Safety-Your honest opinion

Conservative; probably.
Paranoia happens when your imagination creates unseen enemies lurking in the shadows of your mind.
If that starts happening in my own head, it's time for the checkout counter.

"Careful "is what we should always be, without drifting into the land of Lost Souls above.
Careful, as in not getting into cars for a joyride with strangers or driving along cliffs at 90mph,. whether you're 18 or 80. 'Course, no strangers have been offering a joyride lately. lol.

The Lake Chapala area is beautiful, and I will bet you will love it the first day. And, another important thing - the people. Look at the folks on this forum. Everyone has different opinions, some don't get along all the time, but everyone is communicating, and sharing information. If someone needs something, someone provides the info. There is a really good network of really good people, and that is something you won't find in alot of places---including the U.S. There are alot of groups and organizations you can join, and many people who are busy giving back to the world through volunteerism with the local community. Go visit the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic when you get down here. Follow the suggestions given above - all good ones - and enjoy yourselves. Lots of good places to eat and it is easy to make new friends.

Don't you think it is really unique and wonderful that the community around the lake actually had somewhere between 2000 and 3000 people (have heard varying reports on numbers) show up at last Wednesday's community meeting? Where else do you know of NOB that this would happen? This is a testament to the Lake Chapala area and its people. The folks who live lakeside tend to really care about it, be they expats or Mexican citizens.