came to the fork in the road, and I might take it...

socalmann · #1 (**permalink**) 26th October 2009, 01:20 PM

My name is John, and I am considering a move to Mx. Really need to dialogue w/ those who've already made this leap to help me decide whether to let go, and let Mexico. Would really appreciate it if folks would be so kind as to contact me. I do not know anyone who lives in Mx.

sparks · #2 (**permalink**) 26th October 2009, 08:52 PM

Head for Ajijic on Lake Chapala and there will be lots of gringos to meet. Might be a good first step. Just take a vacation trip and see how it goes

socalmann · #3 (**permalink**) 26th October 2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparks

Head for Ajijic on Lake Chapala and there will be lots of gringos to meet. Might be a good first step. Just take a vacation trip and see how it goes

thanks for your reply. will have to go to google maps to locate Ajijic and Lake Chapala as I have no idea which state in mexico they are. do you live there? if you don't mind my asking : what is your life like wherever you live? are you interested in an ongoing email dialogue / relationship? again, i do not know a soul who lives in ole mexico.

RVGRINGO · #4 (**permalink**) 26th October 2009, 10:25 PM

Chapala and Ajijic are on the north shore of Lake Chapala, in Jalisco, just south of Guadalajara and half an hour from that city's international airport. The area is home to many US and Canadian expats, as well as others, and enjoys a delightful climate all year.

socalmann · #5 (**permalink**) 27th October 2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Chapala and Ajijic are on the north shore of Lake Chapala, in Jalisco, just south of Guadalajara and half an hour from that city's international airport. The area is home to many US and Canadian expats, as well as others, and enjoys a delightful climate all year.

thank you for your reply...just got off the phone w/ a Christy with the Focus Group, and if I can swing the money part, I'd love to come down for 10 days and check out the place...thanks again...john

mexliving · #6 (**permalink**) 29th October 2009, 09:22 AM

plenty of flights out of LAX that depart at 1 am to gdl.... chapala is 20 minutes from airport....

i can tell you i visited chapala for the first time and went to the american legion restaurant.... plenty of folks having a great time... i was very jelous of them... having found a wonderfull town...

safogel · #7 (**permalink**) 9th November 2009, 10:15 PM

I live in La Paz, the capital of Mexico's youngest state, Baja California Sur.
Unlike her glitzy sister to the south ( Cabo San Lucas) La Paz has a small town feel. It is a city of 200,000 is the seat of government, and the center or eco-tourism. Jacques Cousteau called the Gulf of California the world's largest living aquarium.
There is a healthy Gringo community, as well as a strong, educated, Mexican middle class. Medical coverage is very good, inexpensive and many physicians speak English.
Dining out ranges from taco and hot dog stands on the street to 5-start restaurants. Espresso cafes abound. There is a 15 screen cinema with the lates US movies, grocery stores stocking Mexican and US brands and some of thos big box stores from the US.
It is a 3 day drive from the border, there are non-stop flights from LAX on Alaska.
The waters are warm, calm and clean.
I have been here for almost 10 years.

Thinking of Buying Property in Mexico?
Read my book: MargaritaMind: How to Avoid IT; A Guide to Buying Mexico Real Estate Safely and Sanely. send me a private message for more info.

cookjmex · #8 (**permalink**) 10th November 2009, 05:05 AM

Here is a photojournal which can help you get a feel for what Ajijic/Lake Chapala area is like:Jim & Carole's Mexico Adventure: Ajijic

Here are some possibilities for a short-term stay:Ajijic Bed and Breakfast & Guest House Reviews - Travel Library

If these are too expensive, try: Laguna Bed and Breakfast, Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico

YaVengo · #9 (**permalink**) 10th November 2009, 11:12 PM

Any recommendations on places to stay in/around La Paz? How hot is summer there and how buggy (mosquitoes, scorpions, etc)? Chapala area sounds good but the ocean has always called to me.
Rich

safogel · #10 (**permalink**) 10th November 2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YaVengo

Any recommendations on places to stay in/around La Paz? How hot is summer there and how buggy (mosquitoes, scorpions, etc)? Chapala area sounds good but the ocean has always called to me.
Rich

Summer in La Paz is hot. It is Ok in June, butas the summer progresses, it gets hotter.
September is active hurricane season.
We have not had a big hurricane in a couple of years, just the wind and rain.
There are all kinds of places to stay from budget vacation rentals to luxury villas on the beach.
I have a nice casita, you may contact me privately.
There are condos for rent and other accommodations.You can visit a vacation rental site like www.homeaway.com to see what is available.
Mosquitoes are not a problem until it gets really humid in September.
There are insects everywhere you may choose to travel, that is the nature of the tropics.
I have seen scorpions here, but it is not as if they are crawling all over!
And we encourage cute geckos ( lizards) to live in our homes, they eat scorpions!
You need to travel to several places to decide what amenities you can live without and those you must have.
I cannot live without the sea.

*********
Thinking of buying property in Mexico? Read my ebook:
Margarita Mind: How to Avoid IT; A Guide to Buying Mexico Real Estate Safely & Sanely
contact me privately