Where in this World will I Retire?
You May Find Your Answer Here!
It was on a rainy day in January of 2003, back in Vallejo, California. I was paying our bills. Property taxes, medical insurance, auto insurance, mortgage payment, auto maintenance, garbage collection, telephone, water and electric bills, the list went on and on.
The costs were getting higher and our incomes barely covered them. I could see that this was going to be an ongoing problem and we would have to work the rest of our lives to support this lifestyle, so Margarita and I decided that we would have to make a change.
The Old Home in Vallejo, California
On the road in Central America
We sold the house, packed up what we wanted to keep, bought a pick-up truck and a cabover camper, and hit the road, headed south into more affordable territory looking for our new home.
We didn’t look back as we crisscrossed from coast to coast through Mexico and all of the countries in Central America all the way to Panama for ten months, of unforgettable adventure.
We seriously considered moving to Costa Rica or the Northern highlands of Panama to live in our retirement years.
Then, we discovered beautiful Lake Chapala, high in the central highlands of Mexico! It’s the largest lake, in Mexico, has the best all year round climate on earth, very affordable cost of living and real estate, great food and some of the friendliest people that you will ever meet.
In and around Ajijic, Mexico
It’s only about an hour away from the very cosmopolitan city of Guadalajara, with all of the modern conveniences that we are accustomed to back in the States and it’s international airport is less than an hour away, so it’s easy to get in and out of here.
Downtown Guadalajara
Wow! What a find! The lakeshore was just what we were looking for.
“Top Expat Community Pick #1: Ajijic, Mexico. Ajijic ( Ah-HEE-heek ) and the area around Lake Chapala, Mexico hosts the most organized, developed expat community in the world… In other words, the path has been cut. Moving here, you could slide into a way of life not dramatically different from the life you left behind in the States. …Retiring to Ajijic, you could make a very comfortable life for yourself in a place that’s exotic, beautiful, safe and very affordable.” —US News and World Report
See Our Videos And You Will Know Why
When deciding to move somewhere, the big question is: Is this the right place for me? Do I want to live in this community? Would this be a good place to retire? So, with these questions in mind, Margarita and Roy, having selected the Lake Chapala Lakeside as their top choice decided to check it out before they made a final decision.
Come see this fascinating adventure in the three videos featured here:
Click on the screen below to see a short preview of all three videos.
Now to see the 3 full-length videos. Click on the screens below
“The Spirit of Lake Chapala”
Here’s where Margarita and Roy begin their search for a new home. It features the North Shore of Lake Chapala, and the communities of Ajijic, Chapala and Jocotepec, where most foreign expats live. Expatriates living on Lake Chapala have one thing in common they gave up familiar lifestyles and the security of homelands to retire in a foreign country. Now, these adventurers are enjoying the culture, social activities and very affordable amenities of the Chapala Ribera.
“In the Shadow of Mount Garcia”
In this video, our adventurous couple continue their search for a new home on the south side of Lake Chapala, which is very different from the much busier north shore. Mostly, the south shore is agriculture and fishing villages, rural and very tranquil, with only a few foreigners living there.
“Reformatting Retirement at Lake Chapala”
This action-packed video features the stories of 30 retirees who are part of the expatriate community that has formed itself at Lake Chapala, Mexico. They show us how they are pursuing their dreams and finding satisfaction in retirement.
“Terrific! Professional filmmaker Roy Nolan has produced some of the best documentaries ever made about the Lakeside area. These films contain many interviews with some of our area’s prime movers and shakers … Good color, lots of music and a coherent structure that held my interest from start to finish. Makes a guy proud to be a part of it all.”
Alex Grattan – Editor of “El Ojo del Lago” (Chapala, Jalisco)
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“Your Work Is Impressive. It Frankly Sealed The Deal For Us. This Is Where We Want To Retire!”
Nancy Wilson, Portland, Oregon
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