An Expat Talks about Moving to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

Comments about this Report

Great Report, I lived at Lake Chapala for 10 years now and can't imagine living anywhere else on the planet. If anyone reading this post would like more information about living, working, or playing in our little slice of paradise just drop me an e mail to Sid

A very sensible post. Very good information. I live and work here at Lake Chapala and if anyone reading this post would like to pick my brain send me an email to Sid

we are thinking of moving to mexico in the next couple of years...maybe sooner. have been looking on line at homes in Jalisco and Nayarit and Lake Chapala looks best ot me at this time, especially the La Florista area of Ajijic. recently read of some cartel activity on the hiway to Guadalajara. any thoughts on cartel activity in the area and safety of driving to Guadalajara??? also will be bringing a street rod down with us, probably driving it down. am concerned about getting stopped along the way and getting it stolen by ?????..any advice is soooo appreciated..thanks..J

Some places around Mexico have communities for retired US senior citizens, room, tv laundry and cooking provided, Its better for some people. Narcos have not messed up with eldery or american citizens, its bad for bussines, remmber what happened after they killed 2 US border patrol agents in Queretaro?

I PLAN TO VISIT THERE IN MARCH , WHAT ABOUT RENTAL FOR SINGLE PERSON ?

I am looking for a job I just arrived 2 weeks ago in Guadalaljara, How do I go about looking, and I do speak English and spanish. I lived in the US just about all my life... I'm an advid golfer,would love to get a job at a Golf Course... Send me your suggestions...thanks

There are two ways to move down here. You can sell everything and come down in your car or on a plane. Or you can bring it all. We chose the latter since my husband and I are collectors of stuff. There is a 90 day window after you receive your residency visa to bring bring down your personal items without importation fees. They do still look at your things, looking for large quantities of like things that you might sell in Mexico. Bill had 25 guitars and I had a 20 year collection of fabric and we didn't pay anything. We also brought our pro audio stuff and my quilting machine. Since we bought our home, we knew we wouldn't be moving around. It was expensive but I had allowed for it in my budget. We live in El Chante, a small village on the west end of the lake near Jocotepec in a neighborhood that is mixed with expats and locals. This area is a piece of paradise and I have never regretted our descision to move here and bring it all. Kitt

these people have it together. We did much the same and are loving Mexico. You have to remember that Mexico is full of Mexicans and they are the most wonderful people, as a whole, we have ever met. We are renting in a gated community at this time but, it will not last long. This is not Mexico. We have a lot of time, what will be will be. Thats what is so wonderful about being here. Don't sweat the small stuff and most of it is. Me encanta Mexico

Just a comment since I don't see the date this was posted. I've lived in the Lake Chapala area for over eight years now. Regarding computers, if you want to have a laptop, yes, bring it with you, because it will have a English operating system. If you want a desktop, don't bring it. The prices for desktops are comparable to the US and you can have an English operating system. Also, I know you probably need your car to bring your 'stuff' in, but, again, new cars are just as cheap here and it's nice to have a Mexican-plated car.

are you still living in Ajijic? Did you import your vehicle? did you find that difficult to do?

We are planning a move to the Chapala area in the next few months. In the interim we will visit the area in early April and hope to get many questions answered....rentals, transportation, lifestyle and practical living issues. Are there good places to meet and talk to US Expats Pats. We would love to spend some of our time taking to those who have made the "leap".