The last few weeks have been hectic for Diana! She sold her cherished horse, her beautiful home, and most of her belongings, leaving only what she could fit in her pickup truck. She was about to embark on a 20-hour (three-day) road trip to Texas. After spending a few days in Austin for Thanksgiving, she would head to Laredo, where a prearranged guide would escort her to her final destination, another 14 hours (two days) away. Diana was swapping her comfortable, horse-centered lifestyle in Aiken, S.C., for the more affordable cost of living and warmer, year-round climate of Ajijic, Mexico.
Ajijic (ah-hee-heek) is believed to mean “place of water” in Nahuatl. Situated on the Sierra Madre Occidental at the northern tip of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest natural lake, it is surrounded by water on one side and the Sierra Tigre Mountains on the other. Ajijic enjoys one of the world’s most favorable climates, with year-round temperatures between 41°F and 87°F. Its elevation is comparable to Denver at 5,000 feet, and its latitude is similar to Hawaii’s at 20°N.
Like many, Diana refers to Ajijic, Mexico as the “Goldilocks zone”, not too hot, not too cold, not too humid, and not too dry, just right! “What’s not to like?”
I met Diana Hunt during a photography trip to Jordan with a group organized by Great Escape Publishing. From the start, it was clear that Diana was a fearless explorer eager for new adventures. A memorable moment was after lunch in Petra’s ancient city, when three of us took a daring ride from the lower level of the Treasury to the Monastery on donkeys and mules. We faced 800 worn, weathered steps carved into the limestone cliff, with many sharp switchbacks. These animals, strong and intelligent, have safely carried people for 5000 years. Despite their capabilities, our fear heightened on Petra’s steep steps—an intense experience! We could only hold on tightly and avoid looking down into the deep chasm below.
Diana missed the ride to the Monastery and scheduled another daring trip later that day…on her own.
First, she climbed for three hours on foot, the Nabatean way, over an area of mountains surrounding Petra.
Then, she rode over slippery terrain on a donkey for over two more hours. After the perilous 5 ½ hour journey, she arrived at the Bedouin settlement of Um Sayhoun, northeast and closer to the back entrance of Petra and the Monastery. Finally, after a brief car ride from there, Diana rejoined our group just in time for a cooking class. She shared the experience as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. We were all impressed that she’d taken this arduous trip, alone except for the guide she’d hired. So what? Well… Diana is only 80 years young!
When I learned that Diana was beginning a new chapter by moving to Mexico, I was intrigued but not surprised. I thought, “She’s not only a superwoman; she’s fearless!” My husband Eddie and I are fans of HGTV’s “Living Abroad”. This show surely planted the seed in many for “international living” and turned the term expat into a common household term. Now, here was my chance to interview someone with firsthand experience.
We returned from Jordan in June 2019 but Diana and I did not connect again until October. Eddie and I drove a short distance from West Columbia to Aiken, S.C., to meet Diana for lunch at Taj Aiken Indian Cuisine. I thought, “Wouldn’t you know?” The superwoman’s choice would certainly be exotic!
Over a wide variety of tasty buffet items, we learned that Diana had already sold her house and was headed that very day to finish preparing for the yard sale. She had wasted no time setting her plan of international living into motion once she’d returned from Jordan!
Diana’s background belies her worldly notions. She went to high school in Trucksville, PA. No pun, a real town with a population of approximately 2000 people. Seems like a small beginning for such a bold adventurer, but Diana says her Father inspired her adventurous spirit early. He moved the family to various small towns as she was growing up. Imagine growing up surrounded by the inspirational qualities of historic and picturesque Northeast and Southeast Pennsylvania. Independence Hall, a UNESCO world heritage site is only 109 miles Southeast and Lancaster, Pennsylvania Dutch Country only two hours South.
It was later after college as Diana traveled throughout Europe for four months that she became captivated by travel.
This experience gave her a new perspective and motivated her to become a writer. Working as a publisher opened the door to an ideal job for a traveler early in her career. She served as assistant editor and later editor of the Pan American World Airways, Inc. in-flight magazine—talk about luxury! Back then, Diana would take a helicopter from her office at the Pan Am building to the Pan Am terminal at JFK International Airport.
When I spoke with Diana again in January 2020, she was already residing in Ajijic, Mexico. It turned out she had strained a glute muscle just before the road trip. By the time she reached Austin, she was tired and in pain. Grateful for the rest during Thanksgiving, she met her guide as planned, and they crossed the border from Laredo to her new home in Ajijic.
What I learned about Diana’s move and her new life in colorful Ajijic, Mexico:
Why Ajijic, Mexico?
Initially, Diana completed her research. For years, she examined magazines about expat lifestyles to identify suitable locations and strategies. After narrowing her options, she participated in multiple on-site seminars. In the end, Ajijic, Mexico, met most of her criteria.
• Ease of travel to and from the States.
• Structures for making new friends. (Writers and artists have been moving there since the 1890’s.)
• A wide range of activities.
• Low cost of living.
• Good and affordable medical care.
• Relatively safe, as long as take precautions like you would anywhere else.
• Agreeable climate, especially the climate!
Speaking of Activities…
With a sizable and expanding expat community, “newbie lunches” and dinners are popular among newcomers. The area boasts many yoga studios, gyms, theatre groups, outdoor activities, musical festivals, and nightly entertainment at restaurants and clubs, keeping residents very busy. The Lake Chapala Society campus provides a wide range of classes, programs, and presentations. Diana notes that with so many options, it’s easy to overcommit oneself.
And there’s more…
Diana reached Ajijic, Mexico, just in time for Mardi Gras and found that the locals, speaking of the pre-Hispanic indigenous community, adore Carnival. Seven parades occur before Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Ajijic has a unique tradition: men wear elaborate masks and outlandish women’s clothing, with exaggerated bosoms and backs enhanced by balloons.
Called masked saycayas, they chase the children through the streets and rub their faces in flour.
“Youngsters playfully antagonize and shout gleefully as the sayacas often toss them onto floats and literally roll them in flour.”
Diana’s Typical Activity Schedule…
• Yoga, Qigong, and pickleball (Diana’s favorite) several times a week.
• Physical therapy for the pulled glute muscle.
• Shopping for fresh food at one of three farmers’ markets.
• Weekly dinners with two different groups.
• Creative writing courses and presentations at the Lake Chapala Society.
• Volunteer about once a week at one of the dog shelters, taking photographs to help the dogs get adopted.
• Massage once a month.
• “Lakeside Newbies” for lunch
In addition to regular activities, Diana…
• Joined the Ajijic Society of Arts where she recently displayed her photography before judges at the annual show.
• Kayaked at Lake Chapala.
• Goes out to and occasional lunch or dinner, or accepts an invitation to a pool, concert, or play with new acquaintances.
With all this activity, Diana says that a nice quiet evening at home is also welcome but she still has things on her to do list.…
• Take a tour of the area.
• Join the hiking club.
• Get a group together to go to the Guadalajara Philharmonic.
Diana’s move is surely proof of her philosophy,
“Leaving a beautiful place that you love often leads to another beautiful place that you love just as much That’s what I found in Ajijic, Mexico.”
Diana’s Concerns…
• Seeking a bigger home with a view and a smaller, more suitable vehicle.
• Receiving top-quality help with taxes, insurance, and services such as TV installation, computer setup, and handyman tasks.
• Connecting with appropriate healthcare providers.
Recommendations…
• Find an immigration attorney to help with laws, vehicle registration, and insurance.
• Consider hiring a guide to accompany you from the border to your destination in Mexico, enhancing safety during travel.
• Allocate funds for initial setup costs such as the first month’s rent, deposit, internet, cable, and phone services. Afterwards, monthly expenses for utilities, food, and rent tend to be quite low, depending on your lifestyle. Even luxury restaurants and apartments are more affordable than in the U.S., and constructing a home is also less expensive.
• Buy food from the local farmer’s market and cook at home. Buying organic food in the grocery store and eating at high end Gringo restaurants is more expensive.
• Similar to any location, wear modest clothing, no flashy jewelry or large purses. Keep your belongings close, not on a table or chair unattended.
• Determine your medical needs ahead of time. Diana says, “Overall, the medical care is quite good, immediate and affordable.” She’s found that three new hospitals and cardiac centers have just opened and more doctors from Guadalajara are splitting their time between there and Ajijic. U.S. prescription drugs are available over the counter at any one of many pharmacies.
• Last but not least, have a positive attitude! It’s how she did the concrete planning and had the mental resilience to follow through on her dream.
“Can’t let a few little things deter you from your dreams; it’s all about the attitude!” – Diana Hunt
Travel Notes
Resources…
The book: Moving to Mexico’s Lake Chapala 2nd Edition by Lisa L. Jorgensen, buy it here.
International Living (IL) Magazine provides a wealth of information to anyone contemplating a move abroad. Each year the magazine releases the Annual Global Retirement Index (AGRI), based on information collected from a team of experts on five continents, for 2020, Mexico is number 4 on their list of best places to retire.
Diana, on the left, at Taj Indian Cuisine is a professional writer and photographer.
Also a gracious interviewee, Diana took time out of her busy schedule to answer questions in person in Aiken and over the phone from Ajijic, Mexico. She is an inspiration for people of all ages to get out and experience life!
All of the pictures for this story are Diana’s own creative work except the last one. My husband Eddie took this one of Diana and me at the restaurant.
I met Diana on an incredible photography trip to Jordan and learned about her mettle to move far away to Ajijic, Mexico. Read the story below to about how I met Diana.
“Youngsters playfully antagonize and shout gleefully as the sayacas often toss them onto floats and literally roll them in flour.”
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