Not very friendly nor helpful Mexicos water is not always safe for swimming. Chapalas Mexican feel is offset by a lack of organized expat activities. It seems that most retirees there are married.. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. One thing I personally experienced was what should I do now? It was hard in the beginning as my work had been quite demanding and we really had no friends here, But I found so many volunteers opportunities, I worked harder here than in my professional capacity. Despite the presence of geothermal activity, there is still plenty of steam and hot water that can be obtained from a large commercial bath and spa. Mexico is still plagued with the issue of stray dogs. Luckily, most retirees north of the border would rather stay where they are and worry about whether theyll remain healthy enough to see their grandchildren graduate collegeor whether theyll have enough money saved to live out their years short of povertyor how long theyll be able to maintain that middle-class life style theyve become accustomed to. Its important to keep in mind that tourists travel to experience pleasure. Another pro is that there are a lot of activities to do in Chapala such as fishing, swimming, and boating. Oh my, the Ajijic Feng Shui is real. Get a quote from our partner, William Russell. That is just the start. So sad RK: I am glad you are happy in your Paradise! In the nearby Jalisco cities of San Juan Cosal and Jocotepec there were several widely reported cases of kidnappings for extortion and drug related murders in 2017, and it is common knowledge that Guadalajara is the money laundering capital of Mexico. After three years of field research and testing, Stong was able to demonstrate the ability of floating cage aquaculture in Lake Chapala. Agreed. The shoreline retreated from the lakeside villages over a mile away. 4. Mexico is not like the USA or Canada I agree, its a lot better in most ways and certainly far better than Asian countries I have been in. The lake is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and sailing. It took us at least a month to realize this is our life now. There are a number of boat rental companies in the area. We are on our fifth and final trip to Ajijic because we are in the process of become permanent residents of Mexico. Level of crime. 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. All data will be handled as outlined in this site's Privacy Policy. I tried picking up all the trash in the streets in front of my house, but in a day it was back to normal. Crime increasing in the past 3 years. No desire to go to the tourists spots in Yucatan, but I understand the draw. Its our health and safety we have to be concerned with. R. Canada. There are many pros and cons of living in Lake Chapala. Messy Mexico is anything but sterile. .video-container iframe { Furthermore, home-security innovation ensures that the beautiful, peaceful, serene Lake Chapala is even more accessible and worthwhile. On Valentine's Day February 14, 2019 Chapala Mayor Moises Alejandro Anaya publicly declared . The lake is home to a number of species of fish, including bass, catfish, and tilapia. If I have one recommendation for all, it is to take the Focus on Mexico course and then spend a couple of weeks living as much in the culture as possible. While it may not be paradise for some, it is for me. For more information about Lakeside visit:Lake Chapala Towns. There is no doubt that the lake will continue to dry up, but misinformation about this is not uncommon. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). I am the kind of traveler that likes to visit many different places, instead of being married to one town. Lake Chapala safety is one of the areas attractions for expats. No one was arrested for the crimes. You like being used by your children as a babysitter, cook and house cleaner. The Jalisco travel warning remains at Level 2 exercise increased caution due to crime Some areas have increased risk. Required fields are marked *. 3. Glad you liked it. The questions have now become: How will Mexico respond to this mayhem? Utility bills, cable TV, internet access, maid service, and other services are all included in the rent. Just on Sunday, a total of 14 murders were committed in the municipalities of San Cristobal de la Barranca, Jocotepec, and Ojuelos. There is a lot to do in this area, and it is also reasonably priced. Of course. 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. Interesting: A friend of mine who has lived in Mexico for the past several years, and has lived all over the world, regrets that he didnt settle down in southeast Asia; Cambodia or Thailand, I think. It's not just the crime, but the lack of activity, like boating, that is limited in Ajijic. Fax: 011-52-(376) 76 53528, Hours Chapala Lake, Mezcala Island, and Ajijic Private Tour with a Local Expert (From $165.00) Half-Day Guided Tour of Lake Chapala from Guadalajara (From $65.00) Tour to Lake Chapala, MAGIC TOWN of Ajijic from Guadalajara (From $40.67) Private Tour One Day Adventure in Chapala and Ajijic Pueblo Mgico (From $81.34) See all Lake Chapala experiences . Sadly ,statistics indicate females live longer than men, hence the retired population would be female dominant. Lake Chapala. Edward Kular, 84, and Nina Discombe, 72, were found dead. We are all different. For decades, American and Canadian expats have flocked to the shores of Chapala, seeking refuge in the spring-like climate of Mexico's largest natural lake, where English author D.H. Lawrence once . Far more important, speaking Spanish could save your life in a situation where medical attention or emergency services are required. No one's in a hurry, except macho jovenes in their cars, and then it's only to the next tope. On Wednesday February 13th, one man was shot in Chapala and two in Ajijic. Expats from all over the world can meet and share experiences in Mexico through our Mexico forum. .. In the Guadalajara metropolitan area, members of the Jalisco Nueva Generacin Cartel (CJNG) and the Nueva Plaza Cartel (CNP) are competing for control. :). (We northerners could learn something about what it means to be discreet, which has a slightly different meaning in Spanish, roughly translating into not saying everything thats on your mind, and wrapping every discourse in courtesy regardless of how angry or justified you may think you are.). I have now lived in Vietnam for three years and I cant wait to get home. What are some ways to learn Spanish while also getting along with the Mexicans? explained one expat living in Ajijic. . I have lived in Ajijic for two years full time and adore it. There is so much variety. Who knows, but I travel a lot and I am not Canadian, so no clue how they think or such. According to researchers, the quality of the lake varies greatly, from a low of 32 to a high of 80. I liked what you had to say. Thanks Bezerk! The town has a population of about 30,000 people. Hi Andrew. Expat senior murdered in Chapala. are there any chat groups or forums where we can communicate with people already there to ask questions? In Mexico, the average cost of living is $600 $2,000.Monthly expenses include rent, Internet, electricity, and water, as well as transportation. Required fields are marked *. He was over 65 years of age, retired, and living in the Chapala part of Lake Atitlan near the park. The vast majority of single people here do not consider walking home alone from a restaurant, bar, or other such places to be a problem. So buyer beware, if you are considering moving to Mexico, you should try to make several trips as long as possible to get your own sense of the pros and cons and how they will affect your lifestyle. I have lived here for 15 years and I agree 100% but I traveled every year to Mexico during the 80s and I was prepared for the change. This is a huge plus for those who dont like the heat and want to avoid it as much as possible. Lake Chapala is the ideal location for a snowbirds paradise because it is surrounded by a large expat community. There are sports and intellectual programs, Some people feel guilty or others try to make you feel guilty if you simply want to Ninety years later, Mexicos municipality of Chapala has plunged into the midst of the Valentines Month of Mayhem & Massacre. I cannot dispute anything written above. Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. @6:54 Exactly, CJNG turned the area into a fucked up zone. Sometimes there even is crime or a shooting that is pretty much everywhere. All Rights Reserved. You have to like hiking, nature and slow relaxing tranquil life to be here. The investigative acts carried out by the Special Regional Prosecutors Office of District V based in Chapala allowed obtaining evidence against Joseph Angelo A. for his probable responsibility in the death of a man that occurred in that municipality, for which he is already facing criminal proceedings. Besides, being Spanish my first language I was able to understand Mexico a lot better than those who do not know Spanish. But 87 years and and and. 21 years no problems, one petty crime. The people have the personality of stop signs Lake Chapala, Mexicos largest lake, is also the worlds largest lake, and it is home to the countrys largest concentration of U.S. expats. What is the currentbstate of thing in Chapala: same, better, worse? U.S. State Departments Mexico Travel Warnings, Mexico - A Growing Global Crisis of Confidence - Bill Dahl, Lake Chapala: State of the Lake 2019 - Bill Dahl, Americanaries Observing Canaries from their Nest in the West, The Americonundrum Democracy in Decline, La Vista de Queretaro Our Bed and Breakfast Your Accommodations to Explore Gorgeous Colonial Central Mexico, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Saturday: 9:00AM1:00PM. Fishing locally would be impossible, but stocking the lake could also be done. Ninety years later, Mexico's municipality of Chapala has plunged into the midst of the Valentine's Month of Mayhem & Murder. "Fresh food--veggies, fruit everywhere. You like cloudy days, rainy or snowy winters, hurricanes in the autumn, or tornadoes in the spring. All the best and let us know if Focus can help you further. Get a quote from our partner, William Russell. We got to know them as well as a foreigner can know a Mexican. Soviet-born composer Inna Zhvanetskaya is reportedly in hiding from German authorities after they attempted to have the 85-year-old committed to a mental institution and inoculated against her will with a Covid-19 shot,German outlet Report24 said on Thursday. As a result, other months would see a much lower number. You might say they are more accepting or fatalistic depending on your point of view, but there is a general feeling that things will work out somehow without excessive planning or control. I suggest you go to other parts of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sometimes, this is endearing, other times you really wonder. read the picture's caption. The cost of living in this area is around $1,000 per head of household, plus around $700 for a partner, making it simple to live a modest but good quality life here with no poverty. https://english.elpais.com/usa/2021-02-23/mexicos-guadalajara-gripped-by-gang-violence-and-impunity.html, Your email address will not be published. There are other cities in Mexico that I would prefer to live in if I went back. It many ways there's always reminders of where you came from in the diverse terrain and geography like Mexico's," Do I expect to have adjustments and unpleasant issues? The unbelievably loud firecrackers and rockets set off anywhere for the slightest pretense of a fiesta, and boomboxes. Weather is incredible year-round. Mexico is considered to have the second best climate in the world, after the United States. I've explored most of the country by car now and love it. But now I live with no garbage, no offending odors, no wandering animals, potholes, moderate crime, and a different kind of people. Restaurants are affordable, although somewhat limited in scope -- but that's getting better. Due to inadequate wastewater treatment by many industries located near the Lerma River, the water in Lake Chapala is extremely polluted, with heavy metals and other toxic substances. What are some of the safest neighborhoods in Mexico City? . The lake is home to a number of species of fish, including bass, catfish, and tilapia. Mexico. This article is well balanced, and accurate based on our experience. When in Panajachel, he dated a woman named Ruth, and tried for 2-3 years to marry her . https://themazatlanpost.com/2019/02/03/reports-of-a-canadian-murdered-in-san-antonio-tlayacapan-lake-chapala/. Five of them were killed and two more were wounded. This is all happening so fast. Pathetic. When the day finally arrived and we moved into our long-term rental (which we absolutely love), it was like a dream come true. Youd rather pay your dentist $150 for a teeth cleaning and check-up rather than $20. Two women walking in the daytime were assaulted recently in this very upscale neighborhood of La floresta. I never experienced any criminal activity and and except during an occasional labour problem or mechanical breakdown always found the streets spotlessly clean. Over the weekend, an armed commando arrived at a restaurant next to Lake Chapala and opened fire on a group of diners. They were going hard for two guys i think the rest got caught on the cross fire, if you watch the video you will see who the sicarios were going after. City-Data Forum > World Forums > Mexico: Crime at Lake Chapala (neighborhood, gated, property taxes, live in) User Name: Remember Me: Password Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Mexico is a wonderful country with a lot of great. Moderate. It is possible for a home to be robbed because there is insufficient security in place. For many, Mexico ranks high on their list of places to explore. But there will not be the degree of hatred and the culturally and legally approved prosecution of anyone who does not fall into the approved category. The land is on the Mexican Plateau, at 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) above sea level, in Jalisco and Michoacn states. Cops have all been extremely nice and not threatening at all," Get every new post on this blog delivered to your Inbox. Read More. A couple living in Chapala can expect to spend around $1,500 to $2,000 per month. Its beyond heartbreaking. Due partly to the eclectic mixture, it has developed a continental Old World charm which blends smoothly with a distinctly Mexican ambiance. 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. Expats, Retirees and Digital Nomads talk about the pros and cons of living in Lake Chapala. Tourism is BIG business. There are some good Mexicans there but as always, there are a lot of bad ones too. Take off your rose-colored glasses and read what digital nomads living in Mexico have to say about their biggest challenges and greatest benefits. 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. 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