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Ajijic, Lake Chapala Jalisco, México Living In the World´s Best Climate Are you "Empty Nesters" If you are retired or just tired of a stressful life in the rat race, cold wet winters, maybe summers, high taxes, high cost of living, remember there is a WARM WELCOME waiting for you in the Heartland of Méico, at beautiful Lake Chapala. The CLIMATE. National Geographic affirms that Lake Chapala & the Guadalajara area is blessed with the world´s best thermometer readings – a mean of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. THE TIME FOR MÉXICO IS NOW. Méico is solidly in the first world with good roads, high speed communications, and top notch health care to prove it, and (is the closest southern neighbor to the US and a NAFTA partner). It is still MÉXICO. Out of the major cities, life moves at a pace unchanged in 500 years. People are relaxed, friendly and take time to chat when they meet on cobblestone streets. Neighbors know and watch out for each other. With a large population of North Americans, the old and the new make a wonderful blend! NO WHERE ELSE CAN YOU LIVE THIS WELL, FOR THIS PRICE ! Lake Chapala is México´s largest natural lake. Located 25 minutes from Guadalajara´s international airport, and another 15 mintes from some of the world´s finest shoping, museums, theaters, credited universities, elegant restaurants, and much more. We are at a mile high elevation, with lush vegetation, mountains, forests, waterfalls, mineral springs, and the WORLD´S BEST CLIMATE. As said by National Geographic. 3 hours to some of the world´s finest beaches and resorts. Charming villages, cobblestone streets, climate, picturesque settings are a few of the reasons the area has attracted artists, writers, and retires from all over the world. There are many clubs, organizations and activities to choose from.         Warm friendly people. Beautiful happy children. Many organizations, such as handicapped riding program, niños incapacitados, school for the deaf, and orphanages, welcome volunters. • Buying a home • Immigration status • Doctors and Medical Insurance • Banks • Telephones • Air travel, buses and taxis • Driving into México • Recreation • Lakeside clubs • English language libraries and newspapers • Television • Time zone • Items to bring to México • Other issues BUYING A HOME is a very simple process. Most are priced in US$, and range $60,000 to over a million. You own by Direct Deed, and can name your children as beneficiaries, which makes a transfer very simple. Most sales are cash. Foreigners, regardless of their immigration status, can now own their own homes by Direct deed, in the Interior of México. Email me for further info sallin@ajijicchapala.com.mx CANADIAN & AMERICAN CONSOLATES are in Guadalajara, and the Canadian Embassy is in México City, where you can renew your Canadian Passport. BACK TO TOP IMMIGRATION STATUS – As a tourist, you come in with a tourist visa (FMT), and that can be for up to 180 days, and must be turned in when leaving México. FM3 (Vistante Rentista) requires an annual renewal, and allows you to have multiple entry privileges, and a one time duty free import of personal and household effects. An FM3 is necessary to avoid Mexican Capital Gains when selling your Mexican home. BACK TO TOP DOCTORS – We have excellent doctors, many speak English. There are 2 24 hour clinics that are also small hospitals. Specialists come from Guadalajara every week . One clinic is Ajijic Clinic and the other is Mascaras Clinic in Riberas Del Pilar. The Red Cross in Chapala is available for 24 hour emergency care, ambulances are also on call for any kind of emergency. Guadalajara has many modern hospitals for all types of care. DENTISTS are up to date, and much less expensive than in the Canada & U.S. MEDICAL INSURANCE US MEDICARE – The United States government does not honor Medicare in México IMSS (MEXICAN MEDICAL) – Many foreign residents of México are not aware that the Social Security System of (IMSS) medical coverage is available to all. Guadalajara´s IMSS hospitals are well equipped with many staff doctors known for their practices in private hospitals. BACK TO TOP BANKS – Banca Santander–Serfin, Banamex, HSBC and Bancomer at Lakeside are full service banks. Chapala has four banks, Ajijic one, and Jocotepec one. Allen W. Lloyd is an investment company here with offices both in Chapala and Ajijic. Multivalores is another investment firm with offices in Ajijic. ATM´S – All banks have ATM´s with inter–bank service. A few lakeside businesses now have on–premise ATM´s. Favorable exchange rates when drawing on US or Canadian banks. Note that in México your ATM PIN must be at least four digits. EXCHANGING MONEY – US cash is easiest to exchange to pesos. For travelers checks use only US dollar checks. Your Passport is needed to cash travelers checks. Foreign personal checks are very difficult to cash, even if you have a Mexican bank account. Credit cards are not accepted in most places. BACK TO TOP TELEPHONES – Purchase pre–paid phone cards at many local small shops to use public telephones for local, national or international calls. Also there are several places where you can place a call in a shop and pay cash on the spot. Very economical callback services are available for international calls from your residence. Although your foreign cell phone might work in México, the cost can be higher than expected. Beware of public "call collect" or "credit card" telephones as they can be very expensive. INTERNET SERVICE – There are many Internet Cafes at Lakeside at reasonable rates. BACK TO TOP AIR TRAVEL – Guadalajara International Airport is a 30 minute drive from Lakeside, on a four lane highway. There is very reasonable short term parking right at the terminal. Good taxi service is always available. There is no bus service from the terminal. Many daily flights to USA and Mexican destinations. There is an international class hotel at one end of the terminal, an easy walk. BUS SERVICE – México has excellent bus service from regular local runs on the main highway to the first–class Mercedes buses with television and bathroom to any destination, used by many for beach trips. TAXIS – Operate from stands in plazas of main villages such as Ajijic and Chapala. Taxis also can be called by telephone. Also there are professional drivers (some highly qualified bilingual tour guides) available by appointment at reasonable rates. BACK TO TOP DRIVING into MÉXICO You have to register at the border showing proof of ownership with original title, registration papers, a valid drivers license, show you have Mexican car insurance (which can be obtained before you leave home), and show a credit card that is in the same name as the title on the car. Insurance can be bought at the border but is much more expensive. They will give you a sticker to put on the inside of your windsheild. Driving conditions on the toll roads (cuota) are excellent. Tolls are high but worth it. The free highways are often mountainous and used by freight trucks. Although many are very good roads, initially you are best to take the CUOTAS . Use common sense when traveling . Find a hotel well before dark and settle in for the evening. DRIVING DISTANCES FROM GUADALAJARA – Pacific Coast Cities and beaches are about 4 hours west, San Miguel de Allende about 5 hours east, México City 7 hours east, Tijuana 1,700 miles, Laredo 12 hours. BEACHES – About a 4 hour drive (45 minute plane trip) to Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo. FISHING – Fishing is at the coast. Many take weekend trips. Barra de Navidad is a favorite spot. A panga boat, guide, equipment and bait can be rented for $40 US per hour. BACK TO TOP RECREATION – Recreational facilities in the Guadalajara area are both numerous and diverse, including four World Class 18 hole golf courses, 2 beautiful 9 hole courses at Lake Chapala, private and public tennis clubs, private swimming pools and gyms for both men and women, hot mineral springs (Lake Chapala Area), health and weight reduction centers, zoo, observatory, and public parks. Ultralight flying is popular from the club just east of Chapala. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS include open air markets, churches, historical buildings and many museums of different types: art, science, culture, pre–Columbian. ENTERTAINMENT – Right here at Lakeside there is good live entertainment most nights of the week: music from 40´s and 50´s, rock ´n roll, karaoke, jazz, country, and dancing. Also at Lakeside there is a three–screen movie theater showing the latest popular movies; usually 2 of the 3 movies are in English. In Guadalajara there are state and city bands and orchestras, choral groups, ballet and theater groups, as well as movie theaters and video stores. Guadalajara´s Degollado Theater features top–flight local music and dance groups as well as groups from all over the world. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES – There´s an appeal for almost every taste and we haven´t even noted the daily round of luncheons, cocktail parties and fiestas in private homes attuned to a mariachi beat. For good neighbors, the menu is rounded out by social assistance programs for needy children, international church groups, schools offering adult classes in Spanish, ceramic and handicraft centers, sports stadiums and a bull fight arena. BACK TO TOP LAKESIDE CLUBS – American Legion, animal shelters, art groups, book clubs, bridge clubs (duplicate and progressive), British Society, Cards and Domino club, Canadian Club, computer clubs, cooking groups, dance groups, exercise groups, Daughters of the American Revolution, French speakers, friendship groups, garden clubs, Genealogy Club, gourmet clubs, German Speakers, Hash House Harriers walking club, Irish Society, Karate Club, Lake Chapala Society, Lakeside Little Theater, Masons, Mixed Volleyball, Music Appreciation Society, Navy League, quilting groups, North Shore Auto Enthusiasts, Seniors, sewing groups, Shriners, Tai Chi & Yoga, Tennis Club, Viva la Musica, writers´ groups, just to name some. LAKESIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE – ACA (agricultural education), Ancianos (elderly home for Mexicans in need), ecology groups, educational assistance programs, HELP (equestrian program for handicapped children), Hospice Group, Lake Chapala Society, Niños Incapacitados (for children with serious or chronic medical problems), Niños y Jovenes (orphanage support), Red Cross, Rotary, scholarship programs, Samaritains Sans Frontieres, School for the Deaf, Villa Infantil Orphanage and various umbrella charity organizations. There are special events such as the Mexican International Chili Cookoff which raises funds for 13 different local charities. PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT – Al–Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, CODA, Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Women´s Support Group. LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY – The LCS is the biggest association of Americans and Canadians in the lake area with approximately 3,000 members. The LCS offers a wide variety of services including English language library, talking books library, video library, computer courses, life long learning workshop, Spanish lessons, Open Circle meetings, consular visits, blood pressure checks, diabetes testing, hearing testing, group insurance program, skin cancer screening, sales of specialty non–profit items, immigration assistance, monthly newsletter, annual directory, newcomers desk, post life planning, amateur radio club, film group, book group, medical professionals club, medical forum, writers group, scholarship fund, and loan of baby furniture and medical equipment. The associated Wilkes Education Center offers free programs to Mexicans including English language, art, computers, cooking and nutrition, library, and reading and writing in Spanish. The LCS offers many volunteer opportunities. AMERICAN LEGION – Post 7 is the largest post in México with over 400 members and is located at Morelos #114, Chapala. Similar services offered as the LCS but on a smaller scale. RELIGIOUS AND DEVOTIONAL SERVICES – Within a five mile radius at lakeside there are various Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Jehovah Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, Baha´i Community, Open Circle, and Interdenominational services. There is a synagogue in Guadalajara and a Jewish expatriate group at Lake Chapala. BACK TO TOP ENGLISH LANGUAGE LIBRARIES – The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) in Ajijic has the largest English language lending library in México. The American Legion also has one in Chapala. English language lending libraries can be found at many clubs in Guadalajara (AMSOC, Legion) as well as the Benjamin Franklin Library under the auspices of the United States Information Service (USIS). ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS – The weekly Guadalajara Colony Reporter is available at local news stands and supermarkets as well as USAToday and other major U.S. newspapers. BACK TO TOP TELEVISION – Cable TV is available in many areas, with English and Spanish channels. There are also many Satellite Systems available giving US, Canadian and World coverage. BACK TO TOP TIME ZONE – Guadalajara and Lake Chapala are in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone, with summer daylight savings (CDT) in exact coordination with the USA. BACK TO TOP ITEMS TO BRING TO MÉEXICO – Much more in the way of consumer goods is now available in Guadalajara than formerly. Smaller appliances cost no more than in the USA. There are many American stores such as Wal–Mart, Sam´s, Costco, Home Depot, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Sears, and Radio Shack. Also there are many world class malls. Availability of certain "specialty goods" and English language books is limited. For serious hobbies one usually needs to bring the materials with them. Please feel free to e–mail me with any questions sallin@ajijicchapala.com.mx BACK TO TOP MAIDS AND GARDENERS – Cost about $2–3 US an hour. They work from 1 day a week for four hours to six days a week for eight hours each day. Live in maids are also available. Maids here do wonderful cleaning, washing, ironing, cooking and more. SOAKING PRODUCE – Anything cooked is fine. Raw vegetables and fruits that you peel are fine. Produce such as lettuce and tomatoes should be soaked for 20 minutes in a gallon of water mixed with readily available disinfectant liquid. DRINKING WATER – Unless the neighborhood or home has a purification system, drink bottled water which is about $1.20 US per 5 gallon bottle delivered to the home. COMPUTERS – Bring your computer – laptops are easier to "casually" import than desktops. There are computers sales here at Lakeside, as well as repair service, Internet access, clubs. SECURITY – Crime is minimal. Several housing areas have roving security and gated entrances. Villages are relatively safe as neighbors watch out for each other. Most houses are walled and fenced with lawns inside where it is more private, have wrought iron grillwork on windows and doors. This security deters break ins. HEATING AND COOLING – Nice to have a fireplace for our few chilly winter evenings, and ceiling fans suffice for our hotter months, April & May, just before our rains start. CLOTHING – Dress is usually informal, although we do have some dressy social occaisions. DOGS AND CATS – Veterinarian care is plentiful and very reasonable. There is a wide variety of pet food available . GROCERIES – Numerous stores ranging from small corner shops and delis to larger grocery stores in most lakeside towns. Some cater specifically to the expatriate community. Fresh vegetables can be purchased at a lower cost at the street market every Wednesday in Ajijic, Monday in Chapala, and Thursday in Jocotepec. Chapala now has a very large modern superstore, SORIANA, with excellent and very competetive prices. RESTAURANTS – Lakeside has a wide variety of dining and many eateries to choose from: from fine restaurants to cozy small sidewalk cafes. Nice dinners are about $6–12 US and up. Breakfast and lunch run about $2–5 US and up. COLLECTIBLES – We live in the heart of Mexican artisans, pottery, hand woven items, blown glass, wrought iron, tapestry, paintings, Indian art, unique crafts – many found in local street markets.

sallin@laguna.com.mx