[barbaralake]

Dear Baby-Boomers and Fellow Americans, this is an appeal for your opinions as to why I should relocate permanently back to Lakeside. I lived there for a couple of years nine years ago so it's not as if I don't know what it's like. But then I had an opportunity to move to Europe and I'm still here but I'm really torn now as to what to do and I need to make up my mind before I fly out in September for a six months visit. Should I make that visit permanent or should I come back to Europe and then return to Lakeside as a permanent resident? Europe is so far away to be going back and forth, if you know what I mean.

I'm not getting any younger (63) and I really miss the beautiful Jalisco weather. I'm also an animal lover and am without a pet right now because they have some old fashioned ideas here about pets therefore, the kind of support animal lovers receive in Ajijic does not exist here. Nobody speaks a word of English and there are no sub-titles. Everything is dubbed and translated. I'm probably the only American here. Women don't go anywhere alone, not even to a restaurant and forget about even going to a bookstore or a lecture. They have these "rules" for women of a certain age. You either have to have a husband who is in charge of you or you have to have a son who's in charge of you. I have neither. Yes, I have good healthcare but I'm healthy and I feel like I'm wasting whatever precious years I have left waiting for the dollar to recover against the Euro as everything continues to get more and more expensive. And we had a brutally ugly winter here in the Mediterranean. Basically, it has been raining for seven months (not an exaggeration) and this is not good for my walking routine.

I think I just talked myself into coming back permanently. I know it's a personal thing as to where one chooses to live but I would really appreciate your comments and opinions. An acquaintance said recently, "If I had an opportunity to go to Mexico, I wouldn't spend one more day here". Yet I am so torn as to what to do. Some positive affirmations about the fun times and blissful retirement you all are enjoying at Lakeside would be just what I'd like to hear. Thanks for your help.

[slobo]

Young ladies of 63 only have escorts here when they desire one.

[freespirit]

I vote, yes, move back to MX. I love, love it here. I am 62 - your age group.

Since you lived here many years ago, you already know if you like/love it here or not.

Where do you want to live when you get old?

Barbara, let your heart rule!!!

Best regards for your choice.

[El Toro Furioso]

I'm also an animal lover and am without a pet right now because they have some old fashioned ideas here about pets therefore, the kind of support animal lovers receive in Ajijic does not exist here. Nobody speaks a word of English and there are no sub-titles. Everything is dubbed and translated. I'm probably the only American here. Women don't go anywhere alone, not even to a restaurant and forget about even going to a bookstore or a lecture. They have these "rules" for women of a certain age. You either have to have a husband who is in charge of you or you have to have a son who's in charge of you. I have neither.

Pray tell, in which European country do all of these atrocities occur? I'm only familiar with GB, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Holland and I know that it isn't one of these unless you live in the middle of nowhere. Could it be Greece you're condemning? Also, people who say that you already know Lakeside may be exaggerating a bit. A lot has changed in the last 9 years and not all of it is for the better. We still love it Lakeside and on the Costa Alegre, where we divide our time. And your dollars will buy a lot more in pesos than they do in Euros.

[Ajijic]

Barbara a big decision and I would encourage you to visit lakeside starting September before snow birds come and stay as you mentioned for a few months. It has changed based on my visit there in 1998 and now. Every person is different and not a decision one makes easily.

[Trailrunner]

Get out a piece of paper.

List all the things that are important to you, in order of preponderance. Weather, food availability, English speaking friends, books in English etc. Now match that up with the 2 locations. Which one works out best? Sounds like you already know the answer!

[barbaralake]

Pray tell, in which European country do all of these atrocities occur? I'm only familiar with GB, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Holland and I know that it isn't one of these unless you live in the middle of nowhere. Could it be Greece you're condemning? Also, people who say that you already know Lakeside may be exaggerating a bit. A lot has changed in the last 9 years and not all of it is for the better. We still love it Lakeside and on the Costa Alegre, where we divide our time. And your dollars will buy a lot more in pesos than they do in Euros.

It's Italy -- but in the Provinces -- meaning not Rome or Naples or Florence or Milano. And things can be pretty old world in the Provinces, but it's also getting outrageously expensive. Either you pay ridiculously over-inflated prices for goods made in Italy or you buy the Chinese junk. It's everywhere. There is nothing in between anymore.

[barbaralake]

I vote, yes, move back to MX. I love, love it here. I am 62 - your age group.

Since you lived here many years ago, you already know if you like/love it here or not.

Where do you want to live when you get old?

Barbara, let your heart rule!!!

Best regards for your choice.

Freespirit, I DID love it there and I would never have left except for the fact that an opportunity presented itself that I felt was too good to pass up. No, I can't see being here when I'm old because the system of caring fo the elderly involves being attended to in your private home by an Eastern European immigrant and I don't particularly care for that idea.

[jailbait]

Get out a piece of paper.

List all the things that are important to you, in order of preponderance. Weather, food availability, English speaking friends, books in English etc. Now match that up with the 2 locations. Which one works out best? Sounds like you already know the answer!

Make sure you include availability of analysis on that list.

[Dutch]

With all due respect, I don't know what you are waiting for. The good news is that the major influx of Baby-Boomer retirees that should have started in 2008 hasn't occurred for reasons we are all painfully aware of. You probably have a window of 2-3 years to make a commitment to either buying a home or a long-term rental (I'd ask for an Option-to-Buy if renting) at a significant discount to the level of the real estate market in the go-go years of 2005-07. If you chose to wait until after that "window", I believe it will cost you - both financially, as well as limiting your choices.

You commented about distances, an apparent reference to others you may want more frequent contact with- again, a no-brainer as regards NOB countries, via land, sea or air. You also mentioned you live in a rural area of Italy. If you prefer this kind of surrounding, perhaps the south shore area of Lake Chapala might be more to your liking - but with more simpatica neighbors than you have today. The availability of either Lakesides' much-improved shopping/restaurants/services as well as Guadalajara's world-class amenities are between a 1/2 to one hour drive. New development in Guadalajara is occuring on the western edge of the city, making it more accessible from Jocotopec and the western South Shore.

But the bottom line is Y O U. Your planned six month visit should enable your making a decision you will be comfortable with. Before you leave, you might want to get things in order in Italy before you return Lakeside, so a ticket back to Italy may not be necessary..;o)..Buena Suerte, Dutch

[Ferret]

I don't even know why you're waiting 'til September. I'm female so I can read your frustration very clearly...there is a very fine line between "quaint and protective" and "smothering and overbearing".
Great climate, things to do and the freedom to do them... It's a no brainer for me...and, if you are not familiar with San Miguel de Allende and love to take classes and learn things, then that might be worth looking into as well.
Have a wonderful life my friend! Enjoy every single minute of it!

[Gringal]

Make sure you include availability of analysis on that list.

Was that supposed to be funny?

Italy sounds like a great place.....but maybe living there isn't like the movies. Yes, get yourself back here A.S.A.P. As someone else pointed out, real estate is a good deal right now.

Yes, things have changed. They always do. It's busier, more crowded, more development and worse traffic. But the weather is still lovely, the lake is still big and wet, and the people are still good people.

[dan galogley]

I don't even know why you're waiting 'til September. I'm female so I can read your frustration very clearly...there is a very fine line between "quaint and protective" and "smothering and overbearing".
Great climate, things to do and the freedom to do them... It's a no brainer for me...and, if you are not familiar with San Miguel de Allende and love to take classes and learn things, then that might be worth looking into as well.
Have a wonderful life my friend! Enjoy every single minute of it!

san miguel sounds about right. lots of lots and scurrying about.

[newinajijic]

We were in Italy, most all the Greek islands, Turkey and Barcelona on a 24 day cruise this year that we'll never forget, but we don't know how you can afford living in Italy or any of these countries. We were there between May 7 and May 31 and the weather was spectacular.

Come to Ajijic, Mexico and enjoy the weather, make new friends and enjoy the low cost of living.

[RevImmigrant]

I presently live in east Germany on the Polish border in a small town. I'm returning to Mexico at the end of August primarily because I can't depend on the dollar staying at a reasonable exchange rate and because of the weather. Winters are very cold here and last year we had alot more snow than the year before. Another factor is the isolation. It's difficult to meet people and make friends here in these small towns where most people have lived for several generations or even hundreds of years and these Prussians in east Germany are very reserved. I thought my father, who was ethnic German, was reserved, but these people make him look overly friendly. I do speak German, but poorly and am not fluent like my father who grew up speaking it.

But I must say there is alot I will miss. Even in this small town and others close by and in Poland we can get food products that are difficult to find in Mexico. The food shopping in Berlin is outstanding. They have the best Asian markets I have ever seen and also Mediterranean markets, Turkish and Arabic markets, etc. And Berlin has some very fine restaurants, including excellent Chinese restaurants. Several of the restaurants in Poland across the river are also very good. Then there are the museums and historical sights. Germany and Poland are loaded with both and I have been fortunate to get to visit many. I also like not looking like a foreigner since I'm ethnic German and Norwegian and having only minor cultural differences.

Overall, it's basically the costs and fluctuating exchange rate, weather and isolation that are primarily involved in my decision to return. Everyone has their own priorities and must make these decisions for themselves based on their own priorities. I wish you the best for the future.

[barbaralake]

With all due respect, I don't know what you are waiting for. The good news is that the major influx of Baby-Boomer retirees that should have started in 2008 hasn't occurred for reasons we are all painfully aware of. You probably have a window of 2-3 years to make a commitment to either buying a home or a long-term rental (I'd ask for an Option-to-Buy if renting) at a significant discount to the level of the real estate market in the go-go years of 2005-07. If you chose to wait until after that "window", I believe it will cost you - both financially, as well as limiting your choices.

You commented about distances, an apparent reference to others you may want more frequent contact with- again, a no-brainer as regards NOB countries, via land, sea or air. You also mentioned you live in a rural area of Italy. If you prefer this kind of surrounding, perhaps the south shore area of Lake Chapala might be more to your liking - but with more simpatica neighbors than you have today. The availability of either Lakesides' much-improved shopping/restaurants/services as well as Guadalajara's world-class amenities are between a 1/2 to one hour drive. New development in Guadalajara is occuring on the western edge of the city, making it more accessible from Jocotopec and the western South Shore.

But the bottom line is Y O U. Your planned six month visit should enable your making a decision you will be comfortable with. Before you leave, you might want to get things in order in Italy before you return Lakeside, so a ticket back to Italy may not be necessary..;o)..Buena Suerte, Dutch

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Yes, I believe you are right. The window of opportunity would be now and not after the recovery.

[barbaralake]

I don't even know why you're waiting 'til September. I'm female so I can read your frustration very clearly...there is a very fine line between "quaint and protective" and "smothering and overbearing".
Great climate, things to do and the freedom to do them... It's a no brainer for me...and, if you are not familiar with San Miguel de Allende and love to take classes and learn things, then that might be worth looking into as well.
Have a wonderful life my friend! Enjoy every single minute of it!

Hi Ferret, yes you do understand. Being taken under the wing during retirement can indeed be very frustrating, particularly when you've been an independent minded person all your life.

[barbaralake]

I presently live in east Germany on the Polish border in a small town. I'm returning to Mexico at the end of August primarily because I can't depend on the dollar staying at a reasonable exchange rate and because of the weather. Winters are very cold here and last year we had alot more snow than the year before. Another factor is the isolation. It's difficult to meet people and make friends here in these small towns where most people have lived for several generations or even hundreds of years and these Prussians in east Germany are very reserved. I thought my father, who was ethnic German, was reserved, but these people make him look overly friendly. I do speak German, but poorly and am not fluent like my father who grew up speaking it.

But I must say there is alot I will miss. Even in this small town and others close by and in Poland we can get food products that are difficult to find in Mexico. The food shopping in Berlin is outstanding. They have the best Asian markets I have ever seen and also Mediterranean markets, Turkish and Arabic markets, etc. And Berlin has some very fine restaurants, including excellent Chinese restaurants. Several of the restaurants in Poland across the river are also very good. Then there are the museums and historical sights. Germany and Poland are loaded with both and I have been fortunate to get to visit many. I also like not looking like a foreigner since I'm ethnic German and Norwegian and having only minor cultural differences.

Overall, it's basically the costs and fluctuating exchange rate, weather and isolation that are primarily involved in my decision to return. Everyone has their own priorities and must make these decisions for themselves based on their own priorities. I wish you the best for the future.

RevImmigrant, you have hit the nail on the head with high inflation, lousy exchange rate, gloomy weather, and isolation being the prime reason for returning. Thanks for the encouragement.

[barbaralake]

Make sure you include availability of analysis on that list.

Jailbait, I know I broke your heart when I left you in Mexico to move to Italy, and it's very obvious that you're still in love with me. LOL.

[barbaralake]

We were in Italy, most all the Greek islands, Turkey and Barcelona on a 24 day cruise this year that we'll never forget, but we don't know how you can afford living in Italy or any of these countries. We were there between May 7 and May 31 and the weather was spectacular.

Come to Ajijic, Mexico and enjoy the weather, make new friends and enjoy the low cost of living.

Thanks newinajijic. Agreed, the EU countries are impressive but the cost of living is prohibitive and will become even more so as the EU expands, i.e., when Turkey becomes a member. But it will never have weather like Jalisco!