AboutRon Russell Expertise I lived full time in the Chapala-Ajijic area for 7 years, and now Manzanillo area 4 years. During that time I provided information (health care, working papers, immigration, driving, cost of living, insurance, culture, divorce in Mexico, trusts vs direct deed,etc) to help people make the decision about whether the area was right for them, either full or part-time.
Now living north of Manzanillo on the Pacific Coast. I live legally in Mexico.
Experience Founding partner of a facilitation company for people thinking about relocating to the Lake Chapala area of Mexico. I am no longer involved in this company's activities.
Have driven extensively in the area, to the coast (Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Colima),to Patzcuaro, etc. Bused to Mexico City, flew to Chiapas. Also driven in Honduras, from Ontario Canada through border crossings at Laredo and Reynosa Texas to Lakeside. Can provide instructions and border crossing info. Publications: DISCOVER MEXICO, HEAD FOR MEXICO-THE RENEGADE GUIDE BY DON ADAMS. Video and MM production specialist. I do NOT sell real estate!
Although back in Arizona at this time, my wife and I lived for 13 months in Nayarit State some 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. Although we did a lot of travel in Mexico and C.A. we never actually got to Ajijic but did spend some time in Guadalajara. My question concerns "bits and pieces" that I picked up about the area. Specifically that the water situation was bad, was not being addressed and that as a result it would be merely a matter of time before the area suffered on a variety of levels; environmentally and visually, a possible "rush to leave" so as to not be the last person to sell and a consequential lessening of property values. Any truth to the above and how do you see Ajijic changing over the next 5, 10, etc. years? What are your favorite pros and cons about Ajijic? Thanks!
Answer Hi Lee, well it was just 2 years that Lake Chapala was at its lowest point in almost 50 years and there was a rush to leave. Houses were for sale on every street. 2003 brought signs of a new cycle of rainy seasons and 2004, well all I can say is WOW. The Lake is now at a 75% capacity. And a new accord has been signed with neighboring states and the federal government.
I'm sorry this is a real estate site, but it does have what you are asking about. Scroll down past all the house listings to CURRENT EVENTS. The first article - 2004 Bestows good fortune on Lake Chapala is from last week's Guadalajara Reporter.
Our plans are to live here long term, we love Mexico and are optimistic about this area. We have lived here 6 years now and watched the exodus and pessimism past. It may happen again but there are too many good things about the area to keep us down. My wife is involved in little theatre, sings with Cantantes del Lago and helps with local charities. If you must shop, Guad has everything you need plus an international airport just 30 minutes away. Satellite TV and highspeed internet puts family and news from home on our doorstep every day.
This year housing prices are WAY UP and I expect that to remain the norm for a couple of years until we again have a poor rainy season. The whole problem is cyclical, roughly 10 year cycles.
Some locals think we are spoiling it for the Mexicans, but unemployment is practically nil here. We have built a new high school and a university college so their kids no longer have to go into Guad for a higher education. Our Mexican neighbours tell us we are very welcome here.
What don't I like? Definitely the dry season, May and early June. It so dusty and afternoons are a dead loss because of the heat. The rainy season in the summer is a complete turn around for us, our favourite time of the year. Everything becomes green and fresh. The first 3 weeks of December are always cold, down to 50 degrees F, so we usually head for the coast.
There are TOO MANY realtors here and they are becoming very pushy, only two that I would do business with. Luckily no timeshares yet.
I also don't like the garbage, there is very little recycling done in Mexico. We are involved in cleaning up sections of the Village, and a lot of Mexicans also recognize the problem. Unfortunately there are lots of weekenders in from Guadalajara who regularly dump there trash here, grrrrr. On Mexican holidays our village gets very crowded.
There is a still big problem with lyrio (water hyacinth) in the Lake. It's growth is incredible and quite often clogs the harbour areas.
If you visit here and want to know what is all wrong with the area go to the Donut shop across from Lloyds
in Ajijic. The same old coots are there every day complaining about everything under the sun ... BUT I WON'T BE THERE!
