Focus On Mexico - Your Guide to Moving and Retiring to Mexico's Lake Chapala

Noisy, Dirty and Dangerous Lakeside

This is a must read post if you're concerned about the potential downsides of Lakeside living. Recently some Lakeside expats who decided to return to their home country shared their grievances about the Lake Chapala area with us. After living here a few months their analysis was that Mexico is lawless, chaotic, messy, noisy, dirty and dangerous. To their credit, they realized that this is not the life for them and made the decision to go home. One of them, showing a good sense of self-awareness commented, “I guess I’m not as flexible as I thought I was.” It’s certainly true that Mexico is … [Read more...]

Lake Chapala: State of the Lake 2019

This week (March 18) we've updated our free State of the Lake ebook with the latest facts and figures on the health of Lake Chapala. We've also posted the 2019 Focus on Mexico course schedule so you can begin to plan now to join us and explore your new Lakeside life. We can't wait to meet you and show you around! NOTE: The New 2019 Edition is out! … [Read more...]

A Visit to Guadalajara with Focus on Mexico

Don't visit Lakeside without taking time to visit the historic city of Guadalajara, birthplace of tequila and mariachi music. The Focus on Mexico 6-Day Learning Seminar offers an à la carte tour of Guadalajara on Sunday before the formal seminar begins that includes a visit to the Hospice Cabañas, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and home of the unforgettable murals of José Clemente Orozco, often called the Diego Rivera of Jalisco. The photo on the left depicts "the clowns of war arguing in hell", and the murals as a whole take you through the distinctive and difficult moments of Mexican … [Read more...]

30 Great Reads on Mexican Migration and Culture

Are you considering moving to Lakeside for the next stage of your life? Would you like to read up on the history of Mexican migration and Mexican culture on both sides of the border? You're in luck because Judy King, a longtime Lakeside resident who regularly teaches classes locally on various topics relating to Mexico and its culture, has agreed to share her list of best reads on Mexican migration and culture with us. There is something on this list for every reader, from serious hard core reporting (The Devil's Highway) to memoir (Kissing the Virgin's Mouth), to light hearted fun … [Read more...]

Can You Afford It?

Living costs are a moving target everywhere in the world and Lakeside is no exception. Jerry Brown and his wife, Lori, are local expats with their own YouTube Channel, Jerry Brown Travels. Recently they reviewed their current monthly household costs for living in Ajijic. Check it out for yourself and see if Lakeside living might be in your future. Also see our comprehensive article on the local cost of living and come to one of our week long learning seminars to plan your own budget and get your specific budget planning questions answered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqRgjzfp0LI … [Read more...]