Hola.Just want to say that we moved to Lake Chapala in 2008.Spent the first year in Joctepec then found a rental in Puragua on the southside,lived there for about 6 years then moved to Bucerias north of Puerto Vallarta.When the heat and umidity would not end till December we decided to move back to the southside of lake Chapala.We are both originally from the west side of Washington state and I also had 20 acres up in the hills of Okanagan so know the columbia gorge well.I think you might be like us and not want the crowded and lousy traffic of the northside of the lake.We like our wide open space.My wife will go once a month over to the northside to shop on early Sunday morning to get a few things we cant get over here.There is a great bus service via SUR if we need to get to Guadalajara,which is only if we have to.If you are in the bigger towns over her you can get Infintium internet from Telmex and phone.My wife has Telcel for her phone and also gets internet with no problem.We find it cost prohibitive.We have WIfi antenae on the roof and pick up one place to get free internet,but is kind of ify.My wife has DISH TV and found out they offer satelite internet so she will check out the price Monday as to cost for unlimited.Being from the gorge area sure you can handle cold winters.We have a firplace and 2 propane heaters.We go up to Mazamitla to buy our pine firewood.Mazamitla will remind you of Leavenworth.Only about half an hour from us.All kinds of places to go fishing for us also.PMme and will you give you contact info for us.Viva Mexico plus a lot of dairy farms locally here to get fresh milk.We have are own hens ,so plenty of eggs