Community is alive and well at Lake Chapala

by Kristina Morgan

I am just really blown away by the sense of community at Lake Chapala...and I have been amazed by the cohesiveness here time and again over the years we have been here since 1995.

The Lake Chapala animal shelter had 24 hours to find homes for 15 dogs and we did it. Between phone and email everyone in town knew what was going on and helped by either adopting or signing the petition or passing on the information. Many people received the same email 4-7 times! People in San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta were even on the horn offering their help.

The dog shelter's crisis passed and they will be staying open after all. We can consider the dogs being adopted for free a 24 hour blue-light special. They gave the dogs away and they were all spayed or neutered, had their shots and even came with collars, leashes and food! And their dishes. We have welcomed Hope into our family as a result of this community effort. :)

Another example of community is this. There is a dentist here and he has been diagnosed with cancer. Within a week this community pulled together a fund raiser to help him off-set expenses for his treatment. And they'll probably do it again.

People here pull together to help whatever situation is thrown their way. It's as if we like a challenge or making our time count.

I have heard so many people say that one of the things they miss most is a sense of community north of the border. As an American, I sympathize. I see the errosion of good, old-fashioned community there, though it seems to be hanging on a bit in the southern states. I am not going to go into all the reasons, etc that I think community has been so diminished. I think most people can reflect and figure it out as the culture and priorities have shifted.

Conversely, the Lake Chapala community seems to be growing in strength. I think this is for two reasons. First, the Mexicans' values and belief system support this way of living. They pull together. They support each others businesses, they have a strong family foundation. Mexico has survived for centuries by having a strong sense of community.

And secondly, it's because the people who come here from somewhere else are a different kind of person. You have to be open to change, somewhat adventurous, and have a sense of humor to make a move like this to a foreign country. So in essence, I think expat communities, or at least Lake Chapala in particular, draw the best people there are from somewhere else. Who wouldn't want to be friends with someone who is open, adventurous and has a sense of humor? So what if 90% of the people who migrated to an area were like that? Wouldn't you want to be here, too?!

That's what we have here. Yes, sometimes it feels a little "small-town" as people generally do know your business. On the other hand, if you ever really needed help the community here would pull together. They move mountains in a very short amount of time and the grapevine works really well! Never underestimate the power of people at Lake Chapala!

Why so many people fall in love with the Ajijic and Lake Chapala area of Mexico

by Kristina Morgan

Chapala and Ajijic are ideally located about 40 minutes from Guadalajara (Mexico’s 2nd largest city), 25 minutes from Guadalajara’s international airport, and as close as 3 hours to the pacific coast. The Lake is centered in a ring of mountains and we’re a mile high so we have very little humidity (maximum of 15%) and enjoy the world’s second best climate (first is in Kenya) according to National Geographic. The distance inland is still close to the ocean but far enough away to not have to worry about storms and hurricanes off the coast. We have all the same flora as Hawaii as well as the same vegetation in arid states like Colorado—pines and cactus—growing equally well, side by side! Temperatures here average 74 degrees year-round.

We have lived in several areas of Mexico and this is by far our favorite. We’ve been in this area for ten years and in Mexico for 13 years and are raising our kids here instead of in the U.S. because it is so safe here. Lake Chapala isn’t on the drug corridor and I have never even seen a bandito in all my years living here. Thanks Goodness! Those would have definitely been deal-breakers for us. We never would have stayed here if we felt like we or our children were in danger.

There was an ABC News article in May about Ajijic:

Best Places to Retire to That You've Never Heard Of

Homes, Weather, Culture Draw Boomers Off the Beaten Path to Ajijic
Ajijic, Mexico May 13, 2010

It's not easy to pronounce (hint: Ah-hee-heek), but American retirees love this quaint Mexican village set between lush mountains and a sparkling lake.

"It has a spring-like climate year round, it's not too far from Guadalajara, and it's pretty," says Margaret Wylde, CEO of retirement consulting firm ProMatura Group. Because there are many Americans already living there, the town offers most amenities you could find at home. Retirees join one of the dozens of English-language clubs ranging from the booming Lake Chapala Society, with its English-language library, to the American Legion or the Lakeside Little Theater.


"They have everything that an American might need," says Daniel Prescher, editor of special projects at International Living magazine. "You can get a can of Campbell soup if you really need one."

At the same time, Ajijic and neighboring San Miguel de Allende do not get flooded by drunk college students during spring break, and they also offer cheap medical services -- which local experts say rival U.S. standards.

The Mexico retirement boom is only likely to grow: the Mexican government recently launched a national initiative to attract more foreign retirees and is working with developers to build more senior communities.

But hands-down, the reason I love Lake Chapala is the strong sense of community. I think this is the most friendly, charming and unique place in the world and we have traveled quite a lot. The Mexican people are warm and gracious and the ex-pats here (from all over the world) have a sense of adventure, a pioneering spirit and generally are very accepting of Mexico and make positive changes by their presence here.

This video also talks about some of the myths and misconceptions here:



Kristina Morgan: Director of Public Relations for FocusOnMexico.

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