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Gringos in Chapala and Ajijic

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GaryTx
  10/20/2015 22:40 EST

My question is: Where do the gringos hang out in the Chapala and Ajijic area. I will visit there next month and would like to visit with some English speaking residents. I've read that the Lake Chapala Society is a good place to start but can someone give me some additiional suggestions?

tessie
  10/21/2015 09:17 EST

In Chapala the American Legion always has something going on and is open to the public. Drop in and introduce yourself...friendly bunch of people.
Calle Morelos # 114-see you there!

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LovingPV
  10/21/2015 09:44 EST

Tango Restaurant

Iproteus
  10/21/2015 09:47 EST

In November you can't throw a rock without hitting a gringo in Ajijic. You're not going to have any problems finding English speaking people there.

kittvincent
  10/21/2015 11:19 EST

What do you like to do? Do you like live music, dancing, people watching, or shopping? Are you able to walk distances? Chatting with expats won't be a problem. They are very friendly and love talking about their piece of paradise. Some go to PV during the week of Thanksgiving. LCS has lovely gardens and a coffee bar. They offer services, classes and have people that can answer questions. The malecon in Chapala is very nice for restaurants and people watching. They have lots of little shops to check out. You can kayak on the lake if you are able. There is karaoke and dancing. So let me know what you want so I can give you some ideas. Kitt Vincent

Cozumeldeb
  7/16/2016 16:33 EST

Hello Kitt: I've noticed you posting on this site before..We live in Cozumel, but am looking to spend a month in Lake Chapla/Ajijic mid Feb-mid March..Looked on Airbnb and VRBO, slim pickings, probably should have looked earlier..plus seems expensive too can you direct me to a trustworthy rental site/agent? Thanks Deb Shepherd

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tsblackmore
  7/16/2016 16:49 EST

A group of expats called Los Amigos meets at La Nueva Posada, a hotel and restaurant, on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 on the back patio area of the restaurant. They socialize and have a drink or two and then many head out to an area restaurant for dinner.

JohnPS
  7/16/2016 17:23 EST

Gringos all over the place - more so than in California, LOL. Plaza in Ajijic is a great meeting place, very busy on the weekend. You'll also find lots of gringos in restaurants like Tango, Roberto's, Adelita's Bar&Grill, and even the food court at Centro Laguna

MsAlex
  7/18/2016 10:10 EST

What is particularly true of the Lakeside area is that there are enough English speaking people here, that you can find "YOUR people". Put another way: there is enough of a population that you can find a niche or a sliver of a niche that matches anything from your political views, to your ethnic background, nationality, level of eduction, or desire to engage in a given activity (from yoga and to cooking classes to computer clubs and charitable groups). So, if "there are enough people here that you can find YOUR PEOPLE", it helps to know more about you, to help guide you.

What's your motivation to learn about this area? Retirement soon? What's your age range? Are you single? Male? Female? What do you like to do?

I think our gringo population can be categorized by age, home country, and whether they are year round residents or winter-only "snowbirds". Each of these have a very general tendency to socialize with one another. (Not exclusively, but at least a tendency given human nature.)

If I may have license to make some very, very general personal observations : Besides those young gringos who have moved here, some with children in the private schools, there are there are those who I'd describe as being on the young side of retirement (roughly 50 - 68), those a little older but still very active (68 - 80 more or less), and our senior-senior population (whom you see less of simply because they stay home more). From what I've seen, these "age strata" also (very generally and not exclusively) "tend" to socialize together.

While the Lake Chapala Society is a great place to start, it doesn't sum up what it's like to live here. A subjective generalization might be to say that many of its services trend towards serving the older portion of gringo residents, especially with organized trips that provide transportation. My impression is that their "special interest clubs" could be something you might look at. In the past I or my husband have participated in Spanish conversation groups, movie watching groups, and their technology club, for example. (We're age 62 and 68.)

I truly don't think I've ever heard anyone say that they were bored, or couldn't find anything to do here. Actually quite the opposite. I more frequently here that people get so involved that they have to cut back on their commitments.

What is often said is that socializing takes up MUCH more of our time than it has at any other time in our lives. In our working years, we had less time to socialize. Now we have tons more friends and much more of a social calendar, just because it fits within our lives.

I'd suggest that you think about what you might like to do here and share that information. If you're a "horse person" for example, by saying so you might get referred to other "horse people" or ways to meet them. If you are really into cooking, you might take in the monthly meeting of CASA (the Culinary Arts Association of Ajijc). If you are a devoted pet owner, there are certainly a lot of your kindred spirits here too, particularly involved in animal-related charities. You ought to provide some "clues" to help us point you toward finding "your people".

:)

Alex



The Chapala.com web board (forum) likewise may be of some value, but it has the reputation of having a few constantly-posting unpleasant participants on it.

kittvincent
  7/18/2016 10:47 EST

Great summary Alex. I know why we haven't met, we run in different circles. The arts are alive and flourishing in the Lake Chapala area. There is live music everywhere. There are 3 theaters that put on plays and musicals. I have no talent for that but I run lights and sound at the Bravo theater for their productions. There is a community choir. I sing karaoke twice a week at Mama's bar in San Antonio. Great group of people, mostly expats. They close early so you can make plans to go elsewhere after. There are painters, photographers, writers, quilters, jewelers, sculptors and other media artists. Those people who say there is nothing to do, haven't left their houses to see what is out there. Alex is so correct about your calendar filling up quickly and the need to be selective in picking what you want to do. Let us know what it is you are looking for so we can direct you in the right direction. Kitt Vincent

RVGRINGO
  7/20/2016 12:39 EST

Just wander about the plazas and malecons, striking up a conversation with folks. It is easy, folks are friendly and glad to chat. Enjoy! We met some of our best friends that way.

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WinonaMika
  7/14/2018 20:34 EST

Depending on your age, LCS might be an option... if you're about 80.

There's a dinner/dance restaurant in Ajijic called Adelita's... where the 60-something crowd hang out.

Place off the main drag in Chapala, near the malecon (boardwalk) called El Patio that has aging wannabe American musicians playing 70s stuff...

And a really cool bar called El Infierno in Ajijic where the younger set hang out.

Otherwise, try the Tuesday Organic Market in Ajijic, the Wednesday Tianguis market, and maybe the Monday Tianguis in Chapala.

There's a great coffee shop (best in Chapala, imho) on the corner of Morelos & Zaragoza in Chapala. Pale yellow building on the corner, called Buenos Ayres. Argentinian family owns it. Marvellous people & great place to hang out. Great empanadas & they do alfajores like they oughta be done. Warning - the chocolate croissants are hugely addictive.

Hope that helps.

Cozumeldeb
  7/14/2018 22:05 EST

We don't live in Chapala/Ajijic, but have visited 3 times. This description is nothing like what we experienced..Beautiful area, lovely people.
Not sure why this person is degrading the area..but they are lying. We don't own property there nor do we intend to own property there.

Cozumeldeb
  7/14/2018 22:07 EST

We don't live in Chapala/Ajijic, but have visited 3 times. This description is nothing like what we experienced..Beautiful area, lovely people.
Not sure why this person is degrading the area..but they are lying. We don't own property there nor do we intend to own property there.

Lahry
  7/15/2018 21:30 EST

I've set a departure/arrival date of about Sept 1. I need an efficiency apt near or in centro. Must haves? A/C, internet, kitchenette. Hot water would be ok also. Just clean, safe.
I'm 75 yo, divorcee, in very good health. Very mobile. I like to write, study, sing, play guitar, oil paint. So I think I will fit in well, once I get aclamated. I know enough Spanish to get what I need, but not conversational. So I have some growing to do there. But I love he hyspanic culture. I've been to Venezuela and Puerto Villarta. Also India, Nigeria, etc.
I also need someone to make some travel recommendations and answer a few questions about that. But if I can find a small cozy place, I'll fit right in.

giershift43
  7/15/2018 22:12 EST

Why not check out Airbnb . Air conditioning is rare around Lake Chapala. Common are fans.

Lahry
  7/16/2018 11:19 EST

I'll do that. Do you really need A/C there?

giershift43
  7/16/2018 11:51 EST

Compared to the lowlands of Mexico, the climate stays relatively cool. Walking around out in the Sun and I felt it. But most get by without A/C in the summer and blankets and space heaters in the winter.

Dharmagranny
  7/19/2018 07:05 EST

In April and May, A/C would be great, it does get hot. The arrival of the rainy season in June cools everything down and it gets downright cold in winter. Most people here have evaporative "swamp" coolers in one or two rooms or portable A/C units that are nice for sleeping, not wall-mounted mini=splits with the compressors on the outside or roof of the building. A/C really isn't needed, but then again, the global temps are rising, so one of these days.......

Dharmagranny
  7/19/2018 07:17 EST

search on Facebook for groups related to rentals and just in general to the Lakeside towns...Ajijic, Chapala, San Antonio, San Juan Cosala, Jocotepec are the primary ones. Ajijic Newbies will get you started. So many rentals on Facebook that are not in the real estate sites or on Airbnb and other commercial rental sites. Network, network, network.

RVGRINGO
  7/19/2018 11:11 EST

Actually, 'most people' do not have AC or even swamp coolers at Lake Chapala, unless they bought a poorly oriented house that sucks up heat from the sun. Fans do just fine, as does an occasional small propane radiant heater in the winter for a chilly morning or evening..

Dharmagranny
  7/19/2018 11:43 EST

True. But some people DO have swamp coolers and AC, and there are a few weeks when they are a welcome addition. Otherwise, fans are sufficient, in my opinion, as well.

rmajijic
  7/19/2018 13:52 EST

Here is a comprehensive list of all the ways to find a rental in Lake Chapala. Check Facebook Pages daily and rental companies should be contacted weekly for best success.
https://www.retireinlakechapala.net/single-post/2017/08/17/Ajijic-Rentals-Where-To-Find-Rentals-in-Ajijic

Lahry
  7/19/2018 14:44 EST

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

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