Frequently Asked Questions
1
Can non-Mexican residents legally own property in Mexico?
Yes, you can! Foreigners can own property with the same rights and responsibilities as Mexican nationals. You will need a special permit to buy land in Mexico so it is best to contact a lawyer to walk you through the process. It is not difficult to get, it just takes a little bit of time.
2
What is the weather like?
In San Miguel de Allende, the wet season is overcast, the dry season is partly cloudy, and it is warm year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 5 °C to 29 °C. You rarely experience temperatures below 2 °C or above 33 °C.
The warm season lasts for 2.2 months, from April 5 to June 12, with an average daily temperature above 28 °C. The hottest month of the year in San Miguel de Allende is May, with an average high of 29 °C and low of 13 °C. The cool season lasts for 2.2 months, from November 29 to February 6, with an average daily temperature not higher than 23 °C. The coldest month of the year in San Miguel de Allende is January, with an average low of 5 °C and high of 22 °C.
3
How big are the lots and homes?
All lots measure 3,200 square meters approximately. The maximum floor area of a house is 640 square meters; houses can be one or two stories in height.
4
How long does it take to build a house?
Depending on the home, construction should take three to four months. Larger homes may take up to eight months to build. How much one is willing to pay and the availability of local workers and contractors are other factors to consider.
5
What is the design and construction process?
You can work with our in-house architect and contractors or use your own. Our architectural
guidelines can be found here. (add link)
6
How much will it cost to build my home?
Building costs can vary depending on the type of materials chosen. An average house would cost $65 USD per square foot. Differing budgets can be created at your own discretion to suit a variety of styles and tastes.
7
Do you need to pay for the full cost of the land before you build?
Yes, this is the manner in which properties like this are sold and homes are built in Mexico.
8
Is home insurance available?
Yes, there are many different insurance options available in San Miguel. A quick Google search
reveals different companies from which to choose.
9
How will Rancho Sekkan be sustainable with regards to food supply?
The property at Rancho Sekkan is zoned Agricultural and Ecological. This means that
approximately 60% of the land needs to be dedicated to food production, reforestation and
preservation of existing vegetation. Food production on the farm will consist mostly of vegetables and fruit trees. Walkways and other common areas will be used to create herb gardens and small
orchards. Livestock will also be present at Sekkan.
10
What about work?
Mexico is very entrepreneurial. With the right mindset and business plan you could start your
own successful business! If entrepreneurship is not your thing, Queretaro offers one of the
greatest industrial complexes in the country with many international companies located only 45
minutes away.
11
Do I need to learn Spanish?
Everyone is welcome, no matter what language they speak. Outside of the community, Spanish is the primary language spoken. So, yes, it would be good to learn Spanish!
12
Where will I live while my house is being built?
You are able to continue living in your country of origin while your home is being built in Mexico.
You may also have the option of staying at the Hacienda -if available- for a short period of time.
We can also connect you with realtors that will be able to help you find a rental within your budget, if necessary.
13
How much would the expenses be at Rancho Sekkan?
Since you are choosing to live in a partially self-sustaining home and community, your monthly
expenses will be relatively small. You can look at the following website as a reference for details
on the expenses of living right in SMA. Please note that living right in SMA is more expensive than the surrounding areas.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/San-Miguel-de-Allende
14
Will there be internet?
Currently, internet service is provided by Starlink. In the long run our goal is to install a fiber optic system to all lots as soon as there is a company providing the service to the area. We are looking to avoid EMF’s including 5G.
https://www.starlink.com/
15
How much does it cost to set up self-sustaining utilities for my home?
Water well: Around $500 USD Bio-Digester: Between $350-$500 USD, depending on size. Solar
Panels: It's hard to estimate this cost because every house and family have different needs. We
can refer you to a company for quotes.
16
Is the water safe to drink?
Unfortunately, the water is not safe to drink even if you have your own well in SMA. The aquifer is carrying considerable amounts of arsenic and fluoride due to the lower levels of water. Luckily,
there are local filtration options that provide clean and safe water. You will find more information
from our neighbours, Caminos de Agua.
17
How do I ship my house items?
We can refer you to a company that provides this service. Shipping to Mexico can be very expensive, minimum $10K USD. Bringing a limited amount of belongings by either plane or car is much less costly.
18
Should I bring my car to Mexico?
You can...though be prepared to pay for it. Mexico will charge taxes to register the car in the country. Your best bet would be to sell the vehicle that you own now and purchase another one once you are in Mexico. We can refer you to great dealerships that can help you out!
19
How is the healthcare system in SMA?
From the Expats Exchange website: “San Miguel de Allende offers a variety of healthcare services to its residents and visitors. The city has several hospitals and clinics that provide general medical care, as well as specialized services such as cardiology, orthopedics, and obstetrics. Additionally, there are a number of private medical practices that offer a range of services, including family medicine, pediatrics, and dentistry. San Miguel de Allende also has a number of pharmacies that provide prescription medications and over-the-counter remedies. For those seeking alternative treatments, there are a number of holistic health centers that offer acupuncture, massage, and other natural therapies."
https://www.expatexchange.com/gdc/4/77/5098/Mexico/Healthcare-in-San-Miguel-de-Allende
20
What is the best way for me to get to Mexico?
You can fly into either Mexico City or Queretaro; they are the closest international airports. If you
fly into Mexico, you can travel to the North Bus Station via metro, an airport taxi or uber. It is best to avoid renting a car and driving through the city if it is your first time in Mexico. If you fly into Queretaro you could take the bus or rent a car; driving from Queretaro is much more relaxed.
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Benito-Ju%C3%A1rez/San-Miguel-de-Allende
21
Will there be other kids my children can play with?
Absolutely! We have a couple of families with children from ages 1 to 10, and we are hoping to have more as many of the activities we will be offering are child-centred. We have a very good relationship with the San Miguel Waldorf School (Arbol de Vida) which is located a mere three kilometres away, and we will collaborate closely with them to host summer camps, school visits and workshops. Perhaps we will create school gardens on the property. As many of us are teachers, we want to be able to offer opportunities for children to learn about biodynamic farming and permaculture.
22
Can only families join the community?
No, you do not have to be a family to join. We have a few other individuals who are joining us.
They are just as much a part of the group as the families are. We accept all like-minded people
into the community.
23
When can I build my home?
You can begin the construction process as soon as your lot is paid in full and you have all the proper documentation/permits from SMA to build on the land as well as approval from the Architectural committee.
24
When do I need to start my residency process?
Yesterday! Obtaining residency can sometimes be a lengthy process. It is advised that you start as soon as possible! We have a great immigration lawyer we can refer you to!
25
Do I need to be a Mexican resident?
It's up to you. A visitor’s visa allows you to stay in Mexico for longer than 180 days. A temporary
residency visa allows you to live in Mexico year round for up to four years (needs to be renewed
after one year). After four years, temporary residency status rolls over into permanent residency.
The application for permanent residency is lengthier and more stringent, but it is definitely doable.
26
Can I rent my home once it is built?
Rancho Sekkan is a special community, and we want to have like-minded people in the community for it to be harmonious. If you are able to rent to like-minded people, we would want
to get to know them first. So it would be better to find a long-term renter. An AirBnb situation could only work when the owner is present while renting it.
27
Can I sell my property later?
Though we would want you to stay with us for a long time, we understand that situations arise,
and you may need to sell. Yes, you can sell while keeping in mind that the person will need to go through the same process you did to join the community.