On Saturday December 3rd, the Bajamar Christmas Bazaar 2011 took place. This annual event brings arts, crafts, food and other worthy-to-see regional attractions. From wine to fish tacos, from jewelry to hand-made dolls, there surely is something for everyone.
Baja Real Estate Group and Naos Living hosted a networking mixer by Fidelity National Title De Mexico having AMAR conference attendees as guests on November 16th, 2011.
Guests enjoyed fine wine from Baron Balche, a winery from the Guadalupe valley and local cheese and appetizers while mingling and mixing in Naos’ luxurious showroom.
For more photos visit http://www.naosliving.com or http://www.bajarealestategroup.net
Baja Doctors
According to recent statistics, over 59 million Americans do not have health insurance. That said, there is obviously a tremendous need for affordable alternatives for those requiring either minor or major surgery. Despite Mexico’s ongoing struggles, there are a few areas where the country is feeling a positive impact. Foreign investments are booming and now “Medical Tourism” is taking hold and bringing in a new type of visitor and potentially millions of dollars to the economy. With the ease and affordability of traveling south of the border, along with state-of-the-art facilities, current technology, US trained (English speaking) doctors and surgeons, and virtually no wait times, Mexico is quickly becoming a leader in this fast-growing industry.
A forecast by Deloitte Consulting projected that medical tourism originating in the US could jump by a factor of ten over the next decade. The growth in medical tourism has the potential to cost US health care providers billions of dollars in lost revenue and bring those huge dollars into a host of other countries including Mexico.
Leading the way is a revolutionary company called MedToGo International. I first met the founders ten years ago in Acapulco. Dr. Robert H. Page, Dr. Curtis Page and Robert Page Jr. are an impressive family of over achievers who were, at the time, publishing a book called Mexico: Health and Safety Travel Guide
They spent two years in 50 Mexican cities researching doctors and hospitals suitable for tourists. The end result: the ultimate guide for any tourist (or ex-pat) looking for an English-speaking doctor with excellent credentials (or an accredited hospital) almost anywhere in the country. This book on its own is an extraordinary product.
Over the years, the connections they made and the contacts they had began to take another turn. And, like most successful entrepreneurs, the Page family simply connected the dots. Today they are the only medical tourism company owned and operated by U.S. physicians. They have elevated MedToGo International© (MTGI) into the most trusted and credible healthcare referral service in North America, and offer patients surgical savings of up to 80% of what they would pay in the states. (A knee replacement for a registered MTGI© patient, including six days of physical therapy, costs about one-fourth of what it would be in the United States.)
They have conducted personal interviews and certification background checks on more than 700 physicians and have inspected over 80 private hospitals abroad. Only the top 10%, or those meeting the strictest health standards, parallel to that found in the U.S. are selected. As a result, MTGI© clients can feel assured that they will be working with the finest physicians and institutions outside the United States. In Mexico, their surgical partners are located in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Leon, Hermosillo, Merida, and Tijuana.
The major areas of elective and specialized surgical offerings include:
* Orthopedic Surgery: Total knee or hip replacement; ACL, tendon or meniscal repair; spinal surgery; shoulder surgery
* Kidney Transplant: Live kidney donor already identified and pre-qualified
* Cardiovascular Surgery
* Weight Loss/Obesity Surgery: Lap Band, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Metabolic Gastric Bypass
* General Surgery: Hernia Repair, Gallbladder, Nissen Fundoplication
* Gynecological Surgery: Laparoscopic or Vaginal Hysterectomy
* Dental Surgery: Full mouth Restoration
* Plastic Surgery: Breast Reduction, Liposuction, Post-bariatric Plastic Surgery
Their website (www.medtogo.com) is filled with all the information you need to explore the possibilities. I asked if I could go through the process as if I was a patient, and they sent me the entire step-by-step. I am a stickler for detail, and I can tell you honestly, they don’t miss a thing. From the moment you submit your information for a quote, there is no stone unturned. From an “education sequence” of emails, to complete travel arrangements and assignment of your own English -speaking “Medical Liaison” who will be with you every step of the way in Mexico, they do this right. This is as professional and thorough as it gets.
Per their website:
“Once a patient is registered with MTGI© for a surgery, rigorous medical procedures are followed. Beginning in the patient’s hometown, pre-and post-surgery protocols are established with the patient’s physician/specialist to ensure the patient’s surgical readiness and long-term success. Depending on the type of surgery performed, accommodations are made regarding length of stay and follow-up medical care required back home, once the patient is released.
MTGI© also provides a team of U.S. physicians and coordinators who oversee a patient’s care and serve as their advocate while they are abroad. Safety and peace of mind are a top priority. MTGI© is the patient’s medical and travel referral source before they leave, while they are abroad and once they have returned home. Each patient is provided an English-speaking Medical Liaison to attend to them throughout their stay abroad. The designated Medical Liaison is available to facilitate communication, coordinate day-to-day schedule, and provide information.”
Medical tourism is quickly becoming a safe, affordable option for thousands of patients, and Mexico is stepping onto the world stage as a contender. With MedToGo leading the charge, Mexico might just come out the winner.
Below are the bios of the owners:
Robert H. Page M.D.
Dr. Robert Page is an Arizona native who was raised in Douglas, near the Mexican border. He earned his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in 1971. While studying in Guadalajara, Dr. Page co-founded the Tlaquepaque Free Medical Clinic. He completed his Family Practice residency at the University of Arizona in 1978. He served as Chief of Staff at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital from 1991 to 1993 and was an Arizona delegate to the American Medical Association from 1993 to 2001. He is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM), and is owner of a bilingual medical practice in Tempe, AZ, with a staff of five physicians and 22 assistants.
Curtis P. Page M.D.
Dr. Curtis Page graduated from Harvard Medical School in Boston Massachusetts from 1996. He later completed 2 years of a General Surgery residency at Emory University in Atlanta from 1996-1998 and later a Family Practice residency in Brooklyn, NY at the Lutheran Medical Center from 1998-2000. While in medical school, he did volunteer work in the Dominican Republic and with elderly Spanish-speaking patients at Alianza Espana in Boston. Dr. Page is also a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) and a private family practitioner in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Page has completed many years of scientific research and is published in several leading scientific journals.
Robert R. Page
Robert earned his BA in Developmental Economics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 1996. He has conducted economic research in Argentina, Mexico and the US and completed further studies in Brazil and Germany. Fluent in Spanish and English, he also speaks German and Portuguese. Robert has been the project’s field researcher, spending more than three years pre-screening physicians and medical facilities throughout Mexico. Robert currently divides his time between the United States and Mexico, where he works with Mexican physicians and hospital administration on patient-care protocol.
If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today. We Can Help. Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.
On July 28, 2010, the House Financial Services Committee passed H.R. 2267 by a vote of 41-22-1. The bill would legalize and regulate online poker in the United States.
Legal Online Poker Mexico
In September 2010, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld a law making playing poker online a felony.
On April 15, 2011, in U. S. v. Scheinberg et al. (10 Cr. 336), the Federal Bureau of Investigation shut down three major poker .com websites of Full Tilt Poker, Poker Stars, and Absolute Poker, and seized several of their bank accounts. A grand jury has charged 11 defendants, including the founders of the poker sites, with bank fraud, money laundering, and violating gambling laws. The prosecutors are claiming that the sites tricked and bribed U.S. banks to receive profits from online gambling, an act that violated UIGEA. The same day, former Senator D’Amato released a comment on behalf of the PPA. He asserts that, “Online poker is not a crime and should not be treated as such.” D’Amato made no comment on the specific charges raised but promised a response once the “full facts become available.” He responded in the Washington Post on April 22. The actions by the Department of Justice were also criticized by gaming law experts, including Professor I. Nelson Rose..”
If you want to keep on playing Online poker legally, just relocate to Rosarito Beach with all the amenities of a five star resort at a fraction of the cost, just 20 minutes south of the border and totally safe. Just call or email Miguel Sedano 858-433-0561 info@rentinginmexico.com for complete information. www.rentinginmexico.com
by AFP Relax news
A leading hotel booking website has revealed a sharp increase in interest in travel to Mexico, as the country struggles to rebuild its reputation after an escalation in drug-related violence.
Earlier this year, US college students were warned against spending their annual spring break in Mexico, a sign of how serious authorities in some states believed the situation has become.
But it seems that not all travelers are being discouraged by the headlines resulting from Felipe Calderon’s war on drugs, launched in 2006, which has prompted a surge in violent incidents as the army struggles to crush the country’s drugs cartels.
Expedia revealed last week that travel bookings made to Mexico from its portfolio of global brands, which includes the Expedia and Hotels.com websites, were up nearly 25 percent in the last 12 months.
The majority of the interest was from the US, Canada and the UK, said Expedia, which described the country as one of its top three destinations in terms of traveler feedback.
The online giant made its comments at Acapulco’s Tianguis Turistico (March 25-28), an annual event organized by Mexican tourism officials to boost the country’s profile as a top Latin American tourism destination, where Mexico’s Tourism Secretary Gloria Guevara Manzo said March 24 that the country had “made real and sustained progress in making Mexico safe and secure.”
Ahead of the conference, financial giant Visa also noted that the amount spent on its cards by inbound visitors had gone up from $4 billion in 2009 to $4.4 billion in 2010, describing Mexico as a “sought after destination.”
No surprise then, that country’s beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage are continuing to attract hotel chains, who are betting on an eventual end to the drug wars — at which point they believe the country is set to be a lucrative destination, thanks to its excellent location in the Americas.
Later this year, Sol Melia will open two flagship resorts, Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla, both on the country’s stunning eastern Caribbean coastline.
Last month, Ritz-Carlton announced that it will open a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos, a 124-villa complex with views across the Sea of Cortez and private infinity pools, butler service and outdoor fireplaces.
Paradise Found… this is Palacio Del Mar which has unspoiled coastlines and awe-inspiring sunsets. Luxury oceanfront resort offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms unit (2020 sq/ft) with designer decor and state-of-the-art amenities. The finest of amenities including: Indoor Pools, Jacuzzi, Fitness Center, Private Movie Theater, Private Shuttle Service, Play Room, Library, Tennis courts, and fine details such as granite counter tops and designer furnishings.
If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today. We Can Help. Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.
By: Charles Sipe
Mexico Still Ranks Number One For US Buyers
A recent article from International Property Journal cites a survey by North Carolina research firm E360 that included 612 existing second home owners. It found that Mexico is still the most popular international location for second home buyers. According to the article:
Despite the constant headlines about drug-related violence, Mexico remains the preferred destination for U.S. second home buyers, according to a new study. Mexico was twice as popular as Central and South America, according to the 2010 Second Home Trend Report issued by North Carolina-based research firm E360, which surveyed existing second home owners. “It’s shocking to me that Mexico still came in number one, even with the negative press,” said Chad Martin, global research analyst for E360.
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t be surprised that Mexico is still the number one choice for international real estate buyers.
Second home buyers are attracted to the proximity to the US since it is more accessible than other warm climate destinations that are further south. Los Cabos is just a short flight from the west coast and Cancun can be reached in just a few hours by plane from the east coast. While places like Brazil has a lot to offer, most people don’t want to spend a whole day flying to their vacation home.
There is also the awareness factor. While destinations like Nicaragua are seeing more interest from US home buyers, a lot of people are unfamiliar with Nicaragua and may not consider it as an option, although it provides comparable climate, lifestyle, and ocean views.
There is also a comfort level that potential buyers have with Mexico because so many people have come before them. Mexico has been an established vacation and retirement destination for decades and has attracted the mainstream. Having a large expat community of English speakers and American stores like Costco, can be attractive reasons to choose Mexico over less developed beach front communities like Costa Rica.
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Browse for more Mexico Real Estate and Baja Real Estate.
NUMBER OF CANADIANS BUYING REAL ESTATE IN MEXICO ON THE RISE
NUMBER OF CANADIANS BUYING REAL ESTATE IN MEXICO ON THE RISE
Routinely drawing upward of 85 percent of its tourists from Canada and United States, Mexico is steadily becoming home to Canadian snowbirds who can’t resist the lure of its great weather, strong currency, tax benefits and lifestyle rich in culture.
According to HiFX, one of the largest providers of foreign exchange services to individuals and businesses, last year more than 32 percent of new homeowners in Mexico were from Canada. This trend has recently been mirrored in sales center traffic for local real estate developments. In just this past week, Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas in northern Baja California saw six families through its sales office from Canada alone.
Lyndie Meissner, originally from Ft. Francis, Ontario, said it’s the sense of freedom found only in Mexico that prompted her to buy a home there.
“You can drive up and down the warm coast to enjoy the water with no worries of traffic jams,” said Meissner. “It’s like going back in time to the Wild West. I lived in Dana Point, Calif., in the 1970s, before any homes were there and we camped on the beach. Now, Baja California is the only place left on the West Coast with that lifestyle.”
Meissner has lived happily in the small town of Calafia, Baja California, for 23 years. She initially bought a second home in Baja but has since traded-up to the penthouse at Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas and has made Baja her permanent residence. In fact, Meissner sold her previous business and started a new venture in Baja California, where she now has 10 employees.
For Meissner, Mexico living has become a family affair as her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter also live close by in Baja.
The north coast of Baja California is filled with shores of alluring waters, warm sunshine and kind-hearted neighbors, many of which are American or Canadian expatriates. In fact, the city of Rosarito, Baja California, just south of Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas, claims nearly 40 percent of its residents are expatriates.
According to real estate officials at Baja Real Estate Group, Baja California is the perfect location for a delightful vacation get-away or home-away-from-home for the price.
“A better bargain cannot be found elsewhere along the coast of North America,” says Kathy Katz, partner in the Northern Baja Division of Prudential California Realty. “Many snowbirds are discovering the benefits of buying real estate in Mexico. We not only have an enviable year-round climate but we offer homes literally on the beach for less than $300,000! We are only 30 minutes from the U.S. border and our property taxes are as little as $200 a year.”
The exotic beach town of Calafia is ideally located between Rosarito and Ensenada and is home to charming shops, restaurants, clubs, art galleries, beaches and more. Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas recently celebrated the start of construction on its third high-rise condominium tower. The initial two towers are sold out. Sales for Tower III are under way and prices range from $298,000 for a two-bedroom oceanfront residence to $650,000 for a 15th-floor penthouse. Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas provides expert guidance in purchasing real estate in Mexico with skilled experts in the areas of title insurance, escrow services and real estate law. For more information contact a sales agent at 1-866-CALAFIA or visit www.calafiacondos.com.
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Browse for more Rosarito real estate and Mexico real estate.
According to HiFX, one of the largest providers of foreign exchange services to individuals and businesses, last year more than 32 percent of new homeowners in Mexico were from Canada. This trend has recently been mirrored in sales center traffic for local real estate developments. In just this past week, Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas in northern Baja California saw six families through its sales office from Canada alone.
Lyndie Meissner, originally from Ft. Francis, Ontario, said it’s the sense of freedom found only in Mexico that prompted her to buy a home there.
“You can drive up and down the warm coast to enjoy the water with no worries of traffic jams,” said Meissner. “It’s like going back in time to the Wild West. I lived in Dana Point, Calif., in the 1970s, before any homes were there and we camped on the beach. Now, Baja California is the only place left on the West Coast with that lifestyle.”
Meissner has lived happily in the small town of Calafia, Baja California, for 23 years. She initially bought a second home in Baja but has since traded-up to the penthouse at Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas and has made Baja her permanent residence. In fact, Meissner sold her previous business and started a new venture in Baja California, where she now has 10 employees.
For Meissner, Mexico living has become a family affair as her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter also live close by in Baja.
The north coast of Baja California is filled with shores of alluring waters, warm sunshine and kind-hearted neighbors, many of which are American or Canadian expatriates. In fact, the city of Rosarito, Baja California, just south of Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas, claims nearly 40 percent of its residents are expatriates.
According to real estate officials at Prudential California Realty, Baja California is the perfect location for a delightful vacation get-away or home-away-from-home for the price.
“A better bargain cannot be found elsewhere along the coast of North America,” says Kathy Katz, partner in the Northern Baja Division of Prudential California Realty. “Many snowbirds are discovering the benefits of buying real estate in Mexico. We not only have an enviable year-round climate but we offer homes literally on the beach for less than $300,000! We are only 30 minutes from the U.S. border and our property taxes are as little as $200 a year.”
The exotic beach town of Calafia is ideally located between Rosarito and Ensenada and is home to charming shops, restaurants, clubs, art galleries, beaches and more. Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas recently celebrated the start of construction on its third high-rise condominium tower. The initial two towers are sold out. Sales for Tower III are under way and prices range from $298,000 for a two-bedroom oceanfront residence to $650,000 for a 15th-floor penthouse. Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas provides expert guidance in purchasing real estate in Mexico with skilled experts in the areas of title insurance, escrow services and real estate law. For more information contact a sales agent at 1-866-CALAFIA or visit www.calafiacondos.com.
Email inefficiency is probably a major contributor to the technology Stress that some of us experience. My wife and I have often joked, sometimes seriously, about clever auto-responders to help filter the daily load. Here’s a couple of funny ones that I, ironically, got in a junk email:
1. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn’t have received anything at all.
2. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first 10 words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.
3. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system.
You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.
4. I will be out of the office for the next 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as ” Sharon ” instead of “Steve”.
5. Hi, unfortunately I am out of the office sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere in Baja-Mexico. I’ll be back, Month Day, Year, tanned, relaxed and likely avoiding your email then.
If you want to have an auto response like number five, please contact Miguel Sedano Miguel.sedano@bajaREgroup.com 858-433-0561. We can help you escape from daily stress, here in beautiful Baja.
Just in time for Halloween, summer arrived in Calafia. Here are some pix from Oct 29, 2010. The wind was < 5mph.
Flower hanging out at the new Tower 3
Calafia Paradise is now complete - T3/T2/T1/Villa's and a glimpse of Las Olas Grande from the beach
Marilyn and Karmella on Calafia beach
Karmella frolicking in the waves
Karmella on the rocks
Karmella and Ron on the run
Sunset at 80 degrees - from our deck
Another picture of the sunset
Sunset through the Coronato's place
Striped Ocean
Weather forecast for Saturday: Rain then sun.
Marilyn K. Simon, Ph.D.
Online Faculty Mentor
Del Mar, CA
Calafia Mexico
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Browse for more information on Calafia Condos, Baja Real Estate, Mexico Real Estate and Rosarito Real Estate.
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Spectacular Views!
Spectacular views in this spacious 5 bedroom 4 bathroom ocean front home in the privacy of Las Gaviotas. This vacation rental comes fully furnished, with appliances and even cookware. Just bring your towels. Long term and daily rates available. Book this home today!
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