If you leave a comment I appreciate it! But, youtube is being glitchy and I'm not able to see all comments. They say they are working on the problem. If I don't respond to your comment it's most likely because it has disappeared from my view. Hopefully I will be able to see it soon.
¿hola, cómo estás? I appreciate you sharing your journey. MoraMargaret, You have a lot of courage and self-esteem! My first two days driving in México was a near disaster. I also agree with you about slow-traveling throughout México. My goal is slightly different, inasmuch as I want to slow-travel Latin America. Spending six-months in the southern hemisphere, then six-months in the northern hemisphere. Rinse, repeat. That, plus, I'm lazy and only want to learn one language; Spanish! With the exception of Brazil and Belize, Latin America pretty much offers everything I'm interested in. BTW, MoraMargaret, where/how did you learn Spanish? Speaking from My personal experiences; I believe an interested person, once they find a good fit, should spend three months during the worst weather season, before deciding to make a long-term commitment. Before visiting Merida, even though I had absolutely ZERO interest in moving here, I I read about "the top reasons expats leave Merida, Yucatan, México": #1, the YUCATAN SUN! 🌞🔥 I'm a retired farmer from Central Georgia. Our summers are also hot and humid. So, with that in mind, I decided to postpone My trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina whose weather was beginning to turn cooler due to their fall season approaching, and spend three consecutive weeks in Centro, Merida, Yucatan, México. I arrived in time for the recent Presidential election, and to experience 21 days where the daytime temperature never dropped below 41c/105f. 🌞 🥵 HOT?! Absolutely. But, I learned to manage my activities and workaround the daytime temperatures. The Meridians have been doing it for centuries. Besides, that high heat didn’t last but a couple months. However, I was so captivated by all that Centro Merida, Yucatan has to offer that a month ago, I decided to return. Because, Merida, unlike other tourist havens, such as Cancun, Playa de Carmen, Tulum, etc, Merida, Yucatan is a Spanish language "Mexican" state. Which is what I want so I'm better able to obtain a working knowledge of the Spanish language. Moreover, my research indicated that Buenos Aires is better enjoyed if you have a working knowledge of the Spanish language. So, why not just hangout in Centro Merida, Yucatan until spring arrives in Buenos Aires, Argentina studying and practicing my Spanish language skills?! I expect to return to Georgia in mid-September to check on my four pups. Then based upon their local weather, head south to Buenos Aires to explore Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Then begin.heading north. Rinse, repeat! MoraMargaret, I'm living vicariously through your adventures in México! I'm curious to learn: how did you begin blogging?! ¡Gracias!
Your perspective is such a breath of fresh air. Other TH-camrs have a vested interest in making many areas sound perfect. Thank you for sharing your reality, pros and cons!
While I agree with a lot of what you have said, remember it is the worst possible time for all the heat and dust. We have been here for 2 years and lived in Jocotopec for one of those. It was so noisy and just very dirty in our opinion. Many love it there, and that is okay, but not us. We moved east of Chapala in San Nicolas de Ibarra and love it. It is definitely a more Mexican-feeling area. The people here are so nice to us, especially our landlord. It is also very affordable regarding rent. Buying anywhere in this area is expensive. We have traveled to Morelia, Zacatecas.San Miguel de Allende, Mazamitla, and along the Costa Alegre. The influx of foreigners has caused the price of everything to rise. I would give the area a chance, we love the rainy season, from July through October, but return to the States during the holiday season. We go to Guadalajara for medical care as it is so much more affordable than Lakeside. We also use the vet in Joco we started with, she is amazing and super affordable. Apa Pets across from the CFE. But if you decide to move on I wish all the best. The last point, new president, new ways and things might change considerably. Wait and see. From a friendly gringo, wink wink.
hahaha thanks for your comment! I'm sorry I haven't seen San Nicolas de Ibarra, sounds nice. There are so many beautiful places in Mexico, I can't wait to explore more. I wish I could be like you and live here and back in the states sometimes!
Hey there! We also have a home we're building up in the Lomas del Country neighborhood in San Nicolas. We were there mid April through mid May and yes, it was hot and dusty like I hadn't experienced over there. But overall it is a peaceful place and good to live in.
I really appreciate your perspective and your honesty, As a traveler myself, one of the things that I particularly hate is when you-tubers simply lie, about how great a place is , just for clicks, then when you spend your hard earned money to go to these places you discover that almost everything they said was not true. Thank you for your honesty, continue to make you videos and do well !
Thank you. Some people don't like criticism of their chosen place, so I got a lil flack, but you have to tell the truth as you see it, right? Thanks for the encouragement!
That's why when I research anything, whether it's on Trip Advisor, Amazon or via Google, I ALWAYS skip to the bad reviews first. If I cannot handle the negatives then there's no point....
First honest review I've ever seen about Lake Chapala & Ajijic. Thank you for posting your honest feedback! I can relate to many of the observations you have... I feel like I would feel the same way if I was there.
We grew up in an area with lots of lakes so I searched for a similar area in Mexico. I found Lake Chapala, never heard of it. The more I looked into it the more I realized it was not for us. That was 5-6 years ago. We now live in Progreso Yucatan, near Merida … luv it!
I lived in Ajijic for the past 9 years and have no arguement with your views. That said, I still love the place. Just spent the winter in Mazatlan and really love it there. Costs are similar however the streets are flat with wider sidewalks I will still try to spend time there after June each year as the place grows on you. Very fair critique.
Yes winter in Mazatlan is really great weather, the streets aren’t as bad as Ajijic but in Centro can be just as hazardous. However, it starts getting really humid and hot in May and I have heard Aug/Sept are dreadful.
Having lived in Ajijic for 20 years, I agree with most of your reasons for looking elsewhere to retire. 20 years ago it was different when we arrived and bought a home. The cobble stone streets were charming. Not so much anymore. The traffic was minimal. There was one traffic light at Colon. Walmart and Soriana had not been built, yet. We shopped at small local places. The cost of living was compared to Oregon was unbelievably lower. Of course, things change … some for the better, many for the annoying. However, you visited in May. We HATE May. We ALL HATE May. It’s hot, dusty, dry, brown and ugly. It’s even uglier to we who live here because we know the beauty of the cool temps and green mountains when it’s not May. I hope you find your happy place in Mexico. Best of luck with your TH-cam channel. Love your editing style. JC Travel Stories. :)
Hey thank you! I will check out your channel. I know May was the worst, but I had to be somewhere. I'm glad to hear it's better the rest of the year. I can only imagine the changes in the last 20 years. Sometimes it makes me sad, but that's the nature of life. Thanks for watching :)
I just watched your most popular video! Well done, I hate the whole insurance system. What's it feel like to have almost 1 million views?! I'd leave this comment there, but do you even read them after 5 thousand of them?? Well, I'll leave one there anyway. I look forward to seeing some more :)
I am a 60 year young woman who visited for 10 days in Ajijic Oct 23. Nice vacation however I would not choose to live there due to many of the reasons you mentioned. I did prefer Chapala over Ajijic but still not the area I would want to retire. Tlaquepaque was charming. Oct 22 visited Guanajuato which was vibrant, lively and interesting and San Miguel de Allende which was stunning and amazing food. Looking forward to going back to Guanajuato in Oct! Thank you for your honesty ❤
Yes, Morelia is very special. Wonderful architecture, but not enough parks, IMO. Safe, less costly to live. But you'll get "gringo'ed" anyway. Most Mexicans think that gringos are millionaires, and if they cheat us, alls well and good. We all have a money tree in the back yard to recoup our losses.
Great video, I'm planning to move to the local side of a Mexican beach town and learn Spanish. I have no interest in changing the culture because that's what I love. Quiero conocer a mis vecinos Mexicanos. It won't be easy but the only way to really grow as a person is to step out of your comfort zone.
Thank you for posting this video, it made me go back and look at the weather from this past Spring/Summer. As a fellow dog walker, I don't want to have to worry about my dog burning her paws on the pavement.
I've lived in Ajijic for 24 years fulltime and wouldn't live anywhere else! I walk everywhere on the cobblestones and buy locally. I am never bored and the Mexican people are lovely and gracious. Yes, May is hot and dry, but now that it's June the hills are verdant green and the rain is mostly at night and the weather is beautiful. Hope you find what you are looking for.
Thank you and I'm glad you love where you live. Different strokes, as they say. I did hear from some long time residents there that the place has changed a lot, but I guess every town does. Thanks for your comment!
I've been to many places in Mexico except Ajijic but, I USED to belong to a FB group called "Expats in Ajijic without agendas" or something like that. You are absolutely right about the grumpiness and bad attitudes. Contrary to the name of the group, many definitely had an agenda to try and make everyone else as miserable as they were. I left the group in short order.
You are spot on everything! 15 years ago I thought Ajijic was the spot for me in the beginning of living in Mexico especially so close to GDL airport, but it seems in the last 8 years it has turned into exactly what you observed.
Be cognizant of going to other places in Mexico that seem nice especially in those first few months but because as a foreigner you end up feeling a real lack of community. That is one thing I loved about Ajijic as that actually got better over time and learned to speak decent Spanish so I can have both local as well as expat friends. Best of both worlds! It also takes time to adjust especially in Mexican cities that don't have the convinces of the USA especially infrastructure and shopping. If you like all that you'll never be happy in Mexico. Like you I explored all over the mountainous areas of Mexico because it has the best weather. My top 3 were Ajijic-Chapala, Guanajuato and Morella and Ajijic definitely check off most of my most important things on the list. Last year in May 2023 when I move here was untypically bad listening to locals and this year (2024) was much better. Still if only from about mid April to mid June is hot and dry and the rest of the 10 months is great I will take it! Still better than any place in the US. Also those are great months for me to travel to the Europe in tourist shoulder season or visit my friends in the beautiful time of the season in the Pacific NW where I used to live. The key is learning to adapt!
I have visited 38 cities in Mexico in 17 states including Lake Chapala / Ajijic. I agree with everything you say, especially the cobblestones. May I suggest that you visit Guanajuato for the summer. Cooler temps and hands down Mexico's most beautiful city. Rain (warm) a few minutes two or three times a week. And culture beyond words. My favorite and my future home is Mazunte. A small town on the coast of Oaxaca. 85 degrees (air and water) 12 months of the year. No Costco, No Chedauri. A lot of down to earth people. It is a hippie enclave, and you look like you might enjoy the vibe. A lot of well kept dogs and there are many single women who make it their home. You would find a lot of companionship there. After visiting many places, the coast of Oaxaca is my favorite. DM me if you want a killer place to AirBnb.
Thanks so much for your advice! I'm looking forward to seeing Guanajuato soon, and I'm sure I'll love it! Eventually I'd love to visit Mazunte too, but I don't know about living on the coast. You make it sound really good! Where do you live now?
Hola Tim! Hola Mora! I've surfed from Puerto Escondido to the point breaks south of Huatulco to Salina Cruz since the eighties. The surf gets good in the summers and let me tell you it gets unbearably hot and humid. Every time I've been there it's beenin the mid to upper 90's and it has never gotten close to 85. I've visited Mazunte and Zipolite when I'm down there and it would be a jungle hot place to live. Just because clothing is optional in Zipolite you are still not escaping the heat. It was 93 today (May 3rd) today in Puerto Escondido with a "feels like" temp of 102 with the humidity! I live in Ensenada where the cool ocean keeps it very comfortable year round. It hasn't gotten over 71 so far this year and you can always sleep good with night time temps between the mid to upper 40's to low 50's in winter and gets up into the low 60's at the warmest during summer. It's going to be around 57 tonight. It very rarely gets up towards 90 and even then it drops down to into the lower 60's at night. No bugs or mosquitoes and because it's always cool you don't need a/c so electric bills run around $8.00us per month. It's also not a big tourist destination or a gringo hotspot. It's mostly a working town so prices for everything are still very affordable. BTW-Mora your dogs would thrive in the climate here! Mucha suerte desde la hermosa Ensenada!
i know one guy that lived 3 yrs in porta morels he left because of the tourists he generally liked it niow i beleive he is in the mountains chipas neer san cristabel . thanks for this on the lake area u shed much light
Pretty fair treatment of the pro's and con's of living lakeside, with one exception: weather. You allude once to the fact you were here for the worst weather month, but later you opined how hot it was, the air was stagnant, the hills looked dead. That's not a fair characterization of nine months of the year. Anyway, thanks for visiting and describing our home area!
Your observations are valid and accurate. This area is not the fairytale nirvana it’s been characterized as being. No place is. But people tend to ignore the negatives and that’s a disservice to those thinking of moving here. Ajijic has a particular problem with snowbirds who flock in for six months, then leave until the next season. So many problems are related to the huge change in population that happens twice a year. The citizens have a right to be grumpy because they can’t afford to live here anymore. But the only angry, rude people I’ve seen have been expats and the abuse they can choose dish out is ghastly. This is not my spot in which to settle permanently either, for my own set of reasons. But I am glad to have come and lived here for a year. The locals I’ve met have always been kind, generous, polite and offer to help when they see me fumbling their language but trying to learn.
Thanks so much for making this video, Mora. I can very much relate to most of those issues. After watching TH-camrs pitch lakeside living for 1 1/2 years, the opportunity arose to check things out first hand and I arrived in Ajijic on July 20. My intention was to allow myself 6 months to determine if this place is right for me. Well, it only took 6 weeks to determine that this area is NOT for me and some of the reasons you mentioned play a part but the primary reason is that I feel most at home in California and it took coming here to clarify that knowing. I've rented a beautiful house in central Ajijic, one block from the lake and committed to staying till the end of December, in order to get all my dental work completed. In the meantime, I will find some joy in being here each day and I fully expect that by the end of the year I'll be a reasonably good pickleball player and that's a bonus. I found it interesting to note the water level of the lake when you did this video compared to now (8/30/24) Best wishes on your journey !
you are so right on most of your points, with the exception of the grumpy locals. I did not find this was the case for me. I lived in Chapala ten years ago and came back recently for a visit and to consider it as a retirement destination. After two weeks here I have decided it is not the place for me to retire to, for many of the reasons you have pointed out. I am still looking for that place in Mexico.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your thoughts are similar to my thought after spending many winter months in PVR, Ixtapa, Cabo, and Mazatlan. As a retired Californian snowbird (living at Lake Tahoe) I spent many years going to Mexico to escape Tahoe harsh winters. Now, I no longer go to Mexico. For the roughly the same price, I now spend two winter months in Malaga, Spain (or surrounding area). Spain is much more developed and MUCH nicer! You pay a little more for airfare to get to Spain, but nightly hotel or long term VRBO lodging is less costly than Mexico rentals of the same quality. Mexico has become too overpriced for the relatively low quality of service received.
I love Spain! If I didn't have the two dogs I would be more mobile and go there too. Don't make me jealous! But I love Mexico too and can't wait to see more of it.
@@MoraMargaret I'm traveling to Mazamitla Jalisco to see if it's more like what we're looking for. Wetter, cooler less expensive than San Miguel Allende. I have three big dogs that are part of the equation.
That's exciting! I only spent one night in Mazamitla and it was the first area I could see myself living in longer term. I loved it! It's definitely a contender. Let me know what you decide!
Try Puebla. Affordable, attractive, etc. Great history. Also, Cuernavaca also has a "perpetual spring"-type climate. The last three years of hot season have been uncharacteristically hot. But it's a dry hear.
I was looking at Ajijic before Covid but it wasn't the right time. Two years ago I saw how much it had changed -- especially prices for homes and food -- and it was shocking. As you've included prices in Kg, I'm presuming, like me, you're Canadian. I just looked up price of chicken CAD via Statistics Canada. Naturally, prices vary with breasts costing the most at $13.71 in September ($12.92 in June). The other thing that shocked me is the financial requirements for a Temporary Visa almost doubling in 2024. I imagine w/the recent US election, many more Americans will be applying for status, which will likely cause the requirements to increase. To be honest, I'm more attracted to the Costa Rican landscape, but after thorough research I note that it's quite expensive -- in some cases, prices are on par w/US. I will follow your journey as I am a single women, similar in age and have two large dogs. Thank you for this helpful information. This is a highly personal process and people should simply accept that. Having dual Canadian-Italian citizenship, I moved to Italy and it didn't feel right at all, which made me feel like there was something wrong with me since I met countless Americans, Brits and other nationals who loved it and felt at home there and they had no ties to the Italian culture like I do w/both my parents having been born and raised there. The one thing I learned is that beyond doing as much research as possible, one must live it to learn it. In other words, you won't know until you try. So kudos to you for having the courage and being open to make such a big move. I look forward to watching your other videos to catch up to where you are now :)
I'm wearing your shoes. I want to move there but don't know where to start. I've been researching different areas & towns, checking the weather, crime rates, and affordability. I plan a month long trip to explore after narrowing it down to 3-4 areas. I'm not as gutsy as you to drive all over. I'd love to find someone to travel with me on the excursions. Love ur videos and honest opinions. Best of luck!
Good job trusting your gut! It seems pretty clear this is not the area for you. It makes me sad when Americans (and other foreigners) come in droves and expect everything and everyone to cater to them. My Spanish is so so, but I find people appreciate when I try to get as far as possible with Spanish. These beautiful places are not there for us to turn into our "dream cities"; rather, they are there to visit and enjoy with respect, or move on.
I´m mexican, I live in Guadalajara and I confirm she says the truth. Chapala and its sourrounding towns used to be lovely, but today everything is so crowded, expensive and full of foreigners, but the problem is not the people from other countries, the problem is those who won´t adpt the place and try to force others adapting to them. About the weather, it is ussualy nice, but nowadays the drought is deep. Related to the prices, well you just said it... gentrification. Is you are looking for cooler weather, try Tapalpa or San Sebastian del Oeste.
We are currently spending a month here to get away from the humidity on the coast. I couldn't agree more with your honest evaluation. What a waste to have a huge lake that you can't swim in! We are renting about 3 blocks south of highway 23. I can usually count 10 dogs wandering around in that short distance, and I can definitely hear their barking all night! Speaking of the road, it's in dreadful condition and you are constantly swerving to avoid the jarring potholes. It's always congested and tough to safely turn onto/ off of. I'm glad we spent some time here to give it a chance to change our minds, but I think I will be vacationing elsewhere in the future. One last comment is I'm surprised dengue fever isn't more prominent here. There's millions of mosquitoes here, and we found that we are unable to remain out on the patio for more than a few minutes until we are running back inside.
Dengue is on the rise in Mexico. I was in the Chapala area in May and didn’t notice a lot of mosquitoes, so I guess it’s seasonal. Anyway, (in my opinion) there are lots of other nice places you could go for a break from the coast, so keep exploring! Thanks for your comment.
I have lived in Ajijic and Chapels for 12 plus years. The first year was in Ajijic and I hated the hills and cobblestone streets but then I moved to Chapel Centro and what a difference. I do have some fellow foreign friends but the first thing I did was make Mexican friends--many younger than myself. I volunteered to teach at the Lake Chapela Society and made friends with lots of Mexican students. I took the bus to and from Guadalajara and worked (volunteered really because the salary did not even cover my transportation to and from the school in Guadalajara) teaching English conversation. I met lots of interesting Mexicans from all social strata. May is hot. Trees do turn brown as do the hills before the rainy season. This happens almost everywhere in the US and certainly Canada. I look at food prices in my Pennsylvania hometown newspaper ads and restaurant/food prices are still lower here. I shop at little corner stores and Mexican businesses. I have never had any Mexican be mean to me but I have to admit I have experienced entitled and stupid foreigners. Since I seldom deal with fellow foreigners any more--I live in a Mexican neighborhood--I do not interact with many grumpy foreigners except the few times I am on the webboard. I do run across a lot of friendly foreigners as well. Before you make a decision on any Mexican town stay there for at least 6-months to a year. You never know what you miss if you just taste life somewhere for a few months. By the way the lake happens to be really low this time of year--especially with the drought It won't stay that way.
Thanks for your comment! Unfortunately it's impossible to stay in every place I consider for six months to a year. But I hear what you're saying. I visited at the worst time, and I'm sure the area is refreshed with rain now (I hope). Sounds like you really incorporated yourself into Mexican society and I hope to be like you!
I learned how to live like a local and makes life easier, that said, this is a tourist town and prices are through the roof. Still much cheaper than US. Sam's Club here with Super Walmart coming. I'm wonder when it will cease being Mexico
there is a city called Cuernavaca in the State of Morelos, they call it the eternal spring because of the weather. Puebla City is another option, there is small town close the city of Puebla called Chipilo, they are Italian descendant or you can go to Zacatlan, is not as hot. Queretaro is another option. San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato has nice weather, but is expensive for the locals, they have a 95 % population of foreigners.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Puebla, state and city! Thanks for the tips. I hadn’t heard of Chipilo and I will check it out. Going to SMA but don’t expect it’s a place I would like to stay long term.
Now it is too much later in the lake is completely full and heels are super green with all the rain and the temperatures now around the '70s during the day.
It was the time for somebody to tell the truth! The lake itself is really awful, even though it is the largest of Mexico, but who really cares about that...!
This is the second time I’ve been watching this video. After visiting the Graffiti capital of Mexico, aka Guadalajara, to exchange our resident visas for the actual cards, we were glad to get to Ajijic as it’s on the top of our list of possible retirement destinations. Now, after 3 days in the village, I have to agree with every one of the points you are making, although we have not encountered any unfriendly Mexicans here yet. We will still explore the other towns, and living up in the hillside away from the craziness may be still appealing, but I’m sure there are more and more beautiful places waiting to be explored.
I agree. Though when I said grumpy locals I meant the foreigners living there. I'm sure the weather is better by now, and I hope the lake is doing better. Have fun with your search! That's the fun part :)
Beautiful review on the area around Ajijic. I actually have NOT been attracted to the area, but I have not really stayed there - it just seems a bit boring. I'm loving Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato and Huatulco more than Lake Chapala. I like the. mix of foreigners and locals, but I trend to shop local markets and prefer living more close to the locals. I have two dogs I travel with and I love being in Mexico with my dogs - seem to get respect for the dogs where they go into restaurant patios with me and even bars. My most endearing dog is a Mexican Street Dog that found me and wouldn't let go - she's been a gift!!!!
I live in central México and have only visited Ajijic once. The air was hazy and the lake smelled bad! I am a couple of hours from another gringoland: San Miguel de Allende. My limit there is a few hours and I don't think I could live where there are so many US Americans! I hear your complaints. Some of your comments [road quality and groups of grumpy gringos, for example] apply to many places in México. With time, your ankles adjust to swiveling over the uneven surfaces to avoid twisting. If you recorded this a month or so ago, it is likely the driest time of year. The rain has just started here at the end of June and everything is green again! Thanks for the video. I hope you find a place that suits you better!
Muchas gracias! The rain is wonderful and I’m sure the Lake Chapala area is refreshed. I’d be interested to know where you live…? Thanks for the comment.
I have a little house in Ajijic, bought it in late '16, renovated it a bit. I speak passable Spanish and speak it often as possible. Mexicans are very gracious with my efforts. IMO, there is a contingent of recent Americans who are unsophisticated in international travel, speak no other language, and feel "forced" to live in MX because they can't afford to live in the US. They resent it & don't know how to adapt to another culture. And they have no class. I find a little courtesy & humility go a long way in MX, using correct language & showing warmth & respect at all times. It's not that hard. I hope these immature people go elsewhere, and realize that life is a package deal, you get the good with the bad. I always mention reading the book Mañana Forever? And use it as reference material. It's vital to understand MX culture, which is often contradictory. You an buy it on Amazon.
Foreigners have been living in Lake Chapala for a very long time. It’s unfortunate there’s hard feelings towards us now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue. As for the lake, last time I was there people were fishing 🎣 the lake. Is that not the case now?
We have stayed in Ajijic a couple of times and loved it, but what is disappointing is the poor condition of the lake. Seriously, is it safe to swim in Lake Chapala?
I read about the beauty of Ajijic before going there, and just as you mention, I was disappointed. This was years ago, the lake was high, polluted and full of weeds, with very little infrastructure in the town to enjoy the water or boating or fishing. And though the temps are sometimes lower than Guadalajara, where I now live, I think it's more humid from being in a valley with the lake, so it doesn't feel very fresh.
Hi, thank you for your very sincere review. I live 45 miles NE of S.F and the weather here is uncomfortable for my taste and I have been tracking the weather around Lake Chapala and it is running parallel with my local weather. And yes, my family migrated to central Cal. In the 40s from Guadalajara-Chapala area and my desire was to settle there in my older age but no longer. Because I am bilingual I would rather settle in a more traditional area.
Consider Patzquaro (Lake), Morelia, Guanajuato as these are higher altitude cities with a pleasant climate. San Miguel de Allende is also great but lots of Gringos and more expensive to find reasonable rentals. They still talk about the last freeze in '37.
For sure I am looking forward to seeing all of those places, but though I love to visit big cities, I think I'd rather live in a smaller town, so Morelia and Guanajuato might be too big. But I've never been so we'll see! Thanks for your suggestion.
Having traveled by car in MX for 55 years, I can say that Michoacán is like several different states rolled into one. Avoid Tierra Caliente, cartel land, and Lazaro Cardenas. Morelia is safe, & Santa Clara de Cobre. Just stay in the right place.
We have enjoyed your travels and comments on Ajijic. We love Mexico and have explored as much as possible for business and pleasure in over one hundred trips. You bring up many important issues about living long term in Ajijic. While this incredible heat will be gone as soon as the Monsoon starts, there are many other issues that make a commitment difficult. A large number of Gringos make it inevitable that you will run into rude people like the man in the mrket as many want to "Americanize" their new town. The locals depend on the income from the tourists but at the same time, they have to live further and further from town as the cost of housing makes it almost impossible to live in town. As the United States continues it's decline, there will be more and more escapees heading across the border. Mexico has no exclusivity on crime as all you have to do is look in the police blotter here in the States to see how much crime we live with in our home towns. There are many nice cities in the high central plateau in Mexico that have pleasant weather much of the time. With global warming and the resulting climate change, weather is much more unpredictable and the heat dome over Mexico and the U.S. southern states is just one of those examples. For the cost of housing, food, transportation, etc., try www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ One you get the hang of this site, it's great for comparing one Mexican city with another. For your dogs, I would try a different dog food. We had the same skin problem with one of our dogs and had great success with the highly rated Costco dog foods. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. They have been on the costco food without interruption since he was little, so I don't think it's that. I will check out numbeo! I said in the video that if I chose this town to live in I would look more deeply at things like crime rates here. That doesn't mean I think there's a lot of crime here. I don't know. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the towns in the high central plateau soon! Thanks for your feedback!
I would like to add that I want to retire to Mexico and my wife has family in Guanajuato, and she said it was hot and uncomfortable there last November. Also, they were running out of water where she was staying near Leon and they had no air conditioning, they never needed it before. I, too, believe in Climate Change and it is affecting greater areas of Mexico. They had to have clean water trucked-in which made things more difficult. I can see why people may become grumpy. I have been watching a lot of U-Tube videos about Mexico, I am not sure where I would want live there, but we are still looking.
I lived in Ajijic for 3 years - first rented a house in Villa Nova but moved after 3 months because my neighbours who were from Guadalajara used their Ajijic house as a weekend party nightclub place - had to call the police several times because starting Friday 8pm all the way to Sunday morning was loud music fighting people pissing in the streets and throwing around empty beer cans and liquor bottles - police would talk to them but after the police left they would just continue again - So I move to a gated community more upscale - Chula Vista Norte - big difference in rent but it was worth it - clean well maintained community and fairly peaceful in the evenings - but eventually I became unhappy I felt a little discriminated because of the 2 tier price system in Ajijic - one price for the gringos and a better true price for the Mexicans - I was constantly getting ripped off overpaying because I was a gringo - during high season it would take me 1 hour to drive from one end of the town to the opposite end when normally during off season it would take about 15 minutes - overall I found the place including Lake Chapala - dirty - over run with homeless dogs - overpriced when it came to food and rent and everyday things in general - no where is perfect and I did make some real genuine friendships there are some good people in Ajijic - Mexicans and gringos but I personally my opinion - Lake Chapala , San Antonio and Ajijic are over rated there are better places in Mexico and much more affordable ...
@@llee8325 I tried Cancun then Cabo San Lucas - I was happy in Cabo and rent plus shopping for food and everyday essentials was pretty much the same cost of living plus the Walmart in Cabo is 10 times better than the one in Ajijic .. I rented a 1 bedroom furnished and about a 15 minute walk up from the Marina for the same price I was renting a casita in Ajijic ... eventually went back to my home country we all complain about America and Canada but the truth everyday people risk their lives crossing illegally to get the AMERICAN dream and now Mexicans are wanting the Canadian dream ...
@@JimJones762x39 - Thailand and Vietnam - world famous beaches and ocean communities and much lower cost of living and property - new luxury condos walking distance from beach for under $60,00 Canadian dollars - no drug cartels running the country - CJNG, Los Zetas, Cartel Sinaloa , Familia Michiocan , I'm going to tell you a true story and if you live in the Ajijic area and you have a long time Mexican resident as a friend ask them this question - a few years back a major drug cartel came into town and killed and kidnapped over 20 people and some included were gringos - they went to the Malecon in Ajijic and the plaza and some places where youths gathered to play basketball and soccer - that is a dark secret that Ajijic is hiding but if you ask around who will find a Mexican who will validate this story I am telling you - YOU DON'T KNOW AND WHEN THE CARTEL WILL DECIDE ONE DAY TO RETURN AND REPEAT THIS KILLING AND TAKE OVER ????
Hi Mora. I am hoping to contact you. I lived in Ajijic/Chapala for 3+ years before moving to Morelia. I moved for all the reasons you cited. I am now wondering about Patzcuaro. If you are settling in Patzcuaro I would love to talk to you for your observations. Two minds are better than one.
You are in Mexico. It's an arid region. No place is perfect. I am retired on above average SS in the 6th wealthiest county in America and believe me, there are issues here to. Hot summers, lots of traffic, high prices. It's the way of the world.
As a 24-year resident of central Mexico I can tell you that May is the most God-awful month for weather. When the rain starts it's a whole different ball of wax. As for your other gripes, you are 100 percent correct. No way I'd live in that area.
Any suggestions on other lakeside communities? Not a beach person, more into kayaking. Also not particularly looking for an expat community, I'm fairly fluent in Spanish, and would be more interested in mingling with the locals, and learn about their culture.
I only really saw Jocotepec around the lake. It was nice and not as gringofied. My favorite town in the area was one a bit further from the lake: Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. Only 8 miles from the lake, it was clean and cute and friendly people.
Visited gringo over-run Ajijic 8 years ago for 10 days and did not consider it as a viable full time destination. Trip hazards everywhere as observed with numerous seniors wearing arm and/or leg casts, horrible traffic, very polluted stinky slough, lots of snotty high brow gringos, every thing is over priced, and I could go on… Moved to La Paz, BCS where we enjoy a truly traditional Mexican city and culture. Our neighbors are down to earth and very welcoming. All the best on your search, remember everyday in Mexico is an adventure, so go with the flow 😀
We were there last December. The weather was lovely and it did rain snd we loved it. Yes the streets can be troublesome but they are putting in new streets all the time. You don’t need to speak Spanish here. They have many shops here in town center for browsing and trinkets and bobbles for gifts back home. Yes it’s expensive but the weather is lovely most months of the year. Good luck to you on your travels.
I'm just beginning my research and will be coming down fairly soon to spend about a month there and hopefully find a town I fall in love with. Thanks for your videos. I'm mostly interested in central Mexico, but Puerto Vallarta is tempting!
@@MoraMargaret Thanks for your reply! I'm doing more research and the rule of law on the roads is a little absent it seems! Corrupt cops, cop impersonators, home made road blocks! I am rethinking driving at all let alone from Dallas to Centro . So you don't worry about that?
Oh I do worry about it. NO ONE can tell you one road or another is safe. I do the best I can to be informed, only drive in daylight, don't stop in cities with violence going on. It's nerve wracking. I've been through 4 blockades now. I'm still not sure who those people were, but everything turned out ok.
@@MoraMargaret 4 blockades! Were your dogs with you? You are lucky it went ok,. It's looking more like I might end up in Morellia. I'm on a FB group with a TH-camr who is a pretty nice guy...Bill the Geek something..you might want to check him out. I was thinking of San Migue. who knows...Buena Surety:)
U went to the wrong vet. I live in la floresta with concrete sidewalks. The trees r not dead. As soon as the rainy season starts every tree turns green. The heat is up to 100 in may. I have a pool that helps. I don't drive so i have a golf cart which in not allowed on the main road so i drive on the cobblestone roads. But traffic can get bad. There r some rude gringos but if i have a language problem i have my translator. Most mexican people r very gracious. Some don't want us there. They have been working on the lake. Did u know it is 55 miles long? Yes I'm not fond of some things I'm not fond of but remember we a foreigners in mexico so we obey there customs and rules. Sorry u had a bad experience but ive been here 8 years!
No place is perfect. Good luck in finding what you want. (How long did you spend hanging out at the Ajijic plaza coffee shop? Friendly people are to be found there.) I've learned that many expats haven't lived on a lake. The haze you see is merely condensation - the water and air temps aren't the same.
No, I think not. I know the difference between hazy, dusty pollution and fresh condensation. I hope the lake survives and recuperates. I know no place is perfect, but it's fun to explore so many beautiful areas in Mexico, and I am lucky to be able to do so.
I was really interested in checking out the current costs of food you posted at the end but it was impossible to read, it went by in the blink of an eye and then was obstructed by an ad for another video! 🙄😒
oh no! I'm sorry, I'm teaching myself to make these videos and clearly I don't know what I'm doing. If you want to send me your email I can send you the last screen.
Wow! All you tubers should be honest like you! I agree with all your comments. Best climate... everytime I visited from my base in Ciudad de Guanajuato the weather was either too hot and very dry... or cold and windy! 😂😂😂. Rents are crazy high because many poorly informed rich gringos simply pay what's asked... and then say.. "well it's way cheaper than San Francisco.." . Or whatever city. No sht Sherlock. Now ask a Mexican about that price... If you want to be a real expat.. You must think like a local! Great video
I just discovered your videos - wow - great information! I'm looking for a home town in Mexico as well, and I have one small, fluffy dog. I did find a great place in Los Ayala -- perfect in the winter but summers are dreadful. Going to follow your video and hope to find a great, long-term home. Best of luck and thank you!
You are welcome! I haven't been to Los Ayala but I love Nayarit!! I've spent a lot of time in San Pancho. But you're right, the summers are brutal. We spent our first month in April on the coast near Melaque and it felt like we were hiding from the sun the whole time. Poor dogs were HOT! So, the coast is out for full time living. But love to visit in winter :)
@@MoraMargaret again, I agree with you. I live part-time in Zapopan (GDL) but Queretao is in a place I visited briefly and was like Wow! I love this place. Where do you plan to adventure within Mexico next?
Well I'd thought I'd go into Hidalgo, but I took advantage of a good deal for a few weeks in the state of Mexico instead. So my plan is fluid. Thanks for your comment!
yikes those prices at the end are overly pricey. Just came back from 5 weeks in Algarve and Lisbon and found groceries and public transit very reasonable even subsidized if you are a senior visitor. Dining out in tourist areas not so much. THis of course will all end for tourists as daily head taxes will be imposed. Many european cities Barcelona Amsterdam, Paris and others charge up to 8 euros a night. I was fortunate as I stayed under guise of "cash"...I could see Mexico doing this also.
Watching all your videos. I dig your voice & nack for adventure......I'm 57 as well, and your energy & attitude seem a bit on the negative side. A bit more positive energy woukd deff enhance your experiences. I just spent 3 months there.......Way more positive. JS Salud
It was a great experience, especially being part of a caravan, but it wasn't for me long term. I like exploring from a sticks and bricks house instead :)
I watched a few of your other vids and I see you love the Sea. Mazunte is waiting for you. Huatulco is an hour away (for big city stuff), but Zipolite is closeby and San Jose Del Pacifico is not far. If that kind of experience is your thing. Check out some YT vids and come and see. On the downside, a pretty severe hurracane visited a couple of years ago, but everything has been rebuilt and improved. If you bring your dogs, beware they will hate you if you ever decide to leave. Very safe. No crime. Lot's of hippy culture.
About 5 years ago, I was watching a video on Lake Chapala and Ajijic. In the comment section an American woman, cut loose on the whole area. Her comment always stuck with me. This lady worked for the US Government and somehow she was able to move there for her job. She had lived there 3 years and was moving back to the US, because she said she just couldn’t take it anymore. I remind you! This was an American woman. She said she couldn’t take it anymore how the Americans, and Canadians treated the locals. She said they treated them like dirt! Like they were their maids, or servant’s. Like they should wait on them hand and foot and they should be appreciative that they were down there spending their money. She said it was just horrible! I just found your channel a few days ago. In several of my comments that I’ve left on your videos, I’ve mentioned wanting to stay away from expats. It stems from this lady’s comment that I read probably 5 years ago, and it really stuck with me. Up above, I was very brief what the lady said in her comment. She was irate, and didn’t hold nothing back. I notice that you hinted the same thing in this video. Of coarse you have to be a little more PC since you don’t want to make Americans and Canadians mad. I hope you don’t take this comment down. They need to read this.
Probably a good place to start if you don't speak Spanish. I have seen the Lake Chapala area lumped together with places to retire where English is spoken.
Here's the thing. I've looked for the second best climate in the world quote supposedly made by National Geographic, and I've never found it. I don't think it exists. I think somebody just made this up, and it caught on.
I think you need to stay longer! This is a "tropical dry" climate meaning it is Always very dry from November to June. The plants here are not the deciduous trees you are used to in USA. They naturally sort of turn off in the dry season. They miraculously '"turn on" just before the rains begin. The hottest time of the year is April and May and into June, but almost suddenly become so great, highs in 70's through 80's with most of the rain at night.. The mountain sides become lush with flowering trees and shrubbery everywhere in the towns. As for the cobblestones, that is endemic to all of Mexico. If you encounter a town with concrete street throughout, you will find little of the other local charm either that one associates with Mexico. I would recommend you give it a couple more months or move to an area that is more populated by local Mexicans, shop at more local markets. Try, maybe, Chapala as opposed to Ajijic. Just a suggestion!
I"'m not sure if this would help your dog? I make my dogs food mainly organ meat and vegetables dog food has alot of ingredients just that I would mention the food! Thank you for your videos and hope your dog heals soon!
If you leave a comment I appreciate it! But, youtube is being glitchy and I'm not able to see all comments. They say they are working on the problem. If I don't respond to your comment it's most likely because it has disappeared from my view. Hopefully I will be able to see it soon.
¿hola,
cómo estás?
I appreciate you sharing your journey.
MoraMargaret, You have a lot of courage and self-esteem!
My first two days driving in México was a near disaster.
I also agree with you about slow-traveling throughout México. My goal is slightly different, inasmuch as I want to slow-travel Latin America. Spending six-months in the southern hemisphere, then six-months in the northern hemisphere. Rinse, repeat.
That, plus, I'm lazy and only want to learn one language; Spanish! With the exception of Brazil and Belize, Latin America pretty much offers everything I'm interested in.
BTW, MoraMargaret, where/how did you learn Spanish?
Speaking from My personal experiences; I believe an interested person, once they find a good fit, should spend three months during the worst weather season, before deciding to make a long-term commitment.
Before visiting Merida, even though I had absolutely ZERO interest in moving here, I I read about "the top reasons expats leave Merida, Yucatan, México":
#1, the YUCATAN SUN! 🌞🔥
I'm a retired farmer from Central Georgia. Our summers are also hot and humid. So, with that in mind, I decided to postpone My trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina whose weather was beginning to turn cooler due to their fall season approaching, and spend three consecutive weeks in Centro, Merida, Yucatan, México. I arrived in time for the recent Presidential election, and to experience 21 days where the daytime temperature never dropped below 41c/105f. 🌞 🥵
HOT?! Absolutely. But, I learned to manage my activities and workaround the daytime temperatures. The Meridians have been doing it for centuries. Besides, that high heat didn’t last but a couple months.
However, I was so captivated by all that Centro Merida, Yucatan has to offer that a month ago, I decided to return. Because, Merida, unlike other tourist havens, such as Cancun, Playa de Carmen, Tulum, etc, Merida, Yucatan is a Spanish language "Mexican" state. Which is what I want so I'm better able to obtain a working knowledge of the Spanish language.
Moreover, my research indicated that Buenos Aires is better enjoyed if you have a working knowledge of the Spanish language. So, why not just hangout in Centro Merida, Yucatan until spring arrives in Buenos Aires, Argentina studying and practicing my Spanish language skills?!
I expect to return to Georgia in mid-September to check on my four pups. Then based upon their local weather, head south to Buenos Aires to explore Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Then begin.heading north. Rinse, repeat!
MoraMargaret, I'm living vicariously through your adventures in México!
I'm curious to learn: how did you begin blogging?!
¡Gracias!
Your perspective is such a breath of fresh air. Other TH-camrs have a vested interest in making many areas sound perfect. Thank you for sharing your reality, pros and cons!
You are welcome! Thanks for your comment.
Agreed! That's an astute observation.
While I agree with a lot of what you have said, remember it is the worst possible time for all the heat and dust. We have been here for 2 years and lived in Jocotopec for one of those. It was so noisy and just very dirty in our opinion. Many love it there, and that is okay, but not us. We moved east of Chapala in San Nicolas de Ibarra and love it. It is definitely a more Mexican-feeling area. The people here are so nice to us, especially our landlord. It is also very affordable regarding rent. Buying anywhere in this area is expensive. We have traveled to Morelia, Zacatecas.San Miguel de Allende, Mazamitla, and along the Costa Alegre. The influx of foreigners has caused the price of everything to rise. I would give the area a chance, we love the rainy season, from July through October, but return to the States during the holiday season. We go to Guadalajara for medical care as it is so much more affordable than Lakeside. We also use the vet in Joco we started with, she is amazing and super affordable. Apa Pets across from the CFE. But if you decide to move on I wish all the best. The last point, new president, new ways and things might change considerably. Wait and see. From a friendly gringo, wink wink.
hahaha thanks for your comment! I'm sorry I haven't seen San Nicolas de Ibarra, sounds nice. There are so many beautiful places in Mexico, I can't wait to explore more. I wish I could be like you and live here and back in the states sometimes!
Hey there! We also have a home we're building up in the Lomas del Country neighborhood in San Nicolas. We were there mid April through mid May and yes, it was hot and dusty like I hadn't experienced over there. But overall it is a peaceful place and good to live in.
Thanks for reminding me noise is big consideration there. I will research San Nicolas de Ibarra..
What a nice comment 😉
I really appreciate your perspective and your honesty, As a traveler myself, one of the things that I particularly hate is when you-tubers simply lie, about how great a place is , just for clicks, then when you spend your hard earned money to go to these places you discover that almost everything they said was not true. Thank you for your honesty, continue to make you videos and do well !
Thank you. Some people don't like criticism of their chosen place, so I got a lil flack, but you have to tell the truth as you see it, right? Thanks for the encouragement!
That's why when I research anything, whether it's on Trip Advisor, Amazon or via Google, I ALWAYS skip to the bad reviews first. If I cannot handle the negatives then there's no point....
First honest review I've ever seen about Lake Chapala & Ajijic. Thank you for posting your honest feedback! I can relate to many of the observations you have... I feel like I would feel the same way if I was there.
Thank you. It was a negative review so not everybody likes that, but it's not the place for me.
@@MoraMargarethonest and negative are not synonymous.
We grew up in an area with lots of lakes so I searched for a similar area in Mexico. I found Lake Chapala, never heard of it. The more I looked into it the more I realized it was not for us. That was 5-6 years ago. We now live in Progreso Yucatan, near Merida … luv it!
But hellfire hot and humid!
I lived in Ajijic for the past 9 years and have no arguement with your views. That said, I still love the place. Just spent the winter in Mazatlan and really love it there. Costs are similar however the streets are flat with wider sidewalks I will still try to spend time there after June each year as the place grows on you. Very fair critique.
Thanks for your comment. There are so many beautiful places in Mexico. Nice you could spend the winter in Mazatlan!
Yes winter in Mazatlan is really great weather, the streets aren’t as bad as Ajijic but in Centro can be just as hazardous. However, it starts getting really humid and hot in May and I have heard Aug/Sept are dreadful.
Having lived in Ajijic for 20 years, I agree with most of your reasons for looking elsewhere to retire. 20 years ago it was different when we arrived and bought a home. The cobble stone streets were charming. Not so much anymore. The traffic was minimal. There was one traffic light at Colon. Walmart and Soriana had not been built, yet. We shopped at small local places. The cost of living was compared to Oregon was unbelievably lower. Of course, things change … some for the better, many for the annoying. However, you visited in May. We HATE May. We ALL HATE May. It’s hot, dusty, dry, brown and ugly. It’s even uglier to we who live here because we know the beauty of the cool temps and green mountains when it’s not May. I hope you find your happy place in Mexico. Best of luck with your TH-cam channel. Love your editing style. JC Travel Stories. :)
Hey thank you! I will check out your channel. I know May was the worst, but I had to be somewhere. I'm glad to hear it's better the rest of the year. I can only imagine the changes in the last 20 years. Sometimes it makes me sad, but that's the nature of life. Thanks for watching :)
I just watched your most popular video! Well done, I hate the whole insurance system. What's it feel like to have almost 1 million views?! I'd leave this comment there, but do you even read them after 5 thousand of them?? Well, I'll leave one there anyway. I look forward to seeing some more :)
I am a 60 year young woman who visited for 10 days in Ajijic Oct 23. Nice vacation however I would not choose to live there due to many of the reasons you mentioned.
I did prefer Chapala over Ajijic but still not the area I would want to retire. Tlaquepaque was charming. Oct 22 visited Guanajuato which was vibrant, lively and interesting and San Miguel de Allende which was stunning and amazing food. Looking forward to going back to Guanajuato in Oct!
Thank you for your honesty ❤
Thanks for your comment. Guanajuato is stunning! I'm looking forward to seeing SMA too.
Check out Morelia, it’s way better than Ajijic or Chapala
Yes, Morelia is very special. Wonderful architecture, but not enough parks, IMO. Safe, less costly to live. But you'll get "gringo'ed" anyway. Most Mexicans think that gringos are millionaires, and if they cheat us, alls well and good. We all have a money tree in the back yard to recoup our losses.
Very interesting perspective, Mora. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope you find a wonderful spot...
Great video, I'm planning to move to the local side of a Mexican beach town and learn Spanish. I have no interest in changing the culture because that's what I love. Quiero conocer a mis vecinos Mexicanos. It won't be easy but the only way to really grow as a person is to step out of your comfort zone.
You can do it! And I agree :)
Thank you for posting this video, it made me go back and look at the weather from this past Spring/Summer. As a fellow dog walker, I don't want to have to worry about my dog burning her paws on the pavement.
I've lived in Ajijic for 24 years fulltime and wouldn't live anywhere else! I walk everywhere on the cobblestones and buy locally. I am never bored and the Mexican people are lovely and gracious. Yes, May is hot and dry, but now that it's June the hills are verdant green and the rain is mostly at night and the weather is beautiful. Hope you find what you are looking for.
Thank you and I'm glad you love where you live. Different strokes, as they say. I did hear from some long time residents there that the place has changed a lot, but I guess every town does. Thanks for your comment!
I've been to many places in Mexico except Ajijic but, I USED to belong to a FB group called "Expats in Ajijic without agendas" or something like that. You are absolutely right about the grumpiness and bad attitudes. Contrary to the name of the group, many definitely had an agenda to try and make everyone else as miserable as they were. I left the group in short order.
You are spot on everything! 15 years ago I thought Ajijic was the spot for me in the beginning of living in Mexico especially so close to GDL airport, but it seems in the last 8 years it has turned into exactly what you observed.
I heard from a few locals that it was a much nicer area 10-20 years ago. All things change, glad to find other wonderful spots ;)
Be cognizant of going to other places in Mexico that seem nice especially in those first few months but because as a foreigner you end up feeling a real lack of community. That is one thing I loved about Ajijic as that actually got better over time and learned to speak decent Spanish so I can have both local as well as expat friends. Best of both worlds! It also takes time to adjust especially in Mexican cities that don't have the convinces of the USA especially infrastructure and shopping. If you like all that you'll never be happy in Mexico. Like you I explored all over the mountainous areas of Mexico because it has the best weather. My top 3 were Ajijic-Chapala, Guanajuato and Morella and Ajijic definitely check off most of my most important things on the list. Last year in May 2023 when I move here was untypically bad listening to locals and this year (2024) was much better. Still if only from about mid April to mid June is hot and dry and the rest of the 10 months is great I will take it! Still better than any place in the US. Also those are great months for me to travel to the Europe in tourist shoulder season or visit my friends in the beautiful time of the season in the Pacific NW where I used to live. The key is learning to adapt!
You are right! I'm glad you are happy with your choice.
I have visited 38 cities in Mexico in 17 states including Lake Chapala / Ajijic. I agree with everything you say, especially the cobblestones.
May I suggest that you visit Guanajuato for the summer. Cooler temps and hands down Mexico's most beautiful city. Rain (warm) a few minutes two or three times a week. And culture beyond words.
My favorite and my future home is Mazunte. A small town on the coast of Oaxaca. 85 degrees (air and water) 12 months of the year. No Costco, No Chedauri. A lot of down to earth people. It is a hippie enclave, and you look like you might enjoy the vibe. A lot of well kept dogs and there are many single women who make it their home. You would find a lot of companionship there.
After visiting many places, the coast of Oaxaca is my favorite. DM me if you want a killer place to AirBnb.
Thanks so much for your advice! I'm looking forward to seeing Guanajuato soon, and I'm sure I'll love it! Eventually I'd love to visit Mazunte too, but I don't know about living on the coast. You make it sound really good! Where do you live now?
I have heard it used much hotter than that in the summer on the coast of Oaxaca from friends who have been there. Is Mazunte an exception?
Hola Tim! Hola Mora! I've surfed from Puerto Escondido to the point breaks south of Huatulco to Salina Cruz since the eighties. The surf gets good in the summers and let me tell you it gets unbearably hot and humid. Every time I've been there it's beenin the mid to upper 90's and it has never gotten close to 85. I've visited Mazunte and Zipolite when I'm down there and it would be a jungle hot place to live. Just because clothing is optional in Zipolite you are still not escaping the heat. It was 93 today (May 3rd) today in Puerto Escondido with a "feels like" temp of 102 with the humidity! I live in Ensenada where the cool ocean keeps it very comfortable year round. It hasn't gotten over 71 so far this year and you can always sleep good with night time temps between the mid to upper 40's to low 50's in winter and gets up into the low 60's at the warmest during summer. It's going to be around 57 tonight. It very rarely gets up towards 90 and even then it drops down to into the lower 60's at night. No bugs or mosquitoes and because it's always cool you don't need a/c so electric bills run around $8.00us per month. It's also not a big tourist destination or a gringo hotspot. It's mostly a working town so prices for everything are still very affordable. BTW-Mora your dogs would thrive in the climate here! Mucha suerte desde la hermosa Ensenada!
Tim, you are fishing for tenants!
What’s your favorite coast of Oaxaca? Is it Puerto Escondido?
Iam always amazed at what us fellow Americans whine and cry about its absolutely hysterical!
i know one guy that lived 3 yrs in porta morels he left because of the tourists he generally liked it niow i beleive he is in the mountains chipas neer san cristabel . thanks for this on the lake area u shed much light
Pretty fair treatment of the pro's and con's of living lakeside, with one exception: weather. You allude once to the fact you were here for the worst weather month, but later you opined how hot it was, the air was stagnant, the hills looked dead. That's not a fair characterization of nine months of the year.
Anyway, thanks for visiting and describing our home area!
Your observations are valid and accurate. This area is not the fairytale nirvana it’s been characterized as being. No place is. But people tend to ignore the negatives and that’s a disservice to those thinking of moving here. Ajijic has a particular problem with snowbirds who flock in for six months, then leave until the next season. So many problems are related to the huge change in population that happens twice a year. The citizens have a right to be grumpy because they can’t afford to live here anymore. But the only angry, rude people I’ve seen have been expats and the abuse they can choose dish out is ghastly. This is not my spot in which to settle permanently either, for my own set of reasons. But I am glad to have come and lived here for a year. The locals I’ve met have always been kind, generous, polite and offer to help when they see me fumbling their language but trying to learn.
I agree, but didn't realize the six month fluctuation was such an issue. Where are you off to then?
@@MoraMargaret Undecided! Mexico is a big country, incredibly diverse and beautiful. I can’t pin down a single place yet, too many temptations.
Agreed!
It's still a dry heat and here in Chicago if it's 90 degrees with 95% humidity with dew points in the 70's
Thanks so much for making this video, Mora. I can very much relate to most of those issues. After watching TH-camrs pitch lakeside living for 1 1/2 years, the opportunity arose to check things out first hand and I arrived in Ajijic on July 20. My intention was to allow myself 6 months to determine if this place is right for me. Well, it only took 6 weeks to determine that this area is NOT for me and some of the reasons you mentioned play a part but the primary reason is that I feel most at home in California and it took coming here to clarify that knowing. I've rented a beautiful house in central Ajijic, one block from the lake and committed to staying till the end of December, in order to get all my dental work completed. In the meantime, I will find some joy in being here each day and I fully expect that by the end of the year I'll be a reasonably good pickleball player and that's a bonus. I found it interesting to note the water level of the lake when you did this video compared to now (8/30/24) Best wishes on your journey !
I'm thinking you got a lot of rain since then? I hope so! Thanks for your comment :)
I live in Redondo Beach California. I am from Guadalajara Mexico and I am not going back!!! Love America!!!
you are so right on most of your points, with the exception of the grumpy locals. I did not find this was the case for me. I lived in Chapala ten years ago and came back recently for a visit and to consider it as a retirement destination. After two weeks here I have decided it is not the place for me to retire to, for many of the reasons you have pointed out. I am still looking for that place in Mexico.
I hope you find what you're looking for. Mexico is large with so many wonderful places!
I suspect that much of the "hate" is not from locals, but disgruntled "magpies" from "el Norte."
I visited 2 years ago and decided against this location first later retirement. I still live in US. I agree with your comments.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your thoughts are similar to my thought after spending many winter months in PVR, Ixtapa, Cabo, and Mazatlan. As a retired Californian snowbird (living at Lake Tahoe) I spent many years going to Mexico to escape Tahoe harsh winters. Now, I no longer go to Mexico. For the roughly the same price, I now spend two winter months in Malaga, Spain (or surrounding area). Spain is much more developed and MUCH nicer! You pay a little more for airfare to get to Spain, but nightly hotel or long term VRBO lodging is less costly than Mexico rentals of the same quality. Mexico has become too overpriced for the relatively low quality of service received.
I love Spain! If I didn't have the two dogs I would be more mobile and go there too. Don't make me jealous! But I love Mexico too and can't wait to see more of it.
@@MoraMargaret I'm traveling to Mazamitla Jalisco to see if it's more like what we're looking for. Wetter, cooler less expensive than San Miguel Allende. I have three big dogs that are part of the equation.
That's exciting! I only spent one night in Mazamitla and it was the first area I could see myself living in longer term. I loved it! It's definitely a contender. Let me know what you decide!
Try Puebla. Affordable, attractive, etc. Great history. Also, Cuernavaca also has a "perpetual spring"-type climate.
The last three years of hot season have been uncharacteristically hot. But it's a dry hear.
@@llee8325 Puebla is quite hot in the summer…
I was looking at Ajijic before Covid but it wasn't the right time. Two years ago I saw how much it had changed -- especially prices for homes and food -- and it was shocking. As you've included prices in Kg, I'm presuming, like me, you're Canadian. I just looked up price of chicken CAD via Statistics Canada. Naturally, prices vary with breasts costing the most at $13.71 in September ($12.92 in June). The other thing that shocked me is the financial requirements for a Temporary Visa almost doubling in 2024. I imagine w/the recent US election, many more Americans will be applying for status, which will likely cause the requirements to increase. To be honest, I'm more attracted to the Costa Rican landscape, but after thorough research I note that it's quite expensive -- in some cases, prices are on par w/US. I will follow your journey as I am a single women, similar in age and have two large dogs. Thank you for this helpful information. This is a highly personal process and people should simply accept that. Having dual Canadian-Italian citizenship, I moved to Italy and it didn't feel right at all, which made me feel like there was something wrong with me since I met countless Americans, Brits and other nationals who loved it and felt at home there and they had no ties to the Italian culture like I do w/both my parents having been born and raised there. The one thing I learned is that beyond doing as much research as possible, one must live it to learn it. In other words, you won't know until you try. So kudos to you for having the courage and being open to make such a big move. I look forward to watching your other videos to catch up to where you are now :)
I'm wearing your shoes. I want to move there but don't know where to start. I've been researching different areas & towns, checking the weather, crime rates, and affordability.
I plan a month long trip to explore after narrowing it down to 3-4 areas. I'm not as gutsy as you to drive all over. I'd love to find someone to travel with me on the excursions. Love ur videos and honest opinions. Best of luck!
Best of luck to you too! I hope you have a wonderful month of exploring and find what you want!
Good job trusting your gut! It seems pretty clear this is not the area for you. It makes me sad when Americans (and other foreigners) come in droves and expect everything and everyone to cater to them. My Spanish is so so, but I find people appreciate when I try to get as far as possible with Spanish. These beautiful places are not there for us to turn into our "dream cities"; rather, they are there to visit and enjoy with respect, or move on.
I´m mexican, I live in Guadalajara and I confirm she says the truth.
Chapala and its sourrounding towns used to be lovely, but today everything is so crowded, expensive and full of foreigners, but the problem is not the people from other countries, the problem is those who won´t adpt the place and try to force others adapting to them. About the weather, it is ussualy nice, but nowadays the drought is deep. Related to the prices, well you just said it... gentrification.
Is you are looking for cooler weather, try Tapalpa or San Sebastian del Oeste.
Thanks for the tips and I agree.
We are currently spending a month here to get away from the humidity on the coast. I couldn't agree more with your honest evaluation. What a waste to have a huge lake that you can't swim in! We are renting about 3 blocks south of highway 23. I can usually count 10 dogs wandering around in that short distance, and I can definitely hear their barking all night! Speaking of the road, it's in dreadful condition and you are constantly swerving to avoid the jarring potholes. It's always congested and tough to safely turn onto/ off of.
I'm glad we spent some time here to give it a chance to change our minds, but I think I will be vacationing elsewhere in the future. One last comment is I'm surprised dengue fever isn't more prominent here. There's millions of mosquitoes here, and we found that we are unable to remain out on the patio for more than a few minutes until we are running back inside.
Dengue is on the rise in Mexico. I was in the Chapala area in May and didn’t notice a lot of mosquitoes, so I guess it’s seasonal. Anyway, (in my opinion) there are lots of other nice places you could go for a break from the coast, so keep exploring! Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for this. I am from Minnesota and love living near lakes, but not polluted ones.
You are welcome!
I have lived in Ajijic and Chapels for 12 plus years. The first year was in Ajijic and I hated the hills and cobblestone streets but then I moved to Chapel Centro and what a difference. I do have some fellow foreign friends but the first thing I did was make Mexican friends--many younger than myself. I volunteered to teach at the Lake Chapela Society and made friends with lots of Mexican students. I took the bus to and from Guadalajara and worked (volunteered really because the salary did not even cover my transportation to and from the school in Guadalajara) teaching English conversation. I met lots of interesting Mexicans from all social strata. May is hot. Trees do turn brown as do the hills before the rainy season. This happens almost everywhere in the US and certainly Canada. I look at food prices in my Pennsylvania hometown newspaper ads and restaurant/food prices are still lower here. I shop at little corner stores and Mexican businesses. I have never had any Mexican be mean to me but I have to admit I have experienced entitled and stupid foreigners. Since I seldom deal with fellow foreigners any more--I live in a Mexican neighborhood--I do not interact with many grumpy foreigners except the few times I am on the webboard. I do run across a lot of friendly foreigners as well. Before you make a decision on any Mexican town stay there for at least 6-months to a year. You never know what you miss if you just taste life somewhere for a few months. By the way the lake happens to be really low this time of year--especially with the drought It won't stay that way.
No matter how often I correct and recorrect Chapala's spelling my auto correct over rules me. I guess I am not in charge of the machine!
Thanks for your comment! Unfortunately it's impossible to stay in every place I consider for six months to a year. But I hear what you're saying. I visited at the worst time, and I'm sure the area is refreshed with rain now (I hope). Sounds like you really incorporated yourself into Mexican society and I hope to be like you!
I learned how to live like a local and makes life easier, that said, this is a tourist town and prices are through the roof. Still much cheaper than US. Sam's Club here with Super Walmart coming. I'm wonder when it will cease being Mexico
there is a city called Cuernavaca in the State of Morelos, they call it the eternal spring because of the weather.
Puebla City is another option, there is small town close the city of Puebla called Chipilo, they are Italian descendant or you can go to Zacatlan, is not as hot.
Queretaro is another option.
San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato has nice weather, but is expensive for the locals, they have a 95 % population of foreigners.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Puebla, state and city! Thanks for the tips. I hadn’t heard of Chipilo and I will check it out. Going to SMA but don’t expect it’s a place I would like to stay long term.
I’ve always wanted to visit Cuernavaca. I’ve always it’s climate is the best year round. Is it a big expat location?
Not that I know of. I've heard some people complaining about crime there, but I don't know the stats. Eternal springtime sounds nice!
I have been to Cuernavaca in April 23 and it was hot. Never felt any internal spring weather. I was told other months are cooler. It was a Nice City.
Please have someone check your math and your factbase. SMA has roughly a 10% expat population, not 95%.
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”
-Willie Nelson
Now it is too much later in the lake is completely full and heels are super green with all the rain and the temperatures now around the '70s during the day.
It was the time for somebody to tell the truth! The lake itself is really awful, even though it is the largest of Mexico, but who really cares about that...!
This is the second time I’ve been watching this video. After visiting the Graffiti capital of Mexico, aka Guadalajara, to exchange our resident visas for the actual cards, we were glad to get to Ajijic as it’s on the top of our list of possible retirement destinations. Now, after 3 days in the village, I have to agree with every one of the points you are making, although we have not encountered any unfriendly Mexicans here yet. We will still explore the other towns, and living up in the hillside away from the craziness may be still appealing, but I’m sure there are more and more beautiful places waiting to be explored.
I agree. Though when I said grumpy locals I meant the foreigners living there. I'm sure the weather is better by now, and I hope the lake is doing better. Have fun with your search! That's the fun part :)
Beautiful review on the area around Ajijic. I actually have NOT been attracted to the area, but I have not really stayed there - it just seems a bit boring. I'm loving Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato and Huatulco more than Lake Chapala. I like the. mix of foreigners and locals, but I trend to shop local markets and prefer living more close to the locals. I have two dogs I travel with and I love being in Mexico with my dogs - seem to get respect for the dogs where they go into restaurant patios with me and even bars. My most endearing dog is a Mexican Street Dog that found me and wouldn't let go - she's been a gift!!!!
That's so sweet!
It’s a jackass dog owner who wants to bring his dog into a restaurant or bar. Not hygienic and quite rude.
I live in central México and have only visited Ajijic once. The air was hazy and the lake smelled bad! I am a couple of hours from another gringoland: San Miguel de Allende. My limit there is a few hours and I don't think I could live where there are so many US Americans!
I hear your complaints. Some of your comments [road quality and groups of grumpy gringos, for example] apply to many places in México. With time, your ankles adjust to swiveling over the uneven surfaces to avoid twisting. If you recorded this a month or so ago, it is likely the driest time of year. The rain has just started here at the end of June and everything is green again!
Thanks for the video. I hope you find a place that suits you better!
Muchas gracias! The rain is wonderful and I’m sure the Lake Chapala area is refreshed. I’d be interested to know where you live…? Thanks for the comment.
@@MoraMargaret I’m about 2 hours south of San Miguel de Allende, between Salvatierra and Yuriria.
Over all I liked very much your video, it´s important that expats RESPECT CULTURE AND PEOPLE...we are your hostess.
Absolutely
I have a little house in Ajijic, bought it in late '16, renovated it a bit. I speak passable Spanish and speak it often as possible. Mexicans are very gracious with my efforts.
IMO, there is a contingent of recent Americans who are unsophisticated in international travel, speak no other language, and feel "forced" to live in MX because they can't afford to live in the US. They resent it & don't know how to adapt to another culture. And they have no class.
I find a little courtesy & humility go a long way in MX, using correct language & showing warmth & respect at all times. It's not that hard.
I hope these immature people go elsewhere, and realize that life is a package deal, you get the good with the bad. I always mention reading the book Mañana Forever? And use it as reference material. It's vital to understand MX culture, which is often contradictory. You an buy it on Amazon.
I appreciate your honest opinion of Ajijic I was there about 15 years ago and not really impressed with it.
Foreigners have been living in Lake Chapala for a very long time. It’s unfortunate there’s hard feelings towards us now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue. As for the lake, last time I was there people were fishing 🎣 the lake. Is that not the case now?
I don't know if people fish there. Maybe with this rain the lake will fill again. Thanks for your comment!
Agreed. I want to live in México, not "Gringo Gulch".
We have stayed in Ajijic a couple of times and loved it, but what is disappointing is the poor condition of the lake. Seriously, is it safe to swim in Lake Chapala?
Absolutely not. From what I hear it's a mess of chemicals and sewage. Hopefully they will get some rain and the lake will fill again.
I was there 40 years ago and the lake was nasty then.
This place is beyond expensive no place in Mexico should cost this much gentrification at its best
I read about the beauty of Ajijic before going there, and just as you mention, I was disappointed. This was years ago, the lake was high, polluted and full of weeds, with very little infrastructure in the town to enjoy the water or boating or fishing. And though the temps are sometimes lower than Guadalajara, where I now live, I think it's more humid from being in a valley with the lake, so it doesn't feel very fresh.
I agree.
Hi, thank you for your very sincere review. I live 45 miles NE of S.F and the weather here is uncomfortable for my taste and I have been tracking the weather around Lake Chapala and it is running parallel with my local weather. And yes, my family migrated to central Cal. In the 40s from Guadalajara-Chapala area and my desire was to settle there in my older age but no longer. Because I am bilingual I would rather settle in a more traditional area.
I can understand that. Where are you now? I lived for a long time in Sonoma County, Ca
I am in Tracy area.
The cobblestone streets is one of many things I didn’t like about San Miguel. As you said, the streets were beating my car to pieces. 😊
The cobblestone streets is one of many things I didn’t like about San Miguel. As you said, the streets were beating my car to pieces. 😢
Consider Patzquaro (Lake), Morelia, Guanajuato as these are higher altitude cities with a pleasant climate. San Miguel de Allende is also great but lots of Gringos and more expensive to find reasonable rentals. They still talk about the last freeze in '37.
For sure I am looking forward to seeing all of those places, but though I love to visit big cities, I think I'd rather live in a smaller town, so Morelia and Guanajuato might be too big. But I've never been so we'll see! Thanks for your suggestion.
Why would you consider Morelia? It’s in the state of Michocacian and it’s on do not travel list
That's why it's not currently on my travel plan. But I'm sure there are many great qualities: beautiful city, weather, etc..
Having traveled by car in MX for 55 years, I can say that Michoacán is like several different states rolled into one. Avoid Tierra Caliente, cartel land, and Lazaro Cardenas. Morelia is safe, & Santa Clara de Cobre. Just stay in the right place.
We have enjoyed your travels and comments on Ajijic. We love Mexico and have explored as much as possible for business and pleasure in over one hundred trips. You bring up many important issues about living long term in Ajijic. While this incredible heat will be gone as soon as the Monsoon starts, there are many other issues that make a commitment difficult. A large number of Gringos make it inevitable that you will run into rude people like the man in the mrket as many want to "Americanize" their new town. The locals depend on the income from the tourists but at the same time, they have to live further and further from town as the cost of housing makes it almost impossible to live in town. As the United States continues it's decline, there will be more and more escapees heading across the border. Mexico has no exclusivity on crime as all you have to do is look in the police blotter here in the States to see how much crime we live with in our home towns. There are many nice cities in the high central plateau in Mexico that have pleasant weather much of the time. With global warming and the resulting climate change, weather is much more unpredictable and the heat dome over Mexico and the U.S. southern states is just one of those examples. For the cost of housing, food, transportation, etc., try www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ One you get the hang of this site, it's great for comparing one Mexican city with another. For your dogs, I would try a different dog food. We had the same skin problem with one of our dogs and had great success with the highly rated Costco dog foods. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. They have been on the costco food without interruption since he was little, so I don't think it's that. I will check out numbeo! I said in the video that if I chose this town to live in I would look more deeply at things like crime rates here. That doesn't mean I think there's a lot of crime here. I don't know. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the towns in the high central plateau soon! Thanks for your feedback!
I would like to add that I want to retire to Mexico and my wife has family in Guanajuato, and she said it was hot and uncomfortable there last November. Also, they were running out of water where she was staying near Leon and they had no air conditioning, they never needed it before. I, too, believe in Climate Change and it is affecting greater areas of Mexico. They had to have clean water trucked-in which made things more difficult. I can see why people may become grumpy. I have been watching a lot of U-Tube videos about Mexico, I am not sure where I would want live there, but we are still looking.
Water is a huge concern, for sure. Just like in California.
I checked out numbeo, but they get their info on surveys, not from actual statistics.
I lived in Ajijic for 3 years - first rented a house in Villa Nova but moved after 3 months because my neighbours who were from Guadalajara used their Ajijic house as a weekend party nightclub place - had to call the police several times because starting Friday 8pm all the way to Sunday morning was loud music fighting people pissing in the streets and throwing around empty beer cans and liquor bottles - police would talk to them but after the police left they would just continue again - So I move to a gated community more upscale - Chula Vista Norte - big difference in rent but it was worth it - clean well maintained community and fairly peaceful in the evenings - but eventually I became unhappy I felt a little discriminated because of the 2 tier price system in Ajijic - one price for the gringos and a better true price for the Mexicans - I was constantly getting ripped off overpaying because I was a gringo - during high season it would take me 1 hour to drive from one end of the town to the opposite end when normally during off season it would take about 15 minutes - overall I found the place including Lake Chapala - dirty - over run with homeless dogs - overpriced when it came to food and rent and everyday things in general - no where is perfect and I did make some real genuine friendships there are some good people in Ajijic - Mexicans and gringos but I personally my opinion - Lake Chapala , San Antonio and Ajijic are over rated there are better places in Mexico and much more affordable ...
I agree.
Did you move to another place in MX that better suited you?
@@llee8325 I tried Cancun then Cabo San Lucas - I was happy in Cabo and rent plus shopping for food and everyday essentials was pretty much the same cost of living plus the Walmart in Cabo is 10 times better than the one in Ajijic .. I rented a 1 bedroom furnished and about a 15 minute walk up from the Marina for the same price I was renting a casita in Ajijic ... eventually went back to my home country we all complain about America and Canada but the truth everyday people risk their lives crossing illegally to get the AMERICAN dream and now Mexicans are wanting the Canadian dream ...
What other places are you looking at?
@@JimJones762x39 - Thailand and Vietnam - world famous beaches and ocean communities and much lower cost of living and property - new luxury condos walking distance from beach for under $60,00 Canadian dollars - no drug cartels running the country - CJNG, Los Zetas, Cartel Sinaloa , Familia Michiocan , I'm going to tell you a true story and if you live in the Ajijic area and you have a long time Mexican resident as a friend ask them this question - a few years back a major drug cartel came into town and killed and kidnapped over 20 people and some included were gringos - they went to the Malecon in Ajijic and the plaza and some places where youths gathered to play basketball and soccer - that is a dark secret that Ajijic is hiding but if you ask around who will find a Mexican who will validate this story I am telling you - YOU DON'T KNOW AND WHEN THE CARTEL WILL DECIDE ONE DAY TO RETURN AND REPEAT THIS KILLING AND TAKE OVER ????
Hi Mora. I am hoping to contact you. I lived in Ajijic/Chapala for 3+ years before moving to Morelia. I moved for all the reasons you cited. I am now wondering about Patzcuaro. If you are settling in Patzcuaro I would love to talk to you for your observations. Two minds are better than one.
Sure! Write me an email or visit my website: MoraMargaret.com
You are in Mexico. It's an arid region. No place is perfect. I am retired on above average SS in the 6th wealthiest county in America and believe me, there are issues here to. Hot summers, lots of traffic, high prices. It's the way of the world.
As a 24-year resident of central Mexico I can tell you that May is the most God-awful month for weather. When the rain starts it's a whole different ball of wax. As for your other gripes, you are 100 percent correct. No way I'd live in that area.
Thanks. I'm looking forward to more rain soon.
Thanks for sharing your experience that way we could work on making a better Mexico about the heat is all over the world ❤
Your reasons mirror what I disliked about Puerto Vallarta, and why our next trip will be to Queretaro and surrounding towns.
Over price and over crowded was what i saw when i visited thats why i bought land in another town that also has lake that is very affordable.
Any suggestions on other lakeside communities? Not a beach person, more into kayaking. Also not particularly looking for an expat community, I'm fairly fluent in Spanish, and would be more interested in mingling with the locals, and learn about their culture.
I only really saw Jocotepec around the lake. It was nice and not as gringofied. My favorite town in the area was one a bit further from the lake: Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. Only 8 miles from the lake, it was clean and cute and friendly people.
Visited gringo over-run Ajijic 8 years ago for 10 days and did not consider it as a viable full time destination. Trip hazards everywhere as observed with numerous seniors wearing arm and/or leg casts, horrible traffic, very polluted stinky slough, lots of snotty high brow gringos, every thing is over priced, and I could go on… Moved to La Paz, BCS where we enjoy a truly traditional Mexican city and culture. Our neighbors are down to earth and very welcoming. All the best on your search, remember everyday in Mexico is an adventure, so go with the flow 😀
Thanks for the wonderful reminder! I hope to check out La Paz someday.
We were there last December. The weather was lovely and it did rain snd we loved it. Yes the streets can be troublesome but they are putting in new streets all the time. You don’t need to speak Spanish here. They have many shops here in town center for browsing and trinkets and bobbles for gifts back home. Yes it’s expensive but the weather is lovely most months of the year. Good luck to you on your travels.
How is the crime level in La Paz? Hopefully it’s very low
I'm just beginning my research and will be coming down fairly soon to spend about a month there and hopefully find a town I fall in love with. Thanks for your videos. I'm mostly interested in central Mexico, but Puerto Vallarta is tempting!
PV is beautiful and check out Bucerias. Just up the coast.
Best of luck! PV is beautiful. I just couldn't stand the summers there. Central Mexico is where it's at!
@@MoraMargaret Thanks for your reply! I'm doing more research and the rule of law on the roads is a little absent it seems! Corrupt cops, cop impersonators, home made road blocks! I am rethinking driving at all let alone from Dallas to Centro . So you don't worry about that?
Oh I do worry about it. NO ONE can tell you one road or another is safe. I do the best I can to be informed, only drive in daylight, don't stop in cities with violence going on. It's nerve wracking. I've been through 4 blockades now. I'm still not sure who those people were, but everything turned out ok.
@@MoraMargaret 4 blockades! Were your dogs with you? You are lucky it went ok,. It's looking more like I might end up in Morellia. I'm on a FB group with a TH-camr who is a pretty nice guy...Bill the Geek something..you might want to check him out. I was thinking of San Migue. who knows...Buena Surety:)
U went to the wrong vet. I live in la floresta with concrete sidewalks. The trees r not dead. As soon as the rainy season starts every tree turns green. The heat is up to 100 in may. I have a pool that helps. I don't drive so i have a golf cart which in not allowed on the main road so i drive on the cobblestone roads. But traffic can get bad. There r some rude gringos but if i have a language problem i have my translator. Most mexican people r very gracious. Some don't want us there. They have been working on the lake. Did u know it is 55 miles long? Yes I'm not fond of some things I'm not fond of but remember we a foreigners in mexico so we obey there customs and rules. Sorry u had a bad experience but ive been here 8 years!
Thank you SO much for this. I have taken Ajijic off my list.
No place is perfect. Good luck in finding what you want. (How long did you spend hanging out at the Ajijic plaza coffee shop? Friendly people are to be found there.) I've learned that many expats haven't lived on a lake. The haze you see is merely condensation - the water and air temps aren't the same.
No, I think not. I know the difference between hazy, dusty pollution and fresh condensation. I hope the lake survives and recuperates. I know no place is perfect, but it's fun to explore so many beautiful areas in Mexico, and I am lucky to be able to do so.
I was really interested in checking out the current costs of food you posted at the end but it was impossible to read, it went by in the blink of an eye and then was obstructed by an ad for another video! 🙄😒
oh no! I'm sorry, I'm teaching myself to make these videos and clearly I don't know what I'm doing. If you want to send me your email I can send you the last screen.
Hit pause as soon as the list comes up.
Stop it at 7:12 but you have to be quick on the finger 🙂😂🤣j
Agreed!
Great video how did you get your dogs to Mexico thank you
Thanks! please see my latest video all about dogs in Mexico. It was easy 🙂
Anybody have a location to suggest that's not hot and humid yet not 6000+ elevation? My heart can't take either.
Wow! All you tubers should be honest like you! I agree with all your comments. Best climate... everytime I visited from my base in Ciudad de Guanajuato the weather was either too hot and very dry... or cold and windy! 😂😂😂. Rents are crazy high because many poorly informed rich gringos simply pay what's asked... and then say.. "well it's way cheaper than San Francisco.." . Or whatever city. No sht Sherlock. Now ask a Mexican about that price... If you want to be a real expat.. You must think like a local! Great video
Thank you 😊
Many of your points are not specific to the Ajijic area and are things you will find all across Mexico.
You have a point there, but taken all together it's just not for me. It's not a condemnation of the whole area, it's just not my choice.
I just discovered your videos - wow - great information! I'm looking for a home town in Mexico as well, and I have one small, fluffy dog. I did find a great place in Los Ayala -- perfect in the winter but summers are dreadful. Going to follow your video and hope to find a great, long-term home. Best of luck and thank you!
You are welcome! I haven't been to Los Ayala but I love Nayarit!! I've spent a lot of time in San Pancho. But you're right, the summers are brutal. We spent our first month in April on the coast near Melaque and it felt like we were hiding from the sun the whole time. Poor dogs were HOT! So, the coast is out for full time living. But love to visit in winter :)
You should look at other areas around the lake that are not heavy with expats you can find much better deals.
Thank you, I'm sure you're right. I really liked Mazamitla! I'm looking forward to exploring Hidalgo, Puebla etc..
I agree with you 100%. Have visited many times over the years.
Not that it's horrible, just that there are many other places in Mexico that I like better. Thanks for your comment!
@@MoraMargaret again, I agree with you. I live part-time in Zapopan (GDL) but Queretao is in a place I visited briefly and was like Wow! I love this place. Where do you plan to adventure within Mexico next?
Well I'd thought I'd go into Hidalgo, but I took advantage of a good deal for a few weeks in the state of Mexico instead. So my plan is fluid. Thanks for your comment!
Any small town in Mexico will have cobblestone streets so if you like to walk and want a small town in Latin America, you'll have to put up with it
This is true. But in combination with the other things I mentioned... it's not for me.
Other places have very well maintained sidewalks eg Queretaro San Mig etc. Milder weather too..
I'll be very interested to see these towns!
yikes those prices at the end are overly pricey. Just came back from 5 weeks in Algarve and Lisbon and found groceries and public transit very reasonable even subsidized if you are a senior visitor. Dining out in tourist areas not so much. THis of course will all end for tourists as daily head taxes will be imposed. Many european cities Barcelona Amsterdam, Paris and others charge up to 8 euros a night. I was fortunate as I stayed under guise of "cash"...I could see Mexico doing this also.
Oh wow, yes things are getting expensive everywhere. If I didn't have the two dogs I would like to explore where you went!
Watching all your videos. I dig your voice & nack for adventure......I'm 57 as well, and your energy & attitude seem a bit on the negative side. A bit more positive energy woukd deff enhance your experiences. I just spent 3 months there.......Way more positive. JS Salud
And I never felt I was going to fall or uncomfortable walking there. It's part of the trek......
Guess I missed it, why did You quit trailer life?
It was a great experience, especially being part of a caravan, but it wasn't for me long term. I like exploring from a sticks and bricks house instead :)
Great info I don’t think I like to go there looks too over crowded
You didn’t give it time … lived here 20 years
Very well said, Mora. Hope you find the ideal Mexican community for you and your dogs...I know it's out there.
Thank you. So kind of you!
I watched a few of your other vids and I see you love the Sea. Mazunte is waiting for you. Huatulco is an hour away (for big city stuff), but Zipolite is closeby and San Jose Del Pacifico is not far. If that kind of experience is your thing. Check out some YT vids and come and see.
On the downside, a pretty severe hurracane visited a couple of years ago, but everything has been rebuilt and improved.
If you bring your dogs, beware they will hate you if you ever decide to leave.
Very safe. No crime. Lot's of hippy culture.
Sounds wonderful. I'm going to put it on my list to visit.
This has not been our experience what so ever. I don't think 1 month is enough to really get to know the area. Good luck with your search.
About 5 years ago, I was watching a video on Lake Chapala and Ajijic. In the comment section an American woman, cut loose on the whole area. Her comment always stuck with me. This lady worked for the US Government and somehow she was able to move there for her job. She had lived there 3 years and was moving back to the US, because she said she just couldn’t take it anymore.
I remind you! This was an American woman. She said she couldn’t take it anymore how the Americans, and Canadians treated the locals. She said they treated them like dirt! Like they were their maids, or servant’s. Like they should wait on them hand and foot and they should be appreciative that they were down there spending their money. She said it was just horrible!
I just found your channel a few days ago. In several of my comments that I’ve left on your videos, I’ve mentioned wanting to stay away from expats. It stems from this lady’s comment that I read probably 5 years ago, and it really stuck with me. Up above, I was very brief what the lady said in her comment. She was irate, and didn’t hold nothing back.
I notice that you hinted the same thing in this video. Of coarse you have to be a little more PC since you don’t want to make Americans and Canadians mad. I hope you don’t take this comment down. They need to read this.
Probably a good place to start if you don't speak Spanish. I have seen the Lake Chapala area lumped together with places to retire where English is spoken.
Additionally, I am not sure the area is a good place for single woman.
Have you been there?
@@MoraMargaret Just hundreds of TH-cams. Can't talk my wife into it yet.
@@MoraMargaret No. But I have watched several hundred TH-cams from various sources. Planning on going their within a year.
I think you might like Ensenada. The best weather in the world and you still get the Mexican culture and nice people
I've heard it's really nice there!
What is great weather is very subjective. Canadians favor the beach. I'd rather have my fingernails yanked out. Give me Mexico's central plateau.
Lol I'm finding the weather, and the charms, of central Mexico to be wonderful.
Isn’t Ensenada became a high crime because of the incident of 3 surfers?
Here's the thing. I've looked for the second best climate in the world quote supposedly made by National Geographic, and I've never found it. I don't think it exists. I think somebody just made this up, and it caught on.
Lol I wouldn't be surprised ;)
I think you need to stay longer! This is a "tropical dry" climate meaning it is Always very dry from November to June. The plants here are not the deciduous trees you are used to in USA. They naturally sort of turn off in the dry season. They miraculously '"turn on" just before the rains begin. The hottest time of the year is April and May and into June, but almost suddenly become so great, highs in 70's through 80's with most of the rain at night.. The mountain sides become lush with flowering trees and shrubbery everywhere in the towns. As for the cobblestones, that is endemic to all of Mexico. If you encounter a town with concrete street throughout, you will find little of the other local charm either that one associates with Mexico. I would recommend you give it a couple more months or move to an area that is more populated by local Mexicans, shop at more local markets. Try, maybe, Chapala as opposed to Ajijic. Just a suggestion!
I appreciate that! There are so many beautiful places in Mexico, I know I visited that area at the worst time. Thanks for your comment!
I"'m not sure if this would help your dog? I make my dogs food mainly organ meat and vegetables dog food has alot of ingredients just that I would mention the food! Thank you for your videos and hope your dog heals soon!
Thanks for the tip! I really appreciate your comment.
Thank you for this, was thinking of checking it out. Gonna pass.
Good Videos.
Many expats who feel entitled will dull the vibes. Also, though, you are likely going to see a lot of pollution in most parts.
That is why I live quietly in Toluca, Mexico
Sounds pretty good!
The price of chicken is crazy.
Is "gringolandia" a swipe at "Portlandia"?! 😊
She is very picky...
true, but only about where I call home :)