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This was a fun read and was hard to put down. It is not just another travel book with a bunch of filler info to make the book fatter. It reads like a novel and will keep you engaged like you were there.
Gordon takes you through the journey of impetuous purchase and buyer's remorse over the first lot the couple purchased through the frenetic, sleep deprived finishing days of completing and decorating their house. From the introduction through the resources the author provides an honest account of a year spent building a house on property purchased in Mexico. Shaky finances, spousal stress and cultural misunderstandings are not hidden away or glossed over. Humanizing the tale are descriptions of bonds formed with the people the Gordons encounter and work with on their project. Cultural observations and historical chapters provide depth and color.
It is written in such a delightful manner that I recommended it to my husband, who enjoyed it so much he gave several copies to friends at Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted-with-a-message story of a couple moving to Mexico and building a home there. The story recounts all of the benefits and pleasures mixed with occasional frustrations of working on a project in a country with different customs, laws, culture and work-rituals than we are used to. And we continue to think of people who will enjoy the book and recommend it or give copies. A great read if you enjoy humor and/or Mexico,including the culture and traditions of the gracious Mexican people.
Barry Golson, a baby boomer writer/editor from NYC, has done well in his career but is finding well-paying employment prospects increasingly slim. But Golson's book provides much useful background info for anyone considering moving to Mexico. There is also some stuff about visiting family and friends.
The book describes their ups and downs along the way. Ultimately, their venture is a stunning success.This book will be of interest to people like myself, who are contemplating retiring in Mexico within the next few years on a part time or full time basis. So he and his wife, a former teacher, remodeler, newsletter editor and homemaker, decide to sell their NYC home and build a new home in Mexico.
The author describes several difficult times, including disagreements about construction plans, timing and finances. Golson's writing is engaging and charming. The most interesting parts of the book are about the couple's interactions with fellow gringos and with their Mexican contractors and other new local acquaintances.
I am not convinced that I would build a house (surely there are rentals available, without the construction hassles and with more flexibility). Even if you never go, it's still a fun read.
While I agree with others, a few more figures would have been useful, but leaving the numbers out does make the writing a little more timeless. Early in their adventure they had a couple of experiences with the health care system, and they talked about the incumbent fears. For example, the community the Golson's chose was already feeling the rampant growth that happens when we gringo's discover a town when they got there. They probably paid more than an early arrival, and clearly a lot less than a more recent one.What I loved about the book was it spent a good bit of time talking about some of the other challenges faced, and the emotions that evolve from that. Very useful, and also very comforting.I'm glad I chose this as my "first" book as we approach a decision in the next few years. It took me out of thinking of it only as a "numbers" game, and helped us work through some of the deeper issues.
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