I'm moving down in a few weeks.....advice?

[Marc Maggard]

So I just got home after spending two weeks in Playa finding a place and getting things sorted to come back with my vehicle. I'm in Nashville now preparing for the trip and moving out of my place here over the next few days.

So... Here are a few things I could use advice with.

1. Car insurance. Does anyone know who to get mexican car insurance from for my expedition that I'll be driving or shipping to playa? I've been told it's probably not required, but if it's not terribly expensive, I'd like to have it.

2. I'm considering driving my truck and bringing some of my stuff down in it including my dog. I know I need the vet certification and all that stuff if I bring him in the truck. What do I need to do with all the personal belongings that I'd be bringing in the vehicle? There is no mexican consulate here in Nashville to walk me thru it. I'd be bringing some wall decorations, xbox, stereo equipment, two guitars, clothes and other odds and ends.

The other option is shipping my truck via Hyde and picking it up when it arrives. IF I did that, would anyone have any advice about having Hyde ship some of my personal effects at the same time. I realize the car must be empty, but I hear they ship boxes as well.... what would I need to have to ship things via hyde with my vehicle.

I'm looking for advice on what you'd do in this situation. Would you drive it or ship it? It would cost 1000 bucks to ship it and 130 bucks for the flight (minus whatever they charge for the dog). I'm wondering if it's more costly to drive when you factor in gas/food/lodging and the time. But, if it's easier to get my stuff in mexico..... oh my, it's just too confusing.

3. I want to get health insurance....anyone got any tips for that?

4. I won't need to work, since I own some websites that make good money, but I want to buy a scooter.... can I put one in my name under a tourist visa? How much should you pay for a nice used one?

Thanks in advance.

Marc

[John]

Marc, welcome to In The Roo, and also, welcome to Playa!

Driving to Playa is an experience you won't soon forget - take your time and enjoy the variety of places you pass through on your way to QR.

There is a wealth of information on driving, car insurance, and bringing in your pets on your road trip. The Mexico Living section is a great place to find additional information about moving to and living in Mexico. Here are a few threads that some additional information on questions 1-3:

Driving Directions from Texas
Health Insurance in Mexico
dogs crossing the border

Would it be cheaper to drive or have your car delivered here? I'd say that driving yourself can save you a few hundred dollars, assuming that you don't stay in expensive hotels along the way. It is cheaper to drive along the coast and avoiding the toll roads, but your trip will be longer due to road conditions and additional traffic you will encounter.

Unfortunately, my experience with motos (aka scooters) is limited. I would imagine that you can get the proper paperwork on an FMT, but I do not know for sure. Hopefully someone else can verify.

What part of Playa will you be living in?

Let us know when you have more questions!

¡Buen viaje!

[Marc Maggard]

I'm actually looking to get there as soon as possible. If I drive, it will be as quick as I can and not a "sightseeing" mission. I'd want to take the best roads and fastest route.

If it's just a couple hundred bucks I'd save, i'm tempted to just fly and ship the expedition.

How much did it cost some of you to drive down? Did anyone keep tabs on that? I'm used to driving 12 hours a day or more, so that's not an issue for me personally. If I stick to toll roads, is it ok to drive at night too?

I've also been told to not cross at Brownsville if I do drive. They say it's easier to cross a bit north of there. Any ideas about that?

Great forum and thanks for the help.

Marc

[Dan-0]

Marc, welcome to the forum and congrats on the move to Playa. Let me make a couple of comments.

I live a couple of hours south of you, near Huntsville, AL. I have driven to various points in north Mexico, but never as far as the Yucatan or Playa. I admire and envy those, like John, who have successfully driven that far through Mexico. It's not easy, and maps don't always tell the whole story in terms of road conditions. With my bad back, I don't think I could ever make it, especially without breaking up the trip with some stops along the way. Not sightseeing, but necessary breaks in a long and difficult drive. Even at 12 hours of non-stop driving, I would say you're looking at a minimum of four days of driving.

So, especially if you're in a hurry, I would recommend flying down and leaving the vehicle until you've settled in and maybe returning and driving down later, if you decide you need or want it. It isn't that difficult to get by without a vehicle. Although flying limits you as to how much stuff you can take, you can take the dog. We just checked on taking our dog to Mexico with us and Delta charges $150 to take a small animal inside the plane, under the seat, and $550 each way to take it as checked luggage. Of course, you need to check with your vet and make sure the dog is updated on all vaccinations and has the proper documents.

As far as the motorcycle, I would recommend observing the local traffic for a while and acclimating yourself to it and then deciding if you want to buy one. It can be a great way to get around, but it can be dangerous, too. I have seen many terrible accidents between cars and "motos". I'll bet most of the locals here have seen them as well.

There are Mexican consulates in Atlanta and Charlotte. I have been to the one in Atlanta many times and they are very helpful but they are always overbooked and understaffed. And you need to make an appointment. If you drive, you probably would want to apply for an FM-3 so you can import your stuff. If you fly, you could just go with an FMT and apply for the FM-3 later.

Good luck on the move and keep us updated.

[momentsthatmatter]

Hola Marc!
Lori and I made the drive down from Calgary Canada to Playa in March this year. We went thru Brownsville and didn't really have a problem. We brought down a van FULL of stuff including TV, PS3, kitchen faucet, dog and cat. We pretty much had it all. We used the approach of react instead of act. Which means... we didn't do all the pre-paperwork stuff and go thru the consulate to get everything approved. Packed the van... hit the boarder and dealt with immigration there passing thru on an FMT. In the end... you can do everything required and still have problems at the border. You can do nothing and have no problems at the border. There is also everything possible in between! The best advice is to whatever you want and roll the dice. Really are no rules. In the end... we gave the border a short list of items... they picked 10 ro 15 of them to write down and we paid $35 in importation tax. Pack smart and keep all your expensive stuff buried or covered up. Cheap stuff on the outside.
Driving is another story. John is right that you won't forget it. It all depends on your comfort with Mexico and if you speak Spanish. These help a lot!!! We made it in 3 full days of driving from Brownsville. DO NOT drive at night... road conditions are way to sketchy and lots of vehicles don't have lights. Topes (Mexican Speed bumps) will cripple your vehicle if you hit them at high speed so driving during the day is the only way to go. I thought I would be able to drive straight thru as well if I wanted... you can't and that is about it. We read and printed out Kami's report on her drive and its pretty good. Followed the same route.
Kami and Dave's Drive to Playa
As for car insurance... Sanborns online ( http://www.sanbornsinsurance.com/ ) and you can do everything on the net!

Best of luck whatever you decide.

Lincoln & Lori
Eagerly awaiting your adventure!

[susango]

L&L, have you applied for an FM3 or are you planning to keep FMT for now?

[momentsthatmatter]

We have our FM3 working now. Used a local immigration lawyer and he was great. No problem and straight forward process. Paid aprox $400 usd

[susango]

I had planned to get FM3 in the US, but I might rethink that when the time comes.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by susango

I had planned to get FM3 in the US, but I might rethink that when the time comes.

Getting one in the US can take a matter of days instead of months so you may not want to rethink it

[susango]

My rethink is on FM3 vs. FMT.

I agree that a retirement FM3 is easier to get in the US and I've already talked to the Dallas Consulate about the information I will need. I'm not sure if there is a benefit of going on FMT or FM3 unless we don't want to have to worry about leaving every 6 months and having problems returning another 6 months. Initially I wanted to get a menaje de casa, but I think that can cause more problems than necessary and transportation and custom brokers are expensive. The FM3 would be better if there is a FM2 goal down the road. I am sure the annual renewal of a retirement FM3 in Mexico will not be fun. We may go with FMT initially and get FM3 later.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by susango

My rethink is on FM3 vs. FMT.

I agree that a retirement FM3 is easier to get in the US and I've already talked to the Dallas Consulate about the information I will need. I'm not sure if there is a benefit of going on FMT or FM3 unless we don't want to have to worry about leaving every 6 months and having problems returning another 6 months. Initially I wanted to get a menaje de casa, but I think that can cause more problems than necessary and transportation and custom brokers are expensive. The FM3 would be better if there is a FM2 goal down the road. I am sure the annual renewal of a retirement FM3 in Mexico will not be fun. We may go with FMT initially and get FM3 later.

I'm 2 1/2 years on an FMT. I do travel to the States a few times each year so it's no problem renewing. Personally, it beats dealing with immigration and waiting months for an FM3 renewal. So far.

[nasplayacom]

We drove down and went through Brownsville. The fastest way is definitely down the coast. We actually drove through the center of the country for a more scenic route. Once you get on the Yucatan I would recommend driving east towards Chetumal and then up north to Playa rather than heading all the way over to Merida like we did, as the roads can be very slow. Good luck and have fun!