We are Mexican American but he looks white maybe a part of the reason as hes been shaken down by police in Mexico and even my mom whose a native Mexican was pick pocketed so he feels safer in Asian countries where nothing bad has ever happened. Our time in Mexico was the best time in our lives. As a result of these changes, lake levels have dropped significantly. Besides, being Spanish my first language I was able to understand Mexico a lot better than those who do not know Spanish. Im fortunate to have lived in Latin America for 20 years as a young adult into middle age, so I had some idea of what to expect and was pleasantly surprised to find Mexico to be more open and joyous than some other Latin cultures Ive lived in. Get the essential information and advice you need to decide if Mexico - and Mexico's Lake Chapala area - are right for you. And to top it off, the municipality has run out of resources for the strengthening of public security, as it was announced in the Official Gazette of the Federation, on February 15, that Chapala, like five other municipalities in the State of Jalisco, has remained outside the financial support of FORTASEG. Pathetic. Dirty run down buildings, dirty lake, street surfaces can barley walk on them I like (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? That narrative has now been disrupted by reality. The lake is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and sailing. Because of the scenic Lake views and low cost of living, it is easy to see why they are so appealing. 011-52-(376) 76 52877 4. Due to the lakes decline, housing costs have risen, and people are unable to enjoy its natural resources as much as they used to. All the best and let us know if Focus can help you further. However, it is recommended that residents follow the Mexican example of not placing temptation in the path of would-be criminals, but . The lake is also home to a number of resorts and hotels. So stay there for retirementif you can afford to. Yes, as everyone stated, there are things that are not like the U.S. For us, that makes every day an adventure as we learn how to navigate our way. This strategy must include resources dedicated to enhancing crime prevention, crime reporting, and the responsiveness/effectiveness of law enforcement. Although the Lake Chapala communities are considered quite safe, the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Diplomatic Security (OSAC) has reported multiple homicides, assaults, robberies and car thefts in Guadalajara, just 45 minutes to the north. While I dont have any hard statistics, the expat retiree population lakeside is a combination of couples, a larger number of single women and a smaller number of single men. Moderate. "Narco cartels and the resulting territorial violence is more than challenging--it's scary when it gets close. I certainly agree one must take precautions wherever we are and perhaps thats why I have never experienced crime in Mexico. Interested in finding out more about our Online Program? The craftsmen and women, who still make items as their parents and parents before them did, and the fact that chicken wire has so many uses," Ajijic is a relatively expensive city in Mexico, which is not uncommon. Recently some Lakeside expats who decided to return to their home country shared their grievances about the Lake Chapala area with us. We spent our honeymoon 22 years ago at Lake Chapala, made short trips since, and attended FOM session in July 2017. We returned to the United State due to age and health concerns but think almost every day about our lives while living there. There is no doubt that the lake will continue to dry up, but misinformation about this is not uncommon. Lake Chapala is an excellent place to retire. The Committee salvemativa capuln, Acasico, and Palmarejo, among others, fought against the damming of the Verde River in El Zapotillo. While the murder investigation is underway, official statistics indicate a recent spike in the lakeside areas crime index. Chapalas Mexican feel is offset by a lack of organized expat activities. Neighbors of the. Moving To Mexico'S Lake Chapala: Checklists, How-To'S, And Practical Information And Advice For Expats And Retirees by Lisa L. Jorgensen, 9780985947644, available at LibroWorld.com. The town has a population of about 30,000 people. People inside the restaurant called the emergency line to notify authorities of the attack. Peoples lives depend upon this new posture. You like shoveling snow, raking leaves, or cutting the grass. The perpetrators were four men disguised as police officers. You like being used by your children as a babysitter, cook and house cleaner. One of them, showing a good sense of self-awareness commented, I guess Im not as flexible as I thought I was. Its certainly true that Mexico is not for everyone and while international living blogs paint it and other Latin countries as a retirement paradise for northern baby boomers, the difficulties of adapting to life in a foreign county, particularly for those who have not traveled extensively outside of their home country, are often underemphasized. Only a few of the larger hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Utility bills, cable TV, internet access, maid service, and other services are all included in the rent. In addition, the home invasions and petty crime are on the rise. Expats, Retirees and Digital Nomads talk about the pros and cons of living in Lake Chapala. Mexico has many great places to live. There are several restaurants in the area, both American and Canadian, as well as several golf courses nearby. The three victims are hospitalized in stable to serious condition. left: 0; Over the weekend, an armed commando arrived at a restaurant next to Lake Chapala and opened fire on a group of diners. It's just weird that all the gringo/expats are so paranoid about security and lack of police that can help out The tall walls with razor wire and gated communities say it all. I do not live in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Summary: I would highly recommend it to anyone! Countless home robberies including from in-home staff. The challenge for the tourism and real estate industry in the Chapala and Ajijic area is not how to nuance the nightmare. It is to confront the reality with a new, tangible strategy to manage the mayhem. How will the expats, residents and those with vested interests in the tourism and real estate industry in the Lakeside area become involved in advocating for essential solutions? There are many different types of homes and land available, as well as a wide range of prices. Mexico is considered to have the second best climate in the world, after the United States. But you can also find rentals as low as $500/mo or $2,000/month too. Additionally, the cost of living is quite high, especially for foreigners. We glance at the goings on from abroad and shake our head. And is that after the four violent events of the last week, where four people lost their lives and five were injured, according to updated information by the press, has been forced to resign this week the director of Public Safety of Chapala, Amador Baena Pinzn. Puerto Vallarta chalked up 479 complaints, registering 15.82 crimes per 10,000 residents. A medium-sized upscale apartment can cost up to 13,000 pesos per month in some cases. No one's in a hurry, except macho jovenes in their cars, and then it's only to the next tope. Just on Sunday, a total of 14 murders were committed in the municipalities of San Cristobal de la Barranca, Jocotepec, and Ojuelos. We have actually heard someone complain that there were a lot of Mexicans on the streets in Ajijc (well, duh) and they didnt like seeing them. Yes, because of health reason my wife and I moved back to the States (Texas). The corpse was discovered lying face down in bed, with hands bound together behind the back. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-98179744', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mexico. We saw some of the bad sides of Mexico, but we were fortunate enough to experience the people and culture. Ninety years later, Mexicos municipality of Chapala has plunged into the midst of the Valentines Month of Mayhem & Massacre. The Mexicans in Ajijic view the gringos as a source of money. Lake Chapala has been shrinking for quite some time. As a result, they were frequently bitten by bugs, spiders, ants, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. The three victims are hospitalized in stable to serious condition. No element of this site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Bill Dahl. Worries home broken and things stolen. One thing that we are all subject to is the influence of social media. It is close to both Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende, two excellent tourist destinations. Mexico. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist. .video-container iframe { We had known for about a decade that we wanted to retire to Mexico, but we always envisioned a coastal city until we visited Ajijic. I suggest you go to other parts of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One of the highlights for me was to sound TAPS for the Memorial Day observance at the American Legion Post in Chapala. Villagers in the Cajititl*n lagoon, near Chapala, claim that fishermen cant find the white fish characteristic of that area of water. I still feel safer in Mexico than I ever would in the USAschool shootings? Lake Chapala Mexico real estate offers a wide variety of options for those looking for a place to live. Mexicans themselves are fastidiously clean and except among the very poor, adults and children are generally dressed with great care because dress is considered a reflection of ones status in society. Unfortunately, the age of the majority of the expats make it easy pickings for the punk gang guys. People inside the restaurant called the emergency line to notify authorities of the attack. Welcome to the area is known as Lakeside and la ribera to Mexicans. Good job gumshoe! Probably for the same reasons these people are unhappy with the free for all of village life. Unless you engage in illegal activities, the Cartel will not cause you any harm. I have high walls as that is what everyone has in the villages, no gated community for me. Maids and gardeners earn an average of $3 to $6 per hour, according to Payscale. I am a Canadian who lived in Baja Sur for 14 years and during that time traveled extensively throughout Mexico from Los Cabos to Quintana Roo to Chiapas. Your real estate taxes have been going down every year and government services have been getting better. Foreigners are there for the picking and my Vietnamese wife wont let me buy anything except in the larger supermarkets. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Also, kudos to Focus on Mexico. There are also a number of vacation rentals available. A two-bedroom, two-bath house with a backyard and garden area, a modern kitchen with wood cabinets, modern bathrooms, and a carport with parking for two cars costs $95,000 I discovered that a basic house in Chapala, needing only minor renovations, could be purchased for $45,000. Required fields are marked *, Address My friends who live in Ajijic are now planning a move back to the USA. If you are . Glad you liked it. It's not just the crime, but the lack of activity, like boating, that is limited in Ajijic. As a result, other months would see a much lower number. When you live in Chapala, Mexico, you can expect spring-like temperatures all year. Get a quote from our partner, William Russell. Its worth noting that the 10,000 Americans mentioned refers to the peak season, which is usually May to October. Around every corner one is greeted by a cacophony of smells; the sweet aroma of baking bread and roasting coffee swirling together with the smell of garbage rotting in the sun and pet detritus. There are a number of tour companies that offer bird watching tours. Oh my, the Ajijic Feng Shui is real. Weather is incredible year-round. Enjoy and don't get shot Johnny C..the area is not for everyone that is for sure. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They sell their own tobacco and only that tobacco can be bought and sold . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. My husband and I have no regretsonly wish we could be still be there. The land is on the Mexican Plateau, at 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) above sea level, in Jalisco and Michoacn states. Taking part in local events throughout the day for free is an excellent way to enjoy the community. Get updates whenever new content gets posted. Lake Chapala is a great place to live if youre looking for a climate thats temperate all year long and doesnt require a lot of cold weather gear. Agreed. I have been waiting for an artical like your for a while and finally someone has made the simple effort to tell it like it is. Always feel safe but use common sense too. Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Lake Chapala responded: "Very friendly expats. said another expat in Lake Chapala. If you are planning to visit the area, it is important to take precautions to avoid getting sick. Mexicos popularity among expats, snowbirds, digital nomads, and retirees is expected to rise in 2022. The most common crimes were home burglaries and auto theft. Stay tuned. I am the kind of traveler that likes to visit many different places, instead of being married to one town. Then moved to Lake Chapala, Mexico maybe 3 years ago, roughly 2018. A practical approach and sober in its hummer. "Mexico has exceeded our expectations after about a year abroad. Dangerous In addition to the lawlessness covered in point 1 above, the roads are generally full of potholes and topes (speed bumps) which are usually unmarked and often in the most unlikely of places. This is a place where magical things happen: living in the Lake Chapala Area. Dirty See 3 above. The water in the lake is clean and safe to drink. So many places to go so much variety. Crime in Mexico varies widely by location with the worst crime reported in the states that border the United States and the south of Mexico, mostly because of drug cartel activity, according to the U.S. Department of State. Its a recognition that long held assumptions and beliefs about self and world are not true. 12:34 you have solved the case, you've been promoted to lead detective. } Did we learn to speak. Around the time of the ancient Khmer Empire, the lake was a mile deeper than it is now. Most people here are scrupulously honest (like my handyman who can hardly bring himself to charge me for his work) but there are unsavory people in every country and non-Spanish speakers make an easy target. Two were killed. You like spending thousands of dollars for a tiny apartment in New York, Boston, or San Francisco. Like it better in Ajijic. Many writers come here to find Lawrences ghost stirring among the trees. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-98154842', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Vallarta. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-98182861', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Antonio Texas but in Lake Chapala area so in between Chapala and Ajijic. Serious crime is rare in the Lake Chapala area; and it's much safer to live here than many places north of the border. Read More. Lake Chapala is the largest freshwater lake in Mexico and the second largest in North America. width: 100%; Copyright 2023 More about Lake Chapala | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. It is a three-dimensional world as a result of its large Mexican, Canadian, and American populations. The system would display red and green flags along the villages shoreline to alert residents to the quality of the water. I dont believe any place devoid of crime so it is always a matter of better/worse vs none/a lot It is the lifeblood of the Chapala and Ajijic area. Local authorities confirmed the incident in a press release today. Killing random innocent people to heat up the plaza. According to the Lake Chapala Reporter, an unconfirmed murder of a Canadian expat in Ajijic occurred Friday around noon. Seven men were shot to death as part of a gangland war. Edward Kular, 84, and Nina Discombe, 72, were found dead. During our brief stay we met and enjoyed the company of many expats, Americans and Canadians. position: relative; In addition to golf courses, there are numerous other activities nearby. They need to hit the restart button on MX. I cannot dispute anything written above. Second, the traffic is just terrible, (too many Gringos) and even getting from just outside town to just the other side, turned what should have been a 7 minute drive to up to 40 minutes. Although this is not paradise, life is rich here and you may find that the advantages of Lakeside living far outweigh the disadvantages. In this sense, prospective tourists have a built-in risk avoidance mechanism. You can incorporate all of the available options into a one-of-a-kind lifestyle that is tailored to your needs. To each his own. I guess I must be blind. position: absolute; Robert. The one with half of his face missing los huertas. Ajijic is a small town with many amenities that makes it one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico. Because the events were reported, elements of the Municipal Public Security Police Station went to the site and captured the individual. By Bette Brazel, Focus on Mexico Content Manager. Who knows, but I travel a lot and I am not Canadian, so no clue how they think or such. Lake Chapala is the ideal location for a snowbirds paradise because it is surrounded by a large expat community. The average wage in Ajijic for a Mexican is much higher than in other parts of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Most of the time, yes. I never experienced any criminal activity and and except during an occasional labour problem or mechanical breakdown always found the streets spotlessly clean. Requests for permission to reproduce or disseminate any part of any material on this site should be emailed to: Bill Dahl: dahlbill (at) gmail (dot) com. There is an unofficial tax called the Gringo Tax. We feel safer here in the Lake Chapala/Ajijic area during COVID than we did in the States. Gardeners, maids, medical care providers, and contractors are among the people who work for North Americans who transplants from other countries. Mexicos water is not always safe for swimming. In Mexico, the average cost of living is $600 $2,000.Monthly expenses include rent, Internet, electricity, and water, as well as transportation. Here, the average wage for a maid or caregiver is less than five dollars an hour. name is at the very beginning of the article dawg. At the end of October they were encouraging us to join them. Regards, Bette, Are there many single retirees lakeside ? The following are a few recent social media posts that represent what Im referring to (authorized by those who made them): The reality in Chapala is disturbing for sure, but Im glad it confirmed my slightly unsettling feelings I had after visiting the area. Copyright 2022 | Focus on Mexico | Phone (From U.S.) 210 745 1404 (From Ca) 416 619 9310 | Privacy Policy. After three years of field research and testing, Stong was able to demonstrate the ability of floating cage aquaculture in Lake Chapala. Im a big fan of smoothies made with raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, bananas, fresh yoghurt, milk, and honey. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn. It is boring..I admit lol, I do not hike. On Monday, three men were shot and killed in Chapala, leaving a woman and a minor injured. We are here for medicaland we get it free in Canadabut hereturn over is not the main goal.Spending $40.00 to spend 30-45 minutes with a specialist is worth it. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-98335009', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mexico because of the influx of cash from foreigners. You like cloudy days, rainy or snowy winters, hurricanes in the autumn, or tornadoes in the spring. 11:21 thats all cjng does is fuck every peaceful environment up, poisons the youth with hard core drugs causing robberies and extortion to go up and they pick the ones they let extort under their name. Your email address will not be published. The expat community is friendly and knowledgeable and from all over Canada and the U.S. While it may not be paradise for some, it is for me. With a close proximity to perfect weather, low costs, and a fantastic lifestyle, Ajijic is an appealing place to settle down. Lake Chapala, Mexicos largest lake, is also the worlds largest lake, and it is home to the countrys largest concentration of U.S. expats. Most of those tourists come from the U.S. and Canada. Smdh. Social events of all kinds are chaotic affairs with loud music, dancing, drinking, mariachis and the ubiquitous rockets that are fired off for every occasion from funerals to church processions and every kind of celebration. While the murder investigation is underway, official statistics indicate a recent spike in the lakeside areas crime index. The Jalisco Attorney General's Office is investigating a mass killing in Jocotepec Municipality, Jalisco. The U.S. State Departments Mexico Travel Warnings have not been updated since November 15, 2018. And while busses are much better than here in the US, I found I really needed a car. Another disadvantage is that it is in a very poor location near major shopping malls. It is an appealing place to live because of its proximity to perfect weather, low costs, and a relatively peaceful lifestyle. However, across the road there was a small store that sold beer, and it was noisy at night. 25.00. Guadalajara is home to some of the best hospitals in the world. News outlets have confirmed robberies and car burglaries are on the rise in the area. top: 0; Here in Vietnam the streets are filthy, garbage cans are unheard of and everyone just throws their garbage on the street and occasionally it is partially swept up by street sweepers. Te amo. Its not Canada South or America South. Not very friendly nor helpful Travel on Highway 80 between Cocula and La Huerta is not permitted for U.S. government personnel. However, there are many back in the states who would never think of taking even the first step. What better way to learn than to listen to people already in this area? My wife needed emergency medical/hospital care in January, and because of our inability after much effort to buy Mexican medical insurance, our out of pocket expense was just under $20K US. If youre more willing to budget, you could end up spending up to $1,900 per month. Upon arrival their arrival, several witnesses confirmed that at least four gunmen participated in the killing and that it seemed like the attack was direct and not at random. We have been here 8 yrs-on and offbut live here full timelast 4 yrs.Yesstreets are messypower goes out frequently in rainy seasoncrime is concerningbut it is anywhere. For more information about Lakeside visit:Lake Chapala Towns. The lake is home to a number of species of fish, including bass, catfish, and tilapia. I agree with you for the most part. The lake is a popular tourist destination for both Mexicans and foreigners. Two women walking in the daytime were assaulted recently in this very upscale neighborhood of La floresta. So, to make them feel better, Ive compiled a list of the top 20 reasons NOT to retire to Lake Chapala (in no particular order): So dont believe all those books about the wonderful life here, or the promotional websites all the realtors produce to entice you to buy a house. Tourism is highly influenced by the perceptions acquired from these platforms. Laissez faire attitude prevailslike most countries in EuropeLatin America embracejust us gringos go at 90 mph in a 30 mph zoneand cannot break the habit.
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murders in lake chapala mexico