Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

G. Harrison

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Altitude and Climate

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I am considering moving to the Lake Chapala-Ajijic-Guadalajara area from Baja.I have been told that the 5200 altitude makes breathing difficult and that the drying of the lake has caused dramatic changes in the climate,making the former temperate climate,desertlike with extremes of hot and cold. I am very impressed by what I have read about the communities and amenities of your area and of nearby Guadalajara. Is there any area in the immediate vicinity, village or rural, that has a lower
altitude and a temperate climate where it is safe for a single female to
live alone? Baja is beautiful, but cold, damp,and foggy most of the year. I installed two fireplaces and a gas wall furnace in my house, but I'm still always cold. Outdoors during the day isn't too bad, but indoors is.
I would like to be able to wear something other than sweatsuits and layers
of polartex and sheepskin slippers. I would appreciate your comments and advice. Thank you.Gloria

Lucy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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You may consider Puerto Vallarta. It is at sea level, has hot weather during the summer months but is wonderful from October - June. Lots of Gringos. English spoken everywhere (if that is of interest). Lots to do. Classes for the arts and other things. Reasonable housing can be found if you can live outside of town. Lots of large grocery stores, wondrful Mexican neighborhoods and a Sam's. Guess it depends on what you are looking for..

Bill

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Altitude and Climate

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This year we had 3 months of hot/dry temps. Quite unusual. Rarely did the temps fall below 90. Winter months here can be quite cold in the house, but pleasant outside.The lake is a health issue and an economic issue if it dies. But for now there is still water, although not very deep. There has been a higher incidence of typhoid and salmonella this year. Not sure why. If the lake dies so will the economy and many will move from this area because the temperatures will be affected. Longer hot spells and higher temps as well as longer cold spells in winter with much lower temps. I would not be surprised to see it snow here. It has happened in Guadalajara a number of times.Since June I have been wearing track pants and sweatshirts in the house during the morning and early afternoon. We are cold. Why? A lot has to do with the way our house faces and the amount of sun we get in the living room/computer room.Outside though the temps have been in the 80's and humid at times.I have difficulty breathing but I attribute it to the fact that here you are often walking uphill and I have allergy problems. Everything north/south is uphill/downhill and everything east/west if fairly flat.Where are you in the Baja that you are cold? I had always heard that it is hot up there.

G. Harrison

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Altitude and Climate

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Thank you for the helpful information. I live on
the northern Baja coast near the California border. The hot part of Baja is the southern end,the central desert,and the eastern coast by
the Sea of Cortez.

Steve

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Altitude and Climate

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You must be talking about someplace else. After
about a week you get used to the 5000+ feet of
altitude, the lake is still there, the mean
temperature all year is 72 and the weather is
usually beautiful. This year I think I wore
long pants one or two days (except for a party..
and then even...) You have been reading the
wrong reports.