Comments on: Lake Chapala, Mexico – Retirement Paradise

By: Mario

Mario — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:54:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story about retiring in Lake Chapala. I have been living here since I was a child and do my best to spread to world about our little slice of heaven.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:16:36 +0000

I have to say that some of these letters make me chuckle. I was born in Mexico City and have lived in the country off and on (travel a lot) all my life. It astonishes me when someone lives in Tlaquepaque and says they live in Tlaquepueque. This is typical of the fantasy bubble so many people live in. Another vaunts the $200 or so rent he pays some miles from Chapala. Of course, no one is aware that dengue fever is rampant on the Lake (if you’ve gone through the rainy season in the area you should have experienced the countless mosquitos, no?). Now, if you are over 65 and get dengue, that is not good at all. If you are in your 70′s and 80′s, it could be your ticket to the Great Beyond. Or take the question of noise. Few Americans are prepared for the extraordinary noisiness of Mexico popular areas. Once they are stuck in it, they rationalize it as “part of the culture:isn’t it colorful?” It is not colorful, it is terribly and pathologically inconsiderate, and partly the result of rampant weekend alcoholism which is endemic in the country and from which everyone suffers. It can also make your life unbearable, depending on the immediate neighbors. But one doesn’t talk about this because it is “negative.”
I think your readers would be well-served by a more realistic presentation than the usual International Living pollyanic nonsense, intended to sell real estate.
Here is a golden rule I learned in the Mid-East: they say, “first the neighbor, then the house.”

By: Ann Doan

Ann Doan — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:43:31 +0000

Hello.

I would like to find out more about rental accomodation in Ajijic for July and August 2011.I am a Canadian living 10 months in Mazatlan but find the summer here too hot!! A small furnished house with a garden would be wonderful as I love to garden! Even house sitting for pet care and a garden would be great.
Many Thanks for your help.
Ann Doan.

By: billy king

billy king — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:03:12 +0000

Nice easy going web site, thank you. Will forward to friends considering mexico for retirement.

By: Diane Merrill

Diane Merrill — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:33:30 +0000

Hi Boarbi,
Well I’m on my to Tlaquepueque, Mx. I have rented an apt. there for $400.00 a month. The electric and water are free.It looks lovely. it’ a1 bedroom, with a kitchen and living room. It also has a walk in shower. The problem is it’s so busy,but my fiance lives close by in Tonala. I really want to see more of the outer villages. My fiance has lived in Tonala for a long time, he’s use to all that noise. I don’t like it. I probably will be here for 6 months out of the year, so I hope to get to lake Chapala and see what it’s like. Sounds like what I would really love.
Wish me luck.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:02 +0000

Hello Jim
I own a townhouse at the exit San Antonio Del Mar in Tijuana/Rosarito.
Many people go to San Diego one to two times a week to pick up mail and do shopping.
It would be wonderful if you were able to rent a place for a while in order to find out where you would like to live.
Prices here are super cheap, at present, so wouldn’t be in a rush to purchase.

By: Capt Jim Marshall

Capt Jim Marshall — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:57:26 +0000

Hi,
I am a 69 yr old military retired officer and am thinking of retiring in Mexico. I would like a place south of San Diego so that I can cross the border to use the commissary and BX. Is there anyone that lives within 50 or so miles south of San Diego? If so drop me an email and let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Jim Marshall

By: Barbie

Barbie — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:54:31 +0000

Hi Diane – Have you read Cathie Jean’s reply? here it is: ” Hi Barbie,
I am a 58 yr old widow….Have now been in Baja going on 4 years.
I dont speak the language ( Im not even close to Spanglish) I live on disability, have some heath issues,,,but I am so Happy to be here….I could not afford to live in the States. Yesterday I went grocery shopping at our local Walmart in Rosarito….Spent $85.00 on groceries that will last me 2 weeks +…Ya cant do that in the states…..I buy my meats…Yes, I even got some small steaks, 2 pkgs of Huge chicken breats, bacon 18 eggs, fresh baked bread, fruits and veggies. I also got 2 for 1 on butter and laundry detergent. I also go to the local fruit and veg stands here in my little town of Primo Tapia…I am only 38 miles from the border but worlds away from the stress and costs of living in the States.. I moved here not knowing a soul…I have met and formed new friends here…We all have that bond of being a “free spirit” and living “outside the box”. Hope this helps your readers. Cathie”
SO – you see, Diane, it can be done just about anyplace – just depends on what you are able to be happy to live with – I think you will find you can live most anyplace in Mexico fine. Barbie

By: DIANE MERRILL

DIANE MERRILL — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:29:54 +0000

Do you anything about the town Talquepauque that is close to Jalisco?I hope that is the way it’s spelled. Do they have nice apartments there an are they reasonable?They have a spanish school that I’m interested in but I don’t know if they except of age. I mean I’m 64, but I want to learn the language if possible.
I’m also on a limited income from S.S So I don’t know if I can afford Lake Chapala

By: Rick Hamilton

Rick Hamilton — Sun, 16 May 2010 02:07:04 +0000

Hi thinking of retiring in Lake Chapala area would be interested in other expats who have gone this route and and still living there.

Thanks,
Rick Hamilton

By: Barbie

Barbie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:28:34 +0000

Hi Shirley – read my opinion at
http://moneysavingmexico.com/page/13/?s=working+in+mexico
Barbie

By: Shirley Lebato

Shirley Lebato — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:25:37 +0000

I am exploring the opportunity to semi-retire in Mexico. I hold a Doctor of Education degree, would there be any employment opportunities?

By: Barbie

Barbie — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:35:57 +0000

HI, David!

You are very welcomed. Barbie

By: David Krug

David Krug — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:01:16 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing having lived in Mexico for 3 years and then returning to the states it’s all a bit strange but Im getting ready to go back and looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing your tips.

By: Adri Pedersen

Adri Pedersen — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:25:16 +0000

Thank you, Barbie, for this wonderful blog. Great advice to live in a new place for a few months. It is important to not rush into things when in Mexico. Even if you have traveled throughout Mexico often, there’s no substitute for experiencing things as someone who lives there and is part of the community. I love your note about behaving as a member of that community, sharing, giving back and learning about your prospective new home and its people. As long as you have tourist mentality you will forever be treated as a tourist … and miss out on so much!

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:42:21 +0000

I would add that it is somewhat important to find out about what basic services that are offered in the area that you are considering to live in the Chapala area. Close to Ajijic, most services are available, however as you go further out, such things as internet service, potable water, electicity, sewer connections, water delivery, etc, may not be available. Make sure the things you need are available in the area that you are planning to live in.

Very true! Thanks. Barbie