In the state of Jalisco there is a peculiar place that is called by many as the paradise of foreigners, particularly of people from Canada and the United States, who mostly live there.
The town is called Ajijic, a place that is located in the municipality of Chapala, which has approximately 11,439 inhabitants, of which at least half are of foreign origin and in whose area the English language is mostly spoken despite being in one of the most Mexican entities in the country.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Chapala, Ajijic became the preferred place, after a few years ago National Geographic mentioned that they had the second best climate in the world.
Precisely that factor turned that area of the Mexican Republic into one of the favorite locations for Americans who come to retire in Mexico and that has been slowly colonized by them.
Of the estimated one million Americans living in Mexico, a good portion are retirees and have chosen places like Ajijic, where the houses and businesses in the area look Californian style.
In addition, in this town, people can wander through its cobblestone streets, enjoy the landscape of colorful houses, its art galleries and survive almost without speaking Spanish.
But Ajijic, which in the 1950s was already considered a destination for foreigners and promoted by the Mexican government to attract American retirees, also knows how to be lively and animated, say its residents.
And for some of them in Ajijic, the massive presence of foreigners is a blessing but they also view it with some resentment, since for the natives of that region, it is annoying that they take advantage of the low prices, low salaries and health services, in addition to the fact that some get angry because they have to speak Spanish in certain places or with people.
However, the other side of the coin is that their stay has also brought jobs and a peaceful place, away from problems of violence, as the locals say in part thanks to these people who now live in the area.
Other residences of foreigners in Mexico
In addition to Ajijic, in Jalisco there is another place preferred by foreigners to reside, we speak of Puerto Vallarta, where it is estimated that around 35 thousand Americans, and Canadians, made this resort on the Pacific Ocean, their favorite place.
Another place that is one of the favorites for this type of people is San Miguel de Allende, a colonial place located in the state of Guanajuato. From there we jump to another iconic place Puerto Peñasco, in Sonora, known as “Rocky Point” which is located less than 100 kilometers from the border with the United States. The constant sun and the widespread use of English make it attractive.
Finally, we have Tijuana, Mexicali and Ensenada, all three in the state of Baja California and very close to the neighboring country as other preferred destinations for this sector.
Source: excelsior
