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Ajijic Crime

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john111
  1/7/2016 09:18 EST

http://valleycentral.com/news/local/state-department-updates-travel-warning-for-mexico?id=1200600

Will someone please give an update on this 2015 situation in/around Ajijic? We are considering retiring in a place like Ajijic in a few years and we want to come visit. Is it safe to come right now? Thanks!

kittvincent
  1/7/2016 09:56 EST

It is safe. I don't remember any issues in May. Most of the time people in the States are telling me about violence in Mexico that is unfounded or so far away that we don't even know about it. I live in El Chante (between Ajijic and Jocotepec) and have for 8 years and have felt quite safe. Are you flying or driving? The borders can be a little dicey but we drove several times without any issues. Kitt Vincent

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tomwins
  1/7/2016 10:38 EST

I don't know what you are hearing and why you think it is unsafe here. We live in San Juan Cosala and feel safer than we did in the US. My mom lives in Alabama and I feel safer here than when I visit her. We used to live in San Diego and feel safer here. We visit New York, various places in Florida, and etc and feel safer here than anywhere else.
The only thing I can think of that you may have read about is the petty crimes of opportunity that occur here. A neighbor of ours had a worker and a few days later had his house broken into and his safe taken. It clearly was someone who knew how to gain access and where things were located. Contents of the safe minus the few hundred pesos were found miles away.
So when you move down here, don't give out your keys to workers and don't leave valuable items laying around in sight. You'll just make your belongings a target.
What you don't see here are gun or knife carrying thugs. That's the U.S.
I suggest 3 things:
1. If you think a gun will make you safer - stay in the US.
2. Don't believe that what is written in the newspaper is a reflection of reality. They are trying to sell you their service by using hype and drama.
3. Come and visit for yourself. Meet the people here. We've found some of the greatest people we've ever known live here. Also you'll find intense poverty and people who will take opportunity to relieve you of unattended possessions. They don't want to harm you but will take advantage.

18holes
  1/7/2016 11:05 EST

I live east of Chapala and feel very safe here. We have driven down through Mexico 3 times from Colorado and everything went so smoothly. I was worried also. Don't believe all the hype you hear. I think there must be a conspiracy to keep US citizens from spending their money here. It has scared more people away needlessly. Come down and find out for yourself, you won't regret it.

mannem
  1/7/2016 11:52 EST

Serious violence in Mexico is closely assiciated with the areas where drug cartels operate. That does not include Ajijic. It is natural that terrible crimes get a lot of attention, as they do anywhere. Consider, for example: When a mass shooting happens in the U.S., the stories in foreign newspapers do not say "Most people in the U.S. live their whole lives without seeing anybody get shot." Same with Mexico. It is a big country, and most of it is as safe as -- or safer than -- the U.S.

Plumo
  1/7/2016 14:37 EST

Hi John triple one
The states has to keep you posted on travel. Warnings, if they do not they will be blame and their jobs is expandable...
Now saying that, unless you like to go late in Mexican bars, you want to negociate drugs, drive around in your Porsche flashing around your worth, like saying hey this is me the rich guy from the north...yes I would be scare doing that even in the states...your life is probably more at risk everyday up there

When you come down to Mexico, just stay in good areas meaning... don't go in dark alleys, you do not go in some neiborhood during the day in the stateside...same here...keep your nose in your business and keep a low profile
And no problemo para tu securidad!!!

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Plumo
  1/7/2016 14:37 EST

Hi John triple one
The states has to keep you posted on travel. Warnings, if they do not they will be blame and their jobs is expandable...
Now saying that, unless you like to go late in Mexican bars, you want to negociate drugs, drive around in your Porsche flashing around your worth, like saying hey this is me the rich guy from the north...yes I would be scare doing that even in the states...your life is probably more at risk everyday up there

When you come down to Mexico, just stay in good areas meaning... don't go in dark alleys, you do not go in some neiborhood during the day in the stateside...same here...keep your nose in your business and keep a low profile
And no problemo para tu securidad!!!

john111
  1/7/2016 14:44 EST

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Perhaps it was another article I read that referenced the area south of Guad toward Lake Chapala that was experiencing drug violence in 2015 that led to the State Department travel warning throughout Jalisco. I may have linked the wrong article.

We do plan to fly for our first visit. Not sure if I would ever have the courage to drive that far across Mexico from Texas.

I grew up in a gun culture, have aways shot guns and own many. But if we chose to move out of the US for a period of years I would not plan to own a gun in another country. I would be fearful of having to deal with the repercussions of shooting an invader. I would probably hope to be able to give him what he wants and live to tell about it.

john111
  1/7/2016 14:46 EST

Sounds like good advice. I wouldn't plan walk around on the streets in Mexico at night, just like I don't do that in Austin, TX either.

Plumo
  1/7/2016 14:47 EST

I totally agree with you!!!

john111
  1/7/2016 14:53 EST

Here is the correct article I should have linked: http://www.forbes.com/sites/doliaestevez/2015/05/04/narcoviolence-in-jalisco-home-to-largest-group-of-americans-in-mexico-a-serious-concern/

"Cities in Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta, known for its beaches, and Ajijic, a retiree paradise near Lake Chapala, are home to the largest resident population of Americans outside the U.S., according to the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara.

Mexican authorities identified the group responsible for the killings, which also shot down a military helicopter, blocked highways, and set fire to buses, buildings, banks and gas stations, as the Jalisco Nueva Generación (“New Generation”) cartel."

This is interesting. Just shy of 3,000 where shot in Chicago during 2015.

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Cozumeldeb
  1/7/2016 15:12 EST

Yes, many read this article and saw the gang wars in mid 2015.. again as others have posted be aware of your surroundings and use common sense..we live 6 mos in Cozumel and 6 mos Chicago burbs..same applies. Enjoy your time in Mexico, retirement paradise.

Plumo
  1/7/2016 16:00 EST

We drove from Canada, we brought our dog and our cat, we crossed at Laredo Solidarity bridge, it was our 1st time ever driving down as Snowbirds, in the US plenty of hotels that allow pets, this is in our culture, but in Mexico dogs are more used as a deterrent against property robbery ( Mexican alarm systems ) so we spent one night in Mexico before reaching Ajijic, some people drive it in one shot, we selected to stay at Matehuala at Midway inn, they allow pets and their rates are very affordable and they also have a restaurant that serves great food, so basically it cuts a long journey in 2,
If you are to use your vehicle...in order to avoid achalandage, do not cross the border on week-ends or Mexico holidays and unless you go via Laredo Solidarity bridge which only opens at 8 am, all the other ones close to Laredo are 24hrs I believe, very important do not drive after dark...sometimes the roads are full with potholes, farm animals on the road, vehicles without lights or Mexicans walking on the road...
If you go by air...buy a ride coupons when you arrive at the Guadalajara int'l airport I believe it is still under $300 pesos ?
Give that coupon to the taxi driver and give him your address at Lakeside...and Enjoy!!!??????

kittvincent
  1/7/2016 20:12 EST

My daughter took the taxi about a month ago and it was $32 USD. Kitt Vincent

MexicoToday
  1/8/2016 13:08 EST

The taxi ride from the airport to Ajijic is $450 pesos; However, a car really is needed if you want to explore the area properly. Guadalajara is within 30 minutes or so from the village of Ajijic and is part of the attraction, so you should check it out as well. For a visit, you can rent a car from local rental agencies in the village. If you decided to live in Mexico and brought in a foreign plated car (USA?), then you have to deal with a number of other logistics. The TioCorp website has some good information on driving in Mexico and the rules etc. http://www.tiocorpinsurance.com/index.cfm/driving-in-mexico/
There are some crime incidents reported from the Manzanillo area on the coast which is about 3 hours away. The thing to know is that crime in Mexico is almost always related to drugs and involves Mexican citizens, not foreigners. In fact, general consensus of the Mexicans themselves is that most of the perpetrators of drug violence avoid victimizing foreigners because the criminals feel that foreign governments may become involved in the investigation and bring significant political pressure to solve the crime. Mexican citizens are considered easier victims. Bottom line is that thousands of expats and snowbirds live in Ajijic and do not feel unsafe. Check it out.

JohnPS
  1/10/2016 21:16 EST

I just moved here from Palm Springs, where the news media reports murders and other violent crimes every day. And especially considering the San Bernardino masacre recently, only 60 miles away, why isn't there a state department advisory for the Inland Empire? Reason: State dept. advisories are for foreign locations only.

bgrateful
  1/12/2016 08:37 EST

Tomwin I agree.i spoke to people that live here
And they heard of the cartel incident in May of 2015, but it did not impact their everyday life.

john111
  1/12/2016 11:49 EST

This article does not sound encouraging.

http://www.lapoliticaeslapolitica.com/2014/02/with-recent-murder-in-jocotepec-and.html

mannem
  1/13/2016 09:11 EST

Note that incident happened two years ago. that kind of thing is extremely rare in the lakeside area.

mannem
  1/13/2016 09:11 EST

Note that incident happened two years ago. that kind of thing is extremely rare in the lakeside area.

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