No doubt about it - the weather! After a lifetime of organizing around the
weather and the environment, when living Lakeside you wake up in a year-round
paradise.
Nestled high in the Sierra Madre mountains, the area around Lake Chapala
(Mexico's largest inland lake) has one
of the finest climates in the world. Although mornings and evenings are
cool between December and February, the days are delightfully temperate,
averaging about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius). We reach our hot peak during
the months of April and May where temperatures might reach into the mid to high
80s. But take a walk on the shady side of the street and you will feel refreshed
by the drop in temperature. Living here during the months of April and May,
you'll soon understand why the long-standing tradition of an afternoon siesta
makes perfect sense. People from all over the world have chosen to retire
here and enjoy the warm days, cool nights. Rainy season runs from mid-June to
mid/late October. The refreshing rains turn the surrounding mountains a verdant
green. Truly a sight to behold! Even during the dry season - mid-October to
early June - there is an abundance of color in the flowers that flourish
year-round.
Lifestyle
Living is easy in this popular retirement community. The carefree lifestyle
that you find Lakeside allows more time to enjoy the retirement you have
worked so hard for! The temperate climate allows you to live and entertain
outside every day of the year. A friend of mine once commented that he has
never had to cancel a golf game due to the weather!
The Lakeside community has a well-established infrastructure of services in
place. You have the advantage of enjoying life in a small community while having
quick and convenient access to the big city.
Guadalajara is just 50 minutes away where you will find major shopping malls,
opera, theatre, an international airport.
Trudie took her friends Joan and Deb
into Guadalajara recently on a shopping expedition. They visited a wonderful
custom upholstery showroom called "Sofas y Sillones". They could have been in
New York or Toronto! The showroom was full of amazing custom furniture... great
styles with a beautiful range of imported European and US fabrics. Very
affordable and speedy delivery. Just part of a fun day with friends in
Guadalajara.
Time
for Friends....
When Trudie was working full time in Toronto, she never had time
to socialize
with her friends. Now while still working in Ajijic, Trudie finds there is more
time to relax and develop close friends. Trudie invites you to visit the home
of Jackie Hodges ... one of her closest friends.
Simon Chang (right with Trudie), one of the world's top
fashion designers,
met with Trudie on her recent trip to Toronto Canada. Chang's designs regularly
appear in women's fashion magazines. Women across Canada eagerly await the
changing seasons, as a new Simon Chang collection hits the racks.
"Wearable clothes for real women, but there has to be a WOW! factor." says
Simon Chang.
Enjoy your retirement through unlimited activities. You'll find
a wide diversity of social, recreational and community services.
There's English-language media, choirs and a thriving little theatre. Enjoy live
entertainment and dancing nightly under the stars. The list of things to do on
the lakeside is endless.
Do You Like to Sing? Come Sing With Los Cantantes del Lago!
Los Cantantes del Lago
is a
community choir based in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. We offer anyone who loves
music an opportunity to sing and improve their vocal skills in an encouraging
and friendly environment.
There is open enrollment before the start of each season (September and
January) for all vocal parts during which newcomers are welcome to join the
choir. We close enrollment the first day of rehearsals to ensure that the choir
will be fully prepared for the concert.
While there are no formal auditions new members are encouraged to be able to
read music and rhythms. At the start of each season, there are 30 minutes prior
to the first rehearsal available for those interested in joining to arrive,
register, meet the director, and be assigned to a section.
Because we are located in central Mexico, other interesting
travel destinations are only hours away. World-class
coastal resorts - Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta; colonial cities - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato,
Zamora; historic sites - Aztec and Mayan ruins, pyramids.
It is fun to visit the coastal resorts of Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Ixtapa,
Cancun but the weather is much hotter and more humid. The lifestyle is very
different since these resort areas cater to tourists who visit for a short while
and then return home. But we live in the 'real' Mexico where people live
year-round and become a part of the community.
We welcome the chance to visit the incredible colonial cities that we've all
read about - San Miguel de Allende, Morelia, Guanajuato. However, we find these
areas more congested and temperatures are much colder during the winter months
and hotter during the summer months since they do not have Lake Chapala
moderating the temperatures.
Feria Maestros del Arte
Maestros who attended last year and our Feria volunteers
(click on image for larger view)
The 7th
Annual Feria Maestros del Arte will run from November 7-9, 2008: 10 am to 4 pm
at Club de Yates de Chapala.
Not just another art show, Feria Maestros del Arte is completely nonprofit.
Organized by an army of volunteers, artists pay no fee or percentage of
sales. They are housed with
local families, fed two meals a day, and assisted with transportation,
if needed. Their participation in the fair is a unique community event.
Every year, extraordinary cross-cultural bonds are forged between families
of diverse backgrounds. For many artists, it is their first contact with the
outside world.
The goal of Maestros del Arte is to keep Mexican folk art alive. As
Mexico changes, many
artists are being forced to give up their art to make a living in the
cities. Without the kind of intervention Feria Maestros del Arte provides,
the world’s most creative culture will lose its exceptional heritage.
Gerardo (Presidente of Chapala) and his
brother, Javier produce wonderful pre-Hispanic ceramics. This is a "Chapala"
Tree of Life.
Felipe Benitez
Miranda, a Náhuatl Indian painter
Admission
fees are small so that everyone can afford to take home a treasure Expect to
find the finest Mexican folk and indigenous art directly from the artists –
without middleman or gallery prices.
Margarita Fick, the only woman in Mexico still producing
hand-cut papel picados (paper cutwork).
A High Quality of Life
Mexico offers a high-quality lifestyle that you may not have considered. .
Other than the excellent climate, one of the main reasons many North
Americans make the move to Mexico is a more affordable cost of living. We list a random
sampling of prices on our Cost of Living page.
Medical Facilities
There are several excellent medical clinics located on the Lakeside, along with a
number of private doctors. Many of the local facilities have bilingual staff,
providing 24-hour care, ambulance service, emergency service and medical air
evacuation to the United States and Canada. Medical insurance is available from
several insurance companies in Mexico. If you have medical insurance from
outside Mexico, chances are that you can submit expenses to your insurance
provider. There are several reputable nursing and convalescent homes with
private and semi-private accommodations in the area. You will find that a visit
to the doctor or dentist is quite affordable.
Staying Legal in Mexico - Immigration
Staying in Mexico for a short period of time or an extended stay is not
difficult. A Tourist Visa (FM-T) allows a visitor to stay in Mexico for up to
six months. If you are contemplating a longer stay in Mexico, immigration specialists on the Lakeside can assist you in obtaining
an FM3 or FM2 visas. Or visit the INM (Imigracion Nacional de Mexico)
office in Chapala City Hall every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to get
your papers set up or renewed.
Bringing Your Car Into Mexico
It's Easy! We can send you detailed road instructions on how to arrive in
Ajijic and what is required to legally bring your car into Mexico. You will
require the following documentation:
Ownership/registration in the driver's name
Major credit card, in the same name of the vehicle registration
Current's driver's license
Current FM-T or FM-3 visa
Consulate Offices
Both the U.S. and Canadian Consulate offices are located in Guadalajara.
U.S. Consulate General Calle Progresso 175 Guadalajara 01 (333) 825-2700
Canadian Consulate General Hotel Fiesta Americana Guadalajara 01 (333) 615-6215
Churches
As well as Catholic churches in
the community giving mass in Spanish, there are a number of churches offering
services in English. Religious denominations include Catholic,
Lutheran, Anglican, Fellowship/Evangelical, New Apostolic, Seven-Day Adventists,
and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Unitarian, Jewish
Community, New Dimensions and the
Little Chapel by the Lake, which is non-denominational.
Communications
Keeping in touch with people is not a problem. The Lake
Chapala area has a modern fiber-optic phone system, satellite and cable TV and
internet providers offering both high-speed and dial-up connections. There are
several English-language newspapers on the Lakeside to keep you abreast of
what's happening both locally and worldwide.
The Mexican People
You'll quickly discover that the absolute
best part is - The People! Mexicans are kind,
family-oriented, cooperative, honest, hard-working people. They love to laugh and
have a good time. It won't be long before you find out just how helpful they
are. Try to talk to them as you go about your daily tasks. Say 'Hola' to
everyone you meet and see the quick response and smile came back to you.
Although learning Spanish does enhance living here, it is not necessary. You will find many of the locals speak English and will help you in your
attempts to learn Spanish. Just try out a few easy phrases to see how soon the
people smile at you in encouragement.
The expats who come to enjoy this paradise are by and large well-traveled
and very adventurous. They have come to enjoy life, but also want to experience
the culture and history laid out before them in this wonderful place we call home. Many people who live in
Mexico will tell you that the weather and cost of living may be the reasons they
came, but the wonderful Mexican people are the reason they stay.
AJIJIC VILLAGE HOMES
You'll quickly discover that the absolute
best part is - The People! Mexicans are kind,
family-oriented, cooperative, honest, hard-working people. They love to laugh and
have a good time. It won't be long before you find out just how helpful they
are. Try to talk to them as you go about your daily tasks. Say 'Hola' to
everyone you meet and see the quick response and smile came back to you.
The expats who come to enjoy this paradise are by and large well-traveled
and very adventurous. They have come to enjoy life, but also want to experience
the culture and history laid out before them in this wonderful place we call home. Many people who live in
Mexico will tell you that the weather and cost of living may be the reasons they
came, but the wonderful Mexican people are the reason they stay. 
Living is easy in this popular retirement community. The carefree lifestyle
that you find Lakeside allows more time to enjoy the retirement you have
worked so hard for! The temperate climate allows you to live and entertain
outside every day of the year. A friend of mine once commented that he has
never had to cancel a golf game due to the weather!
Trudie took her friends Joan and Deb
into Guadalajara recently on a shopping expedition. They visited a wonderful
custom upholstery showroom called "Sofas y Sillones". They could have been in
New York or Toronto! The showroom was full of amazing custom furniture... great
styles with a beautiful range of imported European and US fabrics. Very
affordable and speedy delivery. Just part of a fun day with friends in
Guadalajara.
to socialize
with her friends. Now while still working in Ajijic, Trudie finds there is more
time to relax and develop close friends. Trudie invites you to visit the home
of 
fashion designers,
met with Trudie on her recent trip to Toronto Canada. Chang's designs regularly
appear in women's fashion magazines. Women across Canada eagerly await the
changing seasons, as a new Simon Chang collection hits the racks. 
Enjoy your retirement through unlimited activities. You'll find
a wide diversity of social, recreational and community services.
There's English-language media, choirs and a thriving little theatre. Enjoy live
entertainment and dancing nightly under the stars. The list of things to do on
the lakeside is endless. 
