Moving to a new home is invariably stressful, whether the move is across the street or across the country. Imagine the additional stress of moving to another country, with a different culture and, more significant, a different language. The stress is further compounded if you are renovating your new home, or even just doing simple maintenance on your part-time residence. Communication problems, cultural differences, missed appointments – these are enough to make you want to throw in the towel and move back home.
Some Facebook groups have provided assistance (“Mexico Amigos”, “Merida Amigos”, “I Recommend”), but a majority of the postings now are commercial announcements. For example, “I Recommend” was created to allow members of the community to recommend goods and services to others, but is now mostly people recommending themselves.
Enter Expat Expo, the brainchild of recent arrivals Steve Quinn and his wife Cathy. Faced with the same challenges on renovating and maintaining their new home, finding needed goods and services, or just dealing with day to day needs, they decided to create a forum where people who are in need of goods and services can meet the people who provide them. For one weekend, in one location, Expat Expo will bring together these two groups, and for many, the search will be over.
Exhibitors include lawyers, visa service providers, home maintenance specialists, handymen, medical and dental services, veterinarians, mechanics, insurance agents, realtors, and many more.
For example, home maintenance specialist Gely Pacho provides a complete maintenance service, including regular inspections in your absence to make sure everything is functioning properly, making sure all the bills are paid on time, cleaning, shopping, and stocking the refrigerator with your desired groceries. That way, when you arrive for your two or three month stay, you don’t spend the first two weeks fixing problems, reconnecting your utilities, paying your bills, and shopping for groceries.
Also included are Dentist Dr. Javier Camara Patron, Veterinary group Planned Pethood, Hiram Cervera Customs Services, Healthnet Connect Medical Services, CIS language school, Haus Home Design, Ruy Camino Carpentry, Market 39 Catering Services, Prop 23 Property Management, Yucatan Expat Services, Alejandro Tovar Maintenance Services, Xoots Car Rental, Merida Health Care, and Alexis Cepeda legal assistance.
Exhibitors are selected for the quality of their goods and services and their English language skills.
Calle 26 No 286 (x Calle 7 y Calle 15), Alta Brisa, 97133, Mérida, Yuc. Ph.- 01 999 930 6999
The expo takes place on January 30 and 31, 2016, from 12 noon to 6:00 pm, at the Mesón de la Luna hotel in Alta Brisa, directly across the street from Star Medica. General admission is 100 pesos. Businesses and individuals wishing to exhibit should call Steve Quinn at (999) 144 4037, or by email at [email protected].
