[kstewskis]

Yes, Americans and other foreigners may obtain direct ownership of property in the interior of Mexico. However, under Mexican law, foreigners cannot own property outright within the restricted zone.

this sounds like a contradiction.

Instead, a real estate trust must be set up to hold title for the foreigner.

that was my point. You and I must have different versions of "owning" property. Someone holding it in "trust" (an oxymoron in Mexico) is not owning it outright, like an American would own property in the US.

none the less, "owning in trust" or leasing does not render the property secure. It can be confiscated at any time.

[ken21]

it's not the u.s.

there are many americans, especially retirees, living in mexico. i don't think the majority of them own property. costa rica also has a sizable american community.