28 replies to this topic

[pomlady]

Hi everyone. My husband and myself are planning on coming down to Ajijic/Chapala area the beginning of October; staying for a couple of months, in hopes we would like to retire in the area in a year or two. It sounds great so far, especially the weather, we are tired of Winter and love plants, so to have them outdoors all year will be fabulous. My husband is a real gardener, his passion .
While there we would also like to go to a dentist to get some more expensive dentistry like caps and bridges.
The only thing is my dentist here in Canada has said they see so many caps coming from Mexico that are built like 'hats' over the tooth and don't go right down past the gums like ones made here in Canada, that "to keep what we have going" was his recommendation. At first I thought that he was wanting our money to be spent at his dental clinic, so I just thanked him for his advice.
We have had friends that have gone down to Yuma and crossed the border into Mexico to have their teeth done and were really happy; so I wasn't too worried.
One couple that came back this Spring had gone to the same dentist as one of their friends and their family had previously went to. She just saw a dentist here and unfortunately yes, they also got 'hats' for caps; so who knows how long her teeth will last as food can get in between the cap and gum line and destroy the tooth .
So long story short, does anyone know of some good dentists in the area that will do caps and bridges that fit the gums and will last for years to come? We don't want to make the mistake of getting dental work done that won't last for a good number of years.
Also another question; I am full of them .
Since we are planning on coming for the first of Oct. until Dec. 1st., when should we be looking for a rental? We would like to rent a small house with a yard; we also want to bring our two small pomeranians with us as they are our babies; not sure if that will make it harder to find a rental place or not . We figure bringing them will give us a real sense of living down there; more then on vacation where we are just going for a couple of weeks and having a babysitter for them at home; this way we will feel it is more home down there, if that makes any sense to anyone, hopefully
Thanks for any help and information.

[MtnMama]

Don't know anything about the dental question, but this board is sponsored by Coldwell Banker and they have a rental division. I would contact them. There is a possibility that you can find a rental since the high season starts mid Nov to Dec and they can still rent from December to April. I would expect a damage deposit for the dogs.

[jorgensen]

For dentists, there are lots of good ones here, and many have been reviewed on this forum. Just search "dentist" in the upper right hand corner - but make sure it searches "this forum".

[MountainGal]

I know a lot of Canadians who come down and have dental work done while here. Many of them have great things to say about Hector Haro in Riberas Del Pilar. He is a U.S. trained dentist who uses modern techniques and equipment. I used him for an implant and I can't complain. He charges a bit more than the others, but still much less than in the U.S. or Canada. Others recommend Eloy Barrigan (sp?) who is an endodontist, I believe, located in Chapala. I've never used him, but hear on this board he does great work.

[Luke]

• I guess this can happen anywhere. We had "hats" made in the U.S. and removed here in Ajijic and proper crowns put in It will probably depend on who you. Ask for references if you are uncertain.

[Luke]

Supposed to be "who you go to" ... sorry.

[antigo]

Same problem I had two crowns put in one year ago....after having two root canals. I now have to have them removed as the fit was not done well and decay has set in. I went to one of the best dentists in Ajijic...so I was told...so I am annoyed this all has to be redone.
I did get three other dentists to do Xrays and verify this as a concern. Drats!

[jnc]

I second the suggestion of Dr. Haro. My wife has gone to his office for several years and has been very happy with her treatment. Be advised that you are most likely to be treated by one of Dr. Haro's staff dentists, rather than the man himself. However, he teaches at the Guadalajara University School of Dentistry and seems to hire his most promising students when they graduate.

Renting between Oct.-March will get you "high season" prices and limited availability. The absolute best time to rent is April-June, when the snowbirds pull out. July-Sept. is still ok, although some of the best stuff will have been rented and you will be competing with Texas/Arizona/Florida "sunbirds", a somewhat smaller group than the Canada/Northern US snowbirds.

Pets will definitely limit your options, especially dogs, although you may still find some landlords who will put up with them. In my condo community, no pets are allowed, period, for owners or renters.

[Alpha1]

I highly recommend (based on Canadian experience in the dental field):

Dr. Edgard Macias

Clinic Director

Implants and Cosmetic Dentistry

http://www.dentalexpressajijic.com.mx/

:

[jorgensen]

Regarding pets, yes, you will be limited if what you want is an apartment or a condo - especially for dogs. But your options are pretty good for a house or casita (small house). If there's a private stretch of grass, most landlords will accept well-behaved dogs and cats. I had no problem at all finding casitas when I was looking, and I have 2 dogs and 2 cats.

[Mishi]

I use Dental Express in West Ajijic, Dr. Edgard Macias.
He does not make "hats". He does proper, correct crowns. I have had root canal done twice, and two crowns, plus whitening, and many cleanings. His prices are very good, but the low prices do not relect the quality of care. It is excellent. I spent many years of my life working in the dental support profession, and I know a good dentist and clinic when I see one.

One thing people forget to ask about when choosing a dentist is hygiene.....very, very important. You would not believe what I have seen. Before I even consider a dentist, (here and in Canada) I walk in unexpectedly, and ask to see the sterilization practices. Dental Express, and the dentists there, meet my high standards. I hope he never leaves, I don't want to go to anyone else. Best dentist I ever had, or worked for.

[ohjoni]

I agree .... If you are concerned about proper crowns go to Dr. Haro. He comes to Lakeside a couple of times a week so you just need to make appointments in advance. I have friends who came for 10 days and got in to see him, but one of his associates actually seated the crown when it was ready.

[traderspoc]

i second DR Haro office


if you want he best ask fr Ana Viayra DDS, she the best, and would only offer you services you need.

she can be trusted to getthe job done right,

I have did my dental work and ai see her 3 times a year for cleaning.

i want my teeth cleaned 3 times or more a year.

she also a kayaker.

[pomlady]

Thanks so much everyone. I wasn't getting any emails about replys and thought I would come and look~.
I appreciate all your help, it sounds like quite a few good dentists there:-).
I guess we should get busy in the next month or so and look for a little house as that is what we hope to get for Oct.-Nov., hubby is not a condo guy........
Our little poms are very well behaved; we have a german shepherd too but plan to leave her with a babysitter at home until we decide where we want to retire too. At that time we will try and sell our place and relocate.
Thanks a million.............. this really helped:-)

[ohjoni]

It shouldn't be all that difficult to find a rental. Many are not through rental agencies though and are posted on bulletin boards around town and at LCS. You will find many photos on the internet don't show what you are really getting. Best to come down and stay at one of the many b&b's for a few nights and find what you are looking for. If you need names of b&b's that are pet friendly, let us know and we can give them to you on the board

[pomlady]

It shouldn't be all that difficult to find a rental. Many are not through rental agencies though and are posted on bulletin boards around town and at LCS. You will find many photos on the internet don't show what you are really getting. Best to come down and stay at one of the many b&b's for a few nights and find what you are looking for. If you need names of b&b's that are pet friendly, let us know and we can give them to you on the board

Thanks so much for replying. It is a bit of a worry with our two poms bringing them with us, but if we don't, then it will feel more like a vacation without them, then seeing if this will be home for us in the near future. We took them to the vet yesterday for all their shots and as we left; our german shepherd who has all her shots up to date was crying that we were leaving her behind . I said to hubby when we got back from town "how can we leave Tess for two months? " I guess that would be even more of a hassle to find a rental house for us, two poms and a german shepherd~. They are all so sweet and family........................anyway just thinking out loud here .
Yes if you have any b&b's to recommend that are pet friendly that would take us all in , as we don't want to end up in the SUV if we do it that way . If we did come down for the first of Oct., that is our plan right now, leaving here the end of Sept., then how hard is it to find rentals in what is considered 'high season', especially with the dogs? Or is there always some houses available that we could find to rent?
Thanks for everyones replies, it is really helpful. Oh yes, what is a LCS?

[holdrja]

Nueva Posada has 4 furnished garden villas that you can rent on a month to month basis -- we stayed there for 2 months last year until our new house was ready to move in to, and were very happy. One of the other tenants at that time had a dog, so looks like they take guests with pets. (Another gringa - NOT a guest - would bring her whole pack of dogs into the gardens every night to let them run around and defecate. Yuk).
Here's their web site: http://www.hotelnuevaposada.com/


BTW - "LCS" is "Lake Chapala Society"

[chapalafan]

We stayed at Nueva Posada with our lab and Bassett hound a few years ago.
We now rent a house in chapala and have five dogs. The owner has no problem with it, but the dogs are all well behaved. They did not even require a pet deposit.
You should not have a problem finding a place.

[pomlady]

We stayed at Nueva Posada with our lab and Bassett hound a few years ago.
We now rent a house in chapala and have five dogs. The owner has no problem with it, but the dogs are all well behaved. They did not even require a pet deposit.
You should not have a problem finding a place.

Well thank you so much; I will check it out online:-).

[Tom L]

I sent you a PM..