YL: When did you move to the Yucatan and where did you move from and why did you move?

Robert: We moved to Yucatan permanently in December, 2005 from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada .

YL: Why did you choose the city you live in over other places in the world?

Robert: Less taxes, near perfect weather, greater personal freedom and limitless opportunity.

YL: What did you plan to do after you moved here?

Robert: Start a full service real estate organization specializing in the beach communities north of Merida.

YL: Are you doing now what you intended to do when you moved here?

Robert: Yes

YL: Did you buy a house right away or rent first? Do you think you made the
right decision?

Robert: I bought a house in 2000 and renovated in phases. Yes I rented the house for a month over the internet first to see if I liked the location.

YL: Now that you live here, how do you like it?

Robert: It’s the best time and the worst time at the same time.

YL: Would you ever return to your former location?

Robert: Yes, for the summers but not full time.

YL: What are the most striking differences between living here vs. living where you lived before?

Robert: The weather, cost of living and the cultural logic.

YL: What do you love about living here?

Robert: Not having to wear shoes and socks!

YL: What do you miss from your “former life”?

Robert: My friends, family and social life but I am rapidly making a new social life for myself here.

YL: If you are working or own a business, what is it like owning and running a business here or working here?

Robert: I had practiced real estate for 25 years in Canada and Florida. In both markets licensing existed and there was a strict code of ethics and a standard of professional conduct. Mexico is like the wild west. No rules, no accountability and little recourse for the victims of negligence or breach.

It has taken a little time to orient myself in order to adequately counsel my clients and level the playing field.

To be sufficiently capitalized, you will need 1 ½ to 2 years of working capital. THAT’S AFTER your infrastructure has been set-up AND paid for. It takes a while to be known and get into the groove down here, even if you are doing the same thing you did back home.

YL: Do you have to do more than one thing to make a living?

Robert: No

YL: Do you work as much as you used to “back home” or are your work habits different here?

Robert: During the start-up you work more, yes , but once you have fulfilled your staffing requirements, you can settle into the task of working on your business instead of working in it.

YL: How is the city where you live different for residents than it is for tourists?

Robert: As a tourist there is no necessity to become part of that society, only observe and enjoy. Everything from making a living, health insurance to long-term routines, breaking into a new social circle and finding a like-minded group to hang out with during leisure hours… it all takes time and there is a propensity to want to stop everything just to feel sane.

YL: How is your Spanish?

Robert: I’m not fluent but I have no problem.

YL: Is the language barrier a problem for you in your day-to-day life?

Robert: It’s really a combination of the language and the Mexican logic which creates the most frustration. A 20-minute answer to a “yes or no” question can be very taxing.

YL: What is the one most important piece of advice you would give someone planning a move to the Yucatan?

Robert: Come to Mexico armed with an incredible amount of patience and try not to lose sight of the fact that YOU are a guest in THEIR country.

YL: Are you a Mexican citizen?

Robert: No

YL: If you aren’t, do you think you will become one?

Robert: I will try and obtain the closest thing I can to citizenship just in case the rules change.

YL: Why would or wouldn’t you?

Robert: I would do it to protect the investment I have made in my new life here.

YL: How are you treated by Mexicans? Do you feel resented or welcome?

Robert: Generally speaking I am treated fine (except by the Police in Tabasco) but I always conduct myself as a guest in their country.

YL: How do you feel about the economic prospects of Mexico?

Robert: There is tremendous opportunity here in Mexico. However, regardless of how good the service, the system is driven by protectionism, favoritism and selective bureaucracy which keeps the strong, strong and the disadvantaged, disadvantaged. Perserverance and an unwavering commitment to your goals are your best bet for success. It takes time but once your market sees who you are and what you have to offer, the aforementioned challenges will simply disappear and you become part of the scene.

YL: What are your plans for the future here?

Robert: Joan and I plan to spend the rest of our working lives here and retire in 9 years.

YL: Do you see your business growing?

Robert: Yes, like a rocket because we have found a very unique niche for ourselves.

YL: Do you see yourself staying?

Robert: Yes

YL: Any last words?

Joan and I have known each other all of our lives, in fact she used to deliver the newspaper on my street when she was twelve years old. That was 40 years ago. Living and working in the land of endless summer is the life we have always wanted to live. However; as we get older I find that the uncertainty which we used to experience as adventure tends to create an equal amount of anxiety which can spoil the fun of it.

Coming to the Yucatan and starting a new life was one of the greatest leaps of faith we have ever attempted, but Yucatan living has turned out to be a tremendously enjoyable experience.

Robert owns and operates YMB Realty, a new firm specializing in beach homes in the Yucatan’s Gulf Coast communities of Progreso, Chicxulub, Chelem, Cholul, Chuburna and Telchac, among others.