Let me just answer your questions by number. If you’d like to know more please send me an email to Sid@ChapalaClub.com and I can elborate more.

OK. Here we go.

# 1 The best book at the moment is “Mexico;s Lake Chapala & Ajijic- The Insiders Guide” by Teresa A. Kendrick.

It’s available from Amazon.com.

It’s latest copyright date is 2005 and a lot has changed since Teressa’s last edition so double check with me to see if what you read is still accurate.

I’m in the process of writing a book now about Living, Working and Playing at Lake Chapala Mexico. My goal is to have it available in early 2011.

I hope to make it not just full of facts, which let’s amit it can be a bit boring, but to make it a fun read as well using personal antidotes and experiences to illustrate the facts.

Later I might have a contest like “Name the Book” and ask for title ideas from all of our club members.

The working title is “How to Live a Caviar Lifestyle On a Tuna Fish Pension at Lake Chapala, Mexico.”

#2 I don’t have a phrase book I would recommend.

#3 Rosetta Stone is a good one, but wait until you arrive to buy it. I also recommend “Rocket Spanish”.

If yu look at the top of our club web pages you will see a link/button that says “Learn Spanish” Click on that button and read about the course and be sue and ask for the first 5 lessons for free. You get to try it before you buy it. Very good practical conversation practice which speeds you along at Rocket Speed.

The first 5 free lessons may be all the Spanish you’ll every need here.

The other very practical paper back book that’s been a long time (for good reason) is “Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish” also available on Amazon.com. It’s also for sale locally. I began with this book and it get’s you using Spanish quickly with lots of good tricks and will build your vocabulary quickly.

#4 Some people know at first look and one couple I helped rented for a couple of years before they bought.

Most guides will tell you to rent for 6 months, What I tell my clients is to rent long enough to be sure you’re in love and not just in lust.

I tell the negative things (or at least the things that some North Americans would view as negative) when I give my own seminars because frankly if you can’t handle these items or are not willing to adjust you likely should not live here.

I knew from several previous visits that the area was for me so when I came the last time it was to buy, but I rented for almost three months while looking for a home.

SO, when you know you’ll know.

# 5 I have some openings in my schedule for February, but best to send me an e mail to Sid@ChapalaClub.com to discuss your plans.

ChapalaClub.com now has three very charming ladies I call the Dream Team because they want to help make your dreams come true.

Each are Exclusive Buyers’ Only Realtors and members of the local Realtor group (GIL) and the National professional Reatlor group AMPI.

There are only 5 Buyer Only Realtors at Lake Chapala and our team accounts for 4 of the 5..

We each have an independent contractors agreement with the same local broker to process our sales and so we exercise independent judgment in your behalf to represent you. The seller’s have their agent. We believe you should have yours. A relatively new idea here at Lake Chapala.

So Janice the Dream Team ladies and I look forward to being of help and making a new friend.

Tu amigo nuevo, Sid

I appreciate all the information that you provide and look forward to meeting you. The recent letter from Deanne & Bruce responding to their friends inquiry “Can I Live on My Pension at Lake Chapala, Mexico” was outstanding.

My New Year’s goal was to re-visit Lake Chapala so I hope you can direct me to how best to navigate how to get there, lodging, etc. My first trip was over 25 years ago when visiting a friend who was taking her sabbatical and eventually happily retired there.

I was thinking of signing up for the FOCUS group orientation, but sitting in a classroom does not appeal to me at this time and the program seemed a bit expensive, particularly adding in the single supplement cost. Your thoughts?

I am ready to make a move to plant roots someplace else, at least 6 months out of the year. In checking into flying into Guadalajara, I will also be stopping to visit friends who purchased a second home in Chandler, AZ. This will give me the opportunity to compare the two locations.

Here are some questions that I hope you can answer and any other advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
1. What book would you recommend that would help orient me to not only getting to Chapala, but also provide other valuable information?
2. Is there a “best” phrase book that you could recommend I bring along?
3. What Spansh educational program (Fluenz, Tell Me More, Rosetta Stone, etc.) do you think might be best to use to learn the language … I am now retired but learning another language is a concern of mine … not my strongest suit in the past.
4. How long would you recommend someone stay in order to determine if a permanent move is the next step?
5. Are you available next month?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
Janice

These will be rentals which are not listed with the rental agencies. Most smaller places are not rented via the agencies.

I think you should be able to find a “casista” for rent for a reasonable amount.

Many of the larger homes have a separate small house or guest apartment like you describe with a mini kitchen and private bath and bedroom often with a small private or semi private patio.

Send me an e mail to Sid@ChapalaClub.com and I can go into more detail.

Thanks again. Siempre tu amigo, Sid