Jim & Carole's Mexico Adventure

Keep up your great blogs and your photo's are, as they say worth a thousand words.
I really appreciate all the information. I have lived in Texas for 35 of my 68 years and Mexico makes sense
but it really helps to get real life details about all the pros and cons. My military background makes me want to gather all the intel
I can before moving to another country and culture. I get so much negative here and I know that is just half of the reality.
Sincerely Wild Bill Holloway. Former Naval Special Warfare (Frogman) bjhfrog@gmail.com

Hi Jim:

I am Cesar and I have been checking your Blog guys, I love it! My wife Jen and I have a dream, we would like to open a Non-Profit Organization (community Center) in Ajijic, Jalisco. It is grat project, we do not have the money yet JAJA but what we want to do is already set. Since you and Carole live down there,I would like to know if this sound like a good idea to you. We live in Montreal Canada. My wife is from Trenton, Michigan and I was born and raised in Queretaro, Mexico.

Thank you!!

Susan- I didn't have your email or I would have responded directly. Answers to your questions:
1) Yes, we did visit for a week about a year before we actually moved down. We had done a great deal of research beforehand, so the visit was to confirm our information and get the feel of the place. I would strongly advise visiting before you make any commitment to move. You may want to visit several places in addition to Lake Chapala.
2) If you can afford it and get the free time, it would be worth while coming down for several weeks or even a couple of months. Depending on what your timeframe is, you might want to visit in a couple of different times of year. October-March is "the season" when the weather is nearly perfect, no rain, warm sun with cool breezes. It is also the most crowded season and most expensive in terms of rents, since we get loads of Canadian and US "snowbirds". April and May are the hot, dry season (95 degrees F. in the afternoon with cooler mornings and balmy evenings). Best time to rent because the snow birds all pull out and the landlords are desperate to find renters. June-Sept. are the rainy season, but it generally only rains at night with cool cloudy mornings and warm sunny afternoons. We actually like this season a lot because it is quieter and, despite the late night rain storms, it is actually quite pleasant.
3) Both expats and Mexicans are very laid back and friendly. People tend to be very helpful with advice to newcomers and visitors.
4) Google up the Lake Chapala Society, Ajijic. The LCS is a volunteer organization of expats with about 3000+ members. Many, many activities, clubs, classes and great facilities. They also great much good will in the Mexican community for the fundraising and volunteer work to help children and the poor.
5) Also Google up Judy King's website "Living at Lake Chapala" where you can get detailed info about living here, issues around moving to Mexico, and much more.