Denise Anderson

Status: Single

Employed or Retired:  Retired

Where are you living now / where are you from:  Presently I live in Little Rock, Arkansas – have family here and in Texas, College and career were in Texas (El Paso, Lubbock, Austin, Dallas); as a military brat my childhood was spent all over – Japan, Baltimore, Maryland, New Orleans.

Timeframe for a move:  I expect to begin a series of short-term (2-3 months) stays this year, with a plan to move permanently in 2 years (when my granddaughters will be deep into their teens and I will alas no longer be the Rock Star I am now!).

Where else are you considering:  I have traveled all over Central and South America, and considered Panama (P. City so exciting but too big, too hot on the coast), Nicaragua (loved it, but again hot on the coast and far from home), Ecuador, Colombia, and I have always returned to Mexico as the perfect place. You can pick your climate in Mexico, and I love the people here and the culture, which remains strong in spite of modernization and globalization. I may consider other cities in Mexico (Guanajuato, for its arid mountain beauty and the cooler climate of the Colonial Highlands, Ajijic maybe, for its near-perfect climate and proximity to Guadalajara, a beautiful city, I haven’t completely ruled out Spain/Portugal.

Why Vallarta:  Vallarta is among the most beautiful cities I’ve seen, and in a country of admirable culture and people. It is a short flight to home. Great health care is accessible and affordable here should one need it, and I think that Vallarta is a city I could enjoy living in. It seems to offer walk-able neighborhoods and dependable public transportation.

It also appears to have a strong expat community, which I think I would need. I don’t want to land in an expat enclave where American-style homes and culture pervade; Vallarta seems to possess both an international flavor and a vibrant Mexican culture.

How can ExPats in Vallarta assist you:  I will be in Puerto Vallarta for an exploratory visit on March 18, 19 and 20, (after a Meditation/Yoga seminar in Yelapa!) and I would really appreciate input on the areas to look, either by foot or short taxi distance.

— I will stay a couple blocks off the Malecon on the Rio Cuale at Hotel Boutique Catedral, which I think is called Olas Altos area.

— I would like to look at areas that are older, and walk-able, either with proximity to the Bay or a bit of a view; I have found the Marina area a bit to dense and modern for my tastes, though I am open to other views.

— my research suggests I look in areas called downtown/centro, Olas Altos, Zona Romantica, Emiliano Zapata – are these the older and more central colonias where I might find rentals (apartments or condos) and walkable spaces, and access to cafes, shops, groceries, bars, restaurants?

— Is the Colonia Amapa considered older, central? It seems to be up the mountain, is that right?

— Any recommendations for a good Rental agency, probably English-speaking as I am only about 30% fluent in Espanol.

— Weather – my visits to PV have been in the spring; is there a consensus about the tolerability of the summer weather? Is summer/fall considered the “low season”?

Thanks for any suggestions, and I hope to meet some expats on my trip! Unfortunately no schedule events during my stay.