10 replies to this topic

[KBris]

Hi All:

I posted this same message on another ex-pat board but only had one response. Thought maybe I could get a few more opinions here. I'm checking out rentals in the Lake Chapala area in early April and was wondering if Sahuayo was a city worth considering. I know that it is not a place where a lot of ex-pats congregate, but I'm wondering if a small ex-pat community exists there. Wiki and encyclopedia-wise it looks like an interesting place. If any of you have spent time in Sahuayo or have a good knowledge of the city, I'd love to hear about your experience. I'm not too worried that it's "real" Mexico, as I have a fair handle on the language and am very comfortable with the culture and the people.
Your input is appreciated.

Thanks, KBris

[JayBearII]

IMO the only people who think Sahuayo is a budding expat community work for the Jalisco tourist department. The desirability was played up in a website paid for by them. I am NOT kidding about this! We're personally going over there in the next week or two and I will post findings, including whether we meet any expats. I would suggest that you consider visiting this side of the Lake (Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec) and possibly living here for a while before you venture further. This is a good entry point for expats who have not lived in Mexico before. From here you can explore other areas, based on what you are looking for.

[Intercasa]

Jalisco tourism department? Sahuayo is in Michoacan, not Jalisco. The weather is warmer there and it is actually a large city, with a smaller town, Jiquilpan right next door but Jiquilpan is all city, like all buildings and business district with no real suburbs.

The lure of the Chapala area is that you have all your gringo pals close by, great weather and lots of trinket, art and bauble shops and places to eat. If you venture out of the gringo ghetto don't limit yourself as there are many beautiful areas of Mexico with cheap living and nice scenery.

[Kiko]

I've been going to Sahuayo a couple of times a week since the Fall '08. I like it a lot. There is a small ex-pat community there. (I've only seen three gringos, but I'm sure there are more somewhere). Two of them taught at the language school there and the third is retired from Calif.

As can be expected, rentals and food is considerably cheaper than the North side of the lake. Most of the rentals there are unfurnished. I looked at a few rentals and they started at about 2000p and up. I did not see a lot on the market at the time I was looking, but things change.

And yes, it has a Mi Bodega, Cineplex, and McDonald's. I think the tianguis is Friday. Sunday in Cojumatlan.

The drive thru Joco and around the south side of the lake is very scenic but many from the Chapala area go round the other side thru La Barca.

If I was looking to move somewhere away from the North shore, Sahuayo would be on the short list.

[JayBearII]

I apologize for mistaking which state Sahuayo is in. I trust we will get there to visit anyway!

[Islander]

IMO the only people who think Sahuayo is a budding expat community work for the Jalisco tourist department. The desirability was played up in a website paid for by them. I am NOT kidding about this! We're personally going over there in the next week or two and I will post findings, including whether we meet any expats. I would suggest that you consider visiting this side of the Lake (Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotepec) and possibly living here for a while before you venture further. This is a good entry point for expats who have not lived in Mexico before. From here you can explore other areas, based on what you are looking for.

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The OP wrote: ..."'I m not too worried that it's "real" Mexico, as I have a fair handle on the language and am very comfortable with the culture and the people"....

Seem to me that he/she has no interest in Ajijic, Chapala area.

[KBris]

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The OP wrote: ..."'I m not too worried that it's "real" Mexico, as I have a fair handle on the language and am very comfortable with the culture and the people"....

Seem to me that he/she has no interest in Ajijic, Chapala area.

Of course I'm interested in the Ajijic, Chapala area Islander. That's the reason I'm visiting in April.
My interest in other cities and towns nearby doesn't preclude a lack of interest at all. For me this is an exploratory mission to find a situation that suites me the best. I'm just seeking information so that I can make an intelligent, informed decision. The few other posters to this message Kiko for example, have already been very helpful, to which I'm extremely grateful.

KBris

[Kiko]

Forgot to mention the Joven Poder in Sahuayo has free language lessons (English, Chinese, French, and Italian I seem to remember). In addition it offers free guitar lessons and free computer internet access along with some other classes that I now forget. It's a couple of blocks para arriba de plaze on the West side of the plaza on Avenida Guadalupe Victoria. Lidia and Juan run Joven Poder. It's govt sponsored.

There are three or four language schools that offer contracts to English speakers. One of them doesn't have a very good reputation. I met a gringo who had been teaching about a month, a young guy, and he was ready to go back to the states. Six month contract, room, board, and some pay, I seem to remember like maybe 5000p/month.

Some of the people of Sahuayo are quick to let you know that they are not like most of the other Michoacanenses. They consider themselves to be more like the Jaliscenses. Michoacan gets a lot of bad press about narco trafficking. I think some of the local business leaders are trying to distance themselves from that image. I don't know what the security issues are there, I imagine some parts of town may be a little dicey. I would avoid areas at night where you see groups of cholos.

Sahuayo is a bustling commerce center. If you are interested in smaller towns, you may want to take a look at Mazamitla, Sayula, or Tapalpa. I like La Manzanilla de la Paz but that may be too small and boring for you. Mazamitla and Tapalpa get big weekend tourist crowds.

Buena suerte.

[Kiko]

Actually the plaza in Sahuayo is 5271 feet, bout the same as most of north of lakeside. I just happened to glance at my GPS last week when at the plaza because I was curious about that also. I thought it was much higher as you seem to climb into the mountains as you come around the lake past Tizapan.

[j. e. mainer]

You may want to look at Ocotlan/Jamay/La Barca as well. Ocotlan is a college town with cultural activities and is not far from Guadalajara. I really like Mazamitla but like a lot of higher mountain towns including some in Michoacan, it gets cold at night. One of the reasons we moved to el Lago was the climate and relief from our arthritis. It works.
I recently spent a week travelling in those mountain towns and my arthritis flared up somewhat.