WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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We've tried what's changed and what's the same........so how about trying "what's improved" in your opinion, since you moved to lakeside.
Comments should probably include how long you've lived here.

For me: Eight years in Mexico; five in Ajijic.
Improved: Dining out. In the beginning, not much available except street food, a few small Mexican restaurants, burgers at Tom's Bar, Nueva Posada meals and ribs and such at Tony's.
Now we have everything from fancy dining at Number Four, reasonable dining at places like Yves, Hacienda Ajijic, Roberto's, and specialty dining from Egyptian, Indian, Italian and Thai restaurants. Plus more.

Ajijic Limpio has reduced the amount of trash.
The Graffiti eradication gang has cleaned up the walls.

Beautiful malecons by the lake offer walkers (and their pups) good strolling, and parks have sprung up for picnicking and childrens' playgrounds.

The lake itself is being used for boating, both private and for groups on larger craft.

Without even leaving our homes, an enterprising business has given us access to Costco's wares. The Red Cross will bus you to the big malls in Guadalajara while you contribute to their funds. (this feature may not appeal to all, but I'm happy to have it.)

The farmers' markets/both the general one and the specialty foods event at Hole in One.

An Art Association that has grown to 160 members and offers local artists and craftsmen exhibition and sales opportunities.

More options for medical care. More doctors; more dentists in the area.

So, what else is making your lives easier and more enjoyable?

RickS

Jul 24, 2012, 2:56 PM

Post #2 of 24 (3529 views)

Re: [Gringal] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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I'm going to jump in before Johanson has a chance to say the first thing....

Internet accessibility has definitely improved. When I came on my first visit in 1997 or 98, it was dial-up only. And it was often troublesome at best. And customer service was an unknown concept to Ron.

There were basically no one to turn to for things like: purchasing or troubleshooting computers; ink cartridges, printer paper etc

There were no movie houses back then.

There was no libramiento shortcut so all traffic to Ajijic had to go through downtown Chapala.

There was precious little water in the lake!

Electric service was very erratic (no comments, Steve!) and everything not behind a voltage regulator got fried sooner or later.

There was no cellphone service.

There was no 'nightlife' (although I do remember going to watch a major boxing match on TV [De la Hoya & Chavez?] at the bar on Hidalgo).

The availability of some NOB products such as peanut butter; Super Lake was there but very small at the time.

I believe there was only one Pemex station in Joco, one in Ajijic and one in Chapala.

And lastly, I believe the quality of life for many Mexican residents is better today... if one can make that judgement by looking at car ownership, clothing, housing, kids in school with nice uniforms etc.

Vichil

Jul 24, 2012, 3:40 PM

Post #3 of 24 (3516 views)

Re: [Gringal] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Do not see the highway full of rotting horses and cows covered in lime and taking a year before disappearing. less dogs in bad shape on the street, fresh vegetables, I remember seeing the rotting veggies at SL. Good coffee houses. Restaurants are still open at 8pm.Better choice of food in stores, tianguis and in restaurants.

bronco

Jul 24, 2012, 7:16 PM

Post #4 of 24 (3474 views)

Re: [RickS] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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superlake has more products. there is one more restaurant i like besides new posada. wireless is better, but i didnt have a computer untill 2001, & did not bring it here untill 2003. thats 3 things. other than that, it was better driving thru chapala, @least i had no noise outside. (i wonder if the thousands of mexicans who lost their livelihoods feel the same as you? not everyone wants to work in walmart, or as a waiter. not everyone wants to be in the service industry. i know, its off topic, that should be another discussion). give me 5star or give me farms. maybe i am some kind of elitist snob.

Jul 24, 2012, 10:28 PM

Post #5 of 24 (3445 views)

Re: [Gringal] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Everything has improved except for the increase in traffic lights and increase in traffic which is normal anywhere you go.

Axixic

Jul 25, 2012, 1:09 AM

Post #6 of 24 (3434 views)

Re: [bronco] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Thousands lost their likelihoods doing what? Wal-Mart in Mexico pays a decent wage, pays into IMSS and pays for IMSS insurance coverage. I think some people look for negatives that are not there. I don't know how working in a field for $50 pesos a day was better than being paid $50 pesos an hour for gardening.

Jul 25, 2012, 7:24 AM

Post #7 of 24 (3412 views)

Re: [RickS] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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"There was no libramiento shortcut so all traffic to Ajijic had to go through downtown Chapala."
The "libramiento" was constructed well before the 1997 mentioned in your post. While I don't remember the exact year, it was to the best of my recollection at least a decade before then.

(This post was edited by tonyburton on Jul 25, 2012, 7:24 AM)

RickS

Jul 25, 2012, 7:45 AM

Post #8 of 24 (3404 views)

Re: [tonyburton] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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I yield to the higher knowledge.....

stevebrtx

Jul 25, 2012, 8:01 AM

Post #9 of 24 (3397 views)

Re: [RickS] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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I believe in self sufficiency, so I fixed the CFE problem myself back in June. I spent $13,300 for a generator, only had one minor power outage since, should have done it 4 years ago.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

Jul 25, 2012, 8:13 AM

Post #10 of 24 (3395 views)

Re: [RickS] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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But the big question is... when was the libramiento built?? Can anyone fix the year?

Jul 25, 2012, 8:45 AM

Post #11 of 24 (3384 views)

Re: [Gringal] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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ALL Ajijicans are much better off now than the 11 years ago that I moved here. The maids wages have almost doubled. They were paid 20 - 30 pesos back then and most are being paid 40 - 50 pesos now. Gardeners average from 45 - 50 pesos an hour. Some Mexicans are now middle class here in definition by yearly wages which is $ 8,000 - $ 50,000 USD.

Many have cars too. I don't see anywhere near the number of bikes.

johanson

Jul 25, 2012, 10:53 AM

Post #12 of 24 (3359 views)

Re: [johninajijic] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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But John, there has been inflation, so you need to take that into account when you say wages have gone up. Also the prices you are quoting per hour, must be for part timers. My full time gardener who works 45 hours per week makes $1750 pesos per week which is considered high and thats only $39 Pesos per hour.

And my part time maids are happy with 40 pesos per hour. Now you live a ways out of town for a person without a car so if someone must walk or take the bus, I could see why you would need to pay more for part time work.

Jul 25, 2012, 12:21 PM

Post #13 of 24 (3332 views)

Re: [johanson] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Pete - I weas quoting part time help which gets paid a little more because of travel place to place. Our maid is from Ajijic Centro so she takes the bus and pays 5 pesos one way. We drive her to her door. We have done that with every maid. She does 3 houses in this area.

We live about 1 km farther out than you. We are 1 1/2 miles to Ajijic Centro.

DavidHF

Jul 25, 2012, 12:31 PM

Post #14 of 24 (3324 views)

Re: [johninajijic] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Pete lives only a few blocks up the hill from Centro.

johanson

Jul 25, 2012, 1:13 PM

Post #15 of 24 (3318 views)

Re: [johninajijic] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Yes John. now I understand. The rates you quote are normal for part time work. Oh, and just to knitpick, using Google Earth and a ruler, your house was just over two miles driving distance from the center of town, which puts you almost half way between Ajijic Central and the Joco Municipality sign on the main drag

(This post was edited by johanson on Jul 25, 2012, 1:19 PM)

rodc

Jul 25, 2012, 6:01 PM

Post #16 of 24 (3283 views)

Re: [Vichil] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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As far as the libramiento , I know it was here in 1981, my dad had purchased a 1981 honda cb 650 motorcycle in Torreon Coahuila on his way down to Ajijic and I got to ride it on the newly paved libramiento, it was in fact a blast, nice and smooth just had to be real carefull and watch out for the animals.

As far as RickS and his comment about Internet service and lack of customer service, I feel we did really good with the service Lagunanet offered, especially considering that Telmex was still raping people with high phone charges and metered calling along with a poor copper infrastructure inluding old analog phone lines in Riberas, Chapala haciendas and Chula vista.

One of the reasons we brought internet to the area was because everything was long distance, and using a phone was expensive as hell.

As far as changes lakeside I could go on and on, great memories but to much to post here. :-)

Rod Collins

(This post was edited by rodc on Jul 25, 2012, 6:18 PM)

Jul 25, 2012, 6:17 PM

Post #17 of 24 (3278 views)

Re: [rodc] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Rod,
Thanks for your comments.
I've been trying to remember if I traveled along the libramiento when I first visited Ajijic (in early 1980) but it's so long ago I can't remember! Now, what was I saying... er....
Tony

bronco

Jul 25, 2012, 7:59 PM

Post #18 of 24 (3254 views)

Re: [tonyburton] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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if it was there, how come i never heard any cars? it must have been empty. vonage is #4, i had 3 other improvements. but im putting this service as #1.

RickS

Jul 25, 2012, 9:27 PM

Post #19 of 24 (3246 views)

Re: [rodc] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Let me improve on my comment about Rod's 'customer service'.....

First, it was somewhat tongue-n-cheek (but how were all of you to know that!). Rod was responsible for 'bringing the Internet to lakeside' and for that he should be held in the highest esteem for that offering. It was not easy to do that anywhere when he did it here in Mexico. And who knows how profitable (or not) is was then but he did it none-the-less.

So between very poor phone lines at lakeside, limited high-speed connections to an Internet connection in Guadalajara and a user population in that time-frame that just did not understand anything about 'computers', Rod brought Lakeside into the computer era.

My comment had to do mostly with Rod being a hellofa technician not to mention an entrepreneur but sometimes technicians are not the best ones to put on the front line answering the phone to talk to the populace about why their computer was not working like it should. That's all I meant.

So again, thanks Rod for stepping up back then.

Jul 25, 2012, 10:09 PM

Post #20 of 24 (3237 views)

Re: [bronco] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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are you asking if the libriamento was there, how come you didn't hear any cars?

If that's what you're asking, if you live anywhere near the Libriamento you can hear cars in Mision Chula Vista, Chula Vista Norte, Las Terrazas, etc. The trucks are so loud at night it's unbelievable when the downshift coming down the hill. I know, I rented for 6 months in Chula Vista Norte while my house was being built in Los Arroyos.

Carol_Wheeler

Jul 25, 2012, 10:49 PM

Post #21 of 24 (3233 views)

Re: [tonyburton] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Tony, the Libramiento was there when Mother and I first began driving to Ajijic from Guadalajara in 1978.

The highway, however, was two lanes, one in each direction.

A dear friend whose family lived in the village told me that Gov. Gonzalez Gallo paved the road from Guadalajara to Lakeside but, before that, people taking the bus to Ajijic over gravel roads would pray the rosary aloud in unison as they climbed that last steep curve from Ixtlahuacan toward Chapala. She said it was a very dangerous road, and that Lakeside people loved Mr. Gonzalez Gallo very much.

(This post was edited by Carol_Wheeler on Jul 25, 2012, 10:53 PM)

bfwpdx

Jul 27, 2012, 7:42 AM

Post #22 of 24 (3103 views)

Re: [Gringal] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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I wasn't going to respond to this, but then I just had a giggle and couldn't resist. We bought our property outside Jocotepec in 2001. It consisted of 7 totally unimproved acres of mountainside inside an ejido. We had no power, no water, and only one neighbour. In 2005 we started building the casa and casita using local ejido labour, still without either power or water. We also built a large aljibe out of pure positive thinking. In 2007 we were pretty much finished, and our builder suggested that it would be a good time to apply to CFE to try to get power strung along 1/4 mile from the ejido well and pump house. We finally got our own meter on the pump house and got a line strung to our property from there. Huge improvement! Then one day in 2008, watching from our mirador we saw activity on the main road below us that crosses through the ejido. We saw several of the older members of the ejido carrying tools and soon a back hoe appeared and things started to happen. This was the beginning of a month long effort to trench the water line from the pump house to the large ejido storage tank alongside our property and then along our frontage. In the end we were delighted to be hooked up to the main ejido water storage tank and receive gravity fed water into our aljibe for the reasonable sum of $8 US a month. Another totally unexpected improvement! The last leg of the stool was completed after talking to Rod at Lagunanet and figuring out that we would have a direct sight-line to the tower at El Chante without crossing the lake. Hence we got the internet!!
From our point of view, our prospects have improved 100% in the past 11 years. We don't worry too much about restaurants or big box stores where we are. We have always been able to scoot into the outskirts of Guadalajara without even passing through the congestion of the lakeside villages. I can't think of any place at lakeside I would rather be.

Gringal

Jul 27, 2012, 8:32 AM

Post #23 of 24 (3095 views)

Re: [bfwpdx] WHAT HAS IMPROVED SINCE YOU MOVED HERE?

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Thanks for posting your tale of patience! Brave souls, and I'm glad it all came to pass.

Jul 27, 2012, 8:53 AM

Post #24 of 24 (3086 views)