What are some people telling us about their experiences in visiting Lake Chapala for the first time? Find out in this candid interview with prospective expats Bob & Janis.
Tell us a bit about yourselves. Where did you come from and why did you choose Ajijic?
WE RETIRED FROM SAN DIEGO 7 YEARS AGO AND HAVE BEEN TRAVELING THE USA AND CANADA FULL TIME IN AN RV. ONE OF OUR TRAVEL GOALS WAS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL RETIREMENT LOCATIONS. WE RECENTLY HAPPENED TO READ A TRAVEL BLOGGER'S ARTICLE ABOUT THE LAKE CHAPALA/AJIJIC AREA. IT PEAKED OUR INTEREST WHEN WE LEARNED IT HAD THE SECOND BEST WEATHER IN THE WORLD ACCORDING TO NAT GEO. THIS WAS VERY APPEALING SINCE WE WANTED TO LIVE SOMEWHERE YEAR-ROUND---NOT WANTING TO MAINTAIN TWO RESIDENCES. After almost a week now....what are your first impressions of Lake Chapala area?
THE WEATHER IS LOVELY, A LITTLE RAIN AT NIGHT AND TEMPERATE DURING THE DAY. THE RESTAURANT OPTIONS ARE NUMEROUS AND THE FOOD HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. THE FARMER'S MARKETS OFFER A NICE SELECTION OF FOOD, PRODUCE, AND OTHER GOODS. THE MEXICAN CULTURE IS WARM AND INVITING. What has appealed to you most?
THE WEATHER. SUNSHINE IN PARADISE AND NEVER ENDING FLORA Is there any community or area that you've liked the best so far?
AJIJIC--ITS MURALS, RESTAURANTS, LAKE, MOUNTAINS AND MALECON. OFFERS THE LUXURY OF NOT NEEDING A CAR FOR MOST AREAS. What are your thoughts on the various different villages and towns and their malecons?
EACH VILLAGE HAS ITS OWN STYLE, WHETHER YOU WHAT QUIET OR TO BE IN THE HEART OF ACTIVITIES, GATED OR NOT GATED COMMUNITY, EXPAT OR MEXICAN CULTURE, LOTS OF ACTIVITIES, OR HIGH OR LOW HOUSING BUDGET---THERE IS A VILLAGE FOR EVERYONE. You're here for a week taking our Retirement Seminar...and you've seen all the professionals... has it been helpful? Have they answered all your questions?
I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW LONG IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TO COMPILE THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED DURING THIS SEMINAR AND THEN MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE BEST PROFESSIONALS IN THE AREA----MAYBE MONTHS!! BEYOND HELPFUL--INVALUABLE. NOT ONLY DID WE GET ALL OUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BUT WE ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS TO HELP US MOVE HERE AND LIVE HERE FULL TIME. HERE'S AN EXAMPLE, WENT TO LAB TO GET A FULL BLOOD PANEL DONE, RECEIVED RESULTS IN 24 HOURS, AND MET WITH THE DOCTOR TO REVIEW THE RESULTS--ALL WITHIN 48 HOURS. You've started looking for a rental, and you've learned a lot about rental shopping.....perhaps you can share some of the important things to look for and ask about when looking at rentals.
BE SURE TO KNOW WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PRICE--GARDENER, MAID, PROPANE, WATER, TAXES, HOA, ETC. DOES IT HAVE A WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM--WHO AND HOW IS IT MAINTAINED. HOW DOES THE RENT GET PAID--PESOS, USD'S, CASH, TRANSFER, PROPERTY MGR, OWNER, IS EXCHANGE RATE INVOLVED. REPAIRS--WHO PAYS FOR WHAT, HOW QUICKLY WILL THINGS BE REPAIRED. How have you found the cost of living to be? In Restaurants? Grocery items?
THE COST OF LIVING (GROCERY, RESTAURANTS, RENTS, HOUSING) IS EASILY HALF OF WHAT YOU WOULD SPEND IN THE USA. GASOLINE IS COMPARABLE TO THE EXPENSIVE AREAS OF THE USA LIKE ABOUT $4/GAL. IMPORTED GROCERY ITEMS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE SO TRY TO FIND COMPARABLE MEXICAN ITEMS OR JUST PLAN TO PAY THE HIGHER PRICE. Any advice you would like to give to others who are considering relocating to Lake Chapala?
COME FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS. TAKE THE SEMINAR THE FIRST WEEK AND USE THE SECOND WEEK TO WRAP UP ANY LOOSE ENDS---YOU MIGHT EVEN HAVE TIME TO TAKE THE ALL DAY TOUR TO GUADALAJARA.
There you have it folks. If you're looking at Lake Chapala as a retirement destination it pays to do your homework and get straight facts. With the proper information you can make informed decisions as to whether or not the Lake Chapala area is right for you.
We're always here for your questions so please Contact Us. Thanks for reading!
Michaela & Ricardo are your FULL SERVICE Real Estate Agents. Along with our Retirement Seminars, our over 20 years of combined experience Lakeside, and our network of area Professionals, we help guide you to from beginning to forever in your Retirement Journey to Lake Chapala, Mexico.
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