Boomer invasion?

Well, today Barb went to see Dr. Garcia and was very pleased with the result. He was very much less casual than Dr. Leon. He went through the materials from her chart from Canada with her, he gave her a physical check and said that he was friends with the rheumatologist recommended by her Halifax doctor. He said that he would arrange for her to see him. She was there for almost an hour. He says that the lab associated with his clinic is certified to US standards. We also discovered that the clinic is open for emergencies 24 hours a day with a doctor there. They do what they can there and arrange for patients to be taken to Guadalajara if necessary.

We went to a lecture at LCS by an American academic who has been studying migration of foreigners to the Lake Chapala area for over 10 years (currently updating his research). He reviewed some of his findings. He also drew attention to the changes taking place, especially with a growing influx of expats and what that might mean. He noted that the boomer generation is starting or will soon be retiring (75 million in the US alone) and that they are much more likely to retire to foreign destinations than their parents were. While a number of other countries, especially in Central America, are trying to attract these potential migrants, Mexico is and will probably remain the most frequent destination. Another interesting fact is that many Hispanics (not just Mexicans but others from farther away, such as Peru) who have lived many years in the US and who have families stillthere are retiring to Mexico and Lake Chapala. Althugh they speak Spanish, they have also been assimilated to Gringo ways, foods, etc. In Lake Chapala area, with so many Gringos, Wal-Mart and other American chains, a growing number of migrants feel that the area is losing the culture and things that attracted them in the first place. Some are moving from Lake Chapala to other areas of Mexico that have been much less touched by these American people and influences. There is a great deal of development and not much evidence of planning or control being exercised. One example arose in July in San Antonio, the village next to us. Development of condos above the town altered and interrupted the existing water courses for runoff during the rainy season. A couple of streets in San Antonio were washed away, literally, and houses flooded as rain water was no longer able to follow the old routes to the lake. One street is having to be completely rebuilt. This is a bit unsettling for us as we don’t want this area to become just another Florida or Arizona. However, at the moment, we are still very happy with our decision to move here. Moreover, as the lecturer also pointed out, Lake Chapala has had other booms in the past which were then followed by relative busts. Maybe, things will taper off again this time.