We have been living in Mexico for 6 years now. We have a very large expat community here. Where I live at Lake Chapala there are about 20K expats from all over the world. We rarely even need to speak Spanish here...amazing.

Ashley

Ashley,
Nice to hear from you. I have lived in California since the 60's
During which time I visited Mexico several time as far South as DF,
Cuneuvarca and Acapulco. I also lived near many Mexican communities
in So-Cal. As a Welshborn, who has traveled the World extensively and
as a Writer with an open mind, I'm afraid I have little love for Mexicans
or Mexico. The Country is blatantly controlled by corrupt and violent
groups, especially drug lords in bed with theri Columbian associates. The
Federalies are anything but law and order and are on the payrolls of
gangsters. Millions of Mexicans invade the US illegally, ignoring it's laws
and arrogantly marching in protests and defiance of it's neighbors immigration
regulations. If Gringos did this in Mexico, they would be locked up by
unscrupulous Mexican officials, if you could so call them and exploited for
monetary gain,etc. Thousands of these Mexicans bring drugs into the US
and end up in violent, dangerous gangs that prey on Americans and commit
terrible crimes then slip back South of the Border to avoid penalties. That is
my experience and the reality of the situation. If Mexico and all those other
latin lands where such fantastic places to live, as they would have us
Gringos believe, why would they risk their lives and ending up in the
calabooses of America. It's not just an economic factor. They are
deseperate to escap their fellow Mexicans, where even the Editor of the
biggest newspaper, The Excelsior, cannot priny veritas or freely move
about without armed bodyguards.

Ashley:
Seems like you are settled in at Lake Chapala. Where did you move from. Are you in Chapala or Ajijic. Are you retired? Did you rent or buy? Many questions, but we are considering spending more time in Ajijic. We are late 50's and I need to do something to keep me busy. Your input is greatly appreciated. You can pm at my email address.
erc

Ashely, I get a disability check each month for $1239.00. I am not wheelchair bound just sight problems. Can one live decently there for that amount of money? James

Hi Ashley,
We too are considering moving to Mexico especially in the Lake Chapala, Ajijic area and will coming down for a week's visit the first of November. We want to check out things to decide if this would be the right move for us in our retirement.
I have been trying to find out if you or anyone out there would know if I can bring my medications into Mexico, as they will be in their original rx bottles. I just don't have a professional looking note from my doctor, even though she signed it and listed why I am on all of the meds. Will they require something more? If it is not to their liking will they take my prescriptions from me? I am so nevrous about this, even though everything is legit.
Thanks and look forward to seeing your great area... I am an artist and look forward to mixing in with the artistic community.
Thanks, lllinda in Oregon

Hi Ashley,
My husband and I will be visiting Lake Chapala in a couple of weeks, with the prospect of living there once we are retired. Is there anything you could pass on to me, that would help in our moving down there? I have been researching for weeks now but don't want to decide anything until we check out all that Lake Chapala, Ajijic have to offer. Any good pointers for us gringos?
Thanks, lllinda

I bring medicine into Mexico every time I have entered the country, which is, let me see, seven times, including twice through a land border. No one is going to tell you you have to die or be sick! The rules about bringing medicine into a country are usually enforced, if at all, when you return to your home country.

Mexico has a random customs inspection system. When you get to customs, there is a pole with a button and two lights, one red and ond green. You hit the button and get either a red or green light. If it is green you walk right through, if it is red, your bags are searched. Of course if you look suspicious, you will be stopped, but generally you just breeze on through.

Where's lake chapala? Never heard of the place, but souunds like there's a lot of you there!

Thanks so much, I am beginning to relax and know all will be ok about bring my totally legit RX's into Mexico. I have nothing to hide as I am just one little lady who has some medical problems. I know know the problem could be returning into the US. So, I am on to having a great vacation and checking out places for my husband and I to retire tp. Thanks again, lllinda

Pete849,
Lake Chapala is about 35 miles south of Guadalajara and is Mexico's largest lake. It sits at just over 5000 feet above sea level, about a four hour drive from the Pacific Ocean beaches, yet is surrounded by mountains up to 8000 feet. Actually, the Guadalajara international airport (GDL) lies between Chapala and Guadalajara, making travel to the rest of the world very convenient. The Chapala area includes Ajijic, a popular destination for retirees and a center for art in the area. Nevertheless, there are expats scattered from east of Chapala to the next municipality to the west, Jocotopec at the western end of the lake. The climate is, arguably, the finest that Planet Earth has to offer and homes are without air conditioning or heating systems; they just aren't needed. Some may have a fireplace or a tiny gas heater for an occasional January morning, but one can live without even that by putting on another layer. International restaurants abound and there is a local grocery store which imports and specializes in foods from all over the world and popular American brands. Chapala sports a major supermarket as well as a 'mercado publico' and a Walmart Supercenter is about to open its doors between Chapala and Ajijic.
A frequent topic of discussion is the number of Americans vs. Canadians at 'Lakeside' and nobody really knows; we number in the several thousands of permanent residents with a large number of winter snowbirds and even summer sunbirds escaping the heat and humidity of the USA and Canada. Ajijic has the Lake Chapala Society and Chapala is home to Post 7 of the American Legion. There are other groups and service organizations to keep anyone occupied.
If you are considering retirement in Mexico, or anywhere else, Lake Chapala is worth a look.