Retiring to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

I have blogged about the wonderful retirement opportunity in Ajijic, Lake Chapala but I thought it is well worth blogging about again.

There have been three things that lately have, to some, put a damper on travel and retirement in Mexico and I would like to address those three issues.

First, there was the global economic crisis that hit in September 2008. We opened Collins Real Estate in July 2008 and have received lots of comments about our brilliant timing. I am happy to say, however, that we have had a steady stream of clients and sales since opening albeit perhaps not as many as we might have had without the economic crunch.

People are still retiring in droves as the Baby Boomers move through the market. Good deals are available and people are still buying here even though there are some cheap deals in Arizona and Nevada it is still not Mexico and when the economy recovers even slightly as it already has our weather and cost of living will remain very attractive for those seeking ideal retirement locations.

Second, there was a lot of buzz about the “drug wars” on the border of Mexico and the U.S. Both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama have visited our Mexican President Filipe Calderon and have agreed that this problem is a shared responsibility. The fact that 95% of the guns in Mexico are imported from the U.S. and the voracious appetite of the Americans for drug consumption are both fuelling these drug wars. Ajijic, Lake Chapala is largely an expat community and here the only drug of choice is Viagra so we have been largely untouched by the violence reported in the papers. Both Mexico and the U.S. are committed to eradicating this scourge on humanity and as a result instances of violence are markedly reduced. The legalization of Marijuana would go a long way in easing the problem as well.

Thirdly, H1N1 (Swine Flu) caused many to change their plans to come to Mexico as they thought instant death awaited for them as soon as they set foot here. This was not quite the case, as it turned out. Although the number of H1N1 cases did reach 30,000 worldwide the scare was blown completely out of proportion causing unnecessary financial stress to many in Mexico City. H1N1 is not as serious a strain as the normal seasonal flu and can be easily managed with the proper medication – Tamiflu.

The upshot of all this is Ajijic, Lake Chapala is still a wonderful and safe place to retire. Our weather is the best in the world and right now we are enjoying the rainy season which the best season of the year. (Not that any of our seasons are bad.) Lake Chapala is high and the Sierra Madre Mountains are green and the colors of the flowers and flowing trees and shrubs are magnificent. The mangoes are heavy on the trees and the aromas are wonderful.

To get up every morning to have ones coffee (or morning drink of choice) on your terraza while watching the sun sparkle on Lake Chapala is truly great for the soul.

So if you were considering retirement in Ajijic, Lake Chapala but because of the above reasons became reticent worry no more. Retirement in Ajijic, Lake Chapala still is everything you want it to be and so much more.

Retiring to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

Here are a few of ours in no particular order:

International Airport
Access to a large city
Excellent Medical Care
Good Schools
All denominations of Churches
Good Shopping
Good Restaurants
A wide variety of activities and cultural events
Climate
Warmth of the people
Good Housing Prices

All the above can be checked off your list in Ajijic.

We are 40 minutes or less (depending on your driving speed) from the International Airport in Guadalajara.

Guadalajara is a city twice the size of Toronto, Canada and, therefore, has all the amenities a big city has to offer.

The medical care in Guadalajara is world class with many fine hospitals and also the medical facilities lakeside are excellent with doctors coming out from Guadalajara regularly to see patients. Maskaras Clinic is very good with all the specialties well represented.

There are good schools in Ajijic. From them our children went to bi-lingual schools and both went on to universities in the US and Canada.

All denominations are here in Ajijic. Thee are Catholic churches, of course, Anglican, Baptist, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Presbyterian etc.

The shopping in Ajijic is very good and is excellent in Guadalajara with all the designer labels available.

There are many good restaurants in Ajijic for all tastes and pocketbooks and of course, there is fine dining available in Guadalajara.

There are activities to suit all tastes in Ajijic. Golf, tennis, bridge and cribbage clubs, garden glubs, writing clubs, theatre, arts and crafts to name a few. Also the cultural experience is wonderful with many world class theatre and musical groups coming to our own auditorium.

The climate is the best in the world and is only rivaled by Kenya. However, for my money, this is a better bet politically.

The warmth and welcome of the Mexican is second to none in the world. They truly live the expression “mi casa es su casa” which means “my house is your house”.

Finally, attractive housing prices are what bring many people to Ajijic along with the wonderful year round climate but it is the people that make us stay.

Retirement in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

One of many pluses about retiring in Mexico is that your dollar goes further and never more so than at the moment. For example you would receive 14.38 pesos for l US dollar today.

You can buy a bigger house for your money here and your expenses are lower. You have no heating or air conditioning charges for instance as our climate is second to none in the world.

Food is less expensive as is the cost of eating out. Golf and tennis are cheaper than up north and live entertainment and cultural events are readily affordable to all.

Medical care is less expensive and is first class. Many people come to Mexico for all sorts of plastic surgery and dental work as the cost is about a third of the cost up north.
Guadalajara is known throughout the world for the quality of its teaching hospitals.

Everyone can easily afford at least one maid and gardener to help with the maintenance of their property and many residents also have cooks.

Fruits and vegetables are plentiful and available year round and many fruits grow on trees in your own back yard.

Veterinary services are a fraction of the costs up north and all varieties of food and treats for your pet are available at very competitive prices.

Furniture and appliances are cheaper and custom drapery etc. is also cheaper. Landscaping your property is cheaper too.

Wine and spirits are cheaper but, of course, the more expensive labels are available to you if you wish.

Shopping for clothes, shoes etc. is also cheaper but you can find all designer names in Guadalajara which is only 45 minutes or less from Ajijic.

Although your 401K’s may be shrinking in the US your dollar goes a lot further here for a very agreeable lifestyle amid a warm and welcoming people.