Retire in Lake Chapala

Many visitors to Lake Chapala who are used to paying for their groceries or restaurant meals with credit cards are totally surprised to discover that in many places, card payments are still not accepted.

I decided to highlight some of the best homes in Lake Chapala in the mid-price range.

Relaxing on the Ajijic Malecon Imagine waking up every day to stunning lake views, a mild climate that feels like spring all year, and a vibrant community that welcomes you with open arms. That’s life in Lake Chapala, Mexico! If you’re thinking about where to spend your golden years, let me share why retiring in Lake Chapala is an absolute dream come true. Discover the Charm of Retirement in Lake Chapala Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, nestled in the state o

Lake Chapala country home in Brisas de Chapala, Lake Chapala My partner and I have been building a home in Lake Chapala, Mexico and we have learned a lot during the process. If you have thoughts of buying land and building your dream home in Lake Chapala then you would be best advised to learn from our experiences. Contact us! We would like to hear of your ;plans! So imagine you have been working with your Realtor, looking at land and have finally found a lot you really lov

Lake Chapala Home for sale Buy or rent? The age old debate. What are the factors to consider about buying a home in a foreign country? Are they any different than buying in your home country? When it comes time and you are considering moving to Lake Chapala, we are your go-to resource for information. So let's find out the pros and cons of buying a home in Lake Chapala. Pros: Make the changes that you want: Personalize your home perfectly to your tastes. If you find a home

I recently had Retirement Seminar clients who came down for my week long Seminar. They ended up returning to the U.S after spending only one day at Lakeside! As it turns out, this is not rare. I have always said that Lake Chapala is not for everyone and there are pros and cons to moving to Lake Chapala. In fact, looking back through all my Seminars, approximately 25% of the participants did not return, or stayed for only a short while before returning to the U.S for good. Thi

Horseback riders along the Ajijic malecon At Retire In Lake Chapala, we understand that information in king and is paramount in helping you make the right decision with regards to retiring in Lake Chapala. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to regularly putting out information packed blogs on our website. We've got you covered with this special edition celebrating over 150 informative articles and more coming each and every month. If you want to make a successful and inf

Lago Encantado is located in the municipality of Jocotepec just to the east of Restaurant Row and the village of San Juan Cosala. This small community of only 16 homes/lots does not yet have any common facilities but has space set aside for whatever the residents wish to develop. There are a few lots left to develop. This might be for you if you want the security of a gated complex, a low HOA fee and do not need any common facilities. Subscribe to Retire In Lake Chapala so yo

Delicious lemon chicken dinner from Cocinart Restaurant, Ajijic So many restaurants and so little time. The shear number of restaurants in Chapala and Ajijic is staggering. If there is one thing we all love to do, it's eating out. At Lakeside, eating out is very much a social activity as well. Where good friends get together, and old acquaintances renewed. Most restaurants offer outdoor seating, and with our perfect year around climate, outdoor dining is the way to go 365

Real estate prices are creeping up all over the world and Lake Chapala, Mexico is no exception. Although increases here have not been as significant as up in Canada and U.S., we have seen prices rise over the past 8 years to a level that are making some people think twice. Adding to this is the fact that all home purchases are cash, and while mortgages are available, the interest rates are astronomical. So since we're all looking for a good deal and don't want to invest mor

Pickleball in Lake Chapala Looking for something to do in Ajijic, Mexico? It shouldn't be hard. With one of the largest and oldest expat communities in the world, there is virtually every club and organization represented. As of October 2016 there were 82 registered organizations! Add to that the large number of unorganized groups (my guess would be around 40 or so) and you have well over a hundred groups you could be involved in. After moving to Ajijic, you will be constant

Chapala Malecon Learn a few fun facts about your new home in central Mexico! Did you know... Ajijic is located 5,046 ft (1,538 m) above sea level Ajijic became Jalisco's 9th Pueblo Magico town in 2020 after their third try at this coveted designation. Lake Chapala is Mexico's largest natural lake stretching 50 mi (80 km) east/west and averaging 7.8 mi (12.5 km) north/south. It has and average depth of 15 ft (4.5 m) and a maximum depth of 34 ft (10.5 m) Lake Chapala has 4

As a real estate agent I find I get asked the same questions time and time again. So here is a blog which answers the most frequently asked questions and walks you through the buying process for purchasing residential property in the Lake Chapala area. Q) Can I get a Deed to my new, Mexican home? A) Virtually all homes at Lakeside are sold with a Deed, although, a Bank Trust (Fideicomiso) could be set up instead though a bank, depending on the buyer’s needs and circumstance

As a real estate agent I find I get asked the same questions time and time again. So here is a blog which answers the most frequently asked questions and walks you through the buying process for purchasing residential property in the Lake Chapala area. If you haven't already read Part 1 of this blog. Make sure you do! Q) How much are closing costs and who pays them? A) Closing costs are between 3-5% of the purchase price and are paid by the buyer. As many costs are fixed, t

Upper Ajijic lake view Many of my clients who come looking for a home want to live in Ajijic Village. But there is more to the village than just the plaza area with its stores and restaurants. A different lifestyle can be found depending on whether or not you purchase in Lower Ajijic or Upper Ajijic. The dividing line between the two being the Carretera (highway) that passes though town from Chapala to Jocotopec. If you are thinking that you want to live in Ajijic Village t

Pre-construction project in Lake Chapala If you are keeping track of what's happening in Lake Chapala, then you are probably aware that there has been quite the building boom going on in the past 9 years. There are countless new developments all over Lakeside in various stages of construction. Now that our MLS lists pre-sales separately, we can see that there are currently 47 pre-sales as of this writing! So are these a good investment or future home for you? What are the pr

A parade of dancers in Ajijic Village Dreaming of a simpler, more affordable, and vibrant life by the shores of Lake Chapala? You’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of retirees and expats make the move to this beautiful region in Mexico—and with good reason. But a successful transition takes planning. This 12-step checklist will walk you through everything you need to know to make your move smooth, organized, and stress-free. 1. Choose the Right Residency Visa Before anythin

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to stunning lake views, surrounded by vibrant culture and friendly neighbors, Lake Chapala might just be your perfect destination. Nestled in the heart of Mexico, this beautiful area offers a unique blend of natural beauty, warm climate, and a welcoming community. Whether you’re looking for a cozy retirement home, a vacation getaway, or an investment property, Lake Chapala real estate has something special for everyone. Let me take you on a

If you read our recent update on Mexico’s shift to the UMA-based financial system , you already know that qualifying for residency in 2026 has become more structured and precise. But there’s another major change that’s catching many future expats off guard: The cost of obtaining Mexican residency has increased significantly—nearly doubling in some cases. While the financial solvency requirements determine if you qualify, these updated government fees determine how much you’l

Mexican Consulate If you are planning your move to Lake Chapala in 2026, you’ve likely noticed that the "old ways" of handling Mexican residency are shifting. The administrative system has become significantly more professionalized, and with that comes a more rigid adherence to specific financial formulas. The biggest change for 2026 is the adoption of the UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) as the primary way for calculating for economic solvency. Up until now, residency