Focus On Mexico

Five Ways People at Lake Chapala Live Well and Live Longer

By Kristina Morgan A study by the University of Pittsburgh confirmed what many of us here at Lake Chapala already knew: “Optimists are less likely to suffer heart attacks or die.” In the largest study to date of the effect of positive thinking on health, the researchers looked at the results of more than 97,000 women monitored as part of a long-term study. They found that, compared to pessimists, optimists had a nine per cent lower risk of developing heart disease and a 14 per cent lower risk of dying from any cause, after eight years of follow-up. For example, the team … [Read more...]

Cost of Living in Mexico and Lake Chapala

The affordable cost of living in Mexico and specifically the Lake Chapala, Ajijic area is one of the major attractions (along with our near-perfect climate) for moving here. It has been estimated that the cost of living in Mexico to less than in the United States and Canada. However, Focus On Mexico has added a section for cost of living comparisons for the entire USA and Canada... There are people who live here (and own a home) on their U.S. government pensions. However, having said that, the stories that you read that say you can live here on $500 or $600 a month are simply no longer … [Read more...]

Retire This Year in Lake Chapala Mexico

By Karen McConnaughey Changing Your Life in Lake Chapala, Mexico I received an interesting email recently telling me.“This is your chance; this is your year. It's time to stop thinking about it...time to stop dreaming about it...time to make it happen.” And, it hit an emotional chord with me because it was talking about retiring in a foreign country. As I continued to read, my mind wandered back to when Bill and I retired in 2003. Our first day in our new life in Lake Chapala, Mexico, was February 1, 2004. I was days shy of being 59 and Bill was 62. We had bought a house in Mexico … [Read more...]

The Day of the Dead – Making You Think in Mexico

The Day of the Dead. An Invitation to Raise the Dead! History: Although the holiday's exact origin is uncertain, it's believed that it began with the Olmecs about 3000 years ago. They saw life as an illusion and believed that in dying, human beings truly awakened and their souls were set free. The Olmecs transmitted their ideas to the Toltecs and Mayans in Central America, who later shared them with the Aztecs, Tlaxcaltec, Chichimec, Tecpanec and other Indians native to Mexico. At the gravesite: On November 2 family members gather at the cemetery for gravesite reunions more festive than … [Read more...]

About Religions in Mexico and A List of Churches in Lake Chapala

About Religions in Mexico and A List of Churches and Spiritual Places in Lake Chapala Throughout Mexico, Roman Catholicism is the religion of 89% of the population. Protestants represent a small minority with 6% and others at5%. We have a wide variety of Lake Chapala churches to worship and in several denominations, many of them beautiful works of architecture and hundreds of years old. We have Spanish, bilingual and many English services. A List of Churches and places of worship around Lake Chapala, Mexico Throughout Mexico, Roman Catholicism is the religion of 89% of … [Read more...]