Thread: How to hunt for an apartment.

Options for searching:

1. Newspapers - printed, or online such as milenio.com or vivastreet.com are options, but bad ones. In Mexico, advertising is not the universal norm, so they are probably are not a great deal, or that would already be rented.
2. Forums such as here are good options, most students on here do not simply advertise an apartment, but a place with a package of stuff - often way over-priced. Also be aware that they are eager to leave, and are not usually willing to tell you anything bad about the place.
3. The UAG school list. Not usually great options, but worth seeing and checking.
4. Agencies - usually the same ones that sell houses, and management companies. Many options, but not likely many very close to the school. Also, do not expect a good deal.
5. Local walks. This is the best way. You know where the place really is, and can see it. There will be signs, "Se Renta" with a number. The cell number is almost always the best way to call. It will be the number that begins with 044. However, you only need the 044 when calling from a Mexican landline. From your cell, bypass the 044 and dial the rest of the number.
6. Friends. Most people do not realize that not all the students here go home to the USA during vacations. Make friends, offer to bribe them with bring something from the USA if needed. They can look, tell you what there is, and even put you in contact with the renter. Be resourceful.

To make life much easier you could do as I did and find someone in an upper semester that is looking for a roommate. (I found mine here in the classifieds.) Same semester classmates works too but they will be just as lost as you will be, at least you'll be lost together.

Upperclass option offers too many advantages to list! Basically someone to:
1. give advice about the school, profs, classes, tests
2. help getting around the city, things to do, maybe give you a ride
3. hassle free move in, no dealing with utilities, cable, gas, water, etc
4. be friends, introduce to people, invites to parties
5. cry on their shoulder after having a "Mexico Day"

If so, what is the estimated cost of the nice one's with security?

Augh! If I had read this post before coming down 5 and half years ago, I would've cried. Well, I cried anyway because I was so nervous, but this would have put me over the edge. I can say in retrospect, I'm glad I was clueless about finding an asbestos free water tank. As long as I had water and it was hot.

I too was paranoid about finding a place. I wanted something secure before I moved down there. But really, it's VERY easy to find a nice safe residence within a week or two. We got our apartment on the UAG classifieds from a girl who was moving out and got lots of detailed pictures, spoke to the landlords over the phone who could speak decent broken english. If you want to go that route, the students are trustworthy, they have no interest in **-ing you.

Those pictures are amazing! You need to give this to all of us, I'm going into 4th and I learned some valuable things, thanks so much!

How costly is housing?

You have not read much here yet or searched...

A cardboard box will run you about $50mxn/month
A penthouse will cost about $25,000mxn/month

Furnished cost more than unfurnished, near ICB costs much more than far away. Garages will cost more. Etc, etc.

Originally Posted by destined2b

How costly is housing?

Discovery Diagnostics, Inc. - Diagram Teaching Files Main Page: "Discovery Diagnostics is a California medical corporation led by Daniel Powers, MD who provides primary diagnostic Imaging services in 49 states and the District of Columbia and second

Originally Posted by Lucy May

Augh! If I had read this post before coming down 5 and half years ago, I would've cried. Well, I cried anyway because I was so nervous, but this would have put me over the edge. I can say in retrospect, I'm glad I was clueless about finding an asbestos free water tank. As long as I had water and it was hot.

I too was paranoid about finding a place. I wanted something secure before I moved down there. But really, it's VERY easy to find a nice safe residence within a week or two. We got our apartment on the UAG classifieds from a girl who was moving out and got lots of detailed pictures, spoke to the landlords over the phone who could speak decent broken english. If you want to go that route, the students are trustworthy, they have no interest in **-ing you.

This (my) apartment will probably be available in about month. I have lived here since I moved to GDL, and am finally moving on. I can let the modifications go as a package is anyone is interested. The rent with the landlord will be around $8220 mxn (about $600 usd at current conversion). Three bedroom, 2 bath, storage, underground and gated parking. Furnished. Three real minutes from closing your door to sitting in your seat at ICB. Pictures are in previous posts in this thread.

I think the walk from Staten Island to ICB in Guadalajara would take a few years too long to make your offer feasible or of interest to students seeking an apartment here. Even the drive is 4 days each way. I can imagine the problems this would create for the for the attendence policy here.

Originally Posted by Mediblu

nice room for rent in apt in staten island. near to three hosp's in staten island, near to buses to manhattan and brooklyn. drive to hospitals in new jersey. stay here for your short-term residency. 718-370-3724. clean, peaceful, quiet, convenient, parking, laundry facilities. share with one nurse (female) who is gone some of the time.

Originally Posted by acgtacgtacgt

Basic safety:

1. Any side door that has glass and can be accessed by ladder, etc, consider placing bars and or replacing the glass with thick polycarbonate plastic. A sheep of 3/8" polycarbonate will resist even a hammer to to some extent. What would you advise on installing polycarbonate sheets onto a sliding window? What kind of screws and anchors should I be using?
2. Use a large wide angle peep hole. Home depot sells a really large one which I have installed in my door. Works great except in low lighting.
3. Bring door lock plates from the USA. Make sure they are U-shaped. When you see a simple flat thin metal plate behind the door locks here, suspect it is covering forced entry damage, and not there to protect (flat, no U-shaped plates are 99.9999% worthless).
4. Change your locks, and use good ones. Horizontal keys are harder to pick. Make sure the lock has the extra little "D" rod behind the main locking rod "bolt". Learn why it is there, and make sure your door is adjusted to make it serve its purpose. (See picture).
5. Consider taking extra steps to eliminate easy opportunities for someone to enter your place. A rifle seems to work just fine for me. Haven't had any attempted burglaries to my apartment nor having my car stolen or stripped in the parking space once all my neighbor knew I had a rifle. Getting a dog works well too. Most Mexican burglars are deathly scared of running into dogs in a home.

Looks like you decided to come back and visit ValueMD. I haven't checked it for ages as well. Seems like it has gotten a bit interesting lately.