Rental rates for apartments in Chapala are different than in Ajijic, because Ajijic is more of an expat hotspot. For example, a nice place for a couple in Ajijic may cost between US $500 – US $600. This has one bedroom, one bathroom, a terrace, a good view, a good location, hot water, services, and with nice neighbors. In Chapala, on the other hand, an apartment for two may cost $300 – $350, but it won’t be as nice as the one you’d find in Ajijic. It would be different. In Chapala, you just have to choose the right streets on which to live, because there is more of a variance of nice and not so nice areas in Chapala than in Ajijic.
If you want to live in a real Mexican town, go to Chapala, but if you like a magical town with sprinkles of Mexico, go to Ajijic. In Mexico, we have what we call the official magic towns, or “Pueblos Mágicos.” Ajijic is not part of the official magic towns, though, because it has too much neon advertising and a Wal-Mart. What I mean by ‘magical town’ is that Ajijic has a special flavor for many people, which creates magic all around. Ajijic has its own magic; its own enchanting features.
Ajijic has become crowded and overbooked, so the foreign community is heading towards San Antonio, which is the town just beside Ajijic. San Antonio is just as nice as Ajijic, although it may have more restaurants and noise, but it’s nice and is cheaper than Ajijic, making it a very good option, too.
(San Antonio house, Lake Chapala, Mexico, pictured.)
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The cost for a vacation rental in Portugal varies on the size of the property. A villa with three or four bedrooms and with a pool would cost €1,600 (US $1,750 or £1,100) a week in the high season; self-catering. If it’s without a pool it costs about €1,200 (US $1,300 or £865) a week. This is in Cascais, which is the most expensive places in Portugal.
There are no clinics in the Casco Viejo / Casco Antiguo area, though there are pharmacies that can fill prescriptions. 
