House Sit In Ajijic: Reasons It’s A Great Place For Sitters

It was great to return to a new house sit in Ajijic. We had been away for almost 4.5 months with house sits in Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, and a six-week visit to Canada. Upon our return, we had house sits lined up in La Paz, Ajijic, and Vista del Lago for repeat clients.

Our current house sit in Ajijic is with Darla and Larry, who own two sweet dogs, Milo and Luna. Here we will give you a glimpse into our sit but first a bit about Ajijic and why a house sitter might consider coming here.

Location of Ajijic

Ajijic is located in Mexico, on the north side of Lake Chapala, the country’s largest freshwater lake. It is located in the state of Jalisco, approximately 40 minutes south of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city.

The town is noted for its breathtaking scenery, with the lake on one side and the mountains on the other, creating a beautiful and calm setting. Its proximity to Guadalajara provides access to major services and an international airport.

Reasons to House Sit in Ajijic

A house sit in Ajijic, Mexico, is an excellent choice for house sitters because of its ideal climate, expat community, and pet-friendly culture. Here are several main reasons:

1.     Large Expat Population

Ajijic has a large expat community, particularly retirees from the United States and Canada. Many of these expats routinely go back and forth, opening up countless chances for house and pet sitting. They frequently prefer house sitters who can care for their pets and residences while they are abroad.

2.     Ideal Climate for a House Sit in Ajijic

The year-round mild climate makes it an ideal destination for individuals seeking to avoid harsh weather. Comfortable temperatures make house sitting in Ajijic more fun because you won’t have to cope with harsh weather while caring for a home or pet.

3.     Affordable Living

Compared to other house-sitting destinations, Ajijic has a lower cost of living. This means that even if you aren’t paid for your time, your cost for food, transportation, and activities can be minimal.

4.     Pet-Friendly Environment

Ajijic is pet-friendly; many homes have dogs or cats that require care while their owners are gone. As a house sitter in Ajijic, you’ll most likely have the opportunity to care for animals, which can enhance the experience if you love pets.

5.     Cultural Richness

You can’t beat a house sit in Ajijic that combines Mexican culture with expat influences. This allows you to enjoy the charm of local traditions while also finding familiar conveniences and services. The town is recognized for its art galleries, cafes, and bustling local culture, giving house sitters something to do during their free time.

6.     Safety and Community

Ajijic is regarded as being a generally safe and welcoming community. This is reassuring for house sitters, since it is easy to create contacts and feel comfortable, even during brief stays.

This combination of practicality, affordability, and cultural appeal makes Ajijic an ideal destination for house sitters seeking new, unique experiences.

Now on to the house sit.

Our House Sit in Ajijic

Darla and Larry, our hosts at the house sit in Ajijic, were very gracious and accommodating. Their home is beautiful and modern with lots of Mexican influences throughout. We had the choice of sleeping upstairs in the casita or downstairs (and tried both!). The beds were very comfortable but we chose downstairs to minimize any dramatic changes for Milo and Luna.

We had a fully equipped kitchen (great since I bake a lot), a full-size stove and fridge, a washer and dryer, and many more amenities. All in all, the house was very comfortable.

Throughout the home, there are several paintings by Larry, who is a very accomplished artist.

The outside areas included a lovely little backyard downstairs and a comfortable mirador upstairs where we could sit and enjoy the sun and plants. The landing holds more plants as well as a couple of exercise machines.

Their upstairs casita boasts a comfortable bed, bathroom, fridge, microwave, and sliding doors leading to a balcony with more plants.

Milo and Luna

Milo and Luna are young rescues, approximately 4 and 5 years old respectively. Milo is a sleek black chihuahua and according to Darla, Luna is a Mexi-Mix. She is loveable, also black with one white paw. Although they both love attention, Milo seems to require more. That’s okay as our laps are big enough to hold them both.

Daily Routine at Our House Sit in Ajijic

Eating:

Both dogs are on a strict eating routine with controlled treats. This is especially true for Luna, who put on some weight with the last sitters. She does love to eat! We had to ensure she didn’t eat Milo’s food if he left his dish. Even though Luna has a weight problem, she would calmly sit on the corner of the fireplace and wait for her breakfast or dinner while Milo couldn’t keep still.

Walking:

Milo and Luna loved to walk and knew the routes they wanted to explore. Luna was a bit of a challenge. She wasn’t too keen on getting ‘ready’ for the walk, like putting on her leash. Once we had it on her though, she was ready to walk. Luna loved to sniff out squirrels so you knew when she stood at the bottom of a tree looking up, she was searching for them. Larry affectionately calls her Squirrely Girl.

Luna hates going out in the rain to do her business. Yet, there can be a raging stream of water in the street after a storm and she walks on the sidewalk edge. She has great balance but I wonder what she would do if she made a misstep! Lucky for us, we never found out.

Several large and small dogs were loose in the area, but fortunately, we had no issues and kept a close eye on Milo and Luna.

Afternoon and Evening Routines:

We would try to schedule any outings in the afternoon or early evening so we could be at home with the pets in the evenings. This arrangement worked well for all of us. As many dogs do, they slept quite a bit (in their favourite spots). They loved to hang out with us in the afternoon sun or cuddle in the evenings while we watched TV or read.

Bedtime at Our House Sit in Ajijic:

Luna would pick her spot and stay there for most of the night. However, once we were settled in bed, Milo would jump up, crawl under ‘his’ blanket, and snuggle up.

On our first morning, they surprised us. We are used to dogs jumping and dancing wanting attention and to go outside. Not these two! They are both content to stay in bed, like teenagers, even after we get up. I loved it! Even though we are early risers, this gave us some quiet time to make coffee and contemplate our day. This was new to us but something we could get used to.

The Owners Return

When Darla and Larry returned from their trip, they were greeted by two very excited dogs. There were happy smiles and barks all around.

Conclusion

A house sit in Aijijic, Mexico, provides a unique combination of cultural richness, affordability, and a friendly expat community. The temperate climate, beautiful natural surroundings, and pet-friendly lifestyle make it a great location for anyone looking for a rewarding and pleasurable house-sitting experience. Whether you’re searching for a relaxing vacation or want to explore Mexico, Ajijic is the ideal location for house sitters.

It was one of our best experiences and we would not hesitate to sit again for Darla and Larry and take care of their home, Milo, and Luna.

If you might be interested in house sitting, check out the advantages of being a house sitter.