Categoría: Puerto Vallarta Real Estate

Dental Work in Puerto Vallarta

Ex-pats who live in Puerto Vallarta rave about the medical and dental care they receive. Many people come to Mexico specifically to get dental work done. It’s much cheaper than the US or Canada and the clinics are state-of-the-art, as professional as one would expect north of the border.

We go for teeth cleanings to a local dentist and pay the nominal fee of $500 pesos for what could cost over $300 dollars in the US. There is little waiting time to schedule an appointment and we’ve never sat in the clinic in Puerto Vallarta for more than ten minutes.

We met a young lady recently who flew to Puerto Vallarta to have multiple wisdom teeth extractions. For less than the procedure would have cost her in the US, she was able to have teeth pulled, pay airfare, stay in a nice hotel and recover on the beach, in style.

Though some opt for an entire mouth full of brand new teeth, many visitors come for biannual visits and see a regular dentist in Puerto Vallarta, just as they would in their hometown. It’s not much different than planning a day at the beach with old friends.

Dental work in Puerto Vallarta and other places in Mexico is inexpensive because the Mexican government gladly subsidizes dentists’ education so they aren’t burdened by a student loan debt to start out their career. Some students choose to live at home and pay back a loan with a year of free service, which is a sensible option. Dental clinics in Puerto Vallarta are typically plain, unembellished environments with ordinary laminate counters, inexpensive art and practical flooring. North American cities have dental offices with inlaid floors, custom carpets, granite, marble, creative lighting, original art and elaborate play areas for children. The décor in Mexico is basic and functional. You come for dental work, not interior design. Dentists in Puerto Vallarta ordinarily work on their own without an assistant and also do the teeth cleaning procedure themselves. In the states a hygienist, who can make as much as $80 per hour, cleans your teeth and is often assisted when doing your exam. Mexico doesn’t have dental insurance and malpractice insurance is non-existent. You can receive everything from Zoom cleaning to implants in Puerto Vallarta at a great savings.

Que cómo es es.

Our introduction to Mariachi in Mexico was an ear ringing, fantastic surprise. At a party, given in our honor upon arrival in the quaint town of Puerto Vallarta, we were greeted with an astounding and beautiful Cielto Lindo, also known as the other national anthem of Mexico. A large band, wearing identical costumes and enormous sombreros; decked with silver and bangles, each played a different instrument. All sizes of guitars; large violins; violas; a guitarrón, which is bass guitar; a slide trombone; coronets were included in the ensemble. We descended a staircase and were greeted by a circle of no less than a dozen musicians; those whose mouths were not attached to horns grinned from ear to ear. A soloist who also, when not singing, played violin, belted out the words of the song and though I had no clue to their meaning, I was aware of the joyful nature of the words. I didn’t realize it at the time but my life was about to change and this “pretty little heaven” would soon be my new home and I would have the pleasure of hearing Mariachi all over town.

Mariachi music is one of the prides of Jalisco, which is the home state of Puerto Vallarta. In Guadalajara, there is a whole plaza dedicated to their rousing, romantic music and each night it’s like a battle of the bands. Garibaldi Plaza is where to find Mariachi in Mexico City and it is in these squares people go to hire music for a party, wedding, baptism, etc. The musicians offer a tune and a business card and important transactions are conducted. In Puerto Vallarta, Mariachi Loco, on Lázaro Cárdenas in Old Town is a club where traditional Mexican music can be found most nights, as well as a variety of entertainment, including comedy shows and vaudevillian type acts.

The basis of the word Mariachi is the subject of discussion. Though some people believe it has French origins, based on the word mariage, founded on music often played at weddings, there is much disagreement as to how this is possible. The French never quite made it to the West Coast where Mariachi was born until the late 19th Century. It is more likely the name is derived from the wood of the pilla or cirimo trees, which is used to make most guitars in Mexico. An unconfirmed legend is the possibility the name comes from a once popular song for María H (ah-chay), which we believe makes the most sense.

Que es cómo es.

Ten Things You Will Love About Moving to Vallarta

You’ve moved to Puerto Vallarta (or maybe you’re thinking about moving here and want to find out what these ten things are to entice you and motivate you to get with the program). There’s so much to do, you’ll never find enough time for all the enjoyment. Your friends back home think you’re swinging in your hammock, staring up at coconut palms, suffering from extreme boredom… but they couldn’t be more wrong. You’re on permanent vacation but that doesn’t mean you get lazy. True, your relaxation meter is going to be in much better territory but you’ll also have time to do things you’ve always wanted and have leftover time to schmooze with your new friends.

Number One always is time spent soaking up Vitamin D in Puerto Vallarta. It’s a healthier lifestyle for so many reasons; including Two… you’ll be eating better. Fresh fruits and vegetables, grown locally, sans GMO are available for at least one third the price you used to pay. Three, you’re sure to lose weight; the result of the increased amount of walking you’ll do. (https://mrbonespumpkinpatch.com) We take the bus almost every time we head out, simply because we won’t need to worry about parking, traffic, and wear and tear on our vehicle. Four, we guarantee you’ll look younger. We’ve not met one person who’s moved to Puerto Vallarta who hasn’t visibly dropped years, for all the above causes.

Five, you can finally read that list of books you’ve been trying to get to over the years. Whether you’re sitting on the beach, relaxing at home, or turning in for the night, you’re going to have more time to hit those books with bliss and intention. What’s the skill you’ve always wanted to learn? Number Six is taking up the instrument you had planned to play in college but were too busy getting good grades so you could get that great job you have now retired from, and it’s time to fulfill that desire. Chances are you’ll find someone in Puerto Vallarta from whom to take lessons, but if not, YouTube is a wonderful source for learning just about anything; painting, mosaics, crochet, photography, scrapbooking.

Seven , since you’ll be able to afford a housekeeper, you can now grow that garden you’ve dreamed about. Imagine the envy of your visitors when you explain you planted and cultivated those roses, bougainvillea, banana, orange and lime trees!

Eight …You’ve read so many books and now you are ready to write your own. You’ve never had time to tell your story and you know it’s a good one, considering some of the duds you’ve burned through. Join the Writers Club and sharpen your pencils!

Dinners out cost a lot of money up north, especially when you toss in the cost of cocktails, beer and wine but Nine is where you can afford to go out for three meals a day and find lovely little comida corridas on the back streets. The list could go on and

on but let’s end with Ten: the free time to volunteer, golf, sail or hike. Dive, swim and fish. The choices are endless. All you need is to figure out how you will schedule all this happiness!

Que es cómo es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

Uber vs. Taxi

We have come to the conclusion over the past several months there is no argument regarding whether to take Uber or a taxi. This is completely a personal choice. There are Uber Wars, as some like to refer to the shouting matches that have happened between drivers, especially when Uber first came to Puerto Vallarta. Apparently there was some shoving, too, involving taxi drivers and their newly arrived competitors; nasty words and, we have been told, a bloody nose or two. Puerto Vallarta has grown to a size where there’s room for everyone. The taxi union has fought Uber with, so far, no conclusive results. Some hotels have posted notices discouraging patrons from using Uber but they have gone unheeded, and it’s a bit of a mystery as to who took the initiative to avail the public with this type of false information.

If you choose to use Uber in Puerto Vallarta instead of a taxi, it requires an app on your phone. This precludes some of our friends from taking advantage of the service because they either don’t have cell phones or they refuse to upgrade from the antiques that serve them well for everything else.

To avoid confrontations with taxi drivers, sit in the front seat with your Uber driver. The taxi drivers will have no idea you are in a service car, but simply riding shotgun with a friend.  There are mixed reviews on whether one can call an Uber to the airport, as well as being dropped off. We know many who have used the service for transport to and from the airport in Puerto Vallarta without problems. Your payment is made through the phone app, so there is no exchange of cash, which is a sure giveaway. If you feel inclined to tip, be discreet.

In our humble opinion, we see no reason to not make use of whatever service you choose. This is the new gig economy. We have weekly markets in Puerto Vallarta where locals and residents alike can sell their handmade crafts, food and services. What was once a farmers’ market is now a venue to share your skills, which can add money to your family’s coffers and enhance the community in which you live.

Airbnb, as an example of this new economic structure, through battles with taxes, advertising and other obstacles, will not go away; travelers love Airbnb and it helps home owners live a better life. What’s not to like?

Whether you take a taxi or an Uber, you are helping an entrepreneur who is being their own boss, as much as he or she is able.

Que es cómo es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

The Spanish word for bridge is puente and in Puerto Vallarta, as in all of Mexico, that means “time to party.” A puente is a bridge that carries you from one ordinary week into another, with good times in between. An extra day for travel or recovery makes for three and four day vacations. Mexicans love a party and celebrate at any opportunity. Merriment, good food, drink, song, all ages dancing and a school holiday thrown in make a perfect combination.

Aztecs started the tradition of fiesta long ago with focus on the importance of fertility and asking favors of the Pre-Hispanic gods, which now are passed off to Catholic saints.

Puerto Vallarta has her own Mardi Gras parade, currently growing into one of the largest of its kind in Mexico. Costumes will be joyfully created, very elaborate and in Puerto Vallarta, you can guarantee many men dressed as women. It cannot, however, rival that of the Parachico parade in Chiapas, which takes place for several days in the month of January. The men dress as women not only for the parade but take to the streets, masquerading day and night, supposedly in honor of a legendary mother who gave a feast to thank the healer who saved her sick boy. The festival name, Parachico (for the boy) gives credence to the men and the women they love to imitate.

Though most people think futbal (soccer) is the national sport of Mexico, it is actually Charreria, very popular in Puerto Vallarta. Rancheros (ranch hands) of old hacienda days, began this tradition as a competition during the periods of time they were not working. Roping, cattle handling and horse riding expertise turned into highly skilled contests and along with it, a complete new form of attire was born. Along with charreadas came mariachi, the music of the charreria. No Mexican fiesta is complete without traditional music. The musicians dress in the same outfits are the charros (cowboys) and it is not unusual to see a trumpeter put down his horn and jump on a horse, showing expert talents in two arenas.

The most famous of all Mexican fiestas is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Puerto Vallarta is no exception. For several days at the end of October and beginning of November, shrines are constructed, elaborate or simple, in homes, stores, hotel and bank lobbies, on the street. The dead are remember with sadness and joy and offerings of their favorite food, drink and activities. It is a festival represented by religion, paganism and mysticism. Cemeteries become merry, vibrant places where music, culture, food, drink and happiness are the order of the day.

Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday observed throughout the United States and Canada, is not celebrated in Mexico at all!

Que es cómo es.

Please join us for the 4th annual Real Estate Fair!  There will be information on taxes, immigration and other topics.   To benefit from this valuable information and over 20 more exhibitors, attend the 2016 Vallarta Real Estate Fair on February 20th, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. hosted by Timothy Real Estate Group.

Location: Rivera Molino Plaza, corner of Ignacio L. Vallarta and Aquiles Serdan in the Romantic Zone (Old Town Vallarta).

For more information, visit www.vallartarealestatefair.com.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

Basura (garbage) is a steady problem in the tropics and Puerto Vallarta is no exception. We all need to do our part to help and when we do, it makes life far more pleasant for everyone involved. There are no exceptions, considering that from birth to death, we all create copious amounts of waste.

Community groups thrive in the winter months but in low season there are simply less people in Puerto Vallarta to pick up the slack. Less people should represent less trash but it doesn’t always work out that way. One look at our beaches, parks and streets reveals evidence of a problem. While walking the pup, we have picked up litter along the canal that will fill a couple large bags in the length of only one city clock. That’s too darn much.

Do your part by making sure to put your household trash out for collection on your designated day. If you don’t know what day that is, find out from your administrator, HOA president, neighbors or shop owners in the area. Pickup in your colonia happens on specific days, at exact hours; we have seldom seen any wavering from schedule.

Use a heavy duty plastic bag and make sure it is tightly tied at the top. Don’t leave it open. Do not place items on top of piles that will invite stray dogs, cats and wild animals to begin digging. We have also seen garbage sitting atop a bag with food items exposed, chicken bones, dry tortillas crumbling, cans with food residue that haven’t been rinsed or bagged.

Instead of complaining about the amount of plastic bottles, floating grocery bags and OXXO cups in Puerto Vallarta, grab your own trash-bag and take a walk. Wear protective gloves and pick up whatever lays in your path. There are empty lots in Puerto Vallarta that are open dumping grounds. Don’t be afraid to wear some closed toe shoes and buy or borrow a rake if you haven’t one of your own. Make an effort to assist your community in its beautification. Pick up after yourself at the beach and park; take whatever trash that isn’t yours in a decided radius. Be a part of the solution. Setting an example is the best way to get things done, and others are sure to follow your lead.

Que es cómo es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.