Retirement Destinations: Lake Chapala

Lake Chapala and its surroundings is one of the most charming places in the world to spend a great retirement. A place where natural beauty, tranquility and beautiful weather all year round, are just some of the attractions. This destination in the state of Jalisco is the largest water reservoir in Mexico and provides for the drinking needs for much of the city of Guadalajara. Here, a variety of cultures and nationalities come together, resulting in an exotic blend that coexists in a typically Mexican environment.

Chapala is located just one hour from Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico, which offers modern airports and roads for your use. From Chapala you can easily travel by car to San Miguel de Allende, Cuernavaca, Puerto Vallarta, Zacatecas, Patzcuaro, Manzanillo, Morelia and Mexico City.

The bounty of the local food is a great advantage for foreigners living here, because there is a great variety of food, it is plentiful and available all year. This certainly is a better option than buying imported food which is more expensive, but there are also many supermarkets where you can find whatever you are looking for.

How easy is it to settle down?

Properties on the banks of Lake Chapala have not increased in price in years, and, with the appropriate permits, foreigners can buy a property according to their needs. Currently, about 12,000 immigrants, including Americans, Canadians and Europeans enjoy their retirements on the shores of Lake Chapala, in towns such as Ajijic or San Juan Cosala, due to the generous living standards offered in the area surrounding the lakeshore. There, you will be able to buy a property of up to 10764 feet2 paying property taxes of only USD $90 per year.

"I came to live in Chapala mainly because of the climate, and also because of the cost of living. I am single and it is very difficult for me to live out my retirement in the United States, I would not have been able to live on my pension there at all. Here my money lasts longer.” - Bridget Darby, a 63 years old retiree, cnnexpansión.com

Although the cost of living varies, depending on the lifestyle, many retirees live well with only their monthly retirement check. What is most attractive for many foreigners is that here they can live better for a lot less than what they would spend in the United States or Canada. For example, the pleasant climate that can be enjoyed in the area (between 73ºF and 93ºF all year round) results in the fact that heating costs in winter or air conditioning costs in summer are virtually unnecessary, unlike in their home countries.

What recreational activities are offered?

The production of handicrafts and the abundance of materials has meant that beginners, as well as established artists allow their imagination to run free, and open workshops and art galleries where local and foreign artists exhibit their work. All arts have a place here, and there also are

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