scrappykat
8/14/2014 09:02 EST
Hi All,
I am fascinated with the idea of moving to Mexico. I have visited the country many times, both sides.
I guess my question is, I am 48 years old (a young 48---i am a runner, paddle boarder etc---take great care of myself)----would i fit in there? Are most of the ex-pats in the area retirement age?
I'm thinking Lake Chapala because of my love of paddle boarding (although hearing that it is really polluted and no one swims in it, was pretty disheartening).
Thank you in advance for any info and advice :)
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elsidmx
8/14/2014 10:07 EST
No you're notto young for our area. Many North Americans are in your age group here. There's a singles mingle group, there's a Kayak club, and of course even our seniors are young at heart and act much younger than their years because life here inspires us all to be active and engage with life what ever our age group. < It will be well worth your time to come check us out. Tu amigo, Sid@ChapalaClub.com
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mariapio
8/14/2014 12:10 EST
Unless you need a large expat community, may I suggest the Presa Corrinchis in Mascota for paddle boarding. Un polluted, the same climate, and only two hours from Vallarta.
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btBradl
8/14/2014 13:16 EST
So right! Not a fit. Try a youthful environment on Costa Alegre on Pacific ocean namely Barra de Navidad, or Melaque, on a bay perfect for you and surfers. Fairly unknown to most gringos but absolutely beautiful. Or, if you want a university city that has all the amenities, try Colima.
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Ramzfan
8/16/2014 00:18 EST
I don't think you're too young, or too active. We have lots of joggers, walkers, kayakers and swimmers. Although most of the folks swim in pools, the lake is not really polluted. If you read some water reports instead of listening to outsiders, you'll find that the water is quite good really.
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elsidmx
8/16/2014 04:04 EST
A few year ago an environmental group and a government group each took samples of water from Lake Chapala at various points around Lake Chapala and both groups agreed after analyzing the samples that the lake was not polluted. They did advise not to eat :bottom feeder" fish or organs from any of the fish. The fish we eat come in daily from Mexican coastal cities.
The Lake is shallow and appears murky and is really just a big catch basin for mountain rain water run off, Gives us great weather and beautiful views, but not polluted and not much for sport fishermen. PV is just a half day drive away for that.
Sid@ChapalaClub.com
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scrappykat
8/16/2014 07:56 EST
Thank you for all the great info! I'm so glad to hear that the lake isn't polluted as I checked out a few of the other places mentioned, and they seem too isolated for me.
I want to be around other expats---at least initially ;) as my Spanish is rusty and just for a sense of security, i guess....
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MsAlex
8/25/2014 09:58 EST
There are also a lot of younger expats living in the Lake Chapala area. I recently met a group of Americans who moved down with their kids, and they met each other through the kids' private school. On Thursday nights, Wing's Army (restaurant/bar) has beers 2 for 1, and when our 25 year old son visited us, he said there were up to 300 young people there, a combination of more affluent Mexicans and lots of kids from both Canada and US. He developed a number of connections there that kept him socially busy.
As I have often said of the Lake Chapala area: there are enough (English speaking) people here, that you can find "your people" (whatever you're looking for, whether it be conservatives, liberals,those over 80 years old, young retirees, or families with young children.
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LiamOfFoxchase
8/27/2014 11:26 EST
I suppose it depends on what you mean by "active." If you mean "outdoors," then the lake is probably good. If you mean "nightlife," then Guadalajara has more to offer.
I love Guadalajara, which is right up the road from Chapala. I have lived here for 2 years. If you want to check out the areas before deciding, the apartment next to mine will be available for short-term rentals from Sept. 1 - Oct. 12 (before the new tenant arrives). It's in the heart of Guadalajara with lots of public transportation.
My other neighbors split time between GDL and the lake. I could get more info from them if you like.
Oh, I'd check on the level of the lake, too. The first time I went, the water went up to the boardwalk. Several months later, you could walk out more than 50 yards on grass. I don't know if this is a normal annual cycle, but just something to be aware of.
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BransonCarlton
8/29/2014 04:45 EST
You need to visit the area first. Chapala (Mexican with some Expats) seems to have a normal age distribution. Ajijic (Gringoland) does not. It is a seasonal population, doubling in residents during the high Winter season. Most gringoes you see on the streets during the summer are older.I spent over a week thete in August and saw virtually no young families, children or teens. Thete did not seem to be many 30 or 40 year olds either. It may be different in winter.
My 2 cents.
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elsidmx
8/29/2014 09:24 EST
More younger people are moving to the Lake Chapala all the time.
I've lived at Lake Chapala for 10 years plus. Older folks who come here think out of the box and are not being "put out to pasture".
The weather and climate are almost as good as having a "fountain of youth".
We seniors (I'm 73) think and act much younger than our years indicate. We think of ourselves as in the "prime of our lives" and I personally love the "younger" Baby Boomers moving here. They help to keep us young and they look at us and say, " Wow, look at how active, involved and full of life even the older retirees are here." and many decide to stay... knowing that they will stay younger longer here.
Come see for yourself! Tu amiigo, Sid@ChapalaCLub.com
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scrappykat
8/29/2014 09:55 EST
Thank you all for your replies---lots to think about and yes, i do need to come and visit. I originally was thinking coastal for the beach (playa del carmen area because i love the ocean on that side) but can see the benefits of living in a large expat community like lake chapala.
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NOK2mex
8/29/2014 10:42 EST
I am living in Puerto Vallarta. Love swimming in the pacific almost every day. I have spent a fair amount of time in Playa del Carmen and like the atmosphere here much better. We have an enormous ExPat community here and an organized group to support them. See: http://www.expatsinvallarta.com/. I am not aware of crimes against ExPats here. We watch the hump back whales swim by in the winter. Great access to fishing and all water sports. Take a close look at PV.
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