Not everyone who dreams of moving to Mexico already speaks Spanish. And some people are nervous about making the move. If this describes you, take heart—there are destinations in Mexico that are just right for you. Lake Chapala is one of these places. Home to one of the oldest and best-established expat communities in Mexico, this area offers you one of the easiest transitions to life a la Mexicana that you could ask for.

Here the climate is pleasant year-round, the scenery is lush, and life is low-stress. You’ll find U.S.-style shops, one of the largest English-language libraries in Mexico, plenty of English speakers to help you get settled…and activities, clubs, and social groups galore.

It’s often said that when the U.S. catches a cold, Mexico sneezes. This has certainly been true in Lake Chapala since last year’s U.S. recession. The number of homes on the market has risen dramatically, while sales have plummeted. Prices have dropped, on average, about 20%.

If you can afford to buy right now—and pay cash—you can take advantage of big savings. You can find properties at just about every price point in the Lakeside area. Over the last two years, the average asking price for homes has been $272,000. Twenty-eight percent of listings are new construction. And, as of late August, there are 483 houses and 264 lots on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), giving you plenty of choices. The average price per square foot for Ajijic lots is $15.50. It’s $7 on average for lots in all Lakeside areas.

Lakeside rentals range from $400 to $4,000 per month, with an equally wide range of conditions, amenities, and extras. Most six-month winter residents here find a furnished two-bedroom, two-bath detached home for $800 to $1,000 per month, which includes utilities. Most rentals are furnished, and it’s a good idea to take a photographic inventory of the furnishings.

Most expats live in the greater Ajijic area (from San Juan Cosala to Riberas del Pilar) on the North Shore. Overall, these are the most expensive areas. Next in cost is the town of Chapala, and third is Jocotepec.

At Lakeside, there is something for everyone. Here are just a few examples of properties available now:

Our readers ask: I would like to move to Mexico, but I’ve never traveled outside the U.S. before. Where would you recommend that has a large expat community, which might help make my transition easier?

Here are some of the largest expat communities in Mexico:

• Ajijic/Lake Chapala: The largest community of U.S. expats in the world. See: www.lakechapalasociety.org.
• San Miguel de Allende: A large mixed U.S./Canadian expat community. Check out the English library at: www.bibliotecasma.org.
• Merida: There’s a growing expat community here and in the nearby beach towns. See the Merida English Library, at: www.meridaenglishlibrary.com.

At the low end, you can buy a three-bedroom, one-bathroom, single-story Mexican home in Jocotepec in need of renovation; price: $87,000. There’s also a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom home in Chapala for $119,000. It comes with a one-bedroom, one-bathroom casita on the property. From the covered terrace, there is an expansive view from Chapala Centro and Scorpion Island out to Mezcala Island with Michoacán in the background. This home, which was renovated in 2006, would suit someone who prefers a convenient walk to everything.

In the low to mid-range, there’s a nice new gated development in San Antonio Tlayacapán called El Pueblito. There will be a total of 33 villas; as of late August, three have been built, and six have been sold. The prices range from $140,000 to $160,000. The villas are beautifully designed two-bedroom, two-bathroom contemporary Mexican homes. The villas start at 1,507 square feet of constructed space (on lots starting at 1,991 square feet). There is a club house with a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi under construction. See: www.choosechapala.com.

For golfers, the Vista del Lago subdivision east of Chapala has its own nine-hole golf course, and homes ranging from $120,000 to $800,000.

West of Ajijic is the Racquet Club in San Juan Cosala, with properties from $250,000 to $850.000. This gated community lies in the mountains just above the Balneario (hot springs). It has a large community center and pool, as well as multiple tennis courts.

I just moved into one of the many new developments that are popping up west of Ajijic on the highway and north of Ajijic on the bypass. Arroyo Alto, where I now live, will have 32 homes when completed. All are contemporary Mexican in style, with open floor plans, outdoor living, and high-quality interiors. Each home has a view of the lake and mountains, and most have swimming pools and Jacuzzis. All wiring is underground, and, with the flowered walls, the community looks lovely. Homes are priced from $300,000 to $490,000. The homes are built by Grupo Desherman and marketed by Interlago Real Estate (www.interlagorealestate.com).

Between what’s available on the North Shore and in all the other small villages dotted along the lake, there are housing options for every lifestyle and pocketbook. For more property listings, see Lakeside’s MLS at: www.mlsmexico.com/chapala.

Editor’s note: Join us at our biggest event of the year, this February 2010 in Quito, Ecuador and you’ll learn everything you need to know before moving to Mexico (we’ll also cover a host of other countries in Latin America and Europe at this event). For more information, see: www.internationalliving.com/events.

About the Author

Karen Blue dropped out of high-tech, high-stress corporate America at age 51 and retired to Ajijic. She is the author of Midlife Mavericks: Women Reinventing Their Lives in Mexico.