New to this website. Looking to retire to Lake Chapala and need coaching

There are members on this board that have rentals that may be able to help.

OR

www.vrbo.com

OR

Or just google "rental in Chapala" for a large list of rental agents.

johninajijic wrote:

GordyM wrote:Where can I find a nice one bedroom with a kitchen for a month or two?

Thanks,
Gordy

If the Casita next door to me is empty, you could rent that at $ 450 a month, much cheaper and nicer than any B & B. It is empty now. What dates are you coming?

Not really sure of my dates just yet. How do I get to see some pictures of the "Casita next door to me"?

Thanks,
Gordy

Gordy:

You might check out: http://century21accessmex.com/component/option,com_estateagent/Itemid,55/act,cat/task,showCE/id,6/limit,10/limitstart,0/
If you look at the ones labeled: Villa Maria Jose, these are all recently renovated units and in most cases you would probably be the very first renter. It appears that they offer two different sized units for $350 to $550USD/month. You don't mention your vehicle intentions but one would want their own vehicle since these are located quite a walk from the bus line.

We may have availability depending on your dates: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7341028@N04/

Also I was wondering..... where do most of you store your valuables? (passport, credit cards, cash, etc......)

Seeing I will be spend a couples of months in the area, do you suggest a safe deposit box at a local bank?

Thanks,
Gordy

They do not have safety deposit boxes at the banks here, so I was told. Some rental places have safes or you can find you own safe "stash" within your rental place.

Gordy, scroll up a couple of posts to RoofBob's offer. Good place, good location, great people who will be able to answer all your questions with experience and intelligence and no hidden agenda.

Suerte.

Trailrunner wrote:Gordy, scroll up a couple of posts to RoofBob's offer. Good place, good location, great people who will be able to answer all your questions with experience and intelligence and no hidden agenda.

Suerte.

Once I come up with some solid dates I will get in touch with RoofBob..... Thanks for the tip.

Gordy

Gordy, for a longish short term stay I would recommend contacting Casa Del Sol. The hotel itself is very nice, regular hotel-sized rooms but lots of room in the facility to hang out (various patios and a wonderful mirador). But even better is the upstairs apartment across the street. We stayed there and loved it! Very roomy, full kitchen, patio, nicely decorated, and it felt very secure. A little pricier than some of the options noted here but you absolutely can't beat the location, and you also have access to the mirador and pool and everything at the hotel plus maid service once a week.

If the apartment is already rented I think they can refer you to some other long-vacation rentals right near that same location.

I was the one who posted about the crime but I have to say I'm glad you're going to try it out anyway. We still plan to return there to live in October having made the decision that the positives of the place outweigh the negatives. I just thought it was something you should know.

I hope you have a great visit to the area!

sambrit10 wrote:Gordy, for a longish short term stay I would recommend contacting Casa Del Sol. The hotel itself is very nice, regular hotel-sized rooms but lots of room in the facility to hang out (various patios and a wonderful mirador). But even better is the upstairs apartment across the street. We stayed there and loved it! Very roomy, full kitchen, patio, nicely decorated, and it felt very secure. A little pricier than some of the options noted here but you absolutely can't beat the location, and you also have access to the mirador and pool and everything at the hotel plus maid service once a week.

If the apartment is already rented I think they can refer you to some other long-vacation rentals right near that same location.

I was the one who posted about the crime but I have to say I'm glad you're going to try it out anyway. We still plan to return there to live in October having made the decision that the positives of the place outweigh the negatives. I just thought it was something you should know.

I hope you have a great visit to the area!

Is this the place you are referring to? http://casadelsolinn.com/

Thanks,
Gordy

GordyM wrote:

sambrit10 wrote:Gordy, for a longish short term stay I would recommend contacting Casa Del Sol. The hotel itself is very nice, regular hotel-sized rooms but lots of room in the facility to hang out (various patios and a wonderful mirador). But even better is the upstairs apartment across the street. We stayed there and loved it! Very roomy, full kitchen, patio, nicely decorated, and it felt very secure. A little pricier than some of the options noted here but you absolutely can't beat the location, and you also have access to the mirador and pool and everything at the hotel plus maid service once a week.

If the apartment is already rented I think they can refer you to some other long-vacation rentals right near that same location.

I was the one who posted about the crime but I have to say I'm glad you're going to try it out anyway. We still plan to return there to live in October having made the decision that the positives of the place outweigh the negatives. I just thought it was something you should know.

I hope you have a great visit to the area!

Is this the place you are referring to? http://casadelsolinn.com/

Thanks,
Gordy

Yes, Gordy, this is the place. Under "Rooms and Rates" check out the two apartments listed at the very bottom. The last one is the one across the street where we stayed. The other is inside the hotel, very nice but somewhat lacks privacy. The owner if very easy to work with!

Probably the highest priced place in Ajijic.

Renting a Casita in Ajijic or wherever at $ 500 a month is only $ 16.66 a night and larger than any room.

And in Chapala for 17.44 a night you get a 2 bd. 1 ba. 1,600 sq. ft. apt. all inclusive w/private patio and entrance. And of course Chapala has been designated the most desirable place to live by the Intergalactic Tourist Federation.

Also check www.vrbo.com
Search for Chapala or Ajijic

johninajijic wrote:Probably the highest priced place in Ajijic.

Renting a Casita in Ajijic or wherever at $ 500 a month is only $ 16.66 a night and larger than any room.

Yes, I did say it was a bit pricey (if you're referring to Casa Del Sol) but the apartment is I think $800 a month for a longer term stay, so not outrageous, and it's not just a room, it's at least 1000 sf with bedroom, bathroom, patio, large living room, kitchen, and office. The thing that really recommends it to me is the location, but I also liked the view, the layout, and the amenities. Again, just throwing stuff out there ... Gordy's a grownup, he'll make the choice that's best for him.

Gordy M - My Casita just became available on August 1st. If you're coming in off seson, it is $ 430 a month or in season, it is $ 450 a month. You can see my new ad posted in the For Sale/Rent section now. Off season is $ 14.33 a day. In season is $ 15 a day. You won't find anything in a Safe and secure upscale gated Community in Ajijic like this. We have NEVER had a robbery in the Community. It is totally all inclusive. No extras to pay for. On the busline. Posting my ad now.

If you stay at John's place you will need a car. If you stay at Casa del Sol or at Nueva Posada, you won't.

binky wrote:If you stay at John's place you will need a car. If you stay at Casa del Sol or at Nueva Posada, you won't.

You know nothing. I'm on the busline which is at the bottom of the hill and runs every 10 minutes. If you stay at either place above which is very noisy in town at their prices, you can take a lot of taxis from here and still save a lot of money. MYOB.

John:

One of the most effective sales techniques used by successful salesmen the world over is: to bad mouth one's competition!

That's a nice friendly answer John.........

johninajijic wrote:

binky wrote:If you stay at John's place you will need a car. If you stay at Casa del Sol or at Nueva Posada, you won't.

You know nothing. I'm on the busline which is at the bottom of the hill and runs every 10 minutes. If you stay at either place above which is very noisy in town at their prices, you can take a lot of taxis from here and still save a lot of money. MYOB.

The little buses run every 15 minutes like clockwork. Don't know the schedules for the big directo buses which don't
stop everywhere. So John you gave a wrong answer.

Don't you think MYOB was a little over the top???

Z

Here in Los Arroyos Sur (West Ajijic) I consider a car to be an essential. Not many people will be walking back up the hill with an armful of groceries. I would bet that every resident in here owns a car. If someone wants to be "car free" they are best served to be in the center of either Ajijic or Chapala. Yes, you have to put up with more noise but that is typical in any city center.

johninajijic wrote:Gordy M - My Casita just became available on August 1st. If you're coming in off seson, it is $ 430 a month or in season, it is $ 450 a month. You can see my new ad posted in the For Sale/Rent section now. Off season is $ 14.33 a day. In season is $ 15 a day. You won't find anything in a Safe and secure upscale gated Community in Ajijic like this. We have NEVER had a robbery in the Community. It is totally all inclusive. No extras to pay for. On the busline. Posting my ad now.

I see the listing but no pictures. Would you have any to share with me?

Thanks,
Gordy

binky wrote:If you stay at John's place you will need a car. If you stay at Casa del Sol or at Nueva Posada, you won't.

Don't you think this NEWBIE who knows nothing about Los Arroyos Sur should butt out. His comment was totally unnecessary. If anyone doesn't want to walk up and down the hill, they can get a taxi to their front door, one helluva lot cheaper than either Nuevo Posada or Casa del Sol. I couldn't believe Casa del Sols prices. I was shocked. Even Nuevo Posada is fairly high compared to other B & B's.

I can get a nice room in the US and Canada for $ 85 to $ 125 a night. This is not the US or Canada. Mexico has a cheap cost of living, taxes, help, etc.

Bottom line, my Casita is a bargain compared to ANY B & B in town and larger too with full appliances in a safe neighborhood. I'm already giving it away. I'll send some pics when I get around to it. No hurry. Gordy doesn't even know when he's coming.

johninajijic wrote:

binky wrote:If you stay at John's place you will need a car. If you stay at Casa del Sol or at Nueva Posada, you won't.

Don't you think this NEWBIE who knows nothing about Los Arroyos Sur should butt out. His comment was totally unnecessary. If anyone doesn't want to walk up and down the hill, they can get a taxi to their front door, one helluva lot cheaper than either Nuevo Posada or Casa del Sol. I couldn't believe Casa del Sols prices. I was shocked. Even Nuevo Posada is fairly high compared to other B & B's.

I can get a nice room in the US and Canada for $ 85 to $ 125 a night. This is not the US or Canada. Mexico has a cheap cost of living, taxes, help, etc.

Bottom line, my Casita is a bargain compared to ANY B & B in town and larger too with full appliances in a safe neighborhood. I'm already giving it away. I'll send some pics when I get around to it. No hurry. Gordy doesn't even know when he's coming.

I'm still not sure where you're coming from on this, John. I said the Casa apartment rented for $800 a month when we were there -- half the price of a Nuevo Posada suite, according to their website -- and at a little over $25 a night, a long way from the $85 a night you mention. And that includes gas, electricity, and weekly maid service. They do have rooms at much higher rates but that's not what I was talking about.

Gordy, there are also many rental agencies that do short term rentals. My last short term rental was a very nice two-bedroom two bath house in the village near the lake for $650 a month, but they did charge another $200 for gas, electricity, and final cleanup and there was no maid service. I think this is pretty typical for short term rentals.

To me, being in a gated community would NOT be experiencing Ajijic, but I know everyone is different and wants something different from living here. I love being in the middle of things and although the noise kept me awake at first, I learned to sleep through and even enjoy the rockets and roosters. I love that most of the best restaurants, the tianguis market, El Torito, Farmacia Guadalajara, the plaza, the LCS and the malecon are all an easy (less than 10 minute) walk away. Since my closest friends here also live in the village it's easy to make plans to meet, and very easy to constantly run into people you know. And of course you're in the heart of the cultural events, which has its pros and cons.

But there is definitely something to be said for being up the hill with the view, and most gated communities have a pool and a clubhouse and social events. I feel kind of sequestered in those places, but it's all in what you want from your experience.

God, I love this board. chico