This area in Mexico, Ajijic (pronounced ah-he-heek), is actually a tourist site. There are between 14,000 and 18,000 English-speaking ex-patriots living here year round and more during the winter months. About half of the Mexican people you deal with will speak some English. Some speak fluent English, but if you don't speak Spanish, it's difficult to impossible to make yourself understood. Therefore, Spanish lessons are almost a must; not to mention the respect you display by learning the language of the country. If you're only here for a visit, or extended vacation, don't worry. You can get by with "Gracias" (thank you), "Por favor" (please), "Uno cerveza" (one beer), "Donde esta un bano? (where is the bathroom), and a bit of sign language.

Most people who relocate to Mexico prefer to rent a house, rather than buy, and for good reason. Number one, it gives you a chance to feel the area out, without limiting your movement much. Number two, $$$$$$$$$$$. In this area, at least, a small one bedroom/one bath house or condo will cost you $125,000 and up. The interest rate is high and financing is difficult.

At the same time, you have to be careful when renting. For instance you can go to www.ajijicrentals.com and see this place.

We fell in love with it. When we actually went to see it, I didn't know we were in the same place, until Roseanna told me later. The pictures don't tell the real story. Now, check out our place. This is the picture on the website.

Now, imagine the fruit tree, at the corner of the house, all diseased and rotting fruit and leaves all over the place. You'll have an image of what it looked like when we walked in. A month later (yesterday) and a lot of hard work and it looks like this.


The hard work, I might add, was ours (mostly Roseanna) and not that of the rental agency.

So, after owning a home for the better part of 30 years, we've learned some of the watch-fors of renting. Be cautious.

We're paying a little more per month than we want, or will be able to afford later. For now, though, it's our home, it's a beautiful home, and we love it. You spend most of your time outdoors here, so the courtyard is just what we were looking for.

More later... Lee