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hkrause

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hkrause last won the day on August 10 2023

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About hkrause

  • Birthday May 6

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  1. We use USTVNow. Live, legal US TV for military and expats, no VPN needed. $29 US per month, includes DVR to record shows. Stream on Firestick and computer/tablet at our house. You can use other devices. https://www.ustvnow.com/ Attached is a list of available channels last time I looked.
  2. One of our favorites is to visit the Guadalajara historic area. We stay a night or two at Hotel Mendoza (https://demendoza.com.mx/en/home-english/) and enjoy the sites in that area: Teatro Degollado (maybe see a show if the schedule fits), Cathedral, Rotunda, Regional Museum (right across from the Rotunda/Cathedral), Government building, Templo de Santa Maria de Gracia (next door to the hotel - the main church before the current cathedral was built), San Juan de Dios market (can be a full day in itself if you do the whole thing), Hospicio Cabañas, and lots of shopping around the area. There are some nice monuments, statues and public art, which make for great photo opportunities. At night, wander over to the historic Hotel Francés... often live entertainment and some nifty displays on each floor. Take the slowest elevator in the world up to the roof and climb a few stairs to the top of the highest point for a fabulous view of the Cathedral at night, all lit up. On the way back to Hotel Mendoza, wander through Plaza de la Liberación to enjoy the street entertainers and views of Cathedral and Teatro Degollado at night. Hotel Mendoza has nice rooms and an interesting history. There is free valet parking underground if you drive, and a nice restaurant. There are other hotels in the area if you prefer something more modern, but we enjoy getting a taste of history when we go there. You can visit the historic area without staying, but doing an overnight allows you to see the sites both at daytime and night, and makes for a much more leisurely trip. If you have time (especially if you stay 2 nights), take one or two routes of the Tapatio Tour Bus, which departs from the Rotunda, next to the Cathedral. Reasonably priced, and you get a nice overview of some areas around Guad with the option to hop on/off for photos at some locations. One route will take you to Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento, which is a wonderful stop for exploring the temple (incredible stained glass spire from inside!), and you can get a bite to eat on the square if you're hungry, then back on the bus to return. Have a fun trip! Here's a map of the area, showing the location of places I mentioned: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hotel+De+Mendoza/@20.6757034,-103.3431936,16.75z/data=!4m18!1m8!3m7!1s0x8428b18cb52fd39b:0xd63d9302bf865750!2sGuadalajara,+Jalisco!3b1!8m2!3d20.6596988!4d-103.3496092!16zL20vMGpwMjY!3m8!1s0x8428b4f493ce041d:0x20ec900f3c60672e!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d20.6778736!4d-103.3442611!16s%2Fg%2F1tggtvl4?entry=ttu
  3. There is a Facebook group (if you use FB) called "Lake Chapala Restaurants." They have a list of local restaurants, locations, meals served (B/L/D) with links to their websites and menus. Good way to get a feel for types of places and menu prices, which might be outdated, but it gives you an idea of options. Looking at that list, here are SOME of the food types available: Crepes Mexican (various) Steak house Italian / Pasta Pub grub (wings, nachos, etc) "American" Seafood (many) Argentinian Steakhouse Burgers & fries Pizza (many) Cafe / Deli Chocolate (specialty) "Tex or Cali" Mex Brew Pub Chinese / Asian Sushi Thai Ramen Mongolian grill Coffee shops (everywhere) Food trucks & taco stands Roast or grilled chicken (many) Fried chicken Delivery only (various) Upscale and dining "experiences" Ice cream shops (many) Go Bistro weekly features (Japanese, Indian, French, Greek, Caribbean, Cajun, etc) Cajun Indian / Curry Mediterranean German Breakfast featured (LOTS) Fish & Chips French Vegetarian / Vegan Gluten free Bakery / Deli BBQ Donuts New York Deli & bagels This is just around Lakeside... Going into Guadalajara opens the world of food, including lots of chain/fast food restaurants and imports from elsewhere in the world. Places Lakeside vary from little roadside stands, food trucks, and dirt-floor restaurants up to fairly elegant. We have a food court at the mall with various options (burgers, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, ice cream, Subway), Prices range from a few pesos per individual taco up to fancy meals with alcohol that rival US prices. Specialty places might not equal some that you've eaten at and loved elsewhere, but quality tends to be very good with most places using fresh ingredients. Loads of seafood places, but hard to find crab or lobster and it's expensive when you do. Prices have risen lately because of inflation and a stronger Peso, but you can still find good value if you search... especially at places a bit further from GringoLandia. If you want to eat for less, feature breakfast/lunch places when you dine out for your main meal and save dinner for cheap places, snacks, or dining at home. Many places offer take-out, or will gladly box your leftovers to take home. There are several delivery-ONLY options that popped up during covid and continue now. The Traitte app offers home-delivery from a good selection of restaurants (kind of like UBER Eats or GrubHub). Some places have their own delivery without the added fees. Dominos and other pizza places will make sure you can get your pizza fix at home. There are many places to shop, from little "Mom & Pop" corner stores, up to major one-stop places like Walmart & Soriana (everything from groceries to electronics to home appliances and motorcycles). Weekly "tianguis" (open-air "farmer" markets) are available that offer a huge variety of clothing, cleaning supplies, produce, household goods, electronics, and more. Several specialty/import stores (Gourmet Garage, SuperLake, Pancho's, etc) provide products from "back home" for a price that can make you gag... If you REALLY NEED those Oreo cookies or baked beans, you'll be shocked at the price. If you want to cook at home, you'll be pleased with prices on many fresh produce items, especially if you shop at the neighborhood markets. Poultry and some seafood is reasonable, while good quality steak will set you back some. Sometimes you have to search a bit for things you're used to, like good ground beef. If you need certain packaged goods, it's nice that the convenient OXXO stores don't ream you like a QuickTrip back in the US. Learning to shop at the small tiendas will save you money overall, they're convenient, and help support locals instead of big corporations. If you live outside a controlled-access development, especially if you're in the village, you'll often have produce and other food vendors drive past your door selling items, so you can even shop from home... a great option with reasonable selection of basic fruits and veggies. Hopefully that will give you a good idea of what's available, in general. Giving specific prices is hopeless as things have been changing fairly quickly in the last year.
  4. Anybody who moves to Mexico to "escape" US politics may not realize their efforts to make a statement won't work as intended. We still hear the news and find plenty of discussion locally. We are still US citizens, affected and governed by US laws. Our NOB bank and investment accounts are still affected by what happens there. Family and friends who we left behind are dealing with it. Mexicans and expats from outside the US still view us as complicit in what our politicians decide and how they behave. We still vote in national politics from Mexico... it's just more complicated and difficult. Unless someone is willing to become a citizen elsewhere and give up US citizenship (not advised if you plan to use Social Security as part of your income), you are still involved. Sticking your head in the sand still leaves a US flag visible on your back. The only difference is being less likely to see political posters, face that politically opposed neighbor, or argue with weird Uncle Bob at family gatherings. You can boldly announce to those up north that you're fed up and leaving the country to get away from politics, but the reality is you better have lots of OTHER reasons for making a move to Mexico and you'd better know what you're getting into. Otherwise, you may find yourself returning home with a red face when you find that Mexico IS NOT just like home, but without the Red and Blue division. So, to tie back in with the original discussion here... Don't figure that Lakeside, or anywhere in Mexico, is going to purge US politics from your life. You may find it a bit muffled here, but it doesn't disappear.
  5. Thanks. Glad it's useful. Well, over the time we've lived here or been coming to research, the main change seems to be growth... LOTS of construction, more traffic, more people. We have noticed more businesses catering to the growing gringo population, with shopping options (more import and specialty items), more people speaking English, and familiar dining options (almost impossible to find good fries 10 years ago, for example, and now they're everywhere). Two new major medical facilities at Lakeside are nice to have available (although they seem to be going through some growing pains). 🙄 It SEEMS like there are fewer cohetes at all hours of the day and night, although still enough to set people off about noise. Many more cars on the road, but almost never see donkeys around town now. 🙁 The lake level goes up and down some, but doesn't seem nearly as volatile as before. More public toilets with seats and TP... a big plus in my book! 👍 More murals and public artwork everywhere you look. Otherwise, the area is generally much like when we started coming here.
  6. There is a medical supply store next to San Antonio Hospital, west side.
  7. 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!
  8. We are also feeling the crunch as our dollars are worth less than we've become used to compared to pesos. However, much of that is from becoming spoiled by how much further our dollars have gone since we moved here, compared to our original expectations. I dragged out an old spreadsheet I made when we were researching a move to Mexico... lots of numbers to calculate what it would cost compared to staying in the US. At that time, in 2009, the exchange rate was 13.40. That's the range I was using to calculate what it would cost us to live here, and what we based our decision on. By the time we moved, that buying power was reduced to a rate of more like 12.00 pesos to the dollar, but we were still OK. Since moving, we've been delighted to watch our buying power increase to over 22.00 pesos to the dollar, or more. We were able to spend more... eating out, hiring workers, donating to others, etc. Wonderful! Now our dollars don't go as far as they have the last few years. The peso is gaining ground, worker's wages are increasing, cost of products is going up. It seems more difficult to get by, but I'm pretty sure it's still better than when we were originally looking at a move to Mexico. And we've had 10+ years of being better off than expected, of our own property value increasing, of being able to breathe easy when medical bills hit, etc. As the current trend leaves us with less spendable money, we'll possibly have to cut back on some expenses... eat at less expensive places, do some of our own work around the house, travel less, watch our spending more closely. But I'm not turning on Doom and Gloom just yet. If it gets bad enough, we might have to look at a different place to live, but we're nowhere close to that point yet. Meanwhile, what a ride we've had over the last 10 years!! Imagine how well others have done who moved here 20 years ago. Check the chart at this website to see why we've been so happy in recent history, and why the current change feels so ugly. https://www.macrotrends.net/2559/us-dollar-mexican-peso-exchange-rate-historical-chart
  9. Yes, I saw this post yesterday and shared it. Turned out to be absolutely correct. I wonder how long this weather pattern will persist... https://www.facebook.com/METEOROMEX/posts/pfbid0YEWhxPYcYwrtRPBfWukrHSUaxjvU6wtQgjd4bktRroafxYUJ7YLToBk8rV4G3Xtjl
  10. We have AXA insurance through Jesus Tejada. I believe he handles other insurance companies also and will evaluate which is best for your situation. Have had 3 accidents, all handled to our satisfaction. Only blip was that with one accident in Ajijic, it took the adjuster awhile to arrive since they were stuck in traffic in Guad. The other two incidents they arrived in reasonable time (one a bit north of Joco, on the way to Guad, and the other in Guad). Jesus came to our house to discuss insurance options (we also have health insurance through him) and make arrangements. Since then, we have handled renewals via email and phone. He speaks perfect English and was helpful in dealing with the insurance company when we had accidents and had difficulty navigating the phone menus. Agent's card attached for reference. On the accident north of Joco, car was damaged but drivable. We were nervous about the damage, however, so the insurance adjuster came with us to drive the car home to Ajijic, to be sure we got there OK. I thought that was pretty good service.
  11. 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!
  12. It's getting more difficult to drive through Lakeside from west Ajijic because of the traffic, but it's still less time to get most places than it took for a 1-way commute to/from work every day where we used to live (30-40 minutes on a good day). If I get tired of slow traffic on the carretera, I can always go the scenic back route and trade for slow cobbles. LOL! Better still, more development west of Ajijic means easier dining and shopping without having to drive through town as often. The longer it takes to get through Ajijic, the more practical it is for us to head toward SJC and Joco for our needs. Thank goodness we're retired and don't need to be anywhere in a hurry most times. Cost of Living... We originally moved here partly because I retired early and wouldn't have Medicare for several years, so it was financially impractical to stay in the US. I have basic Medicare now but haven't looked at supplements or any add-ons because we never figured to use it. Without private insurance, medical costs here have become difficult, but they haven't been bad enough for me to look at options back north. I wonder if I should? We could probably eat cheaper in the US, but not as healthy as we'd be drawn to fast food options. Other living costs would vary, depending on location and lifestyle choices. Culture... Political divisions in the US have become horrible, although really we still deal with it living here... just from a distance. We continue to be politically involved and vote, and the laws affect our retirement savings, our family and friends. That wouldn't change no matter where we live. We still enjoy the culture and people of Mexico, although I might be frustrated if we were involved in politics here. I suspect that enjoying the "culture" of somewhere in the US would be much easier as a retired person than when we were working. Much of enjoying anyplace is in one's attitude. Climate... Ah, here's a big one! To equal (or come close to) the beautiful weather of Lakeside, we'd probably need to live someplace in the US that's unaffordable otherwise. California coast or Hawaii come to mind. The weather here is wonderful relative to the cost of enjoying it. Fortunately, we're not bothered by the altitude, and we're a fairly short drive to the ocean (not an option from Kansas City, where we're from). I'm not sure where in the US one could have a house without HVAC and still be comfortable. The mountains and year-round blooms are certainly NOT something we got to enjoy back home. We're not in Kansas any more, Toto! So, all things considered, we don't have any immediate plans to move back north. Not saying that wouldn't change at some point, but for now we're still happy here and realize that every place has pros and cons.
  13. I had this done at San Antonio hospital. I was having severe problems with sciatica from being mis-aligned after hip surgery. Went to PT, where they dismissed me after a few tries, saying I needed to seek treatment from a surgeon. I spoke with a surgeon recommended by my doctor... he said I needed surgery to fuse 3 vertebrae. A second surgeon also said surgery would be best, but gave me other options as well, including the injections and joint-treatment meds. I was told they would be a temporary solution. I've had sciatica in varying degrees off and on for 40+ years, but this was certainly the worst. While considering options, I did some stretching and exercises at home, plus wore a back brace, which seemed to help quite a bit... maybe something slipped back in place? We were going on a trip that would require some walking, so I opted to have the injections to help insure I could travel without too much pain. That was September 2021. There didn't seem to be much change since the sciatica was relieved on its own before the injections, but I made the trip and haven't had problems with it since. Hard to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the injections in my case since I was improving before I had them, but I've been happy with the overall results, and with the SAT surgeon who took a LOT of time to diagnose, evaluate, and talk in depth about various options. I felt comfortable working with him and the hospital, where I got an MRI as well, as part of diagnosis. The surgeon I spoke with is Dr. Gonzalez Ross, who specializes in back issues. His father, also at SAT, does knees and maybe hips, so there are two Dr. Gonzales... you can specify Dr. Ross, the son, to see the one I spoke with. Best of luck with your own situation. Be sure to speak with multiple people about various options and try least-invasive first. I was told that surgery, with plates, screws, a cage frame, etc. was "needed," but would only last 10 or so years, which leaves me wondering what happens after that. I was also told it make problems more likely above/below the original surgery, possibly requiring more work later. In my opinion, putting that off as long as possible is a better option, as long as issues don't cause other problems in the meantime.
  14. Thumbs up on the Wyze cameras (available through Amazon US or MX). They have several types, indoor and outdoor, as well as a video doorbell. You ran connect and view up to 4 cameras from their smartphone app. The pan/tilt camera has a motor that will allow viewing a wide area and if it detects motion it will follow the person around the room. Smaller, less expensive units are stationary and must be positioned where they'll do the most good... some planning is in order. They have infrared, so can view in the dark, and include speaker/microphone so you can communicate through the app and listen as well as view what's happening (there is a bit of delay, so carrying on much of a conversation isn't great, but I assume this would be the case with other cameras as well). You can set the app to notify you if it detects an event... motion, change in light, sound, etc. If you do this, BE SURE to exclude the Wyze app from your "Do not disturb" time so it will notify you ANY time there's an event, including night time when you might be asleep (a neighbor had a security camera that detected a break-in, but they didn't get notified because their phone was set to Do Not Disturb while they were sleeping). Observations: We have cats which will trigger the motion sensor on certain occasions, but not others. You can adjust camera position and/or sensitivity to decrease such notifications. Also, any event triggered by a pet (or other event) that is common at your house can be reported to Wyze for analysis and adjustment in future updates. I do seem to receive fewer "false" notifications since I've sent several of these to the company. Changes in light will trigger an event, so rainy season lightning storms are likely to notify you while sleeping. Likewise, if you have outdoor security lights that are visible to the camera, they may send a notification if the light(s) come on. The camera will also detect a light change from a shadow moving. This can be used to your advantage if properly setup, or it can be annoying if your lights are triggered by outdoor nocturnal wildlife... plan accordingly. I find it's helpful to leave a light on in the vicinity of the camera to minimize notifications from lightning and other changes in light. Everyone is concerned with internet download speeds, but keep in mind that security cameras need to UPLOAD video and audio in real time to be useful, so make sure you have a reasonable upload speed so you can view your data remotely... no good to get a notification if you can't view the video clip or check your cameras to follow up. Note that these comments aren't specific to just this brand of camera and should be considered with any brand that you look at. Some of the features of the camera need to have a data card installed, and/or require a monthly fee to access videos remotely. The fee for Wyze is per camera, but seems reasonable (to me) for the peace of mind offered, especially since the cameras are pretty inexpensive to start with. Be sure to check the subscription fees before purchase to make sure you're aware of total cost for using them. Same applies to any other camera(s) you might consider.
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