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  1. As you're aware from your travels, every place is different, with some aspect appealing and others not so great. Different strokes, and all that. Whether YOU like this location will depend on your own preferences and personality. First rule: Don't believe anybody who tries to convince you that Lakeside is "paradise" with no down side! Listen to the negatives as well... don't ignore them because you already like the area from things you've heard. Take the good, the bad, and evaluate realistically based on your needs. Second: Heed the suggestions to visit in person. Depending on you, a couple of short, intensive research trips might work. 6 Months that span both the hot/dry weather and the pleasant rainy season would be better. Renting for a year would be best. Like Hud and others have said, this isn't everybody's cup of tea and some end up leaving to go back "home" or elsewhere. Real estate commissions are expensive... don't plan to buy until you're more certain you'll stay for a few years, at least. That said, we did about 5 years of thorough research before coming here, including 2 trips during the different seasons. We considered many other places to relocate and decided on Lakeside for retirement. We moved here 11 years ago and have stayed, loving some things and hating others. The things we enjoy outweigh the negatives enough that we have no immediate plans to leave, but we recognize that situations change. From my experience, the main reasons people stay awhile then leave are: 1) Didn't research enough in advance to realize certain things would be such a turn-off, 2) Health changes, making it advantageous to return to a familiar system back home, and 3) Family situation creates a change of heart - either missing family back home, or a partner separation/divorce leaves someone without their main support. Here are some of the positives, which we find appealing about Lakeside (keep reading for the negatives to consider)... The people - both locals and other expats are generally pleasant, welcoming and helpful. There ARE exceptions to this on both sides, but the overall feel is very positive. Slow pace - we seldom feel rushed to be anywhere in a hurry. Appointments and movie times are the exception. Meals are wonderfully relaxed, with the expectation that you'll take your time visiting or enjoying the scenery/weather afterward. No rushing you away from the table to seat the next customer. Weather - we're from Kansas City originally, which is cold with ice/snow in winter and hot/humid in the summer. We tended to live indoors or in our cars to stay comfortable for months at a time. Here our house doesn't even have HVAC. It gets chilly in the evenings (great for sleeping) and sometimes hot during the day (mainly in May to mid-June), but we get by with a small space heater in winter, or fans in summer. Natural ventilation is key, with most businesses having doors/windows open all the time along with outdoor seating. Some people add a small room a/c unit for when it's hottest... after this last summer we're considering it! But generally the weather here is one of the main draws. Medical - good care is available and much less expensive than in the US. Dental and vision care is inexpensive enough that you don't need insurance. Other medical can be paid out-of-pocket, depending on what you need done. Many hospitals are top notch quality with very modern equipment and procedures. Senior care is available, with attitudes about caring for the elderly much different than the warehouse mentality up north. Culture - even though Lakeside is becoming more modern and caters to gringos in many ways, local culture and traditions still have a strong hold. There are frequent celebrations and events to enjoy and even participate in. Art - this is an artist community and art is EVERYWHERE, from museums and galleries to murals on buildings and other structures to art shows. There is even a children's art program at LCS to encourage future artists and feed the soul. "Art" extends to performance as well, with many live music, dance and stage productions to enjoy. If you're artistic yourself (and even if you're not), you'll find plenty of opportunity to let your creativity flow. Dining - we love to eat out and there are literally hundreds of options to choose from within the Lakeside area, from little taco stands and inexpensive spots to mid-range to upscale and even some high-end dining "event" opportunities. Lots of variety as well. That's just in the Lakeside area... Guadalajara multiplies that beyond imagination. Natural beauty - the lake is huge and helps moderate the weather in addition to being scenic. Mountains ring the lake and turn a gorgeous green during rainy season, very much resembling the scenery in other volcanic areas, like Hawaii. The climate supports both tropical and dessert plants, so there is ALWAYS something blooming and color everywhere. Expat support - with so many expats here already, you'll find plenty of help in relocating and existing comfortably. There are major groups (LCS, American Legion, etc) with many resources, religious groups, special-interest groups, neighborhood groups, classes, and social media. In addition to this discussion board, there are many Facebook groups that are very active and at least one other discussion board. Be sure to take everything you hear or read with grain of salt... some people love to hype the area and offer a view through rose-colored glasses, while there are some curmudgeons and trolls who make a hobby of griping and moaning. The truth is somewhere in between, flavored by your own perspective. Guadalajara - separated by a mountain range to keep the big city from encroaching, but close enough to have available all the resources of Mexico's 2nd largest city. An international airport is about 45 minutes away (depending where you start from), major shopping malls and familiar stores/dining provide plenty of shopportunity (Costco/Sam's, Sears, Home Depot, Office Max, McDonalds/Burger King/Chili's/Carl's Jr/Popeye's/etc.), Large and modern supermarkets are available in case you enjoy shopping outside the options available Lakeside (Mega and Fresco are amazing), there are loads of museums and historic sites to see, a wonderful zoo, awesome architecture, movie theaters and major concert venues... the list barely scratches the surface! Nearby attractions - the ocean is a reasonable drive (3-4 hours), and there are so many interesting towns and natural attractions within a day's drive from here. Multiple companies provide English-speaking tours to many places, either as day trips, or multi-night travel with tours at the destination and along the way. If you're comfortable driving, you can get to many of these sites on your own, without the tour. Like I said, this is just a partial list of the highlights we enjoy here. There are negatives as well, however. If somebody tries to gloss over the bad parts, they're probably trying to sell you something. Here's a few things to weigh on the other side of the scale... The people - along with the good, there are bad. With the difference in "wealth" created by gringos and middle-class Mexicans coming here, it provides opportunity for a fair amount of property crime and scams. You have to be aware and careful. Don't flaunt money or expensive things that will draw attention from bad actors, and plan to use protection for your home and valuables to discourage burglaries. Watch out for pickpockets and those who would trick you into parting with your money for a sales pitch or promises they won't keep. Prepare yourself for the scourge of entitled expats, who feel "their way" is always better and that they are more important than others, especially locals. Some people are real butt-holes! Medical - although there is plenty of good quality, there is also shoddy service and poor quality, even dangerous, care around. It's a buyer-beware environment and you really need to research before deciding what hospital or medical professional to use. You don't have the same protections you have up north in case something goes wrong. Trash, litter and clutter - we're often amazed at how clean places are kept... you even see street vendors and shop keepers sweeping the sidewalk and street around their businesses. However, there's a lot of trash and litter scattered around since people think nothing about tossing things along the street or leaving trash bags where street dogs can tear into them. Businesses, although clean, can seem cluttered and run-down with wiring and pipes everywhere, structures in need of repair, paint that is sloppy, and "things" stuffed/hanging everywhere. It takes some getting used to. Prison walls - home and business security measures can seem intimidating and make you feel like you're surrounded by prison walls... tall fences, electric fences, razor wire, glass shards embedded in concrete, thorny plants, gates on carports, cameras, big dogs, bars on doors and windows. All intended to encourage invaders to seek a softer target, but the appearance can be a bit frightening. Language barrier - unless you speak fluent Spanish, you will feel a bit lost with so much chatter around you that's not understandable. Many businesses have someone who can speak at least some English, but there are some that don't. If you get into an emergency situation it can be scary not being able to communicate your needs. Signs are usually in Spanish and the messages might apply to you, but you're not sure. Google Translate (or your preferred translation app) is a great friend for helping with translation of words, phrases, signs, and even spoken conversation, but it's not perfect. Unfamiliar procedures - many things are handled differently than in the US/Canada/Europe and it can be confusing knowing how to tackle even the simplest task, such a paying bills or buying certain products. This is where the support of other expats comes in handy, but you'll often run into situations that are unfamiliar or confusing. It's a learning process. Some people hire "facilitators" or helpers to get over the hump with some hand-holding. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance or guidance. Crime and danger - yes, the cartels and other organized crime is active in this area and all around Mexico. They are well funded, equipped, and dangerous if you run across them. Lakeside is usually excluded from the US State Dept warnings about dangerous areas, but you need to be aware and careful even here. I feel safer where we live now than back in the US, but every place has its active hot spots that are to be avoided. Sign up for the State Dept STEP program to receive updates (problem areas change frequently), and keep and eye on local social media to stay aware of any potentially unsafe locations or activities. Use common sense but realize that some of the dangers here are different from what you're used to... get educated. Politics - the politics can be confusing and worrisome, but unless you're a citizen you're not able to vote and are generally discouraged from being politically active. Causing problems can get you kicked out of the country. Although the government at Lakeside is open to input from expats and foreigners, we don't really have much say in many things that happen around us. Adjust your thinking to accept that you're a guest here and that you have limited options. Police - local police, traffic cops, state police, military and others are everywhere. Some drive around in vehicles with mounted machine guns or openly carry weapons at the ready. They are armed and they are serious. Generally, they are present to keep things under control, but some can use their power to intimidate or scam. You'll hear stories about police asking for "mordita" (bribes) and threatening to take your vehicle or toss you in jail if you don't comply. This has never happened to us and I think it's less common than some would have you believe, but the problem DOES exist and we know people who have been robbed by these authority figures. Lake Dangers - you won't see the lake used much for swimming or recreation because of concerns about pollution and underwater hazards. While some lakes in the US would be a great draw for boaters, fishing, water skiing and such, this one is far less active. There are kayakers and sail boats, but most of the fishing is by locals who use the fish to help feed their families or to sell to other locals. Every year we hear of some drownings... from people falling off boats or wading into the water from shore. There are water plants that are easy to get tangled in, plus barbed wire and other structures just below the surface (constructed when the lake levels were down, then covered when water comes back up). If you want to go in the water, use a pool, head to the ocean, or find some other recreational lakes. Utilities - service can be inconsistent, especially during rainy/stormy season, but any time of year actually. Internet has frequent outages in some areas and slow service at other times. Power can go out for hours at a time. Water service can be unreliable depending on your water source and location. Sewers are old and overburdened so it's not uncommon to trash used TP instead of flushing it, and sometimes it's tough to get the toilet to flush at all. This area is growing much faster than government is updating infrastructure to handle new construction, so there are concerns about systems not being able to handle the load. Traffic - there's ONE main road around the lake and between villages, where most traffic flows. It can be difficult to get around on side streets because many are cobblestone with lots of bumps, holes and frequent construction. Therefore, traffic is slow and often backed up, especially on weekends and holidays when tourists flood the area. There is a nice, new bicycle path along the main road, which is getting much more use from those who want to get around more quickly, and bicycle shops provide options for transportation including eBikes. However, car/truck/motorcycle traffic continues to get worse. Patience is required, and it's always appreciated if you're considerate enough to let people turn or get onto the main road from side streets. Noise - from cohetes (LOUD fireworks) to traffic to dogs and livestock to businesses to celebrations and church bells to street vendors and vehicles with loudspeakers... there is a LOT of sonic ambiance in the area. Different areas more than others, and different noises depending on where you live. One good reason to visit the area or live somewhere for awhile is to find out what it sounds like. There are lots of "eventos" (event centers) that seem quiet most of the time, but have parties with fireworks and loud music that last into the night. Some restaurants have live music late at night. Daytime salespeople drive around with messages repeated on loudspeakers to let residents know they are near. It's difficult to know what type and duration of noise you'll endure without being in an area for awhile since it can be intermittent. Some people enjoy the activity while others hate it. Nervous pets can be especially affected by loud sounds during storms or celebrations. Don't be one of those people who come down unprepared and then complain when you're bothered by not being able to sleep, or because your dog gets upset. We're tired of hearing the whining. Home Entertainment - generally you can't just turn on your TV and get what you're expecting. Having usable programming is a constant challenge that requires some investigation, configuration, and getting used to. Cable options are generally in Spanish. Satellite services are unreliable as NOB companies change equipment to exclude use in Mexico. Various Internet companies can be used for streaming with a variety of services, but you have to pay something to get going and service outages are common. If you're not tech savvy, it can all be confusing and complicated. There are people who can help, but you'll have to do some digging to figure out what options are best for your area or house. Some aren't available everywhere. Enjoy the journey! Oh, and if you're used to turning on your car radio for entertainment, understand that mostly you'll get static here or something in Spanish. Music streaming services on your phone connected to car radio via Bluetooth will be more friendly. OK, geez... that's wordy and long, so I'll leave it at that. It will give you a start for your own research and snapshot of the area from one perspective. My interests and preferences will probably be different from your own, however, which is why visiting in person can be very important. When we were researching originally, I had LOTS of input from others, but found that their priorities and perceptions were often different from what I found when we checked things out in person. You'll be the same. Be sure to check some other social media options if you haven't already to get a wider variety of opinions. Happy researching!
    17 points
  2. My wife continued to enter her final days...little to no food, little fluids, fitful rest periods and more painful bouts and larger use of oxygen tanks in addition to her existing oxygen machines. The oxygen people were there 24/7 and never took advantage of us. My medical insurance agent acted more like a caring brother than a man who sold insurance. I managed to add a pain management doctor to her medical care group but it was only marginally helpful. Then a final surge of discomfort to her body and mind. Yesterday she passed away from heart failure. She was at home as she wished and was never alone. Don't believe that this was a relief or like a scene from a hallmark movie as it certainly was not! I had made plans for cremation and was given a set-price, in writing....it wasn't honored and I had to find another provider and at a final cost of 16,500 mxp. Not much more but annoying. It doesn't matter who the first company was as I think there are defects throughout the industry. Then three trips to different locations to obtain the death certificate. I was aided by neighbors, people I hardly had interacted with but who jumped in...such as a doctor who filled out the final long form and wouldn't take any payment and too many others who embraced me and expressed their honest regrets for my loss....if you have to experience this kind of loss.....be grateful for the Mexican culture and hope they never give up their caring ways. I shared this, as my wife had agreed, to offer our travel experiences to the end. Maybe someone else will gain from what we did right and avoid what I did wrong. I wish I had been more decisive and not waffled as things surprised us....but we both kept our promises and I am proud of that. Some advice from several of you was very, very helpful and some of you should have just read my blog and moved on.....but mostly....I never felt that I was doing this experience all alone and for that....THANKS. Fred Habacht
    15 points
  3. Fred you've certainly demonstrated to all your profound commitment to " .... for better and for worse.... " Because I've recently been a little more connected with you than some, in my heart I can answer "no, you didn't wait too long". She's always made it clear she wants to die at home, with you holding her hand. At least having your daughter there will allow sharing of your heavy burden. You've all suffered long enough. May she pass quickly and in peace. 🙏
    15 points
  4. Re: My quest for a rollaway bed: 1.I was WRONG and some of you were very RIGHT. I wound up, after testing the "no" comfort of the "folding mattress" on a rollaway bed to buy a single base and a "box" mattress from Furniture for Less. Delivered to Joco at no additional fee and guaranteed satisfaction. They have stood by that promise in the past. 2.Selling "Ropa" and getting paid for it. Yes , The Upscale Bazar was there for me as several of you suggested on this and the other board. They came out and took what they felt was saleable and have already made one payment. I didn't have to wait months for the items to be displayed. They were a pleasure to deal with. 3.Selling ROPA in Joco and getting paid for it. My neighbors....100% Mexican came forward. Made signs, made calls, sent pictures, set up lines to hold clothes, shoes, toiletries, jewelry, etc. I offered a 50% split...they insisted on a 20%split. First week...my take was 6000 pesos, second week was 8000 pesos. They insist on holding the sale until every item is sold. A charity will take what we can't move. 4.Losing power in Joco and no ability to supply my wife with Oxygen: I have several O2 concentrators and several larger O2 tanks....power went out and stayed out for too long. Concentrators dead and tanks running out....OxyiReyes in Riberas promises 24 hour service....I believed that to be like expecting some posters to be nice regardless of the subject...but at two a.m. he delivered two tanks and charged the regular rate, didn't complain about the late hour or the long drive....a great asset and saved my wife for another day. 5.Honesty at a Bazar: Todo Bueno is one of three outlets that I use: My wife had hidden a large amount of costume jewels in various places.....This outlet called after finding it and held it for my pickup. I never would have known that this stuff existed if they didn't tell me. 6. We have a new restaurant in Joco....Lago Canoe. They heard my wife's birthday was yesterday....note: she has never been to that restaurant, prepared a meal with a cake for desert and wouldn't accept payment. There may be a lot wrong with this area....but I proudly fly the national flag on my house and certainly don't think I'd be happier anywhere else. Regards to those posters who offered actual suggestions....and a "sorry for you," to those that sent negative statements. This site used to be a great source for newbies and long timers like me....I am glad that sometimes it still is. r
    15 points
  5. "Places I've Been" I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I live close so it's a short drive. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump to get there, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often. I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not. People keep telling me I'm in Denial but I'm positive I've never been there before! I have been in Deepshit many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there. I actually kind of enjoy it there. So far, I haven't been in Continent, but my travel agent says I'll be going soon.
    14 points
  6. The complaints are perpetual, and a well-worn hobby of those who come here, then want the door closed behind them. We started researching the area about 15 years ago and I swear all the complaints going around now (Pueblita, traffic, growth, infrastructure, etc) were around when we started looking, but with different names and danger levels. Does anybody remember when Walmart going in was going to be the death of Lakeside? The sky was falling then, too. Things change. If we had settled someplace in the US instead of here, that place would probably have changed and our reasons for selecting that spot might have been compromised. Certainly some of the issues we're seeing Lakeside weren't around or were less severe when we moved here (I remember timing our drive from home in West Ajijic to Walmart... it took 7 minutes with light traffic). Are we going to move away because it takes longer to drive through town, or because of the other reasons listed above? Probably not. At least, not yet. There were various reasons we chose to move here instead of somewhere else, and many of those still apply. The climate is still awesome and we're continuously amazed that we're able to live comfortably in a house without HVAC. There is still a "small town" feel to the area, where we frequently run into people we know and develop great relationships with small vendors and shop/restaurant owners. Overall, the local population and most of the expats are pleasant and enjoyable to be around (and we try to add our own positive energy to the mix, to keep that going). There are fabulous cultural activities, celebrations, and wonderful art everywhere. We're a mountain range away, but still close enough to get to an international airport and large city when we need those things. We have enough dining options that we could eat at a different place every day of the year and not have to repeat. There are great resources for foreigners living in an unfamiliar land... LCS, American Legion, helpful expat population, local businesses that make the effort to cater to expats and English speakers. Good medical care can be had at a reasonable cost. And affordable living, overall, compared to where we moved from in the US. Yes, the cost of living has gone up recently compared to what it was in recent years, but it's still lower than when we were first researching a move here (when it was only 12-13 pesos to the dollar). Some of the changes happening have been positive. We complain about Internet outages, but that's partly because we've come to rely on Internet access now that several options exist for high-speed connectivity (compared to when I got here and Telmex slow-speed was the ONLY game in town, if you were lucky enough to get Telmex service at all since they ran out of phone numbers for new homes). People moan about Walmart, but it still serves lots of customers and provides a helpful one-stop, familiar shopping experience for newcomers who haven't yet developed a network of smaller vendors for their needs. So many people whined about the construction to put in a bike path, but look at how useful it is now, and how many people are riding bikes along there on any given day, including a huge number of eBike users (and shops). When we elected to live in West Ajijic, people wagged their fingers and told us we'd regret the decision because it was "so far away" from everything. Now we have great restaurants, shopping, gas stations, and resources that let us stay on this side of town if traffic is heavy, or if we prefer to walk/bike to something. Efforts to conserve the lake have helped reduce water usage and maintain a more usable lakefront, compared to several years when it was dry at the malecons and the shoreline was a hike, if you even wanted to bother. This is just a partial list, and I suspect some people might prefer to look at the negative side to anything I mentioned, but there ARE positives to growth and change... if you want to find it. That doesn't mean we don't have challenges if we choose to live here. Infrastructure is lagging behind other development and needs to be addressed... it seems they elect to buy a cart before having a horse sometimes. Traffic during busy times of the year is becoming somewhat annoying, although it still takes less time to drive from West Ajijic to Chapala than it did for my daily work commute in the US (and the scenery along the way is much better!). We may consider getting eBikes to simplify some of our trips since we have a safe path for them now. I feel badly for those who have water problems, although we haven't experienced the problem ourselves. I hope people will learn to conserve water and adjust usage to make the best of what we have available, and maybe government will consider putting some restrictions on heavy use, such as new pools. Meanwhile, we don't consider the problems to be severe enough that they outweigh the positives of living Lakeside. We'll continue to monitor the situation and see where the future takes us. As for La Pueblita/Margaritaville... The original developers had a good basic idea, I think (including the settling pond to help handle wastewater). They obviously had some money and weight behind them to start, considering how far they got in the construction process. It would have been nice to have a continuing care facility here for the aging population, along with shops, doctors, and resources to service them. It's too bad that initial plan didn't work out as we might have considered a move there ourselves when we needed the care. However, since the project came to a halt with construction incomplete, I'm (personally) glad that another company has picked up the reins and will move it along to a functional housing and retail development instead of letting it rot as a raw concrete eyesore. I'm also happy that people who invested to buy property there might get something for their money eventually. How much more of a burden on resources it will be remains to be seen, but I doubt this will be the straw that breaks the burro's back in terms of us deciding to stay or move away. And I can guarantee that another 10 years from now will see continued development along Lakeside, as well as spread south of Joco, east of Chapala, and north toward Guad. Hopefully those in charge will wake up to the need for upgraded and expanded infrastructure so the community remains viable. Hopefully the development and increase in value of properties won't price locals out of being able to live amongst us (a greater concern for me). And hopefully those who decide to move away find someplace they consider more pleasant and liveable... keep us posted about where you end up!
    14 points
  7. Some will say, "you waited too long" others may say, " she is getting her last wishes!" The morning that I was due to visit multiple locations she took a further turn for the worse....I haven't the heart to move her at this stage....our daughter comes on Monday to give me a week of assistance and I doubt there will be much more time after her visit. Barbara cannot stand unassisted, cannot use the bathroom, eats virtually nothing and drinks little. For those who have helped via pms....thanks, thanks. Fred
    12 points
  8. Sometime ago, I was annoyed by the prices on some items that a well-known couple charged at the sales they held of household items.....five pesos, ten pesos, etc....They explained that the prices didn't matter....it was the total earned at the end of the sale that mattered! I appreciate that now. At the never ending sale at my Jocotepec garage.....some items are even sold for two pesos and I then pay a 20% commission....well each week my little sales elves have never, up to now, given me less than 2800 Mxp for the week's take....items that no formal Bazzar would touch, with their 100 to 150 peso minimum get's scooped up. The same women shoppers come back nearly every evening to socialize and go thru baskets of dusty items or piles of tee shirts and even out dated cans of food or bottles of spices....some beauty supplies have to be translated so that they can guess at what they are buying.... I get more than the pesos....the laughter, the banter, the waving from passing cars and pickups with these new friends and neighbors is a blessing.... No shop lifting, no tag switching, dogs and children coming in and out, no insults, no arguing over prices, no knocking of some of the tired items....the memories will be mine forever. Fred
    12 points
  9. The Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrel infestation. After much prayer and consideration, they concluded that the squirrels were predestined to be there, and they should not interfere with God’s divine will. At the Baptist church, the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistry. The deacons met and decided to put a water-slide on the baptistry and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and, unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim, so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week. The Lutheran church decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God’s creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist church. Two weeks later, the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water-slide. The Episcopalians tried a much more unique path by setting out pans of whiskey around their church in an effort to kill the squirrels with alcohol poisoning. They sadly learned how much damage a band of drunk squirrels can do. But the Catholic church came up with a more creative strategy! They baptized all the squirrels and made them members of the church. Now they only see them at Christmas and Easter. Not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue. They took the first squirrel and circumcised him. They haven’t seen a squirrel since.
    11 points
  10. Don't let your dog see this advert!
    11 points
  11. I can't blame them. The government can't protect any public official, let alone the police. Mexico is a narco state. If you are a cop here you have two choices: Take the money and see nothing, hear nothing, do nothing. OR You are dead. Just stay away from these people. Don't buy drugs from them, as some expats locally do. Don't go to any club they go to, stick to the old gringo hangouts. And stay off the streets at night. They really aren't interested in you if you aren't interested in them.
    11 points
  12. Inappropriate Lakeside7. Fred has already explained this is a TERMINAL situation and he is respecting her wishes to die at home. She no longer enjoys much of anything..... but he's determined to see her through as best he can.
    11 points
  13. A circus owner ran an ad for “lion tamer wanted” and two people showed up. One was a retired golfer in his late sixties, and the other was a gorgeous brunette with a killer body in her mid-twenties. The circus owner tells them, "I'm not going to sugar coat it. This is one ferocious beast. He ate my last tamer, so you two had better be good, or you're history. Here's your equipment - a chair, a whip and a gun. Who wants to try out first?" The gorgeous brunette says, "I'll go first." She walks right past the chair, the whip, and the gun, and steps into the cage. The lion starts to snarl and pant and begins to charge her. As he gets close, she throws open her coat revealing her beautiful, naked body. The lion stops dead in his tracks, crawls up to her and starts licking her feet and ankles. He continues to lick and kiss every inch of her body for several minutes, then lays down and rests his head at her feet. The circus owner's jaw is on the floor! He says, "That's amazing! I've never seen anything like that in my life!" He then turns to the retired golfer and asks, "Can you top that?” The old golfer replies, "Possibly, but you've got to get that lion out of there first.”
    10 points
  14. If you need a chip key Cerrajeria Aragon in Chapala, on Morelos. From Ajijic go through the light and it will be on the right in a block and a half. Morelos 172, Chapala Centro, 45900 Chapala, Jal. 376 765 3252 They open at 9AM
    10 points
  15. I would like to make a few suggestions concerning posting to this Board. If you are reviewing a restaurant or recommending a business, please include general location and/or contact information. You were at the restaurant and used the business, so you already have that information. If you are posting to help the business or the people reading the post, it is only courteous to include where to find them or how to contact them. I know this is a WOKE concept but think about it. I know that descriptions of locations on the Caraterra are iffy at best. But at least give it a try. Cross streets or 'West Ajijic past the cemetery' or 'in Riberas east of the Pemex' gives some clue as to where the business is located. A snide 'just Google it' doesn't do anybody any good. An answer that says 'Juan Garcia is the best plumber' is of no use at all. Small businesses and services often don't have a Web presence. So IF you are trying to be helpful, include enough information to be useful. If you are just posting to show off, ,ignore this post.
    10 points
  16. You are in their country so you are the invader and they are called Tapatios not Tapito´s .
    10 points
  17. I, and, I expect others besides me will be blocking you as soon as I send this. You bring unpleasantness to a relatively peaceful site.
    9 points
  18. I believe the other big sticking point with this proposal is the way it would be financed. Also, I understood the original proposal required construction of a new treatment plant. That big condo development on the south side of Riberas built their own. If I read this correctly it is now proposed to collect the waste and send it to San Antonio where I assume there is either sufficient capacity or it would be added. You can count on all those septic tanks in Riberas are polluting the ground water and eventually the lake. There is no way the land can assimilate that density of septic tanks and drain fields. The usual standards for such disposal call for an acre or more and even that is pushing it. You can't make projects like this voluntary. Riberas presents a huge environmental threat to the ground water and lake and the government should step in, build the system and finance it off of higher property taxes, using mandatory collection/confiscation as required. The usual practice also requires connection within a set time frame, usually a year or less.
    9 points
  19. Ah Mexico. The only country where you look both ways before crossing a one way street.
    9 points
  20. Okay....here is a summary of what I needed, what I got, how much it cost and that I wish it never happened. I was advised to make an advance plan for my wife's demise by her doctors. I did just that with a local Jocotepec funeral home. Upon her death, they returned my deposit and stated the price had increased and if I didn't want to pay that I was welcome to look elsewhere. I walked away from them. There are numerous funeral services in this area and another one stepped up immediately. The cost, after conversion into USD was $1000.00. As to the paperwork...I received more than I needed, would ever need or wanted. The US embassy and the government that it represents accepted the Mexican death certificate with no hesitation and no additional cost. The US Social Security system needed a copy to issue the death payment and all copies that they requested were returned to me. No bank that we dealt with needed anything more then me saying that my wife had passed away. I wanted to send my wife's ashes to the USA and needed permits to do so by air...the cost for the permits was an additional $129.00 usd and all copies of papers were returned to me with the permits for the airline. I have, after 19 years, learned my way around here very, very well and I have many locals to assist me.....you can do it the easy way or look for crazy additions ....when your loved one dies don't make it harder on yourself follow the paths that are well-worn and proven. Fred Habacht
    9 points
  21. Felices Fiestas! Happy Holidays!
    9 points
  22. They don't care about that one it is not on the highway. The new system can read license plates and "follow" a suspect vehicle that is in the system. Great video a couple of days ago where the system in Mexico City read a plate, alerted he people in the center, followed the vehicle as it passed other cameras and sent a patrol car to aprehend.
    9 points
  23. To mark the Mexican holiday of Día de Muertos, artist Raymundo Medina of the Jaén Cartonería family collective dreamed up enormous skeletons that appear to be emerging from the pavement. The massive cardboard works can be found in Santa Cecilia Tláhuac, Mexico. The artist often works with Yaocalli Indians in erecting these creations, Miguel Angel Luna says.
    9 points
  24. Personally, I would skip Lydia and go straight to Vinos America 😊
    9 points
  25. Re: The future and night time care.....We estimate that time is running out. Barbara eats very little food now and drinks only small amounts of fluid, has difficulty even standing up to be cleaned up. I believe I can complete my obligation and she wants me to do everything as asked. Do I wish I had help...Yep! I really feel that it is too late to do more as to that need. Day time I have someone that allows me to fulfill appointments, etc. My wife usually will do nothing while she waits for my return.....I guess I am used to that.
    9 points
  26. New Jalisco 2023 Law Regulating Real Estate Professionals Up until now there has been no government regulation of real estate professionals in Jalisco. It was simply a matter of printing a business card, hanging out a shingle and bam! you are in business. No licensing, no regulation and little to no recourse against bad agents and companies except time consuming and expensive criminal or civil legal actions. Today, on August 5, 2023 the State of Jalisco published a law to establish the State Registry of Providers of Real Estate Services (Registro Estatal de Prestadores de Servicios Inmobiliarios). The law will take effect in 200 days and the Regulations for said law must be issued within 180 days. Real estate professionals and agencies will have one year from now to start all applications and procedures necessary to be registered, with penalties and fees to be collected starting next year. Accredited Real Estate Agencies will have the following obligations: 1) To comply with and make their agents that are part of their company comply with the requirements and obligations established by the Law; 2) Inform the Secretary of all changes or modifications to the information contained in their accreditation, as well as and changes of agent employment. 3) To have in a visible place their proof of accreditation as well as those of their agents that work there. 4) To only use contracts of adhesion approved by PROFECO (the vast majority of the real estate companies and agents have been using illegal contracts for years that favor them and not the consumer). In order for real estate professionals to be accredited, they will need the following (abbreviated list here): 1) Proof of real estate classes authorized by the commission (foreigners better start brushing up on your Spanish!) 2) Prove that the contracts they use are legal and approved by PROFECO. 3) Agree to comply with the continuing educational requirements which are mandatory for renewal of their accreditation. 4) Pass a criminal record background check. 5) For foreigners be legally in the country with work permission authorized by Immigration. Accreditations will be valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. Price to be determined. A database will be created to check status and to see if there has been any disciplinary action taken. People falsely saying they are accredited are subject to fines of 50 to 150 UMAs and those who are working without the accreditation may be subject to criminal charges. Those working with an expired one, fail to post visibly their accreditation and registration or advertise in violation of the rules are subject to punishment. This is a good start but there are still things that need to be addressed such as ethic, ethics violations, agency and dual agency, and its disclosure and the existence of any fiduciary duty, if any, as well as any disclosures of conflicts of interest as well as teaching agents how to determine these circumstances and duties. Full original government publication of the law in Spanish here: https://apiperiodico.jalisco.gob.mx/api/newspaper/getAsset?q=newspaper/21021/newspaper230804092205.pdf By Lic. Spencer Richard Mc Mullen, litigating attorney and official state and federal court translator, who has postgraduate degrees in Contract Law, Condominium Law and Notarial law, among others and who has prepared, reviewed and translated hundreds of property deeds. Office Chapala 376-765-7553 / 376-765-6900 / US 805-683-4848 – Guadalajara 33-1592-3801 / 33-1592-3792 / USD 805-563-3300
    9 points
  27. Did she see that coming?
    9 points
  28. Isn't it wonderful that some people have nothing more important to do with their life than complain about people complaining about the weather. 😁
    9 points
  29. Nine years a member of your family? Maybe you could do better by her? There is a great surplus here of dogs needing homes. At minimum, maybe you could take her back up north where adoption is far more likely and find her a home there. At least post a picture here.
    9 points
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