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Commonly
referred to as just Lake Chapala or Lakeside,
these quiet communities are in an area where you
really can stretch your retirement income and
find a comfortable lifestyle on about half
of what it costs to live in the United
States. You have probably heard about this
place and wondered if it's somewhere you could
live. Many gringos do. In fact, the
largest contingent of expatriates in the world,
roughly 40,000, lives in Lake Chapala, and the
majority of these folks are originally from the
U.S. and Canada. Life here is mellow, but
there is plenty to do, and the coast (Puerto
Vallarta) is only 4 hours away
by car.
Yes, the
climate is mild (summer may be the best time to
visit when the rains come early in the day,
clear out by noon and leave the area clean and
green), and there are banks, restaurants,
hotels, boating clubs and almost everything else
you will find at home (almost). But
this is Old Mexico. It is not the resorts, and
that must be kept in mind. Intrigued?
Consider these
facts:
Lake Chapala
offers:
-
A
lower cost-of-living (generally 1/2 of
that in the U.S.)
-
Cool
lake breezes
-
High
quality medical care
-
Plentiful
recreation, from golf to book clubs
-
Beautiful
scenery, tropical vegetation and Lake views
-
Easy
air access to the United States
-
English-speaking
residents and a strong expatriate network
Lake
Chapala, located 30 miles south of Guadalajara,
is Mexico's largest lake, roughly 55 miles long
and 15 miles wide. This area was settled
by a Spanish priest in the early 1500s, and it
became known as an expatriate retirement spot
shortly after WWII. Today, Lake Chapala
beckons to retirees, artists and craftsmen.
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Don't
Miss Our Lake Chapala Retirement
Packet!
This
packet of information is for
those wanting even more details
about the Lake Chapala region.
You'll get a map and copies of
local merchants' brochures,
pamphlets and advertisements (in
English). Included are
sample real estate listings and
rentals, maps and merchant
information about van tours,
shopping, churches, callback
services, mail services,
internet services, hotels,
expatriate networks,
restaurants, car rentals,
movers, veterinarians, dentists,
local events, investment banks
and more. $10.95 plus shipping. Click
Here to Purchase with Paypal,
Visa/MasterCard or by
Check/Money Order. |
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Several
small towns make up the area surrounding the
Lake. Ajijic, a town of about 5,000
people, is the area's centerpiece.
Cobblestone streets and spectacular gardens
hidden behind hand-carved wooden gates and
colorful walls contribute to its charm.
This is where most gringos choose to live and
although it is a laid-back place, there's
nightlife, lots of restaurants and adequate
shopping (for serious shopping, Guadalajara is a
short taxi or bus ride away). English is
spoken, making adapting to this new home easier
than in other parts of Mexico. Some books
and guides will tell you that it's possible to
live on $600 a month in Mexico, and we suppose
that is true if corners are cut and sacrifices
are made. We have found, however, that
$1,200 per couple is about the average cost for
a comfortable (but not elaborate) lifestyle in
Chapala.
Galena
Territory, Galena, Illinois | Cornwall
Manor, Cornwall, Pennsylvania | West
Neck, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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