Colibri Orange

This home sits up a typical Ajijic cobblestone street, a few turns deep into the hillside and surrounded by upscale family houses. From the curb you would never guess it is a care home. It looks like any other house on the block, which is part of its charm. You arrive at a garage, which happens to be available for residents who can still drive themselves around town.

Inside, it feels like a real home that has been thoughtfully adapted rather than an institution. The front building holds the kitchen, a dining table, and a living room with two couches, a television, and a small library. There are almost no interior walls. It is mostly glass, so daylight pours in and you can see straight through to the pool on one side. The kitchen reads like the heart of a modern Mexican home, with a big island where a staff cook is usually busy preparing the day’s meals.

A gentle ramp leads from the common area down to the pool, which takes up most of the outdoor space, with a shaded table for sitting outside. Resident rooms are spread across two levels, reached by a staircase and an elevator. The three ground-floor rooms are easiest for residents with mobility needs and look out onto the pool and the mountains, while the upstairs rooms add a glimpse of Lake Chapala. The rooms are generous, with their own large bathroom and a walk-in closet.

What stands out most about this home is who it is for. With space for only five residents, it is built for seniors who are largely independent and simply want some support in the background. One resident keeps his car and carries on his normal Ajijic life with meals and care folded in. Another is driven to her sport three times a week. The home actively helps residents hold on to their routines and their life beyond the front door rather than settling into care around the clock. It is pet friendly too, so a longtime companion can come along.