Retire in Lake Chapala

“Where should I live at Lake Chapala?” This question comes up so many times from first and even third time visitors. The fact is that there are many areas and developments along the lake that appeal to different kinds of people, based on their desired lifestyle and personal preference. This is why it is so important to take a communities tour with an experienced Realtor who will highlight the particulars of each area so you can determine which best fits your needs. There is m

At the best of times, buying a house can be a challenging affair but buying in a foreign country can get even more complicated! How is buying a home in Lake Chapala, Mexico, different than in your own country? And what are some of the things you should know before you make that ultimate commitment to sign on the dotted line? Read on and be sure to use this checklist when buying real estate in Mexico. Building Codes: First off, realize there are no set building requirements no

The Lake Chapala area has become an increasingly popular retirement destination in the last 2 years. With a recent shortage of resale homes, more and more expats are now considering the option of purchasing land and building. For some, this is a great idea. For others, it can become a living nightmare. So what are the pros and cons to building in a foreign country? Is it really worth the risk and bother? And how is it different from building “up north”? Pros: Can be a good

Lake Chapala is one of those unique and beautiful places to retire, and nowadays with the aid of the internet, word is spreading that this is THE premier place to live in Mexico. Excellent climate, low cost of living, and an established expat community are just a few of the many reasons to come to Lake Chapala for your retirement years. In this blog I'll try to give you an idea of the large variety of housing options available to you and some of the areas where you can find i

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? Let's find out. Pros: Make the changes that you want: Personalize your home perfectly to your tastes. If you find a home you like in an area that you love, it is very inexpensive to have improvements made as labor is cheap. Do you want to take out a wall? Add skylights or fireplace? Re-do the kitchen? No problem,

Everyone coming down to Lake Chapala wants to rent. Great idea! You absolutely should rent for a while and preferably in different places to get a feel for the different areas. But renting long term, just like buying, has it's own advantages and disadvantages associated with it. So what are these? What's good and what's bad about renting in Lake Chapala? Advantages You get to try different neighborhoods: Probably the number one benefit to renting especially if you are conside