a MESMERIZING SURPRISE in Ajijic, Mexico!

I was expecting a fun and leisurely day in this charming Mexican lake town called Ajijic, but then this happened... (bonus: my first 🎶 ukulele/singing 🎶 debut)

Recently, I've been house hunting in Mexico, looking for the perfect home to buy. After viewing a few options in Queretaro (my former home of 1 year), I decided to check out Ajijic at Lake Chapala because I lived here for about 4 months back in 2018 and really enjoyed my time here.

Ajijic, Jalisco is known for having one of the largest communities of foreigners in Mexico. Hundreds of Americans and Canadians flock here every year. That's a selling feature for some and a turn-off for others. In any case, Ajijic certainly has lots of small-town charm with it's cobblestone streets, pleasant weather year-round, beautiful nature, and diverse restaurant scene.

In today's Mexico vlog, I am spending a day in Ajijic to try and decide whether this town is somewhere I'd like to live and/or buy a home! What do you think?

❁❁WATCH NEXT❁❁
House Hunting in Ajijic, Mexico!!

❁❁ABOUT ME❁❁
Hi, I'm Maddie, former partner of Tangerine Travels, a travel vlog with over 350 videos that I helped build for 4 years to over 250k subscribers. I'm originally from Arizona and have been living in Mexico since 2018. These days, I'm traveling around Mexico, doing the "solo female travel" thing.

❁❁SOCIAL MEDIA❁❁

#MaddieGold #Ajijic #Mexico

[MaddieGold]

Ajijic has certainly changed a lot since 2018, but I think a lot of the magic that draws people to move here still exists. What do you think of the ✨mesmerizing surprise✨ I saw?? 😍

[missybelmont]

Ok, so it looks like Everyone agrees, We Love Your for the love of God, Sing More, Maddie Gold!! It uplifts the frequencies of your followers and the world at large. I know I'm sounding dramatic, but it's true! Love ❤️ to you and everyone on here...

[able]

Ajijic is a great place even for younger people. There are great restaurants but there is more to do here than eating. Their are art galleries, theater, hiking trails, thermal spas, meditation groups, massage, boating on the lake, and my wife and I are going dancing tonight at a Resturant that has live Latin/ rock music. Here are just a few things that Ajijic and the surrounding area has to offer.

[redgoldglow]

Such a nice fun video! You seem brighter & light hearted (even though you weren’t feeling the best after a few rough days) plus more settled & confident. Love seeing Mexico through your eyes!

[nyleah]

You are looking healthier emotionally with every video, I’m seeing less and less of the sadness that was like a rain cloud hanging over you! Thankful that you’re doing well! Thankful for the wonderful videos about this beautiful city🙏❤️

[wendynync]

OMG Maddie your singing voice is that of an angel...such a natural talent!! Your vlogging style is so enjoyable, hope you are able to expand to major streaming platforms and/or a travel tv show. 👏

[hivolco]

Hey Maddie! I loved every inch of this video! The clouds were AMAZING and you captured so much! How could ANYONE think Lake Chapala is boring?!? When I went there I was mesmerized... I was there with family and friends in a group and at one point, I said, Sorry I will meet you when it's time to leave and I went off on my own adventure! People who are bored have NO imagination... and that most Certainly is not YOU! Also I am so proud of you for taking up and instrument! Your voice is your built in instrument and it is absolutely Lovely!! Keep it going! That last meal was awesome... as I was watching the ingredients going in, I was thinking... "hey I can make that" ! And I shall !!! Gracias for everything you share... Wherever you land there will be Sunshine and beauty... Don't listen for a minute to the Naysayers!

[Busybeeee]

I love this style of video! This is the perfect formula: showing us the town, places to eat, a little personal stuff … way to go Maddie. Ajijic is so beautiful and seems peaceful! I agree with you, Mexico has gotten expensive like many other places especially touristy areas. I am currently in Silao a small town in Guanajuato and it’s dirt cheap! No tourists, a little rough and dirty . Nothing much to do but enjoy the authentic side of Mexico so I really love it here! Great video Maddie, you have the most beautiful angelic sweet voice ever 🥰

[pattymoroney]

I LOVE AJIJIC!!!! I am not elderly and I would live there in a heartbeat!!! I think you should get a place there, as it is safe and FILM MORE IN AJIJIC!!!!

[geoulloa]

Beautiful video. The music, the singing, the murales, the food, the rainbow. All amazing. Keep shining.

[darcibeckford]

I love that you showed us your progress on the ukulele! That takes a lot of guts! Your voice is so sweet, too! Ajijic seems like a very laid back relaxing place and a wonderful place to vacation or retire. I would be surprised if you settled there, as I perceive that you would thrive somewhere a little busier and more vibrant. On the other hand, maybe a quiet restorative environment might recharge you between travels. I don't know! I love the idea of comparison videos though.

[lizpereda]

Omg. You’ve actually convinced me to live there. It’s beautiful, relaxing, you can be yourself, it’s on the water, the temps are amazing year round, great restaurants, it would be an amazing home base that you can travel throughout all of Mexico from and come home to a peaceful paradise. My vote is buy there!

[largedoglover]

Glad to see another video so soon. You look great. I love strong women. and I think you are very brave. Thank you for sharing your story with us and you will be happy to know that you will help influence other young women . Thanks for being a roll model.

[debrabowers]

Hi Maddie. I met you briefly at the Globos festival recently. You looked like you were having fun. No matter where you go, there you are. Fitting quote for this area. Any place is what you make of it and no place will insure your own happiness. Ajijic is "boring" because there are not a lot of young folk activities...I guess. You do have excellent restaurant choices, lots of live music of all kinds, wonderful weather, easy access to an airport, Guadalajara is one hour away, lots of shopping, cinemas showing new films, three live theaters, a casino, four hour drive to a variety of beach towns, lovely weekly markets, lively festivals, strong traditional activities, friendly locals, good library, lots of craft choices, a ukulele club, etc. Granted there are many folks of a certain age enjoying these activities but more "work from home" younger types are also coming down. I have lived in Patzcuaro, San Miguel de Allende, Jocotepec, several towns in Peru, and have been to at least 25 states in Mexico and have not found anyplace that feels more like home than here. I came here to live the first time when I was 19 years old in 1972 and it has changed dramatically...but so
has every place on earth. Change is the only constant. Settle in and enjoy. Alan

[martbright]

I admire you for just having a channel and putting yourself out there. I know it has to be difficult sometimes—people can be so unkind and just downright rude. Thank you for all the informative and interesting content!

[seeleygirl]

Never seen a sky like that. The magic of Gods handiwork. Lovely 🥰

[mariopardillo]

Hi Maddie! Welcome back to Lake Chapala. We've been living here for almost 4 years and yes, there are some old boring people here, but there are also some vibrant, active, interesting people of all ages. There are so many things to do besides eat at restaurants (though that's fun too). Since you speak Spanish so well, you have the advantage of making friends with both native Mexican residents as well as residents from other countries. There are art exhibits, music events (Jazz, Classical, Flamenco, Mariachi, etc), yoga, tiangis, festivals, etc. Hope you decide to make this your home base.

PS - that Rainbow had to be a good omen!!

[davidalbertofloresluna]

Qué bonita voz, felicidades.increibled reportajes😊

[ktslittlefaith]

I think you are so BRAVE for doing all that you do. I love it and admire you!

[asteroidcatcher]

Your recent videos have brought me back to what I would call the glory days of the old TT days. Touring places, eating food, and really letting us see what the areas are like. I wish you all the best in growing your new channel. Keep it up.