When planning retirement or moving to Ajijic, for many, it does not always happen in one fell swoop.

There are many reasons for this. A property still not sold up north, a job or business not quite finished, an ailing parent or relative, children finishing school and a host of other reasons make a clean break sometimes impossible.

Some who buy properties in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, will have their real estate companies manage the property for them with renters until they are able to make the permanent move.

Other times people will move here and either will have some unfinished business at home or may wish to continuing traveling.

Not everyone wishes to have the inflexibility of renters in their Mexican home so another option, particularly if you have pets, is to engage a house sitter to live in and look after your property and pets while you are away.

Some people pay for this service and others feel free rent is payment enough. It is, of course, up to you and how much you need your house sitter to take care of for you in your absence.

With a house sitter you have the flexibility of coming and going in and out of your home here on short notice and without the possible pitfalls of difficult renters who have a contract.

You can continue to engage your maid and gardener to look after your property, if you wish, but you will also have the piece of mind of knowing someone is living in your house looking after your pets, taking them to grooming and vet appointments, if needed, and keeping watch over your other valuable assets.

House sitters will live in your house for days, weeks, months or whatever time period is required. Of course, if would be better to either have someone you know and trust house sit for you or to get references or referrals from your real estate broker.

While you are away you can communicate with your house sitter as to what you would like to have accomplished such as gardening, repairs, or even construction. They will also look after paying your bills for you such as Telmex, CFE, gas etc. if, of course you leave them the funds to do so.

Your pets will remain happily in your house and be walked and taken care of as if you were there. This will give you great peace of mind. I suggest you make sure your house sitter loves pets before you engage them if, indeed, you do have pets to be looked after.

Also, if your house is on the market, you will have someone there to tidy up and show your home off to its best advantage.

There are many advantages to having a house sitter rather than a renter. The downside, of course, is that renters, by their very definition, pay rent. If, however, you need someone for a shorter period of time who can vacate on a moment’s notice a house sitter is a very viable alternative.

Retiring to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

We will explore some of those lowers costs today.

The cost of a very nice rental is between $800.00 – $1,500.00 US depending on the degree of luxury you are looking for. The price range to buy a house here is from $250.000.00 – $500,000.00 US again depending on your taste. This will buy you a very nice home with two or three bedrooms, 3 baths, and various other very attractive amenities.

Many people buy homes here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala and then rent them until they are ready to retire. Your real estate broker can manage your property for you and help you find renters. Prices are very good at the moment and will only go up as the economy improves.

Food is cheaper too and the selection of year round fresh fruits and vegetables locally grown is a wonderful option.

At the supermarkets you have the choice of buying local brands which are extremely reasonable or the imported brands which, of course, are more expensive. Our family of 5 eat like kings and we spend easily half of what we did on groceries in Toronto.

The pork here is wonderful and very inexpensive and so is the local beef. However, all cuts are available as well.

Long distance telephone charges can be expensive with Telmex but most people have overcome that with the use of Skype or Vonage which are computer long distance programs and are very reasonable. With Skype you can also transfer funds all over the world online.

Cable charges are about $30.00 US a month with Telecable and other tv choices such as Shaw, Direct etc. are available through several satellite system outlets such as Michael Merriman at 766-1117. Being from Canada we subscribe to Shaw and pay under $100.00 CDN per month for a very complete array of channels.

Electric is also a variable charge payable every 2 months and the number of fridges, computers, color televisions and pool pumps you have will determine the cost.

Water is very inexpensive in the village of Ajijic but can be a little more for potable water in the specific districts such as Chula Vista, Villa Nova etc. Again, if you have a pool you will spend more on water.

Realty taxes are the best surprise ever. When we left Toronto, Canada 15 years ago the taxes on our downtown home were going up to $4,000.00 CDN per year. Here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala our taxes for our 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom home with a pool are approx. $150.00 US per year.

Gas for our home is approx. $75.00 US every 5 or 6 weeks. Bearing in mind we have 5 very clean people in our house using a great deal of hot water for bathing and laundry.

Gas for you car is another matter. In Canada is cost about $50.00 CDN to fill a mid-sized car and here is costs me $18.00 US to fill a small car. You can go online and google a complete comparison chart of US and Canadian to Mexican gas prices. Some sites will tell you that US, Canadian and Mexican gas prices are comparable at times.

Buying or leasing a car can be a little more costly. The best thing to do would be to contact reputable dealers and shop around for your best deal. We use S & S Auto as they sell new and used cars and have access to all the dealers in Guadalajara. Karen or Spencer can be reached at 765-4800 and are located on the carretera beside Puritan Poultry in Reberas del Pilar.

All in all you will find that your dollar, euro or pound goes a lot further in Ajijic, Lake Chapala for a very good quality of living.

Lodging in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

La Nueva Posada

La Nueva Posada is located on Lake Chapala in Ajijic. The address is Donato Guerra #9. The Eager Family has been running this hotel for over 30 years. Ask Michael Eager or his mother, Judy Eager, about some of the stories they can tell about the early days in Ajijic.

It is a beautiful property overlooking the lake with an outdoor garden to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. There is also an indoor dining room with Continental and Mexican specialties.

They have beautifully decorated rooms with private marble bathrooms in the hotel with lake, and garden views and also villas across the street with one and two bedroom suites available with full kitchens which can be rented by the month.

There is a pool and off street parking and a friendly, efficient staff to look after your every need and there is free internet service in the rooms.

They are in the process of incorporating conference facilities and an all new kitchen. La Nueva Posada is the home to all the holiday celebrations including their famous New Year’s Eve Party and the hotel is always decorated beautifully to commemorate every occasion.

Email: lanuevaposada@gmail.com for reservations.

Casa Tres Leones

This is a very upscale B & B in the prestigious area of Las Salvias in Ajijic. They have 8 beautifully appointed suites and 1 self-contained villa. The views of Lake Chapala and the Sierra Madre mountains are wonderful as are the extensive manicured gardens. Internet access is available. Breakfast is served on the outdoor terraza and there is a pool.

Your hosts are Alix and Emile from Australia and both are experienced chefs.

It is located at Emiliano Zapata # l0 and you can email them at: casatresleones@yahoo.com

Angel Flores

This is another B and B located on Angel Flores #5 in Ajijic. There are eight rooms surrounding a beautiful garden setting right in the heart of the village. It is newly renovated and very picturesque, quaint and charming. Excellent food is available and the owner is Skip Waggoner. Email Skip at: haroldskipwaggoner@hotmail.com for more information and reservations.

El Suena

There is also a nice guest suites property in San Antonio Tlayacapan. It is called El Sueno and is run by Connie Kimmitt.

The suites are fully and tastefully furnished with baths and kitchenettes with open patios onto peaceful gardens.

High speed wireless, color TV, offstreet parking and an RV pad are also available.

There is a spa on the premises and the owner, Connie Kimmitt, is a certified European Esthetician.

Some of the onsite services available are as follows:

European Aromatherapy, Men’s Aromatherapy, Back Treatments, Specialty Masks, Glycolic Peels, Crystal Exfoliation, Paraffin Therapy, Lash or Brow Tinting and Shaping, Facial Waxing, Manicures and Pedicures.

These guest suites are located at Calle Colon 125, San Antonio Tlayacapan and the phone # is 766-1648. Email: info@elsueno.ca. For more information log on to the web site: www.elsueno.ca

Sunset over Lake Chapala, Ajijic Mexico

REAL DE CHAPALA is also on Lake Chapala.  The rooms are not up to the writer’s standards but they do have a good Sunday brunch overlooking the lake, 2 tennis courts, and good event and convention facitilies.
There is a very nice newly renovated bar in the style of Humphrey Bogart.

There are many B&B’s to choose from to suit all budgets.  One of the nicest is TRES LEONES in upscale Los Salvias. They have 9 very nicely decorated rooms which include breakfast.  Very peaceful, also with a swimming pool and beautifully landscaped gardens. www.casatresleones.com .  Another lodging choice might be EL SUENO in San Antonio Tlayacapan.   This lodging option also is run by a certified European esthetician, Connie Kimmet www.elsueno.ca/services

You can also rent a property while you orient yourself and decide which of our many areas best suit your specific needs. AJIJIC RENTALS  www.ajijicrentals.com and ROMA RENTALS  www.romawebsite.com are just a couple you may wish to check out.

Wherever lodging you select for your stay you will find the people warm and friendly and very eager to make your visit a rewarding one. They will be very happy to share with you all there is to see and do in the Ajijic/Lake Chapala area we call paradise.