It still amazes me how much the people talk about why they moved to Lake Chapala. I think it’s a topic in just about every conversation I have ever had since moving to Mexico in 1993. Most of us are still thankful that we found this wonderful community and even though it is well-established it is still very open and very friendly to newcomers. Despite the simple, peaceful life we lead here at Lake Chapala with the second best climate in the world, the low cost of living and safety, I still get a lot of emails asking me about crime here from people wondering if we’re all just nuts to be living south of the border in a "dangerous place."
According to UN statistics, you're 3 times more likely to be a victim of crime in the U.S. than you are in Mexico.
Recent FBI statistics paint the picture even more clearly... The murder rate (per 100,000 people) in Baltimore is 43.3... in Washington DC it is 29.1... and in Detroit 47.3... But in Mexico, the murder rate again is just a third of that... about 13.
But you wouldn’t get that impression from watching the news! People who come to Lake Chapala say that in general they feel safer than or just as safe as they did back home.
You also might enjoy watching this video about more myths and misconceptions about Mexico:
Huele de Noche is an unassuming flowering plant that gives off a heady perfume that will fill an entire yard with its beauty at night. My daughter Maya thinks it looks like a weed. But that “weed” is one of the most beautiful flowers in our yard because of the sheer pleasure I have when I smell it at night. It even fills our house with the sweet smell. I admit that if you don’t recognize Huele de Noche for what it is that it is a little unexpected coming from such a modest flower.
Tonight, as we were leaving the house I stopped and showed my youngest daughter, Maya, the Huele de Noche plant and we both breathed in the scent of this surprising flower that may be small but packs quite a punch! We were leaving the yard and I was driving her to a dance where she was meeting her sister, Lily, and their friends.
As we were driving along, Maya and I chatted about whatever it is mothers and daughters chat about on the way to a dance. Time to be picked up, where she would meet Lily, etc.
Originally from Colorado, Kristina enjoys being an ambassador of sorts and sharing her passion for the unique community we all love at Lake Chapala. Over the years, she has been a teacher and administrator in schools in Mexico and held positions which required extensive public speaking, writing, editing, counseling and administration skills. Until recently, she also served as the editor of a prominent online U.S. war veterans news and advocacy website.
Kristina and husband, Joel, along with their teenaged children, have lived in Mexico for 14 years total and own and manage the area MLS computer service. Kristina is bilingual and fully integrated into the Mexican and foreign communities. Her years here have given her a broad understanding of working and owning a business in Mexico and familiarity with the local schools, customs and culture.
