Oh no not another Tai Chi teacher, hope you are not expecting to live on the proceeds. There are already more Tai Chi teachers than you can shake a stick at, especially in Anjuna, none of whom are able to make a living out of it.

Justin, it doesn't sound like you have done much research on this move to Goa. When were you last in Anjuna? You do not say how old your children are, but there are two local catholic schools, english medium, but they must learn Hindi and Konkani. Private schools are available for ages up to 11. One pre school with english teachers (expensive by goan standards), in Anjuna, three scools for kg to 11 years but all travelling distance, one in Saligoa, two in Porvorim.

Contact a lawyer. If you want the number of someone trustworthy, knowledgeable and well road tested pm me.

Just another thing worth mentioning - if you are going to work in Goa do you have you the relevant visa? A couple of months ago there were big check ups on foreigners working in Goa who were there on tourist visas and didn't have the correct paper work. Even the American lady who owns Bean Me Up in Anjuna had problems and she has been there, legally, for years.

Oh dear, my reasearch led me to beleive that there were not too many tai chi teachers. I also do webdesign, but I don't need to do that with local customers as I have my own already. We were also going to try and live off the interest of our savings.

I find it hard to find nay info on India, so I is not supprise that my resaerch is so bad.

Justin

Why don't YOU get a package holiday on the first flight out in October and have a look for yourself and assess the situation - it is easier "on the ground" as it were. Far better to do this than uproot your family and decide a few weeks down the line that you have done the wrong thing.
Things have changed alot in Goa since you were there in 94 - you may not even recognise the place. And as far as using the internet for web design is concerned you will find it difficult to get a "home" connection - you will have to use the public internet places and believe me they are very slow and unreliable -the electricity can go off at any time leaving you with a blank screen!!!

I was in Anjuna in 2003 for two weeks and it didn't seem too bad then. More busy than '94 but not so much changed, not as much as Calangute. I did a search for 'anjuna tai chi' and I fond that indeed there are a lot of Tai Chi people there, and I thought I was the only one!

With the webdesign my plan was to use my laptop to design, stick the stuff on a memory card and then plug it in at the cybercafe to upload via an online FTP.

I was hoping that between: webdesign/tai chi/interest on savings that we woulf have enough. However our daughter is 10 and I am not sure what she would do for school, out son is 4 so he would be ok.

oh how depressing, I so want to be back in India

Justin

Justin T - have just sent you a private message.

Anybody have any contacts for a builder/labour contractor in North Goa (plot in Calangute)?
We've been let down badly by our "friends" who promised to help us negoitiate with a local labour contractor so need someone who can speak some English and doesn't charge the earth! Any help much appreciated.
Thanks, Matti.

Hi MCB

Just a few brief pointers to help you on your way as I bought a plot last May - through the company route.
Check that your plot is outside 500m from the hightide mark.If it is borderline you need to go to the CRZ office at Saligao else you will not be able to construct anything legally unless there is an exsisting building/ruin.
Check your plot with Town&Country Planning at Mapusa to make sure it is in settlement zone and not orchard.
Get a good advocate to check ownership etc including checking that the plot has not already been mortgaged.
Get a good company advocate to form your company or sit out 182days.
Once you buy the plot the process of getting it in your name(or company name) ie mutatation takes appox 6 months, conversion for building takes approx 2 months and then you can start putting together plans for your building - which you will then have to take and get approval from the local panchyat,town&country planning,PWD,health and electricty depts.

Good luck
Matti

Hi

Anyone had any dealings with 'goa property sales' - based in uk (meltham hudds and also in calangoute).

Thinking of buying in kyle gardens development - still as bervous as ever re goan purchase!!!!.

Thanks for all the lawyer posts - as you can see still working on what i am doing - may just jack it and head to slovakia for property investment - as much as i love goa still feel uncomfortable - any advice will be welcome.

Thanks.

Rob

I have always felt that the locals lose out when foreigners buy property or land in Goa. Firstly it causes prices to rise. I know of land that has increased 5 fold in the last 3 years. But also see article in the Herald, where locals appear to have lost their land.
http://oheraldo.in/node/13765

Are you buying in a brand new apartment complex or is it a house. Normally, buying in an apartment complex is always safe as the land on which it is built would have a clear title and no builder will embark on a venture like that without making sure the land has no disputes. I am planning on buying an apartment at the end of this year or probalby early next year - but I would like to take a look around at the end of October this year. My experience and understanding of buying properties so far has been:

1) You can haggle the price and bring it down
2) Advertised prices on the website of a builder is always more than what you could get if you do the ground work yourself.
3) If you know any locals and if you buy through a friend whom you know in Goa would help both in terms of getting it cheaper than advertised and also about the authenticity of the project.

To prove point # 1, I would like to give you an example:

Early last year, I bought a three bed apartment (2,200 sft) on the second floor in a very good locality in South India. The going price was Rs.1800 per sft and we haggled it to Rs.1625 and closed the deal. Today the flat is almost ready as the final touches are in progress and I had at least two offers to buy it for Rs.2,500 per sft. Within a year, it has appreciated by £20,000 pounds.

I know a guy in Calangute who runs a holiday home and deals in properties. If you PM, I shall provide you the name and address of the person. He might be able to help you out.

Best of luck.

Aj.

The main problem lies with corruption within the auhtorities in Goa, if things were done correctly and to the letter of the law(which we know is very flexible in Goa) then many Goans would benefit from the influx of monies from outside.

It is a very similar tale in the UK, were I live close to the pennines many houses are bought up by rich city commuters (close to Manchester)then a few years down the line the kids that grew up in these villages can not afford the house prices and have to move elsewhere.

A very sad state of affairs indeed, but until the Goan authorities are brought into line it will continue as long as someone can line their pockets at the cost of others. I have been looking at property in Goa myself and the last thing I would want to do is screw some poor Goan over his land. I will be taking an ethical approach when I do decide to buy and I hope that I can help the local economy and people in any way that will make me fit in without causing any local upsets which is the last thing I would want.

Like I say any money coming into Goa in the right way can benefit everybody, it is just a shame to hear stories like the one on the link, it sounds very iffy to me and doesn`t benefit anyone except the buyers and some local politician.

hi

not sure whtehr the above posts are for me but basically buying or should i say potentially buying in an apt complex (calangoute) from a reputable builder - saldanah - i am keenish but the other half uis worried about resale opportunity

cheers

rob

Wickerman - I have sent you a PM

thanks to everyone for their advice

as i said previously we may sack it and buy in slovakia - well we did two days ago so fingers crossed with that one so goa is now off the agenda (to the relief of wickerwoman )

good luck to all of you who have taken the plunge - as we will always love goa you never know we may want to rent off you sometime but it just was'nt for us - sometimes you have to go on a gut fell on these things

cheers

rob

Hi everybody

So many knowledgable and helpful people on this message board

I've been reading it for some time but never joined until now

I went to Goa in April

I am also in the process of buying in South Goa through a UK Agent - Keith Morling and Tecnica.
Paid deposit and just received the contract from Tecnica and I also want to get it checked out

If any one has purchased through the above would love to hear of your experience

I notice some members have been through similar process already

If anybody knows a UK lawyer who deals with purchasing in Goa it would be a great help

Any help would be gratefully appreciated

Can anybody recommend both an independant/trustworthy and reliable Advocate and accountant to help me set up a company and bank accountant in goa. I need to pave the way before I fly over in September to get a closer look at different range of apartments. There is a lot I have discovered through a bit of research that suggests that due diligence is as important in buying in an emerging market like Goa than it is anwhere else in the world. Do your homework and get independant advice

Don't be fooled by the relatively cheap price for some apartments/Villas. . I was talking to a number of real estate brokers based in the uk and goa who appeared shifty about why they were more than happy to accept deposits/monies well before setting up a company( for those who are not able//unwilling to wait to satisfy the residence requirements). You have to have a transanctions showing transfers have been made from an independant company .

Can anybody recommend and good lawyer/accountant?