After searching the world looking for retirement options, we decided upon central Mexico as a good place to start. We're just south of Guadalajara in a small village on the shores of Lake Chapala, north america's largest freshwater lake. The weather is near perfect and the proximity to a nice airport , very good medical care and all of the things that happen in a big city (9 million) make for an interesting and stimulating place to call home. There is a large expat community of Canadian and American snowbirds that have been coming here for decades and a significant number of full time residents. It retains a village vibe with cobblestone streets and colorful houses, a beautiful malécon along the lake, and a town square and all the fiestas that happen there. This is a peek into our journey and life in Mexico. Thanks for reading. _________________________________________________________ UPDATE Hard to believe we are approaching our 3 year anniversary in Mexico. It's been a long time since I posted here but I have been writing from time to time. More post and site improvements are in the pipeline.
Honoring the family members who have past is what Day of the Dead is all about. It is very different from the way I grew up. Here, it is a celebration. The cemetery becomes the focal point for all families who have lived in the village. It is decorated with flowers and colorful paper decorations. Music and food and drink are everywhere.
Went to the charros today. A combination rodeo and horsemanship exhibit. Beloved by the locals, its a glimpse into the horse history of Mexico. Attended by mostly locals (and their kids). So anytime I say locals, I mean locals-and-their-kids. And many times its Grandma, Grandpa and various Aunts and Uncles, cousins, etc. As usual here, its a kind of…
Rent before you buy they said. Learn the neighborhoods. Figure out where you are comfortable. And so we are trying to do just that. We began shopping online in April, about 5 months before our anticipated arrival. There are multiple agencies that manage rental properties as well as they more traditional real-estate companies that all seem to have at least…
Our first full day here started with a trip to the local weekly market. It happens every Wednesday on Revolucion street. Vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to bootleg DVD’s to blender parts to bras. Yes, bras. From traditional Mexican foods to pizza. It opens early in the morning and lasts till mid afternoon. It’s crowded with ex-pats…
A 30 hour driving trip in a small SUV, absolutely crammed full of stuff with a cargo carrier on the back and suitcases on the roof rack with 2 people and 2 cats is not so much fun. Despite all the planning and preparation, we still managed to leave 8 hours behind schedule. Learned very quickly that suitcases strapped to the…