For people planning retirement: What is for you either appealing, or scaring, about retiring in Mexico?

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Hearty

We have been travelling to Mazatlan for the past 25 years and although not planning to retire there - we love our Candian summers - we will be going on extended (3-4 months) visits annually when I retire in 2 years.

We rent in a quiet residential neighborhood about 6 blocks from the beaches and find the neighbors friendly and welcome us back when we return every year.

We have been going in February and it is normally dry and sunny every day; the ocean breezes cool in the evening (after 4:00 pm).

MZT is a thriving urban area and most goods that we get in canada we can get here.

We can shop at supermarkets or the local green grocer (for fruits & veggies).

The climate has changed somewhat to more moderate - not hot and sweaty in the evenings - Dec/Jan/Feb now cooler (highs 25-28 lows 13-16 C)

rhino72032

I'm planning to retire to Mexico whenever my business sells (and in this economy, it may take a while). I went to Mexico the first time in 1976 and loved it. I drove from Mexico City to Chichen Itza and back. In 24 trips, I've seen 18 states. I'll take two more trips after my business sells: one to take an intensive Spanish language course and another to explore the towns that are high on my "places to live" list. The coastal towns are too hot in the summer, so my list only has mountain towns.
The towns along Lake Chapala.
San Miguel de Allende.
Guanajuato.
Lake Chapala has two resources that other areas don't have: The Lake Chapala Society and the chapala.com webboard. There are many helpful people at both locations. Lake Chapala also has Guadalajara just forty minutes away with Sam's Club, Costco and Home Depot.
SMA is a little more expensive and a little colder in January, but you can probably live there without knowing any Spanish.
I just finished reading the book: The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico by Doug Bower. He lives in Guanajuato and makes it sound appealing and cheaper than the other places. But there you do need to speak Spanish to get around.
Another factor that makes Mexico appealing is the health care. A procedure that may cost $1000 at a hospital in the states may cost $200 in Mexico and there are many good hospitals in Guadalajara.
Does anyone want to buy my business? I'm ready to go now.

michael g

I am retired here in Acapulco. I picked Acapulco for of course its beach and weather, and also lack of hurricanes. Im a beach bum at heart and enjoy the water and people watching.
Acapulco had other factors as well. There is a price range for everyone. Its not Americanised as other tourist spots. Mexicans vacation here a great deal and I learn alot about Mexico and its different regions , culture food and whatnot from all the vacationing Mexicans. New Years Eve and the fireworks over the bay are not to be missed :)
The best draw for me is the price. Im 41 and retired , I could not afford to retire this early in the U.S. I count my blessings every day that I never have to work again while my friends are chasing the dollar and a nicer house and car.
All my stock dividends , my bi weekly pension , every thing is tax free. I was able to flat out buy my house here , so all I really have is electric and water for bills. With roughly $2500 a month for life and then my 401 and roth IRA, I cant even spend it all ! Its that cheap.
Drawbacks - the poverty you see everyday. Acapulco's streets are full of trash. The education system here is terrible and it can sometimes frustrates you in day to day life. The noise polution but thats city life. Stray dogs ( im a dog person). The damn fires they make with the trash - always wake up to the smell of smoke.
Advantages - your entire life changes and gets you out of that American go , go, go lifestyle. Learn something new everyday. The country is simply beautiful with the mountains, forest and seaside views. The food is incredible and CHEAP. Overall the people are fantastic.

For me like I said Im a beach bum at heart but living inland is fine if thats what you like. No problems. I suggest you come down with a list of possible places and visit them yourself. Youll know in a day whether that city or town is for you. If not , go to the next on your list and poke around for a day. I also suggest looking for your house while your here. I wont buy property sight unseen and I just think its a bad idea to try and search for you "castle" thru a realestate agent or over the web. Just something to consider.
Come on down - best decision I ever made but also the scarriest. It was a major change or me but I lay on th beach , play with my jetski and boat every day and I got a good 40 more years of it. Its a intimidating journey but nothing ventured nothing gained and I gained alot !!!!!!

geckom

TAKE MY ADVICE IF YOU PLEASE TO:
CHECK ON : YOU TUBE VIDEOS :
Ajijic, lake chapala
and look for videos made by the numerous canadian and american ex-pats that have formed a society of retirees there, youÂ´ll be amazed of how many american and canadian live here, also check San Miguel de Allende which is a beautiful town where have of the population is american.
There are several places where retirees live in Mexico, those arent the only ones but you can contact them by browsing through internet or by checking this videos I Â´ve told you about. Good luck and welcome to Mexico. It is estimated that we now have 500,000 american and canadians living here, you are free to check the data wherever you please and join them and join us, you are more than welcome to retire here and we will be glaad to have you here with us =)

Alicia in Cancun

My husband and I retired to Cancun. We are from the USA, great state of Tennessee and my husband was in the American military for over 26-years...so we've lived tons of places.

Why? Well, we came here so many times on vacation it was actually less expensive to live here than to pay for resorts 4-times a year.

We don't see a whole lot of difference in the costs of things here in Cancun...it is the weather, the people, the whole atmosphere.

I really shouldn't speak for my husband but I know if he hated it here I would know...WE Love It Here.

Scary? Walking into a store in el centro (where Mayan shop) for the first time as a blue eyed blond and having "everyone" turn around and look. Not really scary...just...very different. I was NOT afraid I just didn't know what to expect. They didn't either...hahaha. It was an experience for one and all!

Hope this gives you some insight.

Local websites run by expats:
http://www.cancuncare.com
http://www.cancunassist.com

MomSezNo

The appeal would be affordable housing on a beach or in a beach community. The "scary" part would be living in a "foreign" country as a minority and adjusting to different laws, ways of doing things, expectations, etc. I wouldn't want to live in inland Mexico; to me the only reason to relocate to Mexico would to be able to afford to live near the beach.

ACACRIS

Numerous people retire in the highlands as it is cooler than the ocean side
Most people are attracted to the climate and price and are from cold climates.
Heat waves in the U.S for example kill hundreds of elderly ,as in the Chicago area.
San Miguel Allende is for some and Acapulco is for others.

You know what they say"Different Strokes fer Different Folks

Sir I am afraid of heights and Pit Bull terriers and the odd biker(No offense Sonny) I have no fear of Mexicans as they are some of the best people on this planeta

The attraction to Mexico , first and foremost is the weather.

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