My house is in Ajijic Village, one block from Lake Chapala. We are a half hour away from Guadalajara International Airport.
The village has been a mecca for writers (D. H. Lawrence and friends) and artists over many years. I compare it to Carmel, CA, only it's not so twee. There are around 30,000 expats in the Lakeside area, mainly from Canada and the US. The weather is a great lure, as it's never too hot or too cold, due to the elevation of 5,000 feet. The village has a European flair. People bring their dogs, on leash, to the garden tables in many restaurants.
The Lake Chapala Society, where I volunteer, has an English language library for books and DVDs, and many activitites (yoga, Scrabble, bridge, lectures), is an easy walk away. Check its for more information.
There are many boutiques in the village, and restaurants with cuisines from all over the world: French, Italian, fish and chips, "International", Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Argentinian, New Orleans, and variations on Mexican cuisine. There's a great wood fired pizza place around the corner, with craft beers and a classic jazz combo.
There are two multiscreen movie theatres in the area.
Our Mexican neighbors welcome us, with their culture of politeness and warmth. They often prefer speaking English, rather than conversing with expats trying faltering Spanish.
The house has two bedrooms and three baths. The master bedroom has a walk in closet, and the adjoining bath has a large copper soaking tub. The shower opens onto a private garden.
There is a well equipped kitchen (five burner gas range, LG fridge, Bosch dishwasher), with three islands.
A design feaure is the atrium with skylight.
There is a 32 inch LG television in an armoire in the living room. It is connected to the Shaw Direct satellite, bringing programming from Canada and the US. There is Apple TV.
A separate studio with terrace is on the roof.
We have many books on the shelves, and art from our travels on the walls.
A Mac desktop computer is in the open office, with HP printer/scanner and excellent wifi. There is a separate wireless router for the house and casita.
The large, solar heated pool is surrounded by plants and shrubs. The charming casita has a living/dining area and bath with shower; upstairs is a bedroom and bath, with adjoining terrace.
The village square, shops and restaurants are within walking distance.
I have seven very agreeable cats. They come and go into the garden with a cat flap, and I bring them in at night.
A weekly maid, gardening and pool crews maintain house and garden. Trash is collected every morning except Sunday. Recycling pickup is Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
The casita was built in 2003. The house was expanded and completely updated in 2006 to US standards. The water is UV filtered, and thus drinkable. There's a laundry room with washer/dryer. A generator starts automatically if there is a power failure.
We live on the same level of comfort in this house as we did in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I will be going to Cuba with Los Cantantes del Lago, the choir I sing in, then to the San Francisco Bay Area, to see family and friends.
I want the house sitter(s) to come a few days early, for introductions to my friends and neighbors, and to get familiar with the cats and the house. I want to have some work done in the kitchen (replacing a poured concrete countertop, painting inside cabinets) while I'm away. The house sitter(s) will be comfortable in the casita when I'm home, or when work is being done.
After this trip, I'll be listing the casita on for vacation rentals, charging around $1,200 USD a month, pro-rated.