During the last couple of months Thom and I have been staying in Ajijic, MX. This is our fourth visit and it is an excellent way to escape the desert heat during the Tucson summer months. Not only is the weather mild and nearly perfect, we are fortunate to enjoy the company of new friends and reacquaint with a handful of the friends we’ve made here in years past. Besides that, there are also dozens of activities, lectures and discussion groups to fill our minds with new and interesting ideas. Oh, and there is ongoing line dancing and evenings out with Thom. And don’t get me started on all the great places to eat. While we never know for sure exactly what we will encounter each day, it is amazing what you can discover with an open mind.
One of the newer and more unusual is a discussion group about UFOs—or UAPs as they are now frequently called
(Unexplained Aerial Phenomena). This renaming of UFOs happened around 2020 because according to AI, those in charge wanted to create a focus on a more scientific and evidence-based investigation, instead of the traditional UFO reports that often carry cultural implications of alien spacecraft. This shift aims to reduce stigma and encourage serious analysis of unexplained aerial events. Up until now I had apparently missed that new distinction.
Neither Thom nor I have personally experienced UAPs. However, we both firmly believe that given the vast number of planets and stars in the Universe that it would be narrow minded to think we are the only sentient beings that have ever existed. What that looks like or even means differs with each person and their perception. Yet being open to the idea is clearly a first step. Plus, with the number of people here in this small community interested in this topic, it seems likely that more people are becoming intrigued as well.
We find it rare to find a place that offers such variety with so many diverse people. We also attended a “Death Café” which I’vewritten about before as well as weekly current event discussions. Beyond that, medical tourism is drawing visitors for stem cell and other therapies. Thom found an excellent practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Of course, I’ve written in previous posts why we like it here so much, so I won’t go into every detail, but if interested, here is a link. And no, we don’t plan to move here from Tucson, but we have already reserved our current rental for next summer.
At the twice weekly line dancing class here at LCS.
Another reoccurring theme that has popped up during this visit is living in the flow and being present. Because Ajijic attracts a mostly older crowd of people (approximately 15,000 to 20,000 expats live along the shores of La Chapala) an ongoing area of interest is how to live the best life possible as we age. So, flow and being present in the moment fits that desire. Things slow down here—it is Mexico after all. So, expecting the hustle and bustle of life in most western cultures is a struggle you won’t win. Things around here take time—everything from receiving service in a restaurant, withdrawing money from an ATM, to checking out groceries in a store. Nearly everywhere I go I can feel myself slow down, breathe and relax. The pressure to be productive and get things done sort of dissolves into pleasant walks along the malacon to the town centro for a cup of coffee or lunch with friends. No rush. Why would you? Just stop and enjoy the beauty around you.
Someone asked us the other day what we mostly do while here. We laughed and said, “We walk to the grocery store, then home, then walk to meet friends and stop in at a little restaurant to eat, then home, then walk to enjoy the view along the lake, then walk home. Go to bed and then get up and “walk, eat & socialize.” Without a car we figure we are walking up to 5 miles every day so even although we are eating lots of great food, we are probably losing weight.
It’s clear that the infusion of expats in the area has changed the demographic and culture here. Prices for properties have risen like so many other places and the food in restaurants and the grocery stores are higher than in previous years as well. But for most US citizens and Canadians it is still an affordable place to live a quality life. Even so a harmony seems to exist between the local families and business owners. True to the Mexican nature, they are willing to share the beauty and charm of their native country to those of us who visit and decide to live here as well.
A real key to the community here in Ajijic is The Lake Chapala Society that was founded by Neill James back in 1955. The legacy of this woman is an organization that was established to support both the expats AND the local residents and their children. I’ve read that it is called both a “bridge” and a visitor center that includes dozens of activities and events for residents and visitors. Thom and I are convinced that it is because of this organization, along with the weather and natural charm of the area, that Ajijic is as popular as it is today.
Thom and I have been fortunate to visit many amazing and wonderful places so far in our lives. But truth be told, there aren’t that many that keep pulling us back. While this area certainly doesn’t need more people to move here, if you’re one that seeks something usual in more ways than one, you might want to check it out.
We can hardly wait to come back! Look for us next year for sure!
The slower pace and lack of a car sounds wonderful! I’ve wondered if I will do yoga on my own when we are sailing the Great Loop, and it occurred to me that I may not have a need to slow the pace and refocus in that way, because we will be out of the “hustle and bustle.” I really am hoping that will be the case!
I remember your earlier post and photos of your special place here. How lovely. I can easily understand why you love it so much!
Hi Galen. Yes it is a very special place for us. It’s remarkable how many friends we’ve made in the last 2 months and the weather has been just about perfect. Of course, like my friend Liesbet said in her comment, it does definitely affect the locals to have so many expats visit and/or move here. But so far it’s been a very good home-away-from-home for us and we plan to return again! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I’m so glad you found a place that you both love enough to keep returning to. I’m also glad – and a bit surprised – that locals and expats get along so well in Ajijic. I can only imagine how the locals feel about being priced out of buying property or renting apartments with the huge influx of “rich” westerners. This seems to be a trend throughout Mexico’s most popular tourist towns.
I believe that Mark and I will become expats somewhere sometime, but it’s very important to us that there is synchrony between the existing population and the newbies. It’s not so simple or straightforward.
Hi Liesbet. You are absolutely correct that there is no simple or straightforward answers to how an influx of wealthy visitors affect an area. I think I have heard of it described as a sort of love/hate relationship. They rely so much and have become very accustomed to the money and infrastructure brought to the area…but it does change things rather dramatically for them. It seems most of the locals are very entrepreneurial, adaptable, and have figured out ways to co-exist but there are definitely some who aren’t happy with the situation. Of course in many ways it is similar in different areas in other parts of the world whenever a group of people decide to move in and make a location their own (especially if money is involved!). If there are no regulations then those with less money or influence get to make up the rules and those without must make all the adjustments. And I know there are areas in Mexico and other places where expats live a more integrated lifestyle, but just like anywhere in the world, if the location itself is very special and highly desirable, then more and more people will be drawn to it. Ajijic is that kind of place.
What a beautiful picture you paint of a place unknown to me until this post. I especially like that locals and expats are living and sharing together. You and Thom have found the best of all worlds.
Hi Bob! Nice to hear from you. Did you finally get moved into that community you and Betty talked about when we last got together? We are quite happy with our permanent move to Tucson as long as we can travel to cooler places in the summer…and yes, Ajijic is going to be a regular for us. A real key both here and in Tucson is community. It certainly seems to be what we are most appreciating this time in our lives. I hope things are working out as well for you these days! ~Kathy
We decided to not move to that retirement community. The entrance fee was much to high to make any economic sense.
We will stay in our own home until assisted living makes sense. We have family a few minutes away and are quite content put for now.
Yes it is kind of crazy how expensive moving into nice retirement communities can be these days. And if I remember correctly you did like the home you were living in. And if it is close to family and friends that makes sense. And of course the cost of assisted living is VERY expensive. A number of people here in Ajijic mention that there are a number of good places near here that they believe offer great alternatives to those in the states that are much more affordable. But again, a key is being close to either family or friends.