Moving to Lake Chapala/Ajijic area

[Sandrita]

I'm thinking of visiting the Lake Chapala area in Feb or March '08 with the hopes of maybe moving there. I live on a fixed income of about US$1500/mo.
Is there anyone who has moved to that area in Mexico? I have visited a number of website about income requirements. Some say US$1000-US$1500. Any comments would be appreciated.
Sandy

[synthia]

Welcome to the forum. If you browse the threads in this forum you will find a lot of information about the area, since we have several people who either live there or have lived there before.

[sparks]

The income requirement for retirement FM3's is actually about $1250us and living simply with rent below $500.00 ... you should be fine. Chapala/Ajijic is not the cheapest area due to the large number of gringos in the area but you can certainly find an affordable place. Jocotepec at the west end of the lake is more Mexican and more affordable.

Chapala.com has an active message board

My Mexico Web

[El Toro Furioso]

Two of us and a dog live next to Ajijic for about $1,750 a month plus car insurance and health insurance, so $1,500/month is very doable. Rents are higher during the high season (Nov to early May) so renting at other times is less expensive. Ajijic is generally more expensive than surrounding towns. As already said, Jocotepec is less expensive not just for rent but for just about everything. There are few expats who live there and only the easternmost end of the town is on the lake, though. Chapala, the first city on the lake from Guadalajara, has great lake views and a lot of expats. Rents there are generally less than around Ajijic and you are only about 5 minutes drive away. Renting short term to find a Mexican landlord with no realtor involved will save you a bundle over time, even in Ajijic and environs.

[RVGRINGO]

You can certainly do it on that, but you will have to live cautiously and limit the number of times you eat out each week. The FM3 visa requirement is about $1200 per month; half that if you own a home in Mexico.