How much Spanish do you need to live in Guadalajara?

[Queserasera]

Guadalajara is known to have a large community of English speaking expats. Some things I've read indicate you need a good knowledge of Spanish to live there. On the other hand, I've read blogs by some Americans who live there who don't seem to have a very high level of Spanish.

I'm considering Guadalajara among several possible places to retire in Mexico, but I have quite a ways to go and therefore plenty of time to improve my Spanish. Based on my last Spanish class a few months ago, I'd say I'm an advanced beginner. I'll probably do just fine getting around on vacation but probably would have a hard time calling a plumber if I were living there.

Is there anyone who lives there who can enlighten me?

[Steve Hazzard]

Originally Posted by Queserasera

Guadalajara is known to have a large community of English speaking expats. Some things I've read indicate you need a good knowledge of Spanish to live there. On the other hand, I've read blogs by some Americans who live there who don't seem to have a very high level of Spanish.

I'm considering Guadalajara among several possible places to retire in Mexico, but I have quite a ways to go and therefore plenty of time to improve my Spanish. Based on my last Spanish class a few months ago, I'd say I'm an advanced beginner. I'll probably do just fine getting around on vacation but probably would have a hard time calling a plumber if I were living there.

Is there anyone who lives there who can enlighten me?

Welcome to the forum! I am living in the US and plan to move to Mexico during 2010. In my opinion, you should have a conversational knowledge of the Spanish language. Like English in the US, each area of Mexico has its own dialectal Spanish. You should assume that you will require an "every day" or "street level" proficiency in Spanish. You note that you have sufficient time before you retire to Mexico, I would suggest that you use that time to your best advantage to learn the Spanish language, both written and spoken. Your cultural inclusion is always best when you are proficient in the native language! I am proficient in written Spanish but I am muy mal in spoken Spanish. I would suggest that you learn the basics of the language and then attend a language school when you make the move to Mexico. I will be moving to Cuernavaca which has several excellent language schools. A good language school would be an asset to whatever location you choose.

[sparks]

I think you are referring to the Guadalajara area in general which includes Chapala/Ajijic. Gringos get lost in the huge population of the city itself. You can get by with little Spanish around Ajijic .... but after all, this is Mexico

[Queserasera]

No, I do not mean the Guadalajara area in general, I mean the city specifically. I have no interest in Chapala/Ajijic.

[sparks]

would have a hard time calling a plumber if I were living there

In the city ... yes you would. Start learning Spanish

[synthia]

I lived in a small Japanese city for a year speaking virtually no Japanese. My employer got all the basics set up for me, took me to rent an apartment, to a bank to open an account, utilities, all the basics. I never learned much Japanese, and I got along OK. However, I knew I was only there for a year, so really settling in wasn't a concern. You'll survive, but survival isn't going to be enough if you are going to be there for a long time.

[Steve Hazzard]

Originally Posted by synthia

I lived in a small Japanese city for a year speaking virtually no Japanese. My employer got all the basics set up for me, took me to rent an apartment, to a bank to open an account, utilities, all the basics. I never learned much Japanese, and I got along OK. However, I knew I was only there for a year, so really settling in wasn't a concern. You'll survive, but survival isn't going to be enough if you are going to be there for a long time.

I had the opportunity to be in Tokyo for 2 weeks during the Viet-Nam War in 1968. Although I got by without any knowledge of Japanese, having a basic understating of the language would have made my experience much more memorable before I had to return to the jungles of Viet-Nam!

[synthia]

Japanese is very difficult. Studies show that it takes 18 months to achieve the same proficiencey in Japanese that most people reach in Spanish after just 3 months study.

There have been posts here that indicate places with large expat communities, like Chapala, are difficult for those who want to learn Spanish because English is so widely spoken.

I'm sure the OP could survive, function, and live comfortably with minimal Spanish and a lot of struggle. Being happy and settled is another thing altogether.

[Steve Hazzard]

Originally Posted by synthia

Japanese is very difficult. Studies show that it takes 18 months to achieve the same proficiencey in Japanese that most people reach in Spanish after just 3 months study.

There have been posts here that indicate places with large expat communities, like Chapala, are difficult for those who want to learn Spanish because English is so widely spoken.

I'm sure the OP could survive, function, and live comfortably with minimal Spanish and a lot of struggle. Being happy and settled is another thing altogether.

I encountered the same situation when I was in Tokyo in 1968. Like other Asian languages, including Vietnamese, Japanese is a very difficult language to learn due to the local dialects and the tonal range of the language. I would suggest nothing less than a conversational proficiency in written and spoken Spanish. Reading Spanish is easy; writing Spanish is another story!

[JohnSoCal]

My wife is Mexican, I lived in Mexico and am fluent in Spanish. I cannot imagine living in Mexico and not being able to speak Spanish. Being a tourist in tourist area is one thing but living there is completely different.