Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

tashby

Feb 1, 2008, 2:41 PM

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Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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I did a search but didn't find much on this topic. (If a thread already exists on this, please point me to it.)

I've read a little about the three (?) different main towns, and have a slight sense of the differences, but would be interested in hearing what you all have to say since you live there. From what I've read, the largest and perhaps most commercially busy is Chapala itself. Ajijjic has higher real estate prices, and Jocotepec is somewhat less influenced by a large expat community given that it's a a bit further out.

If I'm way off here, please feel free to correct me. Anybody want to offer their opinions on the differences between these towns (or others I'm not including). The reason I ask is....

We plan on moving to Mexico in the next few months after selling our house in the U.S. We have never been to the Lake Chapala area, but have been to several other areas in central Mexico. We're thinking we might use the Chapala area to "base" ourselves at least initially, while we explore where we want to ultimately live long-term. (And who knows, we may just end up wanting to stay there, though I'm somewhat doubtful of that.) Using it at least as a base initially strikes us as advantageous because it would make the transition/move a bit easier given its proximity to Guadalajara, the large English speaking population, the expat oriented services that are available, etc.

(This post was edited by tashby on Feb 1, 2008, 2:42 PM)

jaybear

Feb 2, 2008, 5:28 AM

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Re: [tashby] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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I think you plan is a good one. I have been told by several long-term Ajijic expats that the Lakeside area is a good entry point. It is especially good if, like us, you come down here not speaking any Spanish and not having visited Mexico (other than resorts) before, and if you like the convenience of plenty of services catering to gringos including doctors, restaurants and stores. My thought was that if I were not comfortable (culturally, emotionally, etc.) here or in San Miguel, I would not be comfortable in Mexico, period, and I still think that is a valid rule of thumb especially for older expats. From here you can easily explore other places popular with expats, including Guadalajara, the beach areas around Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Patzcuaro, Morelia, Colima, Guanajuato, and more. These are all easy trips of about one to 5 hours from here. Many expats sooner or later go back to their homeland or other countries, and some move to other areas--we know people in both those categories.
"Don't believe everything you think" - Maxine

JayBear

Gringal

Feb 2, 2008, 8:15 AM

Post #3 of 8 (2633 views)

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Re: [tashby] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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Your information is close to right on. To expand a bit, Chapala is the largest of the towns with a very Mexican population; fewer expats. It has many small shops, an large waterfront park with boats available and at least one supermarket - Soriana. The bus system runs frequently to and from Chapala to the other towns along the lake.

Between Chapala and Jocotopec are many residential areas, both village and hillside locations.

I live in downtown Ajijic. The village has charming shops and many restaurants catering to Gringo tastes as well as some good Mexican restaurants with as much spiciness as your palate can handle. Lots of services from the Lake Chapala Society headquarters, including health screenings, library, video rental and beautiful garden for just "hanging out". They have their own website listing all the functions and services. In Ajijic, it is helpful but not essential to have good Spanish language skills. Lots of expats in town and the surrounding hillside areas.

Jocotopec can be better described by someone who lives there. There are Mexconnect members who do, and hopefully, you'll hear from them.

As others have mentioned, this area is a good place to "try on" life in Mexico. I also lived in San Miguel de Allende for three years. It's a pricier place on all levels because it is a magnet for Mexico City tourists as well as those from many other countries.

mkdutch

Feb 2, 2008, 2:36 PM

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Re: [Gringal] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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Amen to the first two posts...along with the suggestion you rent short-term or stay in a B&B first, while giving the area a once-over, and then seek a long-term rental in an area that appeals to you. There can be a variety of environments depending upon where you end up; noisy, quiet, easy access or car-dependent, gated access or street-front doors, for example. What may initially be tolerable may eventually grate on you; by renting, you have an easy out. Also keep in mind that unless the location you choose has covenants, there are virtually no zoning restrictions in a large part of the Lakeside area. Having a butcher or iron monger a few doors down may not be to your liking. Just because a home is surrounded by other homes, there may be nothing to prevent someone from buying or renting a nearby home and converting it to a commercial operation. Buena Suerte, Dutch

Bloviator

Feb 4, 2008, 6:11 AM

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Re: [Gringal] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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I don't live in Joco, but will try to describe it for you. It is primarily a Mexican town. There are said to be two hundred gringos living there - again said to be predominantly Canadians - but they are mostly homebodies. If they want gringo company, they go to Ajijic. There is only one restaurant catering to US tastes - 60s in Paradise. There are several others where gringos eat, but they predominantly cater to Mexicans. The town square has recently been re-done, there is a new malecon on the lake and the lake is being dredged to allow for boats to be kept there. There is a lot of civic improvement going on throughout the town. However, it is not at all like Ajijic with every house being bought, sold, remodeled constantly. The streets are not cobblestone, but are paved or dirt. There are lots of people riding around town in motorscooters, motorcycles, quads, etc.

There is a Walmart spin off, small supermarket - Bodega Arrellea??? - that is well stocked and has most things you would want for day to day grocery needs.

If you want to leave Joco to go to the airport, it is about 1/2 hour longer than going from Ajijic. If you want to go to Guadalajara, you go the back way and enter along Lopez Mateos. Depending on where you want to go in Guad, it is a bit longer than from Ajijic, but there is a large Wall-mart just as you enter the Guad area, Home Depot is not too far along Lopez Mateos and the center of the city is another 15 minutes.

Many are afraid of driving at night and, if they live in Joco, are thus unable to participate in the social life of Ajijic very effectively. Many charity events extend into the evening, dinner obviously takes place at night, and the various entertainment events are usually at night. It takes about 1/2 hour to drive to Ajijic from Joco and another 15-25 minutes to drive on to Chapala.

Living in Joco is living in a Mexican town. One should have at least some Spanish to do so, though I have friends who have lived there for three years and speak almost no Spanish. They are very well accepted in town and participate in a number of events that are strictly Mexican - weddings, fiestas, etc. Usually there are people who take care of them and explain to them in English what is taking place. They find the people of Joco to be very warm and accepting.

Lots of events take place in the plaza and they are usually attended by Mexicans with only a smattering of US/Canadian people. All-in-all, Joco is a lively Mexican town with a steadily improving infrastructure and an interesting population. Quite suitable for one who wants to live in "real Mexico" with access to gringo activities and things. Not so suitable for one who is not particularly interested in getting into Mexican culture and the Spanish language.

Please make any corrections you like, but don't attack me. My observations are only those of an outsider who has friends living in Joco who keep me informed about the events of their lives.

Georgia

Feb 5, 2008, 3:52 AM

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Re: [Bloviator] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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I think Bloviator has done a great job of describing Joco. I live in El Chante, and Joco is where we shop. I would add that the foreign population is less inclined to organize and socialize as a group or join organizations but is somewhat more intgegrated into everyday Mexican life. And, yes, speaking Spanish makes life here much more tranquil. The new supermarket is quite good: not a vast selection, but since Aurrera is part of the WalMart chain, the produce that is available enjoys the WalMart distribution system and is fresh and appealing. Joco also serves as the Sunday market for farmers who surround the town in rural areas, so the joint is really jumping on Sunday mornings.

The town is certainly not suitable for many nobs who come Lakeside because of the possibility of support from a large gringo population and English speaking service availability.

tashby

Feb 13, 2008, 7:45 PM

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Re: [Georgia] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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Thank you all so much! Bloviator, your's was especially helpful and I just re-read it to make sure I heard it all.

But first, errrr second, I apologize. I read these replies a week or so ago but didn't have time to respond. We've been running.... put our house up for sale last Tuesday. I thought I'd have time - while it sat on the market - to get back to research, but it's been a hellish week. Good news, though. Think we have a buyer! Inspection tomorrow! Now we're up against a REALLY tight deadline.

So. Question. I know Ajijic has language school services through LCS....but are there other language schools in the other towns? (I'm doubting Joco...but what about Chapala?)

Again, we plan on using this as our "easy landing/transitional" spot, so I'm thinking Ajijic may make more sense, even though based on the descriptions above Jocotepec sounds a lot more like where we'd ultimately be most comfortable. Availability of language instruction is extremely important initially because we want to spend the first couple months immersing ourselves in Spanish as much as possible. (I'm at the moderate level....traveled interior Mexico several times solo via bus.....yadda yadda.....but, partner has almost no Spanish.) By focusing on language study first, we figure we'll be much better prepared for the whole adventure of exploring different parts of Western Mexico to see where we may want to stay long term.

(By the way, we're not "retirement age" - not that there's anything wrong with that <g> - if that makes any difference.)

THANKS!

NEOhio1

Feb 14, 2008, 7:57 AM

Post #8 of 8 (2362 views)

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Re: [tashby] Comparing the different Lake Chapala towns

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If I had it to do over again I would choose the western end of the lake, El Chante or Jocotepec, over the center, Ajijic because of the language issue. For all good intentions my Spanish has improved much because it isn't necessary for daily life. My husbands has not improved at all. For that reason I would start out in an area where I needed to use the new language skills around town. Plus we are homebodies and find we really aren't out-and-about as much I we anticipated so our lifestyle doesn't lend itself to daily usage which makes being in a location where we NEED to use it all that more important.

As for language schools as such, there are many, many individuals teaching but no structured immersion or daily schools. For those you have to go into Guadalajara.