A Month in Mexico - Real Estate and Rentals

Would you like a two-bedroom, one and a half bath furnished apartment that includes electricity and maid service just three blocks from a lake for $300 US?  Then Ajijic or Chapala, Mexico, might be the place for you.

Here are some ads I noticed last week on the Lake Chapala Society (More about this organization above.) bulletin board.

There's a one bedroom casita with a fireplace, screened porch, garden and gardener that's within walking distance to shopping for $450 US.

Or how about a furnished one-bedroom casita with two terraces, DSL Internet, electric, incredible views, and a pool just one block from the plaza for $500 US?

If you simply want to try a short-term rental before making a commitment, you can lease-- until October--this upper Ajijic house with two bedrooms, two baths, a patio and garden, maid, phone, and Internet service for $500 US.

If you're sure this is the place you want to be, however, there's a long-term rental for $850 US that includes 2000 square feet in a two-story house with two bedrooms and two baths, washer/dryer, and patio.

You'll notice that all the rentals come fully furnished because furniture is very expensive to import from the US, Canada, or Europe.  Even houses are usually sold fully furnished.  The open house David and I stopped to see yesterday was no exception.  This is the description of Casa Michalek, a beautiful two-story house in a desirable neighborhood, provided by the International Realty company.  The sale price is $259.000 US.  For more information, e-mail Janel Campbell.

     This "like new" home is located in prestigious Upper La Floresta.  Easy walking distance to everything. 

     Features a bright and airy kitchen with new cabinets and appliances that include refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, range with oven.  All new tile floors and beautiful boveda ceilings.  Entire home newly painted inside and out with easy to decorate neutral colors.  

     Features two bedrooms and two full bathrooms with bathtubs!  Large master bedroom has a small balcony facing rear garden and king-size bed.  Plenty of closet space in bedrooms, bathrooms and throughout the entire house.  Office/den has extra sleeping area.  Four interior ceiling fans and two outside on terrace.  

     Front terrace features a wall water fountain.  Back yard has hot tub, waterfall and fish pond.  Covered terrace includes wet bar.  Garden has lemon, orange and papaya trees.  Covered enclosed parking for one car, three bodegas with lots of storage.  Home is fully furnished.

If David and I were not permanently settled in San Diego, we would find it difficult to decide on a new home in Ajijic.  Not because there's a dearth of choices, but because there's a plethora of options--from rentals to real estate--to choose from.