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Both Americans and Canadians are discovering the mild, Spring like
climate, and natural beauty of the Mexican landscape, hills, and mountains. It is very inviting for a pre-retirement or retirement location. Although the recession is slowly winding down, President Obama says the recovery will take
a long time. At this time, one can still find excellent prices of properties
in Mexico. This is a very important issue for you to consider as you contemplate
a retirement or pre-retirement home. In areas where foreigners have invaded in
huge numbers such as Ajijic in the Chapala area, and San Miguel de Allende, prices go up drastically. However, Mexico in general is still very affordable if one avoids the larger cities. There are several relatively undiscovered locations where the traditional, tranquil “Old Mexico” still abounds with its’ mariachis and the Charraría (the Mexican Cowboys
with their broad-brimmed sombreros); areas that are peaceful, where you can safely
take leisurely walks down the street and through the parks.
One of these areas is the city of Lagos De Moreno, in northeastern Jalisco, only an eleven hour
drive from Laredo, Texas. This just might be the place for you with its low cost
day to day living, healthy climate, very
affordable health care, excellent hospitals, state of the art diagnostic medical equipment such as in the new Regional Social
Security Hospital. Personalized medical treatment and low cost medicines are
readily available. There are even newer medications, such a high-blood pressure
meds that cause little to no cough.
Lagos De Moreno is one of the “gems” of the Highlands of Old Mexico. There one will
find handcrafts, antique shops, great traditional restaurants, as well as numerous activities and annual events. The population is around 110,000 to 130,000. It is the 7th
largest city in the State of Jalisco. It had its’ pre-Hispanic beginnings
around 1028BC with the pre-Chichimeca culture. They disappeared around 1024AD, and the Chichimecas lived in the area from
about 1500 to about 1590AD. Their remnants and old dwellings can still be found
about 3 feet below the surface. In 1831 and again in 1915, Lagos De Moreno was
the State capital. The Mexican Revolutionary hero Pedro Moreno was baptized in
the chapel of a Hacienda just outside of town. His body is buried here in one
of the many Temples.
By many people, Lagos is called the “Athens of Jalisco” because of the many poets, artists,
writers and musicians from here. There are 3 universities, a technical school
of engineering, and a language school for learning Spanish. Just a few
of the local sites of interest include the Jose Rosas Theater which has a neoclassic French type architecture. The painted dome mural represents the insurgent hero Pedro Moreno and others. The Casa de la Cultura was originally a Convent, later a school and now the House of Culture. There is also the Escuela de Artes y Oficios (Arts and Crafts). There
is too much to list here.
Activities include, but not limited to: the Capuchinas
Mall, internet café’s, Video Rental, City Tour Tram, and at times horse drawn tour carriages, the Lagos Fair from late
July to early August, nearby lakes, the La Union zoo, bowling and ice skating
35 minutes away, festivals during Easter Week, several Fall events, and the Virgin of Guadalupe in December. Events in the Theater include musical bands, Soprano and guitar recitals, music from other countries, ballet,
cabaret, dance workshops, any many, many others. There is a social club with
a swimming pool open by membership, and a golf course about 30-35 minutes away. Just about anything you want can be found in Lagos De Moreno, and vicinity.
One question is WHY even retire to Mexico? Some answers are, a warmer climate,
your money goes further, experience a new culture, learn a new language, healthier living (slower pace,
fresh fruit and vegetables, less grease and fat in the food, pay less taxes, 12 months of flowers and gardening).....
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