Lake Chapalla / Mexico

We're about to relocate from Atlanta, Georgia to Mexico and have all the usual questions. If it were Europe or Asia I'd have a pretty good handle on it, but moving south on the same land mass has me fashimiled. My current impression is that most of the big cities may have a Yank concentration similar to the ratio of Puerto Ricans in New York.

I need a little help with finding a rental agent and possibly avoiding the scams lurking in the road of any newbie.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by JAMES

We're about to relocate from Atlanta, Georgia to Mexico and have all the usual questions. If it were Europe or Asia I'd have a pretty good handle on it, but moving south on the same land mass has me fashimiled. My current impression is that most of the big cities may have a Yank concentration similar to the ratio of Puerto Ricans in New York.

I need a little help with finding a rental agent and possibly avoiding the scams lurking in the road of any newbie.

Welcome to the forum James. I moved you as somehow you posted in the for sale section

[sparks]

Chapala area message boards. the first one has less nonsense

chapala.com Web Board

Lake Chapala And Mexico Living :: Index

[RVGRINGO]

You can safely Google "Rentals in Ajijic or Chapala"
However, if you are expecting scams around every corner, you had better stay where you are; you won't find many here unless you invite them.

[synthia]

I googled rentals, and got mostly vacation rentals. I did look at one agency's site, and they had a villa for $2500 per month, all the way through a studio casita at $375 per month in Ajijic. Hmmm. I could be quite happy in a studio.

[RVGRINGO]

The best time to start looking for permanent rentals in the Lake Chapala area is April or May, after the 'snowbirds' have vacated and gone home, but before the 'sunbirds' come to escape the northern heat and humidity in July and August.

I went to Lake Chapalla. Pretty fair area except for the lake. I wouldn't want to fall into that water. I went further south and found quite a lot of chicken ranching and manufacturing.

We are now looking for something to rent or buy somewhat further up into the Sierras. Maybe I'm just looking for something that doesn't exist anymore, like a small town slightly off the beaten path with Mexican people being the main occupants. What's with all the "gated" Green Zones?

[sparks]

Only one L in Chapala and don't know what you mean by gated green zones - where

There are thousands of small towns in all directions from Chapala. Probably best to just drive around looking. A tourist guide book like Lonely Planet will give you a thumbnail of many medium and larger ones.

I dent put 2 L's in Chapala. De top o' de page deed. Look up!
Thanks for the info. I found a lot of neighborhoods with fences and guards on the gate. All Ex-pat inside and indigenous personnel outside. Maybe in my mind one of those is too many. "Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"
One thing that I have found a hindrance is the sat photos get awfully old and grainy in anyplace not on the tourists' maps. Google Earth / Mapquest don't help much. So, thanks for the input.

[bournemouth]

James, please read your post above Spark's response - it certainly shows two "l's" in Chapala.