Real Estate in Lake Chapala, Mexico

Summary: The most desirable neighborhoods in Lake Chapala, Mexico are Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, San Juan Cosala, and Chapala. The average cost to buy a nice 2 bedroom home in Lake Chapala is around $150,000 USD, while a nice 3 bedroom home can cost around $200,000 USD. These properties typically include a kitchen, living room, dining room, and outdoor patio or terrace. Amenities vary depending on the property, but may include a pool, garden, and/or garage. Foreigners are allowed to own property in Lake Chapala, but there are certain restrictions. For example, foreigners are not allowed to own property within 50 kilometers of the coast or 100 kilometers of the border. The best way for an expat to search for a home to buy in Lake Chapala is to use a real estate agent or broker. They can help you find the right property for your needs and budget, as well as provide advice on the local market and the legal process of buying a home in Mexico.

How do I find a place to live in Lake Chapala?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"We made a discovery trip here in July. Loved the place and stayed a month... We toured the entire area and eliminated those areas that were a bit far out or did not meet our needs. We sold our home in the states in three days which spurred us to find a home... We have a dog and two cats that made renting a bit of a hassle so we decided to buy. I made another trip in September and we decided on one of the homes we had previewed earlier. It is a smaller gated community (7 homes) and we are quite delighted," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Ajijic .

"When we started looking at the money we would have to live on after retirement, I realized that I would never be able to quit work and live comfortably. We started looking at places we could live. We wanted to be close enough to hop up to the states to see family but be able to afford to retire. Mexico was the obvious answer. After much internet research, I stumbled on Lake Chapala. My husband and I knew nothing about Mexico. His vision was from the old westerns. There is a group that provides a week long seminar that will answer all of your questions and also show you the fun side of the area. We booked a trip 3 months away. I used the time to look at real estate offerings. I had limited funds. This is a cash economy so it had to be a house I could afford. They have an MLS listings here so I could check out everything. I contacted a realtor and he helped weed out houses that had issues or less than savory neighborhoods. I wanted city water, a pressurized/filtration water system and city sewer. Many houses are on septic so I knew that I might have to make a compromise there. We had 14 houses on the final list. We bought the second one we had looked at and we paid cash. And it is on city sewer," explained one person living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Lake Chapala?

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Real Estate in Lake Chapala, Mexico

How do I find a place to live in Lake Chapala?

What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Lake Chapala?

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