We are going to rent a house!

No, we're not "settling down". 

However, we do want to have a home base. A place where we can be part of the community. Somewhere that we can just lock the door and leave, and come back to and find things exactly as we left them. Somewhere close to a major international airport, because of course the travel will continue!

And we think we have found that place.

As long time readers know, we love Mexico, and one of our favorite places to visit in Mexico is the marina where we stay near Valle de Bravo. The same place where Igor is parked right now!

The first time we stayed there was in December 2010, almost 15 years ago! And we have been back many times since, staying longer and longer each time. We even brought both of our RV caravan groups here. 

And we really get along with the owner Chago. As well as all the regular weekend people who have travel trailers and rental apartments there. Especially of course, our good friends Paco and Oti who live in Toluca and spend most weekends at the marina.

Anyhow, about 7 or 8 years ago, Chago built a small house on the marina property, overlooking the lake. I think he originally wanted to list it on Airbnb, but never got ambitious enough to actually do that. So it tends to be rented out by word of mouth, which doesn't happen that often. The last couple of times we've been there, it has been empty. And I started thinking what a nice place it could be for us. But the price would have to be right, because we wouldn't be there full time. In fact, we would probably only be there less than half the year!

Before we left at the beginning of the month, I snapped a couple of quick photos...

It's a two bedroom, and each of the bedrooms has its own bathroom and shower.

There's a big covered outdoor patio living space on the second floor.

The view from the second floor patio.

We know that local (non gringo) prices in Mexico can be quite cheap outside of the tourist areas. We have friends who rent a large three bedroom house in another non touristy area for $4,500 USD... per year!

Valle de Bravo is an expensive area because it's only an hour and a half from Mexico City, and a lot of wealthy Mexicans have lakeside weekend homes there. But the marina is 5 kms (3 miles) away from the outskirts of Valle de Bravo, so we thought it might be cheaper here.

On an annual basis, we will be paying 84,000 pesos ($6,000 CAD, $4,400 USD). So 7,000 pesos ($500 CAD, $365 USD) per month. It's already partly furnished, but there will be a few things we'll have to supply. It's a good deal for us, and a good deal for Chago.

And we don't start paying until October 1st.

Here's our thinking... we are still heading into Central America with Igor next winter. And we will continue to travel to other places as well. But when we want a break from motorhome travel, or in between trips, we will simply fly back to Mexico City, take an hour and a half bus ride to Valle de Bravo, and we are "home" where we can relax and recharge our batteries for whatever amount of time it takes. I'm thinking this will likely happen four times a year, for a month or so at a time.

So, this will be our hub... our home base.

And, with the extra bedroom it will be easy for family or friends to come and visit. And when the extra bedroom isn't being used, we will be able to rent it out ourselves on Airbnb. We may even rent out the entire house for longer term stays while we aren't there. Special rates for readers of Travel with Kevin and Ruth!

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