Joel and Sue - Retire in Ajijic,
Mexico
A New Direction: Early Retirement in
Mexico
Sometimes life takes you on a journey by
surprise …and possibly headed in a new direction.... getting
out of the 'rat race' and retiring early.
For Joel and Sue, that is our story of how
we ‘discovered’ Lake Chapala and moved to Ajijic, Mexico from
Los
Gatos,
California.
 It Started as Beach Vacation in
Puerto Vallarta
What started out for us as a beach
vacation in Puerto Vallarta (PV) ended up as an amazing
journey to our present life here in Ajijic as full time
residents and American retirees
in Mexico.
As Californians we had vacationed many
times at the beach resorts in Mexico.
But in January 2001, something
unusual happened during our beach
vacation.
We met folks in PV, vacationing just like
us, but there was a difference.
Many lived in the interior
of Mexico.
Wow, Americans and Canadians living and
retiring in Mexico?
Something came over Joel, an overwhelming
need to check out the interior of Mexico.
Discovered Lake Chapala and Ajijic, a Gringo Retirement
Haven
Upon returning home he researched the
internet and bought several books that discuss retirement in
Mexico. Joel discovered Lake Chapala and Ajijic, San Miguel de
Allende, Cuernavaca, Guanajuato, Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, etc.
He became obsessed with the
idea of taking a 7 -8 week trip to see these places and more
importantly to check them out.
Now you have to understand this was not an
easy undertaking for us.
We owned a small management
consulting business in Silicon Valley.
The Puerto Vallarta vacation that we just returned from
was our first 10 day vacation in 18
years!
We never felt we could
leave our business for more than a week at a
time.
In May of 2001, we began our 7 week
adventure... this trip changed our life in ways we could
have never imagined.
 Moving to Ajijic, Mexico
We fell in love with the interior part
of Mexico.
We were embraced by the
culture of Mexico and would never be the same people
that we were when we began this journey.
Before we returned to
California
a decision had been
made… to move to Ajijic, Mexico!
During the trip, we had purchased our
dream home a modern Mexican Villa with lake and
mountain views and took a huge leap of faith that was to
become the next chapter of our life.
Like us, many of our local residents of
Lake Chapala never considered living abroad of retiring
in Mexico until recently. Many after making their first
visit, have embarked upon an amazing journey to life as
American retirees in
Mexico.
‘Test Drive This Idea’ of Living in
Mexico
Another important part of that visit, was
renting a vacation home during our
stay.
It gave us a opportunity to ‘test drive
this idea’ of living in Mexico. Buying groceries at the markets,
preparing meals, hosting new friends for dinner, interacting
with maids and gardeners, meeting the neighbors… both
Mexican and gringos… all things that we couldn’t (or
wouldn’t) have done if we stayed in a Ajijic Hotel or Ajijic Bed and
Breakfast.
Within a few years of moving to Mexico, we
bought our Casa Preciosa (Casa P) as a ‘family and friends’
vacation guest home in Ajijic.
Casa Preciosa a Comfortable Guest
House for Family
and Friends
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.
 Casa P is located on the same private street as
our own home.
A big plus… the best
location one could have living in the
village.
One block from the park
on Lake Chapala, private street and very close to
everything.
We know a lot about Vacation rental
homes. When we travel
we prefer to stay in homes rented to vacationers rather
than staying in a hotel or a B&B (bed and breakfast).
It's more fun and interesting and one really gets a 'feel'
of living like a 'local' in the area when
visiting.
Through the years we discovered what makes
a vacation home delightful, adding that special plus to our
holiday experience.
We have lived full time in
Ajijic, Mexico since August 28, 2001 and have never
looked back.
Unlike many vacation rental owners in
the Lake
Chapala area, we live full time in Ajijic,
and manage our own vacation rental…. an added plus for the
guests of Casa Preciosa.
We must be doing something right, as many
of our guests return to stay in
Casa P visit after visit.
Is Retirement in Ajijic Mexico
something that could be an possibility for
you?.
There is only one way to find
out.
Check it out for yourself. And the
best way is a Vacation Rental Stay in Casa
Preciosa right in the heart of the village of
Ajijic!
Come on down ya hear.
Be sure to check out Casa
Preciosa’s Availability &
Rates Page.
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Casa Preciosa Side Bar
Notes:
Sue Weiss and Joel Smith do provide
media interviews to reputable media outlets (internet,
print, radio and television) about living and retirement in Lake Chapala,
Mexico.
Andrea Coombes, coorespondent for
CBS.MarketWatch.com, interviewed Sue regarding American Retirement Abroad in
Mexico.
"Expat seniors" is the title
for this article that appears online at CBS.MarketWatch.com
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