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Living in Ajijic

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Vince
  5/12/2004 17:10 EST

I rented a bed and breakfast for one week in Ajijic (Ah-hee-heek), the most expensive town along Lake Chapala.
The cobblestone streets were well-maintained. The town is clean, friendly, and safe.
Salvadore's is a popular gringo restaurant, where a big breakfast cost about $3.
The Lake Chapala Society has a 27,000 book library for its members, ranging from trashy novels to classice, history, and encyclopedias. They have a computer club, bridge club, video library, and lots of good fellowship with friendly gringoes. Membership is $30/year.
The small town plaza has plenty of benches, and after 5 PM, gringoes and Mexicans mingle agreeably. I actually bought and ate delicious tacos and hot dogs from the vendors there. A very popular ice cream bar is one of the many stores around the plaza.
They have a custom of firing rockets off the mountain, in order to blow holes in the bottom of Heaven when God isn't looking, so their friends and loved ones can get in. After the first night, it didn't bother me.
A mid-sized gringo supermarket and mid-sized gringo drug store offer a wide variety of products, and all of the local fruit stands, butcher shops, and restaurants are all clean. The small mall has a three screen theater and a few stores.
It is easy to catch a bus on the highway, as Ajijic is in the middle of the gringo community.
Best regards, Vince

cericksenj
  5/14/2004 04:06 EST

Ajijic is sure a great place..I just finished my 3rd visit, and permanently move there in August..The village square is the place..for meeting people..the two churches (one is 500 years old and is right on the square, and the "younger 300 year old church is the one with the high steeple)..PS for those, there is an English spoken Mass @ 9AM on Sundays ay the new one..there are quite a few American meeting places, The music Box, Tom's,etc..Many American/Canadien owned restaurants, with Mexican prices, and as you said, street vendors..Great people, once YOU say Hola to them..mexicans are somewhat bashful, and won't say anything until you do, but then they open up..Most gracious, courteous..Home prices are moving up, due to more foreigners coming in, but you can still get furnished homes to rent @ $350-1000/month...Most neighborhoods are mexican style, but some do mimmick American( LaFloresta) and a new one West towards, San Juan Cosales looks California, UGH...Get a look at the schools, with uniforms, discipline, and students looking to learn...BUT..Be prepared,,Mexico is a land of self responsiblility..Do the crime and you're going to do the time..Make sure you have the necessary car insurance, Buy their National Health Care for $180- 280/YEAR (YES) depending on age, and most MD's and DDs's are US trained..Enjoy Mexico...

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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pkusmc
  2/15/2005 19:47 EST

What is the healthcare there like? How are the hospitals?
Thanks.
Patricia

Vince
  3/10/2005 11:40 EST

My friend Patricia asks what the healthcare is like in Ajijic.

They had a large clinic, and the Americans told me they were happy with the health care. Guadalajara is one hour away, and they have major hospitals that accept Blue Cross.

frederico
  3/23/2005 21:25 EST

Beauty is unto the eye of the beholder

Having lived in Ajijic 1999-2000 and having gone back many times the last being last month I chuckled at your comments about the condition of the streets.

My wife refuses to live there for nomerous reasons and the conditions of the streets and side walks is just one of many reasons. Holes in the middle of the walks, missing curbs, missing cobble stones

She's afraid that she'll break an ankle and i have to agree especially walking at night . This is not at all true for many cities in Mexico which maintain their streets and walks.

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