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guateliving

Mark

@guateliving

Member

American expat in Guatemala

Forum

24 posts

Contacts

5

About me

American

Lives in Antigua

Speaks English, Spanish

Registration: 03 April 2009

Activity

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
AlanHollway

Expat moving to Guatemala by AlanHollway

Hi I am an Australian male with two small children. I will be moving to Antigua Guatemala to take up a job and wanted to receive expat information including the availability of english or bilingual schools in Antigua and any english social network ...

Mark

There are English/bilingual schools in and around Antigua. The best known is Colegio Boston. Mark GuateLiving.com Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
J@y

Lake Atitlan - Where to stay? by J@y

My husband, sister-in-law and I are take a short trip to Guatemala. I would like to visit lake Atitlan. Any suggestions on where to stay. We will only be there for 2 days. We are on a budget and looking for something clean, safe and affordable. Also ...

Mark

You should stay in Pana for the two nights and use the boats to get around the lake, it's 20-40 minutes to any of the villages. This way you can stay where there are safe, reliable hotels, ATMs, restaurants and infrastructure and see the villages ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
JamesB

Living in Gua. and Getting Citizenship - HOW? by JamesB

Hello: If I move to Antigua and decide to stay for three or four years to study Spanish I would also like to leave the country with a dual citizenship and have a Guatemalan passport. Can anyone tell me who to hook up with during my first several ...

Mark

...I'm told citizenship can be acquired for $50,000 if you know the right people.I know where you can get it for $15,000 and you do not have to live in Guatemala, but since I would like to go to Antigua to learn Spanish I would prefer going the ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
JamesB

Flooding and Volcano affected Antigua and Suburbs? by JamesB

Can anyone tell me if the flooding and the volcano has affected life in Antigua? Or was all that far from Antigua and its environs? Thanks, James

Mark

James, the southern communities would be 1-3 miles south of Antigua and no I would not say they were unaffected. Did you see the pictures on my blog? In some parts 'total devastation' would be the right word. Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
grich1

Moving from Costa Rica by grich1

Hello to all, My husband and I have been living in Costa Rica for the last 3 years and are ready to make our move to the Antigua area. (Our current location should give you the idea why):) I have been searching for what seems like forever to find ...

Mark

Glory, importing a car involves paying 26% tax on the fair market value of the vehicle (as determined by the customs). The fair market value is likely to be higher than the value you would assign to it, unless you can get a Guatemalan notary to ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
JamesB

Receiving mail (post) safely in Guatemala? by JamesB

I am asking this for a friend of mine from the states: If someone moves from the U.S. to Guatemala and they want to receive mail safely and securely, is there a courier service from the states that sends the accumulated mail via FEDEX once per ...

Mark

If you want to receive your stuff via Fedex and DHL you don't need a service for that, just have it sent for you. If you want to get a mailbox in Florida and have all your mail forwarded to a PO Box here in Antigua, there are several services that ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
JamesB

Flooding and Volcano affected Antigua and Suburbs? by JamesB

Can anyone tell me if the flooding and the volcano has affected life in Antigua? Or was all that far from Antigua and its environs? Thanks, James

Mark

Antigua proper was unaffected, the southern communities including San Pedro las Huertas, Ciudad Vieja, and San Miguel Escobar were hit hard and are still digging out. Check my blog for pictures and updates. Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
JamesB

Living in Gua. and Getting Citizenship - HOW? by JamesB

Hello: If I move to Antigua and decide to stay for three or four years to study Spanish I would also like to leave the country with a dual citizenship and have a Guatemalan passport. Can anyone tell me who to hook up with during my first several ...

Mark

James, the 'legal' process to dual citizenship is long, nearly impossible and expensive. This would include application for temporary residence, application for permanent residence two years later, and then application for citizenship a few years ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
smpattison

Hoping to be moving to Antiqua by smpattison

Hi, My husband and I are living in Belize at the moment. I am finishing my masters in ancient maya culture and archaeology and my husband is a photographer, trying to get going with it, he is very good. We have lived here for 14 months and love ...

Mark

What can we realistically expect to pay for rent, we have to have a house because we have four dogs, two big ones, two little ones.The dogs will present a challenge, if you want them to have any room. There are very few houses here with yards, they ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
jimdcar81

moving to Antigua, Guatemala by jimdcar81

Hi! everybody, me and my wife we will move to Antigua next week and we would like to know how is life there? is it a safeties place? my english is no good but i´m try. Nos gustaria saber si es un lugar seguro en Antigua tambien si hay Kinder ...

Mark

Yes, Antigua is a generally safe place, especially if you take precautions and use common sense (adjusted for Central America). There are also local bilingual schools and preschools. Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
lauravalenz

Where is the "I'm not sure" button? by lauravalenz

I know this is a forum for people who want to live in Guatemala or currently living in Guatemala, but am I included as a person who will probably have to live there? My husband is an illegal immigrant in the U.S., we are trying to do the right ...

Mark

If your husband is perfectly bilingual and has a friendly disposition, he'll have a great opportunity to work in tourism, operate a business or get into some sort of import/export commerce. The Guatemalans I've gotten to know who've gone north for ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
lauravalenz

Where is the "I'm not sure" button? by lauravalenz

I know this is a forum for people who want to live in Guatemala or currently living in Guatemala, but am I included as a person who will probably have to live there? My husband is an illegal immigrant in the U.S., we are trying to do the right ...

Mark

I know this is a forum for people who want to live in Guatemala or currently living in Guatemala, but am I included as a person who will probably have to live there? My husband is an illegal immigrant in the U.S., we are trying to do the right ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
wicasawakan

inmigration by wicasawakan

Greetings, Expats, I came to Jacaltenango, Huehuetenango, Guatemala on 10 JN 2,009. Why Jacaltenango, almost no crime in a population of 27K. I was here 6 months when I returned to Palm Beach Gardens, FL for a 2-week visit. Upon re-entry to ...

Mark

Short answer: go to Mexico. Immigration really only wants you to spend two nights in Mexico before returning, so the 72 hours is not strictly enforced. I've blogged extensively about the nightmare at immigration in the capital, here are a few ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
Barrymac

Retirement exempt from taxes or duty when moving my things here? by Barrymac

I have actually move to Guatemala in December. I retired in the summer of 2008 and I still own my house in Virginia with all of my things still there. I purchased a house just outside of Guatemala City and I am in the process of getting my permanent ...

Mark

The original question was more than a year ago, too bad he hasn't reported back. I work with a tramite to handle my import stuff, so I avoid the red tape. I believe it is correct that pensionados get a certain amount of household goods they can ... Read More

Mark
guateliving replied to a thread
14 years ago
expat.com

How to make friends in Guatemala by expat.com

We have been talking about loneliness when you are abroad, let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in Guatemala :top: Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in Guatemala?? Thanks ...

Mark

I'd like to hear how you all are doing after nine months in La Capital. Read More