Ajijic, Mexico On $200 Per Month
Posted on : Jul-01-2009 | By : Barbie | In : Ajijic, Best Place to Retire, Budget Info, Chapala, Charlie, Cost of Living, Housing, I like the word "Cheap" - Frugal works too, Just Opinions - good for balance., Living In Mexico & Expat Stories, Planning Your Retirement, Rent, Retire
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If you’ve been thinking that perhaps escaping South of the Border may be the way to make your $’s stretch, read this selection of my emails!
These are but a small sample of the emails I’ve received from some very happy, fortunate retirees, who now are calling Mexico their home – at least a part of the year.
When you begin thinking of retirement in Mexico, you will have no need to feel you are like the “Lone Ranger” – heading off into the neverlands – you will be just one more lucky person heading into the sunset to enjoy the best part of your life!
I do want you to make sure you read all the free information I have offered on this site – the newsletters, plus the blogs and articles I’ve included in my Mexico Information Center. Read the Real Estate Report I have offered too – If you truly don’t want contacted – just select the drop down menu and click that …and I can guarantee no one will bother you – but read my report anyway!
I say, over and over again – you can never have too much information when you’re making major decisions about your life! Now, relax, and enjoy these few email from people who will welcome you when you head south:
This is from Charlie, in the Ajijic area:
” Don’t waste your money on a paid tour of the area. Well, I think I have read almost all there is to read on moving to Mexico and I have to say your information has been extremely helpful. Every area of the country (Mexico) is as different as the circumstances of each person who contemplates the move. Hot weather is not my thing but the beautiful country, the friendly people and the economy can’t be beat. Having lived in Florida, I learned to really dislike snowbirds & loud Gringos.
”I have rented a three bedroom , two bath home, with a maid’s casita and bath, garage, patio and nice yard about 30 miles south of Ajijic on the other side of the lake for $200 a month. I lived in Ajijic while looking for a permanent place and paid the Ajijic prices for everything and out here it is about half. Even the food, and pharmacies are cheaper because it seems that here everything is priced for the economy of the town. A few months with the Gringos in Ajijic and it was an easy decision. I couldn’t be happier. It wasn’t an economic move but being away from the Gringos who do drive the prices up where ever they go it certainly turned out that way.
“I’m sure you remember the article in AARP magazine that offered Lake Chapala at $800 a month. Well the Gringos drove it up to an easy $1200 to $1400 a month. (Insert by Barbie: Still one heck of a cost of living!! ) Well, I am here to tell you that if you don’t desire the hubbub of the crowd and you don’t mind a 25 or 30 minute drive to the larger towns tell your folks that $800 a month is a breeze.
”You know the climate & beauty here, the people in the country, like in the U.S., are more friendly and helpful than city folks and the only thing we don’t have out here is the noise of the city.
”My advice to a prospective person coming to Mexico is to rent for a few months and look around for what fits their economic and social desires. There is something here for every one. In my community I don’t spend or act like a Gringo and I am accepted as a member of the community.
“Glad to help, Barbie. I expect a couple here I think the 22nd, who you had referred to me who are coming for a week to visit the area.
Charlie
I have sent a few people to Charlie – Charlie is just a retiree who I happened to have contact with. He’s not a realtor, tour guide, nor anything, other than another retiree, enjoying the savings that can be realized in Mexico.



What area does Charlie live in? See, we had given up because the prices around Chapala kept going up allot in the past two years and our SS won’t go up much if at all. This is encouraging. We may want to visit Charlie. We don’t fly. How is driving in Mexico from Texas? I have heard the borders are dangerous right now. We have been to Nuevo Progreso twice for dental work It has been over a year since we went.
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Barbie Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Hi Connie – Nuevo Progreso is still a good place. Driving from Texas? It’s a long way, but basically, if you stay on toll roads and are cautious. Others have done it. And Charlie lives “across the lake” See my response to Tom.
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What town does Charlie live in. We too would like to avoid the concentrated gringo areas. We speak Spanish so communication is not a problem.
Thank you
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Barbie Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Hi Susan, Please read my response to Tom here. I can do the same for you.
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We are planning a trip to the Ajijic area in January 2010. Can you be more specific on Charlie’s location?
Thanks.
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Barbie Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hi Tom, I’m sure you understand why I don’t do that on the web – however, if you would like contact with Charlie, let me know, and I will instigate an email introduction for you. Charlie is just a retiree who I happened to contact – he’s not a realtor, tour guide, nor anything like that, other than another really kind retiree, enjoying the savings that can be realized in Mexico. I have sent Charlie a few people who I felt could really be helped by someone willing to put their time into just making sure retirees can “get along” in Mexico. Each time I ask him if he’s willing to help someone, he’s been very gracious – I just hesitate to take advantage of him – but, if there are specifics you think he could help you with, I will again ask him. I hope you understand. Let me know, via an email, Tom. Best to you – Barbie
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Keep up the good work. We are bogged down with reponsibillities right now, Mother in Law suffering dementia, kids moving to our area after finishing college, and a business to run. We had the business on the market for a while, (it is showing a profit even in this tough economy,) but it didn’t sell. Having the information from your newsletters gives me hope that we too may advance to retirement in a warm welcoming climate. At this Thanksgiving time, I am thankful for your uplifting message.
Dear Kathleen,
And correspondence like yours makes me feel that all the time I take on my site is very much worth it :) Thank you. Barbie
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This sounds too good to be true! I, too, would love to hear more from Charlie. Please let me know. Thanking you in advance –Toni Marie
Hi Toni, I will let him know. Barbie
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