U.S. Veterans are choosing Lake Chapala for retirement and health care

It amazes me that there are U.S. veterans that are having to choose a cheaper place to live than the very country they served and in many cases put their lives on the line for but Mexico is prepared to welcome them with a lower cost of health care and with sunny weather and a lower cost of living, many U.S. veterans are researching and finding Lake Chapala and Ajijic the most welcoming and best of the expat communities in Mexico.

Focus on Mexico is here to help you know if this area is for you and recently there was an article telling about what we do on Veterans Today. I was tickled to see us featured there and had to share this article with all of you.

Lake Chapala Mexico, the Number One Retirement Destination for U.S. Veterans

It is a well known fact that Mexico is the number one retirement destination for U.S. Veterans outside of the USA by far with the vast majority living in the greater Guadalajara area specifically in Ajijic on Lake Chapala.
Lake Chapala, Mexico nestled in a mountain valley just 50 minutes south of Guadalajara and 25 minutes from the international airport, is the largest inland body of water in Mexico. It is 90 km long and 20 km wide and is situated on the border between the states of Jalisco and Michoacan and approximately a 3 ½ hour drive from the Pacific ocean. Lake Chapala Mexico has become a retirement paradise for Americans, Canadians, and Europeans; people from all over the world come to enjoy the warm days and cool nights along the shores of our beautiful lake. Crimson sunrises and golden sunsets serve to heighten their enjoyment of each majestic day.

Lake Chapala has been the number one destination for U.S. Veterans since World War II when GI’s starting moving into the lake basin setting up homesteads, shops, businesses, and even the Lake Chapala Society along with a branch of the American Legion.  There are so many reasons to move to Lake Chapala and Mexico, here’s a top 10 list for you.

Top  10 reasons: Why so many people choose Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico! 

1. Near-perfect  weather – little or no humidity, average temperature 78  F (25.5 C) – year ‘round.
2. A safe and secure environment.
3. Accessibility – international airport 30 minutes away, making travel easy.
4. Established  infrastructure. Many of the conveniences you are used to are available in Chapala and everything you want, in Guadalajara (2nd largest city) a scant 50 minute drive.
5. Excellent communications: phone, high-speed internet, satellite TV, news and information from home
6. High quality health care, and pharmacies, with many bilingual professionals  trained in the US or Canada.
7. Lower cost of living – estimated to be at least 30% lower if not more than is most of the USA
8. English spoken – you can get by without Spanish, although it is fun to learn at least a little.
9. Stunning beauty, rich culture and history, breathtaking sunsets over the lake, and majestic mountain views.
10. Beautiful and unique homes – still offering great value (you get a lot for your  money).

So many others reasons to retire and live in Lake Chapala include a diverse cultural experience where you’ll meet up with intellectuals, artists, educators, lawyers, doctors, judges, and so many more super interesting people is such a small village.   Just join a civic group or sit in at a local cafe and you’ll hook up fast.  This is not a resort town its’ a place to live and enjoy so the locals are permanent not transient.  You love it. It’s amazing, fun, and everyday brings a new surprise.  Exhilirating!
So if you are ready for a whole new lease on life, your invited to experience their little pocket of paradise in Lake Chapala Mexico.  Join Focus on Mexico on their 8-Day Educational Focus on Mexico program for a life changing experience.

This was first posted here: http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/04/11/lake-chapala-mexico-the-number-one-retirement-destination-for-u-s-veterans/#respond

Climate, Health Care and Real Estate draw retirees to Lake Chapala, Mexico

By Kristina Morgan

Between the faltering economy in the U.S. and a rising cost of living, many people find themselves looking at moving to other counties to retire, and Mexico tops the list.

But where in Mexico? You want a low cost of living, affordable real estate, a perfect climate, amentities in English, stunning beauty, a slower pace lifestyle and warm people waiting to welcome you as a part of a community. Of the English-speaking enclaves in Mexico, Lake Chapala and Ajijic top that list. 

As many of the expats who have gone to Mexico and made their new home at Lake Chapala will tell you (about 20,000 have made this area their home) the reasons to look at Lake Chapala go beyond the lower cost of living, which is 30% to as much as 50% less than where you are living if you are currently in the United States or Canada.

Affordable real estate at Lake Chapala is one of the reasons. In fact, real estate there is much less to buy than in San Miguel, Puerto Vallarta or even Guadalajara. You can live in paradise but get far more for your money if you buy a home at Lake Chapala. You can view listings on the Lake Chapala MLS here: http://www.focusonmexico.com/Mexico-Topics/Real-Estate/Real-Estate-Listings-in-Lake-Chapala-Mexico.html

Climate

The Lake Chapala area also boasts the best climate of any of the other popular expat enclaves in Mexico. There’s also an infrastructure that is already in place making most expats feel very comfortable with their move to a foreign country and dealing with a foreign language--a change that would normally be daunting for most people.

Culture

Still, it is important to add that the Lake Chapala area is by no means “Little America.” The fact that this is an area comprised of small fishing villages and not a city and that it tends to draw people intent on creating a new life for themselves that respects the local people and culture has added to it’s laid-back feel and friendliness. People go there for all the climate, proximity to the U.S. and Canada and low cost of living but they stay because of the warm and friendly people.

Safety

In towns far from the US border such as Ajijic, Mexico's drug wars seem like another world. In fact, according to a recent survey by the International Community Foundation, violence reduced the frequency or duration of trips to Mexico for only 7 percent of American retirees who live or travel frequently to Mexico.

Health Care

The possible extension of Medicare benefits to Americans who retire abroad could further fuel that. But even now, health care to Americans and Canadians is affordable. To learn more about it this video goes into what is specific to the Lake Chapala area, as well as Guadalajara.



Of 5.25 million Americans living abroad, 1 million are estimated to live south of the border. With America's baby boomers retiring, potential for further growth is huge. The International Community Foundation found that Mexico remains their retirees' No. 1 travel and retirement destination abroad.
 
However, one size doesn't fit all and Mexico, even with all it's benefits, isn't for everyone. At Lake Chapala, Focus on Mexico gives informational 8-day tours to the area that give you the information so you can decide if Mexico is right for you and be able to navigate efficiently in Mexico. Focus on Mexico helps you with all your real estate needs and paves the way for you during your transition from beginning to end.  www.focusonmexico.com

Living and Retiring in Ajijic Vs San Miguel de Allende

I have begun a series comparing the Lake Chapala and Ajijic areas to other popular retirement areas. My last article compared Lake Chapala to Hawaii, a comparison I felt compelled to make after so many people said that Lake Chapala reminded them of Hawaii—only better! In this article I will take a look at Ajijic vs. San Miguel de Allende.

To me, when you compare Ajijic and San Miguel, the best choice is a no-brainer. San Miguel is cold and very expensive; I didn’t come to Mexico to live where it’s cold and expensive! I’m partial to Ajijic’s genuine warmth and quirkiness, too. I love the rogue colors everywhere and the mountain and lake vistas. The natural beauty is riotous and abundant here at Lake Chapala.

Ajijic is also located outside of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city and within close proximity to other places you’ll want to check out.