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Looking to move to Ajijic Mexico

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Bcsfl
  1/21/2019 09:50 EST

We are retired and looking at Ajijic to retire. We are coming down early March and staying a couple months. Would it be best to get a hotel first then look for a rental once we get there. Any guidance and information would be greatly appreciated.

RVGRINGO
  1/21/2019 11:35 EST

You are wise to spend a couple of months looking around. Be sure to explore the entire north shore of Lake Chapala; not just Ajijic. We bought in Ajijic immediately, in 2001, but soon sold and bought another homed in Chapala. Jocotopec is another good option. Ajijic is very crowded and too pricey. and yet, only minutes (5 miles) from Ajijic, and even closer to the main shopping areas, which are in between. We loved living there for the next 10 years.

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novato1953
  1/21/2019 22:43 EST

When you only want to buy one peach, it's best to squeeze a lot of them to know you've got the right one.

hrlee7804
  1/22/2019 07:59 EST

The traffic around Ajijic turned me off immediately and I was there is Sept last year so not even HIGH season was in full swing. The thought of living on a dead lake is not inviting to me. 40 years too late for me. I think the weather is probably perfect. Everyplace I love it way hot in the summer including where we just bought in San Carlos, Sonora

longtimelurker
  1/22/2019 08:30 EST

Leave the rose colored glasses home and take a close look at Lakeside. Bad roads, bad CFE, bad water, and the perfect weather is not so perfect. It is "Gods waiting room"

There are other areas much nicer to look at too.

tomwins
  1/22/2019 10:58 EST

I hope you will see from my reply below that your question, while one I would have asked five years ago, is getting a very nuanced response. My short reply to you is YES, YES. If you come, stay in Ajijic for a few days and get to know it. And then find another location to stay that is in a different part of the Lakeside community for a week or two. Get a local driver to show you all the different communities over a few days period. One day go east and the next go west. And then move again to a different area - maybe one that you had visited with the driver. This will mean paying a little more as you'll be making shorter term rentals but it will pay you by proving you the education and knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
I started visiting Lakeside this weekend eight years ago as I was preparing for retirement. It won me very quickly and I started coming back for longer and longer periods of time at different times of the year.
The first long-weekend visit I stayed in Ajijic at a BnB. It was great but I learned quickly that it is too loud and busy in Ajijic for me. Many friends like living there. They walk everywhere and don't mind the congestion or power outages.
I next tried staying mountain-side in Ajijic at an AirBnb for a week. This was better as it was less noisy and had killer views. I could still walk down the hill for supplies or to meet friends or just to stroll around. But I didn't like the area either as I didn't want to pay so much for property.
I started looking outside Ajijic and fell in love with the Raquet Club. I moved here 3 1/2 years ago. I'm happy here and have my view and it is quieter. Still not quiet- and I"ll say the noisiest neighbor is a gringo whose home alarm sounds several times a day.
I may go into Ajijic once a week but many weeks I am not there at all. The traffic requires you to double or triple the time to get into the village. I shop in Jocotepec or Guadalajara.
Within Ajijic there is a very strong and active community of immigrants from the US, Canada, Europe, etc. They have reading clubs, cards clubs, and so many organizations you couldn't visit them all in a lifetime. Lake Chapala Society is incredible and I am a member. I may go to an event or use the library once in 3 months. I use the mail service (members can drop off stamped letters and other members going to the US will drop the letters at the post office). My mom (who is 90) likes getting letters.
There are incredible people here. You will have no problem finding friends. So that is a non-issue. You can be as busy as you want to be.
What is an issue is how mobile are you willing to be. We knew we'd need to buy a car and have done so. You could live in Chapala, Jocotepec, or Ajijic without a car.
But heed the warning of other people posting here, Lakeside has outgrown it's infrastructure and is only going to get worse. Know this before you decide to visit. There are hundreds of new homes going up all around the lake and the road system cannot handle it. There is no easy or cheap fix. But more importantly there is no political desire to improve the road system. So in five years it will be worse and in ten years I can't imagine. Don't get me started on the sewer and electrical problems, but at least, there may be a fix for improving them.
Already, I've adjusted my routines and desires to travel to Ajijic, Chapala, and the communities in between much less. I have very good friends whom we saw almost weekly for the first two years we lived here that now don't see for over a month at a time as they live in Riberas (toward Chapala from Ajijic). They don't get out here and we don't go there just to have lunch or drinks. Now we connect up if there is a NEED for one of us to be near the other.
Posters to this thread and many of my friends have moved many times as they cannot bear the neighborhood they were in. You will be wise to learn from them and are smart to ask you question for the very issue that you will not know the qualities of the street you live on until you live on it. A block or two makes a difference here. So have your goal on this two month trip to find the area that has the amenities you need. Then come again honing down more on the detail of the street and what is available.
Come with a list of Needs and another of Wants. And review it after each place you visit. And then free-think what you liked best and what you liked least and what is advantageous and what is a serious problem with each community. Believe me, it changes very quickly.

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giershift43
  1/22/2019 15:22 EST

I have stayed at Danza Del Sol. Nice for a longer stay. Large rooms with a kitchen.

Bcsfl
  1/22/2019 15:35 EST

Thank you for your response, We went to Merida loved it. Found it to be to hot. What others do you suggest

Bcsfl
  1/22/2019 15:38 EST

Thank you, I agree there are nice ‘places but find them to hot. Been to Merida really liked it but found it too hot

giershift43
  1/22/2019 15:40 EST

What areas do you recommend?

Bcsfl
  1/22/2019 15:41 EST

Thank you for the info will keep it in mind.

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alwaysateacher
  1/24/2019 13:30 EST

Hello. Two Canadian friends who moved from Mazatlan to Ajiic returned after living there for 1 year. They said there is little to do there, very difficult to get a taxi and the the weather is cold.

Another couple from the U.S. lived in Ecuador for 7 years prior to moving to Ajiic. There report is the same as my other friends' report.

I have lived in Mazatlan for 2-1/2 years and obviously love it. The weather is good, there's lots to do, we have a large expat community and lots of public transportation.

alwaysateacher
  1/24/2019 13:34 EST

Oops! Just saw a typo and must correct it ... especially since my username is "alwaysateacher" and I will receive correction posts:

Their report ... not "there" report.

Sorry, expat community!

novato1953
  1/24/2019 13:52 EST

There are 31 states in Mexico and over the years I've been to 29. I like Oaxaca best. Your mileage may vary.

rmajijic
  1/31/2019 18:01 EST

tomwins probably gave you the best post. Do your due diligence and look around. Only you will know if you love it or not. There are obviously people who do not like Ajijic or the Lake Chapala area and that's fine. It's not for everyone. Just keep an open mind and try to make your own decisions with your heart and mind and don't let what you read or others influence you. Lots of information on my website RetireInLakeChapala.net. where I explore both the good and the bad of living here. Best to you in your expat journey.

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