4. WHERE IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?
Post 7 is the largest post in Mexico with over 400 members, and is
located at Morelos #114, Chapala.
5. WHAT OTHER CLUBS EXIST?
Garden clubs, writer’s clubs, bridge club, Humane Society, computer
clubs, just to name a few. The Lake Chapala Society is the biggest
association of Canadians and North Americans in the lake area with
more than 5,000 members.
6.- WHERE ARE THE CHURCHES?
Within a five mile radius there are numerous Catholic, Interdenominational,
and Episcopal
7. WHAT KIND OF HEATING SYSTEM ?
Sun. Usually not cold enough to warrant additional heating. OTHER
UTILITIES ? Electric approximately $25 US monthly. Gas approximately
$25 monthly. Telephone about $19 US for just basic service.
8. WHERE ARE GOOD RESTAURANTS ? COST ?
Ajijic has world-class fine dinning and cozy small sidewalk dinning.
Fine dinners are about $10-15 US. Village restaurants have specialties
at $3-5 US.
9. HOW ABOUT BANKS ?
Banca Serfin, Banamex, Banca Promex, HSBC, Bancomer at Lakeside are
full service banks. Allen W. Lloyd and Multivalores are an investment
company here.
10. HOW IS TRANSPORTATION...BUS, TRAIN ETC.?
Mexico has excellent bus service from regular local runs on the main
Highway at 6 pesos to the first-class Mercedes busses with television
and bathrooms for touring. Trains in most large cities.
11. HOW CLOSE TO BEACHES?
The closest beaches are in Colima, Manzanillo, Tecomán, Cuyutlán
are about 3-1/2 hour drive. About a 5-hour drive (25-minute plane
trip) to Puerto Vallarta; 10-hour drive to Mazatlán plus small
beaches along the coast.
12. HOW DO AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT LIVING IN MEXICO?
They love the climate, relaxed atmosphere, good food, reasonable costs
and friendly people.
13. WHAT CITIES DO AMERICANS GATHER IN?
Ajijic and Chapala primarily although people are starting to spread
to the south shore where you can find land a lot cheaper.
14. HOW ABOUT CARS, INSURANCE, REPAIR, DRIVING CONDITIONS?
Bring your own car down. You just have to register at the border showing
proof of ownership with original title, registration papers, have
a valid driver’s license, show you have a Mexican car insurance
(which can be obtained in the U.S. from a number of sources before
you leave, including Sanborns, Cub Mex/Gateway, AAA, and show a credit
card that is in the same name as the title on the car. Repairs are
readily made at about 30% less than in the U.S. (there are some brands
that are more easily worked on here). Driving conditions on the toll
roads (cuota) are excellent but tolls are high-but worth it-. Other
roads often don’t have shoulders and many are not fenced so
animals roam. Recommend defensive driving and not at night.
15. WHERE IS AN AMERICAN LIBRARY?
The Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic is the largest English-language
lending library in Mexico. The American Legion also has one as well
as the American Society in Guadalajara. The English-language weekly
newspaper, The Colony REPORTER, and the daily English-language newspaper,
the Mexico City News are available at most local news stands and super
markets as well as USA today and other major U.S. newspapers.
16. WHAT ITEMS SHOULD I BRING TO MEXICO?
Good to bring your small appliances as they are more expensive here.
However, there are now a number of American stores such as Wal-Mart,
Sam’s, Price Club, Office Depot and other U.S. stores in Guadalajara
for anything you need.
17. HOW ABOUT TV?
Cable Television is about $20 US per month and has 56 channels. 20
in English including Discovery, CNN, Headline News and CNN financial
news. Other 10 channels are movie channels in English with subtitles.
Satellite television is available with all major U.S. channels—approximately
100.
18. HOW ABOUT WASHER, DRYER, SOAP POWDER VS. COST OF MAIDS?
Most homes have modern washers and dryers as well as a “Mexican
washing machine” which is a rinse tub and scrub surface. Washing
powders of all makes are available in the stores. Maids cost about
$2.50 US an hour. They work from 1 day a week for four hours to six
days a week for eight hours each day. Live-in maids are also available.
19. DO WE SOAK FOOD?
Anything cooked is fine. Raw vegetables and fruits that you peel are
fine. Things such as lettuce and tomatoes should be soaked for 20
minutes in a gallon of water with a capful of Clorox added.
20. HOW ABOUT COMPUTERS? BRING THEM? WHERE IS HELP?
Yes, bring your computer. There are computers here at lakeside, as
well as repair service, internet access starting at $20 US a month—and
Internet cafés all over. For more info contact Rod Collins,
owner of the best internet service at lakeside, Laguna.net. his e-mail
is: rodc@laguna.com.mx
21. PLUMBING?
All modern conveniences—Indoor plumbing.
22. HOW ABOUT SECURITY?
Crime is minimal. Several housing areas have roving security, gated
entrances, neighborhood watch. The village is the safest as neighbors
watch for each other. Most houses are walled and fenced with lawns
inside where it is more private, have wrought iron bars on the windows,
indoor patios grilled. This security deters break-ins.
23. WHAT COMMUNITY PROJECTS ARE THERE? CLUBS?
Yes, there is dancing, line dancing, bridge. Numerous projects helping
in the community, such as school for the deaf, children of Chapala/Ajijic,
Old Folks Home, Red Cross and scholarship funds.
24. HOW ABOUT FISHING?
Fishing is at the coast, less than four hours away. Many take weekend
trips. Barra de Navidad is a favorite spot. A panga boat, guide, equipment
and bait can be rented for $25 US per hour. However, now that the
lake has come up to it's level, people fish on the lake for Mojarras,
Carpas, Bagres, etc.
25. HOW ABOUT MEDICAL?
Numerous doctors, dentists, optometrists in the area. An excellent
clinic is located in Ajijic, another in La Floresta with specialists
coming from Guadalajara every week: Urologist, Cardiologist, dermatologist,
endocrinologist among others. Guadalajara has many modern hospitals
for all types of care. Dentists are up-to-date, even with dental implants,
and are generally much less expensive than in the U.S. Medicare from
the U.S. is not honored but many insurance companies/policies are.
26. HOW ABOUT DOGS?
Veterinarian care is plentiful, food is plentiful and some rentals
will take tenants with pets.
27. WHERE DO YOU SHOP FOR GROCERIES AND DRINKS?
Numerous stores from small corner shops to large supermarkets in most
lakeside towns. Fresh vegetables can be purchased at a lower cost
at the street market every Wednesday in Ajijic. Guadalajara has large
stores such as SAM’S, PRICE CLUB, WAL-MART and shopping centers.
28. WHAT ARE GOOD COLLECTIBLES?
Pottery, hand-woven items blown glass, wrought iron, tapestry, many
found in local street markets.
29. CLOTHING COSTS? All ranges. HAIRCUTS?
BEAUTY SHOPS?
Readily available—haircut $3.50 US, manicures are about $2.50
US; pedicure $3 US, wash/set/comb $6 US; permanent $10 US.
30. WHAT ARE DRIVING DISTANCES FROM GUADALAJARA TO OTHER PLACES?
Pacific Coast Cities are about 4 hours west, San Miguel de Allende
about 5 hours East, Mexico City 7 hours East, Tijuana 1,700 miles,
Laredo, 12 hours.
