas Retirement Letter isn’t part of these free dispatches. It’s
something much, much more…that our editors are working around the clock right
now to prepare to launch. Full details will follow before the end of the week.
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TODAY:
“What am I doing down here in Antigua?” writes
Guatemala correspondent Michael Paladin. “I know many of my old friends
and colleagues still living Stateside wonder about me…
“To start, I’m living on about a quarter the money it’d cost me to live the
same life back in the States. Between my Social Security and my WAMU pension, I
live on US$1,500 a month, with money left over. I eat well, drink well, and
spend money on artwork and plane fares.
“My rent is US$350 a month, leaving me US$1,150 to blow on lunch, dinner,
doctor’s visits (US$26), and the occasional bottle of Stolichnaya (US$9) and
good Chilean wine (US$5).
“My US$1,150 monthly budget works out to US$38 a day. Breakfast can be US$2
to US$10, lunch can be US$3 to US$15, dinner US$13 to US$26, if you eat out
every meal. Laundry is cheap. A maid is US$50 a month.
“Mostly, though, I’m enjoying life. While everyone back in the States is
freaking out this week, I and the thousands and thousands and thousands of
others who’ve already made the move are hanging out in charming old town squares
drinking espresso or lounging in hammocks by the beach…
“But, no, those aren’t the only reasons to move overseas. There are volunteer
and service organizations everywhere, needing you. Once you’ve made the move,
think up a second career.
“Guatemala, for example, is a source of the most brilliant and colorful
fabrics on the planet…ideal for import/export.
“Or you could
become a travel writer. I did…
“Living in a Third World country is not for everyone. But, I have to say,
right now, I’m feeling pretty good about having made this choice.”
FROM THE MAILBAG:
“It was great to read
Paul Terhorst’s take on the U.S. financial mess to date. He
has the background and experience to make sense of the situation and viable
options to suggest. Always enjoy his writing.”
-- Carol C., United States
