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For many years, my husband and I have lived in Lake Chapala Mexico, located 45 min from Guadalajara and 4 hours inland from Puerto Vallarta. One of the most important reasons we chose to move here was our children. We wanted to raise them in a safe environment. If you question our motivation I have facts that back the latter statement. The NationMaster’s Crime per Capita report lists the U.S. as #8 and Mexico way down at #39.

Does knowing that Miami has the highest violent crime rate in the U.S. prevent you and your loved ones from vacationing in Miami? So, if Miami has the highest crime rate in a country ranked 8th overall, why all the concern about Mexico with a crime ranking 31 times less. Put’s matters in perspective doesn’t it.

Here is another fact. As reported by RE/MAX Investment… tourist hot spots in Mexico are twenty six times safer than some zones in the U.S.

This report gets very specific. Here some crime rate comparisons to consider. The crime rates in Las Cabos, Lapaz and Loreto have a homicide rate 26 time less that of Orlando, 18 less that of Miami, 17 less that of West Palm Beach, 12 less that of Tampa and 6 times less that of Honolulu.

Additionally, this report lists homicide rates compared against Baja California and major cities in both the Sates and Canada. For example: Baja is thirty nine times less the rate of D.C., 19 less that of Houston, all the way down to Vancouver with a homicide rate 3 times greater than Baja California… the latter is shocking, but true.

I used to like in Greeley, Colorado… a city with a population of 90000. You won’t see it on the crime rate list anywhere, but murders, rape and armed robberies did occur… I would read about such events in the news weekly. You simply don’t hear about theses types of stories in Lake Chapala Mexico. Here, in Lake Chapala, I feel the safest and most secure my whole life.

Focus on Mexico recently sent out a survey to find out what other residents had to say about crime and safety in the Lake Chapala Ajijic area, and these are a few comments that seem to embody the general sentiments of the people who responded:

* Clay McAdam: I would like to share my impressions and feelings from the perspective of a retired Edmonton police officer who has chosen to live permanently in Mexico. We feel perfectly safe walking in the streets of Ajijic at any time of day or night. It never ceases to amaze me when walking down the street and being greeted with an hola or buenos dias, by people whom we do not know. Not since I was child in a small town in southwestern Saskatchewan have I been greeted in this manner. The North American news media has taken a situation that is occurring in the border areas and is blowing it totally out of proportion as far as I am concerned. My advice is to come to Lake Chapala and see what it is like to live in a happy and enjoyable environment.

* Jerry Pounds: My personal feeling is that Lake Chapala Mexico is as safe a place as one will find anywhere. I decided the second day that I was in Mexico (with you wonderful folks at FOCUS on MEXICO) that I would spend as much of the rest of my life in the Lake Chapala area as possible. Two years later I think of myself as Mexican/American and am very happy with my decision. As soon as I can finish business obligations in the states, I will live full time in Ajijic and have absolutely no fear of violence in Mexico. In summary, Lake Chapala is much closer to Andy Griffith’s Mayberry, as far as safety goes, than any place I have been in the states, in Europe and the rest of Mexico.

* Lori Truly: I would be happy to comment on the “crime” (or lack there of) in the Lake Chapala area. First of all when my husband and I lived here in 1997, we had no children and I asked my husband if we ever have children, can we raise them here?” He said sure and chuckled, because we never thought the dream would come true. Well, it has, and the children love it! Why did we want to raise our children here? The safety. Is there petty theft? Sure, like anywhere, lock your doors when you leave the house, and don’t be careless with your belongings, and you’ll be O.K. just like any “nice” neighborhood in the states. I feel so much more secure her, than I do in the States now. When I visit there I am nearly uncomfortable. Always looking over my shoulder, making sure my children are safe, and always holding on to my pocket book. Not here!!!! I just love it here, and have NO desire to go back north at all.

* Sheila Turner: I have always lived in large cities in the U.S., and I am no stranger to crime. Here, I live alone and there has been no time that I have felt insecure or fearful. All I can say is “It’s a great life.” In summary, I have no idea if the American media is just lazy or if they have an agenda, but I cannot sit idly by and allow all of Mexico to be painted with such a broad brush. Lake Chapala Mexico is, indeed, safe. If you want to learn more about common myths and misconceptions surrounding Mexico, watch my Mexico Mythbusters video.

I wrote this article in the hopes it would fall on open minded ears. The media simply doesn’t have all the facts or chooses only to report negative details, but that is not fair representation. Lake Chapala Mexico is safe and secure paradise!

All misconceptions and myths about safety in Mexico are address in my Mexico Mythbusters video at www.focusonmexico.com.

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