SERVICES AND AMENITIES

Because most homes are owned outright, labor intensive expenses such as construction, etc., are usually very reasonable. Almost all construction is of masonry so fire insurance is seldom needed or purchased. Restaurants, car repairs etc., are inexpensive.

Experienced maids, gardeners, and home health care workers can generally be hired for the equivalent of $2-$3 USD an hour, with increases for longer service.

Excellent medical care is available from bilingual private physicians, clinics, and hospitals at considerably lower costs than north of the border. Medicines, often even the same brands as sold in the U.S. and Canada, are also quite a bit less expensive.

Shopping opportunities range from the typical Mexican specialty shops to large marketplaces with dozens of booths to many major American stores and restaurants franchised to Mexican owner/operators. Quite a few of the franchises, such as Walmart, Ace Hardware and Domino’s Pizza, can be found in the Lakeside area, with new ones being added continually. Weekly shopping buses make excursions into major shopping areas in Guadalajara, for those who don’t want to fight city traffic.