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livetoski
  3/26/2019 16:30 EST

Hi

We are thinking of semi retiring to the Chapala area next year and I am planning on going to Ajijic next month for some extensive dental work.

There have been some alarming reports recently by a reporter called Bill Dhahl about the ugly side of things, plus a blog post about the recent increase in crime, including kidnappings and carjackings.

I know every area has both good and bad and I am not the faint of heart type but I would love to hear from some locals about what it is really like there on the ground at the moment.

Is this guy correct in saying the lake is toxic and crime is rampant or is he just trying to hype his book?

YellowTail
  3/26/2019 16:43 EST

Aren't there Chapala specific forums where you can get the real skinny ?

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Cozumeldeb
  3/26/2019 17:29 EST

Lake is toxic and has been for decades. We've visited the area for years, but the last few yrs is ridiculously crowded. Look at Guanajuato or SMA, better weather and air quality.

longtimelurker
  3/26/2019 18:52 EST

I was there last week and lived there for a couple of years. Nobody uses the lake, you just look at it. I wouldn't pay too much attention to Bill's articles.

Most all killings are ignored by expats because they are Mexicans people being killed.

It is still a "summer camp" for seniors, a place you can live out your fantasy retirement.

livetoski
  3/26/2019 19:08 EST

Thanks for that. We may revisit the idea of SMA. We're looking for somewhere smaller though if possible. We are also looking at Boquete Panama but are worried it may be too hot (we are cooler climate people).

livetoski
  3/26/2019 19:12 EST

I couldn't find any active ones at the time but I have since found one that I will post to.

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longtimelurker
  3/26/2019 20:44 EST

here are some links to recent post

https://www.insidelakeside.com/t21437-drug-sales-lakeside-big-business

https://www.insidelakeside.com/t21417-military-in-chapala

https://www.insidelakeside.com/t21474-2019-crime-survey

https://www.insidelakeside.com/f15-local-rumors-and-criminal-activity

TOB won't allow postings on crime. They sell real estate.

gyorgyi
  3/26/2019 21:01 EST

Bouquet te is not too hot and Raina a lot. Beautiful rainbows all the time, hill and great soil for gardening if that is your gig. Panama is not my favourite although it has some nice spots. Mexico in my opinion is a has litre to offer.

YellowTail
  3/26/2019 21:03 EST

It is all so variable.
When we got up this morning it is in the low 50s. Later in the day it was in the low 90s. Why can't I get the hot tub over 82 - even with the rooftop panels ?

hrlee7804
  3/27/2019 21:32 EST

Retired hot tub mechanic here. The short of the max 82 degree water is probably not having a cover. Lots of surface area being sucked to ambient. Even covers with poor sealing is hard to get to 100 deg. Burning enough fuel will get you any temp desired but costly.

YellowTail
  3/28/2019 07:29 EST

An expert ! Can I tap into your experience a little ?

Yes - there seems to be a consensus (friends/wife) that we need covers (one for the round tub and another for the kidney shaped pool). For one thing I am getting tired of vacuuming. But - when those cold fronts come along we get really intense winds.

The distance from the pump room to the roof panels is maybe 80-100 feet. So there is that much 1 1/2 " PVC buried in the ground. I was wondering if we weren't losing something to the ground and just recently actually was investigating insulating that pipe. (That insulation material is a little pricey).

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RVGRINGO
  3/28/2019 10:23 EST

An installation without insullation on all pipes, and a thick fitted & insulated cover, with a skirt, is an incomplete installation.
Your pool will also benefit from a cover, but not as much as the hot tub, and you will benefit from a reduction in pool cleaning.

farmhousemercantile
  6/17/2019 13:53 EST

We looked at Boquet, Panama as well - but when looking at the weather - is is muggy 100% of the time and hot, apparently,
We are back to looking at Mexico and Ecuador for retirement.

hrlee7804
  6/18/2019 09:32 EST

Sorry I missed the rest of the hot tub post 3 months ago. It sounds like everything was done wrong on the install. In ground hot tubs are very difficult to maintain and when installed wrong impossible. I would know I did this work for years. Your best bet is a portable unit. Plug it in and go. Some are 110v 15 or 20 A but better is 220v 50 A. The covers are removable with an assist life and can be snapped down for wind although using some weights on them for very hard winds. The straps are not made for winds over 20 mph, at least in my area. Tubs with external heat sources are not desired as getting that heat to the tub is difficult at best. Everytime I went on a job with an in ground tub it was a cluster. You need to start over in my opinion and make what you have a Koi pond.

hrlee7804
  6/18/2019 09:34 EST

assist lift not assists life

wjparke
  6/18/2019 16:04 EST

Lived in Boquete Panama for a year. Wet and hot. Tough to get visa's there. Small x-pat community.

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