Back to Part 1 (Retire to Lake Chapala, Mexico)

Retire in Mexico – Mexico Adventures
with Joel and Sue (aka Dick and Jane), Part 2

Retire in Mexico – Additional Mexico Adventures
with Gringos Joel and Sue, Part 2

 How a Vacation Turned Into Retirement in Mexico

Were Americans really living and retired in Mexico comfortably and safely?

Joel and Sue (aka Dick and Jane), were wondering was this fact or fiction.

They needed to find out for sure.

Identified Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Largest English Speaking North American Expat Community
After the Puerto Vallarta beach vacation was over, Joel investigated several sources, books on living and retirement in Mexico, and the internet. He found a number of places in Mexico that he had never heard of and could barely pronounce Ajijic (aah-hee-HEEK), Lake Chapala, Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato (Gwah-nah-WHA-toe), Oaxaca (wa-HA-ca), Patzcuaro (PAHTZ-kwah-ro), etc.  
Intrigued, Joel started planning a 7 -8 week exploratory trip to Mexico.

Joel and Sue owned a business consulting service in San Jose, California so taking an 8 week trip to Mexico on a whim was not easy to accomplish. Our first 10 day vacation in 18 years was the vacation to Puerto Vallarta that we had just completed! We were self confessed work-a-holoics that found it tough to pull away from our business to take vacations.

So our 8 week exploration of colonial Mexico began in earnest in May 2001. The investigation trip to Mexico would be the beginning of something really big for us.

The Big Move to Lake Chapala, Mexico
On this 8 week adventure, we discovered a different side of Mexico. One that we had never seen in Mexican border towns or resort areas on the Mexican Riviera. The highlands of Mexico had charm, history and the Mexican people were very warm and welcoming.  We simply loved it. 

At the end of our Ajijic Travel and as we were getting close to the time to return home to California, we took a deep breath and said yes to living in Mexico.

While investigating Mexico and Lake Chapala as a place to retire, we bought the home of our dreams a Ajijic Villa with vistas of  the lake and mountains.  Throwing caution to the wind and making what appeared to many as a crazy decision to move to Ajijic-Chapala, Mexico.

The Canadians and Americans that we met that were retired in Lake Chapala had similar stories to us. Many had never envisioned living in a foreign country and retired in Mexico. Several decided like we did after only one trip, to take the plunge and become an American retiree in Mexico.

We are not advocating that you decide after only one visit. That’s what we did and it’s worked out well for us.

‘Test the Waters’ Before Moving to Lake Chapala, Mexico
Another factor that aided our decision making was to rent a Ajijic vacation home.

It allowed us to ‘Test the Waters’ of living in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Purchasing fresh fruit, veggies, fish at the street markets, making delicious dinners and breakfasts, having new found amigos for cocktails or an evening meal, dealing with gardeners and maids, getting to know the other residents… Mexican and gringos… all things that we couldn’t (or wouldn’t) have done if we stayed in a Lake Chapala Hotel or Bed and Breakfast in Ajijic.

Shortly after moving to Ajijic Chapala, we purchased Casa Preciosa (Casa P) for ‘family and friends’ when they visit and vacation, as a guest house in Ajijic.

Casa Preciosa a Cozy Vacation Home for Family and Friends
Casa Preciosa (precious home) was such a great home in a fabulous location that we felt compelled to buy it. Casa P serves both as an Ajijic vacation villa and our vacation home rental when ‘family and friends’ aren’t visiting.

It was such a charming home we could not resist owning it.  Today Casa Preciosa (precious home) is both our guest home and our vacation rental home when ‘family and friends’ are not here visiting.

Our personal residence is located on the same private street as Casa Preciosa, which is close to everything. You could say we like the neighborhood.  A huge advantage… the best part of the Ajijic village that anyone would want.  A short block to Friendship Park (Parque Amistad) and the new Malecon (boardwalk) the best spot to be at Lake Chapala, private

As frequent guests of vacation home rentals, we know the advantages. Our preference when we vacation is to have accommodations in rental homes that cater to travelers on vacation than to have lodging in a BandB (bed and breakfast) or a hotel. It feels more like home. You have more space and privacy. It adds more flavor to the vacation and you feel like a native rather than a tourist.

In our travels, the vacation villa rentals that we have enjoyed the most have added value to us the visitor. Making suggestions for restaurants to try, places to see and things to do. Where to shop for presents to take back home and more. This is our goal for guests of Casa Preciosa Ajijic to experience on their Lake Chapala vacation.

We are full time, permanent residents of Ajijic, Mexico and have lived in the Lake Chapala area since August 28, 2001. It’s been quite a ride, and without regrets.

Another important distinction with Casa Preciosa, is that as American owners, we feel that we cater to what gringo visitor would value in an Ajijic vacation rental. Also, different from several Ajijic vacation home rentals, we manage our own vacation home rental…. an important advantage for the guests of Casa Preciosa.

If repeat visitors is a gauge of success, then Casa P must be doing something right.

Should you investigate Retirement in Lake Chapala, Mexico?.

Find out for yourself. And the best way is a Vacation Home Rental with Casa Preciosa right in the center of Ajijic village!

Come see us soon.

Click here to see some Lake Chapala pictures.

Take a look at Casa Preciosa’s Rental Rates and Availability.

 Go to Part 1 (Ajijic Retirement in Mexico)

Retired in Ajijic Mexico – Mexico Adventures
with Joel and Sue (aka Dick and Jane) , Part 2

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Casa Preciosa Side Bar Notes:

Joel and Sue have been interviewed several times by various media outlets about life and retirement in Ajijic-Chapala, Mexico.

Melissa S. Monroe, Business Writer for the San Antonio Express-News in Texas interviews Joel about American retirees in Mexico.The title of this Express-News piece is 'Moving South'.