We're still at the Air BnB but life is happening hard and fast.
First of all, we heard that it's best to get a facilitator to help you get your temporary residency cards. We already had our temporary residency visas, and we have 30 days to report to immigration and get our cards.
Did we need a facilitator? Yes and no. The Consulate in La Paz BCS was not busy at all. I'd heard that only the facilitators could get appointments and they stay in line all night to be first or something. But that doesn't apply to hear.
Other gringos didn't have a facilitator and got seen, but they didn't get it done. They couldn't figure out the bad government web site and thought they could show up and figure it out there. They couldn't. They were told to leave and figure out the web site to get their proper form.
While we were traveling to La Paz we met another gringo who asked if we needed anything. We said we needed a facilitator. They gave us the number to an older woman who'd helped them. She's retired, but her two sons continue her work. So we used them.
It's $150/each for them to take us to immigration and get our cards in 2 weeks. Or an additional $250 each to get it the same day. Plus the fee which is like $125 each to the government.
We opted for the faster service. I was fine waiting 2 weeks, but my mom wanted it over with.
I got my card the same day (yay!) but there was a problem with hers and we must go back next Tuesday to get it. They've sorted it out, just waiting for Mexico City to sort it out. Doesn't seem like a big problem yet. So next Tuesday we'll get her card and then we'll both go to the BBVA right by the immigration office and open bank accounts.
Yesterday we paid 2 months rent up front to get the keys to our new apartment that we will be moving into on April 1. For now we have access to get our furniture delivered, appliances, toilet upgrades, etc.
I was warned it would be hard to find all the furniture, so I did the nuclear option today and bought everything online at a big box furniture store Dicos. They'll deliver to the new apartment in 12 days and set it all up. It was $3,600 American and I still need a washer/dryer, treadmill, pots/pans, and my mom's special chair that lifts her up that's $750 in Mexico because they don't have it anywhere in the country.
Anyway, trying to get everything piecemeal from 15 different stores which all have a 12 day lead time when we don't live in the house yet was just a nightmare. I pulled the trigger on furniture.
I remember four years ago when we were broke and had to furnish that apartment we moved into after living in our RV for years. I had $1,200 total and we made it work. Got a big TV too. Now? $3,600 in Mexico and I don't have everything yet.
Here's what we got:
| Articles | Shipment | Amount | Price |
|---|
Santy Nepal Sofa Bed Product code: TAP36113S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $4,499.00 |
Amsterdam Pink Double Headboard Product code: RAD39127S1 | Dico Furniture | 2 | $5,548.50 |
Landmark Red 2-Seater Sofa Product code: SAL41897S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $8,024.25 |
Merida Cafe Pantry Product code: COC18655S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $4,499.00 |
Sealy Muga Double Mattress Product code: COL19418S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $16,999.00 |
Sealy Muga Double Mattress Product code: COL19418S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $16,999.00 |
Morrison Gray Desk Product code: OFC33630K1 | Dico Furniture | 2 | $5,998.00 |
Scott New Gray Office Chair Product code: OFC32896S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $999.00 |
Naro Life Rosa Bureau Product code: RAD36216S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $999.00 |
Warma Café Dresser Product code: RAD43760S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $2,699.25 |
Naro Life Rosa Bureau Product code: RAD36216S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $999.00 | Warma Café Dresser Product code: RAD43760S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $2,699.25 | Tammy Café Rectangular Side Table Product code: MOC42988S1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $3,599.25 | Kenza Tempered Glass Coffee Table Product code: MOC28129K1 | Dico Furniture | 1 | $2,249.25 |
Yes I got duplicates of some stuff. I kept having to do more orders because I didn't update after changing quantities.
To get the USD price, drop the last digit (ignore what's after the decimal point) and divide by half. So $2,249 becomes $225 and $225/2= $112.50 That's because $1usd is 20 pesos. That's the easiest way to calculate things.
I also bought from Mexico's Amazon.com which is Mercado Libre. Yes, they also have Amazon, but so far I've only gone there to get American products imported, like a bidet toilet seat that I can't live without.
At Mercado Libre I got a doorbell, anti-slip tape for the stairs in the new place, the floor elliptical my mom uses to exercise that we couldn't fit in the car, new showerheads with handhelds, a shower seat and raised toilet grab-bar seat for my mom.
I need to buy a lot more, but I also need to be here when it's delivered and give a code word. So I'm holding off.
I had my first remote therapy session two days ago. I walked around with my phone and showed him the Air BnB. When outside and a neighbor girl ran to the gate and said Hola! Also had the local dog and cat greet us. And told him my adventure coming down and all we were doing.
I feel like he was impressed with me. That I took the leap and did this. Staying home and doing nothing was the easiest option, but I'd have to keep dealing with poor medical care and poor elder care options for me and my mom.
I'd have to keep saving like crazy for retirement and things get more and more expensive, yet here I'm already good. Social security will be enough. Especially after I buy a house. (I can't get a mortgage, but the proceeds from the house we're selling in the USA should be enough.)
He said he saw me smiling for the first time. I'm lighter here. I'm less burdened with future fear. And I'm getting used to the rhythms of life here and feel I can solidly get by. I don't have to give up anything, and I'm getting more than I got in the USA.
Yes, we're going crazy right now trying to get settled, but that's temporary and we'll be relaxed soon.
Less stressed. More free.
I don't think anyone actually reads this blog anymore, so I won't bother with pictures. Unless I remember. I'll try my best.
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