ABOUT US

LAKE CHAPALA

For decades this region of Mexico has been popular with international visitors and retirees because of the "perfect" climate, natural beauty, affordable cost of living, and rich Mexican culture.

Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico at approximately 75 miles long and 20 miles wide. The north shore of Lake Chapala is one of the best places in the world to live for climate. The lake, surrounded by mountains, is a source of great natural beauty; and the nearby town of Ajijic, has the oldest, largest and best organized expat community in Mexico. The area has a vibrant Mexican culture that expats have for many years successfully integrated into.

WHAT IS RANCHO LA SALUD VILLAGE?

We are a unique community which combines the well known attractions of the Lake Chapala area with the latest in sustainable community design, focusing on healthy living and life-long learning. Rancho La Salud Village is an experience for people who are enjoying life to the fullest. We are practicing good health, engaging in learning, and valuing our neighbors as we age. We desire to educate ourselves and to help each other grow in life-long learning. We don’t sell houses we sell community, where social capital building is our main asset. We call it Cohousing a la Mexicana!

WHAT IS COHOUSING?

Cohousing communities have been formed in Europe, the USA, Canada and other parts of the world for the past 50 years. These intentional communities are growing in popularity and are anticipated to increase in numbers over the coming years.

Cohousing is simply consciously creating the kind of community that used to occur naturally, the elements of which are :

• • Owners manage the development and make decisions of common concern by consensus.
  • Owners participate in the consensus decision making process of the village.
  • There is deliberate structural and social design that encourages a strong sense of community.
  • There are common areas and facilities for community use.

• There is a non hierarchal structure and all members are equally involved.
• There is individual ownership of homes and income, and % ownership of common areas.

Cohousing a la Mexicana, will have a powerful social impact benefiting local people by providing many jobs in our community, freeing up more time for the residents.

Six defining characteristics of Cohousing

1. Participatory process
2. Neighborhood design
3. Common facilities
4. Resident management
5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making
6. Private property ownership of home with % ownership of common facilities

1. Participatory process

Residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. This process often starts with a vision statement. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer. In those cases, if the developer brings the future resident group into the process late in the planning, the residents will have less input into the design. A well-designed, pedestrian-oriented community without significant resident participation in the planning may be "cohousing-inspired," but it is not a cohousing community.

2. Neighborhood design

The physical layout and orientation of the buildings encourage a sense of community. For example, the private residences are clustered on the site, leaving more shared open space. The dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street with cars parked on the periphery. (In our case a parking area just inside the entrance). The front porch of every home affords an opportunity to socialize. The intention is to create a strong sense of community, with design as one of the facilitators. The hardware facilitates the software.

3. Common facilities

Common facilities are designed for daily use and are an integral part of the community and are always supplemental to the private residences. The common house includes a common kitchen, dining area, sitting areas, and laundry, and also may contain a workshop, library, exercise room, crafts room and/or one or two guest rooms.

4. Resident management

Residents manage their own cohousing communities. They participate in the preparation of common meals, and meet regularly to solve problems and develop policies for the community.

5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making

Leadership roles naturally exist in cohousing or in any community, however in cohousing no one person (or persons) has authority over others. As people join the group each person takes on one or more roles consistent with his or her skills, abilities or interests. Most cohousing groups (as do we) make all of their decisions by consensus, although many groups (us included) have a policy for majority voting if the group cannot reach consensus after a number of attempts.

6. Private property ownership of home with % ownership of common facilities

All homes are privately owned with a percentage ownership of common grounds and facilities. All owners have deeds and can sell their property within the common membership guidelines.

OUR MISSION "Pursuing a vision of INTEGRAL healthy living for everyone." To create an international cohousing village where we can easily connect with our neighbors, cooperate in the management of the village, use renewable resources to the fullest, provide opportunities for life long learning while we age in place.	OUR HISTORY In 2010 RLSV was founded by Jaime Navarro and his wife Sara Villalobos , along with green architect Rick Cowlishaw. Prior to moving to Ajijic Rick had 15 years of experience designing and living at Harmony Village Cohousing in Golden, Colorado. In the next few years he mentored Sustainable Architect Denia Navarro (Jaime’s daughter), and together they both created the Master Plan and architectural drawings for Rancho La Salud Village. The common house was built first which was followed by the first individual home delivered in 2016. Homes continue to be built as new members join.
AFFORDABILITY Home prices in Ajijic and the surrounding area tend to be less than those in the United States. At Rancho la Salud Village when we design and price a residence we include the following amenities which are not standard for Mexican homes.: Passive solar design. Solar panels for 100% of electricity. Solar hot water panels. Biodigester for gray and black water and water recycling for yards. Rain water collection cisterns for all water purposes. Well water when needed. In addition, the home prices include a percentage ownership of all common areas: a three thousand plus square foot Common House. An outdoor Palapa roofed conference center. A fifty-two foot long lap swimming pool. Large jacuzzi. Outdoor patios. Organic vegetable garden and fruit trees. Car free pedestrian walkways. Covered parking lot and storage unit. Electric shuttle carts. Administration building with entry gate, lobby & reception with 24-hour concierge. Water collection through ponds for gardens. Waste recycling.	HEALTH We are about living healthier and living longer. We want to emulate the practices of long-life communities by producing our own vegetables and fruits organically. We conceptualize mental and physical health as one by connecting mind and body through exercise and healthy relationships within the village. While we are not a caregiving community we are a caring community with reference resources to assist members as their needs change over time.
MULTIVERSITY Rancho La Salud Village is not only about day to day life it’s also about life long learning. Multiversity is our vehicle for achieving this. It honors each and every person’s background as an opportunity to learn from each other. Classes, seminars, workshops and guest speakers on various topics are all encouraged on a regular basis. The foundation of the community’s social interactions on all levels are based on compassionate communication, otherwise known as Non-Violent Communication (NVC)