As the AARP article said, "Ajijic
(Ah-hee-heek) straddles a highway strip whose shop signs
are half in Spanish, half in English, but the town has
its Mexican charms: a few blocks in from the main highway,
for instance, you'll find small plazas, quaint churches,
and solemn donkeys pulling carts.
You can sit on your terrace as gentle breezes stir
the air, the sun warming you as you look out over your
garden and listen to your gardener humming as he tends
the many fruit trees and beautiful flowers. THIS IS YOURS!
You really have to pinch yourself to believe you are actually
here in this gorgeous setting!
Paradise at it's best, where the living is easy.
No wonder so many Americans and Canadians have opted
for this lifestyle. Where you can sit sipping coffee at
an outdoor café, and watch the Mexican people selling
their wares, hear the wandering musicians and watch children
kicking soccer balls. Why not explore the possibility
of making YOUR dreams come true in this tranquil community
with all the amenities of a 1st class city? You will
not be disappointed. Read what a few of the ex-pat residents
have to say about his area and their lifestyles.
JACK & GERI FRENCH
“How and why did we decide to come to
Lakeside? We were living in Atlanta when we retired.
But the previous year we had bought a lot in Tennessee
and built a home there, and upon retirement, we then
moved to the Tennessee area. However, it was considerably
colder and had more snow than we had anticipated,
but we were on a lake and only six blocks from the
golf course! |
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In February of 1998, we took a tour to Guadalajara
to see Mexico. We also had friends who had moved to the
Lakeside area the previous year. These friends were very
kind and showed us all the property for sale and told us
how nice the weather was as well as all the area has to
offer. By the time we left for home, we had purchased a
lot and started building in May of that year. The rest
is history.
We both love it here. The people; both natives as
well as expats are great, and believe me, the weather cannot
be beat. We recommend it for anyone.”
In addition to golf, which both enjoy, Jack is the
President of Chapala Country Club, and is very active in
it’s
many functions. Geri, also is very active with bridge, golf
and the Lakeside Garden Guild. They both have a full schedule
and a zesty, enthusiastic taste for life. There is so much
to do here, which Jack & Geri will gladly tell you AND
you can play golf everyday with no “starting times.”What
more could you ask? They are both from the United States
and have definitely found a home here with their many, many
friends.
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PENNY & LOREN REYNOLDS
“Penny & I were living in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada when we first learned about this
popular expatriate community. When we decided to
explore the Lake Chapala area. We came down on a
visit in 1999 and were so impressed with what we
saw, that we purchased a home on that visit. We moved
here permanently in 2000, living in the Racquet Club
for one year and then moved to our present home. |
We knew from reading National Geographic that Lake
Chapala was considered one of the two most desirable locations
in the world. That has proven to be true. Even though we
are below the Tropic of Cancer, the temperatures are very
moderate. That is because this area’s elevation is
a mile high and the temperature and the humidity remains
particularly low in our rainy season. (June to October)
The weather accommodates outdoor sports for 365 days a
year including tennis, golf, hiking, fishing etc. While
the climate is always touted as a main feature of pleasant
living, in our minds it is the people of Mexico that make
this part of the world so pleasant. Our Mexican hosts are
individually and collectively the most friendly and accommodating
people we have know and Pen and I have lived in four Canadian
provinces, three US states and three countries.
Excellent foods abound here with a large variety of fresh
fruits, vegetables, beef, pork and chicken. It is noteworthy
that Lake Chapala is only two and one-half hours from the
Pacific Ocean and fresh fish and seafood products are abundant
and relatively inexpensive, as are all foods. The city of
Guadalajara, with a population of five million, is a shopping
bonanza for food, artistic products, furniture, appliances
etc.
The quality of medical care far supercedes that which we
have experienced in both Canada and the United States. As
an example of the efficiency of the system here, I had a
prostate examination on week one and by week three had been
able to have had extensive tests and removal by surgery.
The majority of medical specialists here are trained in the
US and the medical hospital and clinics use the very highest
level of technical equipment. Private and government medical
insurance is available to all residents.
Housing in the Lake Chapala area is also varied and with
two million dollar homes and other more modest ones like
ours. There are several houses, apartments and condos available.
There are also many activities and cultural events for expats
both here at the lake, in Guadalajara and other nearby areas
in Mexico. A popular pastime here is visiting many of the
Mexican ruins and spectacular sites, such as the winter refuge
for our North American butterflies. The highways are excellent
and travel by auto to such places, as the Mayan temples is
common.
In summary we feel very privileged to be here along
with many pleasant Mexican and expat. Friends”.
Penny,
is a lovely lady who is very active and who gives of
her time to a local orphanage. She is also active in bridge
as well as other activities at Chapala Country Club and
at Lakeside. She was born in China, has lived many places
in the world and attended many state and military functions
with her husband, but she is very quick to say how wonderful
it is to be here.
Loren, is a retired Canadian Military pilot and
Military Attache’ who was stationed in Yugoslavia
for several years. He is an extraordinary man who believes
in giving his all to whatever endeavor he is involved in.
An ex-president of Chapala Country Club for 3 years, he
is still very active in club matters, as well as being
chairman of the annual Chili Cook Off and was one of the
original sponsors and workers for a local orphanage. He
and other members of his church distribute food to needy
families in a nearby village, he also organizes rides for
those whose spouses are in the hospital. You can always
depend on Penny and Loren for friendship, caring and most
of all…..help, when it’s most needed. They
have been instrumental in bringing several people to live
here permanently. They will be the first to tell you they
have found the people friendly and caring, the expats interesting
and full of life, and with so much to do here, there is
never a dull moment.
BARRY & ANNE ROWELL
“Anne and I are Canadians from south-western
Ontario. Anne was a Chartered Financial Planner,
and I was in the Insurance Industry.
We had plans of an early retirement and purchased
property in the Dominican Republic. It wasn’t
until we were told of the Lake Chapala area by good
friends that we decided to come here to see for ourselves,
as we couldn’t believe their statements about
this area and the climate.
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We first came down in
the late 1980s and we were very impressed with the climate
and the friendliness of the people.
In 1990 we rented a condo in Ajijic for 5 months, but after
3 months we were convinced that this was the retirement area
for us. We preferred the Vista Del Lago area, as there was
less noise and we were still in close proximity to Lakeside.
We purchased a house that year and took possession in 1991.
We have enjoyed our 14 full time years here and
look forward to many more. We still have some beautiful
Ocean-View lots for sale in the Dominican Republic.”
In addition to being in close proximity to Lakeside,
Barry is an active golfer with a very low handicap. Don’t challenge
him to a game or you may be wishing you hadn’t. You
will find him out on the course every weekday morning with
the “Ball in the Bucket” men’s group. Also
an ex-president of Chapala Country Club, Barry was also the
spokes-man for groups coming down to learn about the area.
Anne is also very active though she no longer plays golf,
she is past treasurer of Lakeside Garden Guild, plays bridge
and is a member of the local Red Hats as well as an avid
traveler.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone more in
tune with the Vista Del Lago/Chapala Country Club area
than this personal couple. However, they will tell you,
this is not Canada nor the US, this is Mexico and should
you decide to make this your home, be prepared to live
life with the customs and different ways of doing things.
It’s a different culture
and we are only guests in their country. Mexico is not for
everyone, try it out first with a visit and see if it’s
for you.
Click
here for Chapala Country Club info.
ROB & LORRI CRACKNELL
Six years ago, Australian couple Rob & Lorri Cracknell visited their daughter in Guadalajara and fell in love with the City, Culture, Climate and Mexican people. While on holiday they saw a magnificent Colonial house for sale in Guadalajara and made contact with the owners, resulting in the purchase.
They returned to Australia and left the property in the hands of their daughter and fiance to commence restoration. |
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After settling affairs back in Australia they returned to Guadalajara permanently and continued with the restoration, subsequently being awarded with a Certificate of Merit from the Government for their fine efforts in restoring a Colonial Mexican home.
After 4 years in Guadalajara Rob and Lorri had the opportunity
to stay at QQ
Inn in Chapala and discovered it was for sale.
With its magnificent gardens, tranquility, and rooms so beautifully
decorated, it was an easy decision to purchase.
Rob, a leading photographer and painter and Lorri an interior
decorator and former model agency proprietor now share the
enchanting environment with many wonderful guests who return
frequently.
The author D.H. Lawrence must have enjoyed living
at QQ
Inn during 1923 while writing "The Plumed Serpent".
There is only one way to describe the QQ Inn..."Paradise".
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