Why Ajijic, Mexico?
By Dr. Todd Stong
Climate
Mile high site with clean, clear air/breezes from all directions each day. Temperatures in the 70s everyday of the year, low humidity. National Geographic rates this village as having the #2 best climate in the world. Rains only in summer and mostly only at night. Never worry about getting wet!
Services
Cost of Living with driving and eating out/entertainment (2-3 times/week) about $25k/yr. Some live here OK on SS at $15k/year. Rents at $350-1100/month, normal range is 500-800 that includes electric, water and trash. Personal services are 1/4th cost of in US (maid, car driver, personal care – $2-4/hour) Auto mechanic a 3 min walk at 1/3-1/4 the USA cost. Haircut – $3.50, Car wash – $2. No need no heat or AC, you can walk to most anything, a drive of more than 10 miles seems totally unnecessary.
Sites
Village plaza/churches, boating on the lake, mountains, ancient artifacts (caves, pyramids, petro glyphs.) Thermal baths, rustic rural villages, 1000 acres of exported raspberries, Guadalajara the #2 city of Mexico at 500 yrs old has anything to be found in the USA/CA (theater, opera, a zoo, COSTCO, SAMS, etc.)
Entertainment
Live music every night at some restaurants in our own village.
View
A 400-year old village with cobble stone streets, church bells each 15 minutes, mountains 1/4th mile to north, Mexico’s largest (50 mile long) lake 1/3rd mile down hill to the south, 2nd floor, large windows on three sides that all look out on to colorful scenes with ever blooming flowers
Health
A significant feeling of increased vigor once back here within even a week.
Fresh vegetables and fruits from the weekly street market at 1/3rd the US cost. Abundant lemons/limes growing in yard. Clinic just three minutes away. English-speaking doctor seven-minute walk ($15/visit) Full medical coverage by VA for me and now coverage for full family via TriCare, 66 hospitals in Guadalajara include some of the best in the world. A very welcome climate here for alternative medicine offerings
Convenience
By Walking
Three minutes: Four Corners convenience stores, auto mechanic, Chinese restaurant. Four minutes: Clinic/hospital, 24 hour pharmacy, 4 restaurants, 2- ATM. Six minutes: Four more restaurants, fruit/vegetable shops, Mexican grocery store, gas station. Eight minutes: Village plaza (400 yrs old), lots of life, great restaurant, butcher, many sidewalk vendors. Ten minutes: LCS with nearly 4000 members, daily classes, lectures, video/audio library, an acre-size paradise with lush vegetation.
By Auto
Four minutes: Wal-Mart, FedEx, Two movie theaters. Six minutes: Restaurants with live music/dancing (7), other restaurants (5). Eight minutes: Church. Ten minutes: Thermal bath resort at San Juan Cosala. Eleven minutes: Chapala, the county capital with many stores, a large Lakeside boardwalk. Forty minutes: International airport (12 flights/day to USA, $90 to reach TX). $24 by taxi to airport. Four hours: Pacific Ocean beach towns (perhaps $40 by bus) ($100 to TX or $50 with senior pass)
Communications
Internet – quite similar to US ($18/month). Skype phone-like conversation is free. Local phones – house phone ($15/mon), cell phone ($16 of minutes lasts a month or more) International phone – Magic Jack ($40/yr.) Unlimited calls to and from USA/CA, can carry same phone on to USA for use up there.
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