Living in Chapala and Ajijic: Complete guide for expats

The shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest natural lake, are home to one of the oldest and most established expat communities in the entire country. Ajijic, the magical lakeside town, has been a destination for American and Canadian retirees since the 1950s, drawn by a climate National Geographic has described as among the best in the world, a very accessible cost of living, and a completely relaxed pace of life, just 45 minutes from the Guadalajara airport.

An exceptional climate and seven decades of expat community

At 1,524 meters of elevation and beside a lake that moderates temperatures, Ajijic enjoys spring-like weather almost year-round, without the extreme heat of the coast or the cold of other mountainous parts of Mexico. The town's cobblestone streets, art galleries, lakeside malecón and Wednesday and Sunday markets give it the character of a traditional Mexican town that coexists with infrastructure built for the international community: the Lake Chapala Society, founded in 1955, remains one of the most active meeting points for expats anywhere in Mexico.

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Cost of living