We’re pleased to know you’ve found some help on these pages. Maybe if your wife read a bit more about her old home, she might reconsider…

To answer your questions,

1. We are moving into our house in two stages. Stage one is when we personally move into the “house”, which will happen over the next month. As we work out any kinks (and there are always kinks in a new house), we will then move our “office” and employees into the front, probably by the end of March.

2. Water pressure from the city depends on location, so almost everyone creates their own water pressure using a tinaco. You can read more about that here. In our house, we’ve installed a water pressure system with a tinaco back up. We tested it just the other day and it works great, providing about 33 pounds per square inch. We also have our own well and pump for irrigation and filling the pool. We already purchased a Whirlpool washer and dryer that we’ve been using at our rental house and will move them to our new house. No problems to report.

3. We have both 110 for standard electrical outlets and fixtures, as well as 220 for the air conditioners. All electrical specifications in Mexico are the same as in the States, so all appliances are compatible. The Mexican electric company, CFE, is a world-class business, or so the slogan on their trucks tell us. Frankly, we think they do a great job considering the uphill battle they fight in these old, historic towns.

4. We think Romex (NM) is not appropriate or necessary here. Most electricians in Merida use standard Teflon insulated 10-18 gauge wire. Our electrician follows standard practices for electrical installation as observed in the States, with the exception that all wiring is run through poliducto (flexible plastic tubing) in the stone or concrete walls.

Suerte!