Guadalajara and Lake Chapala

[RVGRINGO]

High speed internet is not a problem, either via Telmex, Telecable or Lagunanet. Finding a "fixer upper" is always possible but, if you are thinking of a hands on project, you should know that all construction here is masonry, not lumber, and that labor is readily available at extremely reasonable rates.

[steve cross]

I have a question and was hoping somebody could give me some info on lake Chappala area. We are planning on visiting this area in the next year or so with the idea that ( based on what I have read ) possibly retiring there. My mother says she heard that the lake is drying up ( ??? ), not sure if she is trying to dissaude me from retiring elsewhere or what. Anybody have any info on this??? Thanks for all your help. Cheers.

[RVGRINGO]

The lake is still here and as beautiful as ever. It was quite low for a few years after we moved here in 2001, but it has recovered. There have always been cycles in the lake level and they can be quite spectacular because it is a shallow lake. As such, only a few meters change in the water level can result in water receding some distance from the shoreline.
Over the past few years, many communities, including Chapala itself, have rebuilt and even added to their public 'malecons' and these 'boardwalks' attract a lot of people, especially on the weekends.
So, no, it hasn't 'dried up' and we hope it never does. If you want proof, send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you some current photos.

[steve cross]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply. Seeing as how I am not really " computer savvy " I would gladly send you a PM if only I knew what it is. As far as my e-mail address, no problem sending that although I remember reading ( I think it was on this forum ) that sendind an e-mail address where it can be viewed by a lot of other people could result in tons of spam or viruses. I use my computer at work so you can see what I'm getting at. Any other way to touch base with you? Thanks.

[RVGRINGO]

If you click on the username of the person you wish to contact privately, a box will open and you will see a place to click to send a PM (private message).
To keep your e-mail address from being picked up by spammer's robots, simply disguise it by adding spaces around the @ symbol or putting (at symbol here) where the @ would usually be seen. Most folks will know how to make the necessary adjustments to send you an e-mail, but the spambots won't recognize it as an actual e-mail address.

[homeless_vagabond]

Hello. This is my first post to the forum, so I hope I won't be flamed too harshly.

I am being considered for a post at ITESM-Guadalajara. I understand that it is on the outskirts of the city, but have no idea where, exactly, it is. This forum seems to have more folks around GDA who are active than other forums I have queried. I have not yet interviewed for the position, but want to do my homework beforehand, so that I can ask intelligent questions.

I'm under 40 and single. I understand that I will probably have to commute to the school. Information regarding budget (rent, cost of a beer, etc.) and activities is welcomed. Any opinions or advice are likewise welcome. This is not my first international position. Thanks in advance.

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome to the forum. You won't be flamed, but many may envy your opportunity to live and learn in Guadalajara. Actually, ITESM is in Zapopan, an immediately adjacent municipality and a very nice part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone. I'm sure you will be able to find accommodations quite near the campus, if you wish. Otherwise, public transportation and cabs are everywhere, but being within walking distance to work is a great advantage.
If you use Google, you can access Guadalajara newspapers and survey the classifieds for rentals in all price ranges. As for the beer; well, it will depend on where you buy it, as elsewhere.
Good luck on getting the position. When you come down for that all important face to face interview, allow time to explore. Guadalajara is a wonderful city, as is Zapopan, and it is difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins.

[steve cross]

Thanks for the info. Another few questions: How is the fishing in your area? Is it expensive? Could a retired couple live on $2,000 Canadian a month which would include rent? Are short term rentals readily available? I'm not talking high end, just a medium size two bedroom apt. in a nice ( and safe! ) area. Some websites say the prices are reasonable, others not so. If I wanted to just sit around a local pub what price would I be looking at for beer? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[RVGRINGO]

Lake Chapala is not famous for its fishing, but there is a fishing club which travels to smaller lakes for bass or to the coast for deep sea fishing; the latter is very expensive, as everywhere. Rents are available in all price ranges but the less expensive ones are very hard to locate until you have lived here a while and done a lot of walking. Most will not be advertised in print media. Just sitting around a cantina is not a passtime that I'm familiar with and don't see it practiced much here by expats, especially those with limited budgets. Those with 'problems' sit on the curb with a litre of beer until they get the inevitable rough experience of being loaded into a pickup bed and transported to a vacation in a Mexican jail with nobody to rescue them or to bring food.

[steve cross]

I would have thought there would be a regular meeting place for expats where you could relax, have a few beers, maybe play some darts or shoot pool and generally get to know each other. Are there any " sports " bars in town? With all the expats who live there I would think a large portion of them would be sports fans.