Question:
What about the traffic Lakeside? With more and more people moving there, hasn't the main road between Chapala and Jocotepec become unbearably congested? M. Evan, Colorado
Answer
No, it hasn't become unbearably congested. There is definitely more traffic on the weekends as the Guadalajarans have always come here to relax and there is more traffic during the high season with the snowbirds and that can be frustrating. Of course, anyone who is in a big hurry in Mexico in
any capacity will be frustrated until they learn to slow down a little.
In anticipation of more growth they are widening the carreterra to double its size between Chapala and Jocotepec so that will help. They are also looking at where to put alternate routes. As with any area that grows, there will be things to do to allow for more people and a better infrastructure but the stats here don't show an unusual growth...we are at about 3% a year which is normal/average.
The expat population has been tallied recently and officially at 20,000 people, and that number is spread across 77+ miles on the north shore and is expected to increase as Baby Boomers come of retirement age.
Saludos,
Kristina