Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

canadian

Feb 2, 2003, 8:52 AM

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wanted: house rental and car

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Hi,

I hope someone can help me here. I would like to spend July and part of August in the Ajiic area, but am having difficulty finding rental information for houses. I also would very much like to find someone who would be willing to rent their car, if they are not there, or using it. This would be for one person, myself, possibly two. I am living in Canada now, but have lived in Puerto Vallarta for two years and at that time, I drove my car down and back from Canada, since I only have 5 weeks this time I would rather not waste two by driving. Any help with this would be greatly apprciated.

Cheryl

(This post was edited by canadian on Feb 2, 2003, 11:49 AM)

mexicodan

Feb 5, 2003, 8:01 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1559 views)

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Re: [canadian] wanted: house rental and car

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Hola Cheryl!

I'm looking for a renter/caretaker for Jul.-Aug.-Sept. at my villa, if interested. You can email me at: mexicodan@hotmail.com

Frank Burton

Feb 7, 2003, 11:33 PM

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Re: [canadian] wanted: house rental and car

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July and August are part of the secondary, somewhat-like-high, season here. Even so, I can't imagine that securing a reasonable rental will be a problem; right now is near the peak of the high season, and I still see some reasonable rentals listed locally. People speculate that the reduced demand is still fallout from 9/11. I tried last spring to scout rentals from the information on websites and with direct e-mail to real estate agents--didn't work. But we easily found a place once we were here. What I've concluded after living Lakeside for several months is that the agents know that virtually no one will commit to a place sight unseen, and that what's available now may not be available then, so they don't want to waste their time.

You may have seen this advice on this forum before, but it bears repeating: Come on down and take a few days to look around at what's available at that time. There are large bulletin boards at the Lake Chapala Society and near the main grocery stores that cater to gringos. And there are some real estate agencies which are very active in the rental market--they just want to see the whites of your eyes before they spend any significant time on you. If you need the security of knowing you have a place to sleep the first night, there are several B&Bs with whom you can make a reservation via e-mail, and they'll tell you about their deposit requirements and how to handle the deposit, if any. Some of them are quite reasonable, and well-located to use as a base for looking around.

You may find someone who is willing to privately loan/rent you their car. But a car is not as necessary here as it is in much of the US and Canada. Many people live in either Ajijic or Chapala, and are able to walk most everywhere they want to go. The buses are frequent, inexpensive, clean, modern, and I believe safe, to go between the villages along the north shore of the lake or to and from Guadalajara. Even taxis are inexpensive: about $20 US or less from the Guadalajara airport to Lakeside (you buy a fixed price ticket inside the terminal near the baggage claim area), and about $5 or $6 US to go between, say, Chapala and Ajijic.

Hope this begins to answer some of your questions. If you have more and don't want to post them on this forum, send me a private e-mail.

Frank Burton

bryngerta

Jun 11, 2003, 10:43 PM

Post #4 of 7 (1350 views)

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Re: [Frank Burton] wanted: house rental and car

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I am looking for a rental in Guadalajara starting next month, July 2003, as I am going to be in school there. I am bringing my (large) dog with me, so it has to be someplace where they will accept her, obviously. Any ideas?

wendy devlin

Jun 12, 2003, 12:32 PM

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Re: [bryngerta] Guadalajara rental

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One option is to follow the path of international students living in Guadalajara before you.

By this I mean is the university that you plan to attend might have rental listings already available Also the numerous language schools in the city are involved with finding housing for their students. Like Frank mentioned, often there are bulletin boards that cater to international students...up at the schools themselves.

There is such a bulletin board located at Sandy's bookstore on Tepeyac in Colonia Chapalita in Guadalajara

A friend of mine that relocated to the city last summer, She hired a woman through a real estate agency to scout out prospective rentals(she provided a detailed list of her requirements, preferred neighbourhoods, price, number of bedrooms, yard etc)

The agent comes by where you are staying, and takes you around to view the places.

She makes sure that the rental transaction progresses smoothly. Usually in Spanish by the way...you could possibly find an English speaking landlord but this increases your rental options...especially since you have such a large dog. Wendy

Frank Burton

Jun 12, 2003, 5:17 PM

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Re: [bryngerta] wanted: house rental and car

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Hi, bryngerta,

I'm glad that Wendy replied to your post, and second what she said about resources in Guadalajara. Unfortunately, I'm just not familiar with the Guadalajara rental scene, so have little to add. As I was composing a reply to your private message just now, one other resource did come to mind: the American Society of Jalisco, also in Col. (which just means neighborhood) Chapalita, at San Francisco #3332, phone (33) 3121-2395. Their website is www.americansociety.org, e-mail address is info@amsoc.hypermart.net, and slogan is "Everyone is welcome".

My impression is that motels and landlords in Mexico are generally much more accepting of dogs than they generally are in the US, and, I assume, Canada. BTW, as I assume you'll be driving across the US in getting to Mexico, the company which owns the chains Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 in the US seems to have a policy of accepting dogs with no hassle. Depending on the route you're going to take from the border to Guadalajara, we might have suggestions for motels which were accepting of our dog as we drove down last October.

Good luck!!!

juan david

Jun 14, 2003, 4:49 AM

Post #7 of 7 (1253 views)

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Re: [bryngerta] wanted: house rental and car

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There is a thread currently on the travelling in Mexico forum that gives info on dog friendly motels in Saltillo and Matahuala. Also try petswelcome.com for info on motels across the US. This info has made it easier to travel back and forth with our two hulking labs.
" let sleeping dogs lie"