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Mexico is much more relaxed and moves at a much slower pace. This can be great if your goals are to relax and move slowly. It's like swimming against the current, however, if you have any real ambitions (which MANY retirees find they still have, once they've retired).
I agree with the others that it's best to dip the toe in the water, prior to jumping in with both feet. I personally live and work in San Jose del Cabo, about 20 miles east of Cabo San Lucas, a the tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is a very touristy beach comminity, with miles and miles of beaches. It's wonderful!
I am nowhere near retirement age, but know many who have come here to retire. They "tends" to fall into two camps. Those that love it and stay and those that HATE it and leave. The first 6 months are generally the "honeymoon" phase, and then it begins to really sink in that "You ain't in Kansas, anymore, Dorothy".
People begin to miss family, friends, their language, ease of access to the things that made them "comfortable" in the states, little things like a favoritre brand of cereal that can't be found. Some will really dwell on these things, sort of implode and leave. Others will find new things, friends and brands of cereal to embrace and assimilate just fine! Interestingly, it can break the tough and be really nice for the easy going. Ultimately, you will need to change some things in your life. When the time comes, will you want to?
Almost everyone if the retirees I know, that stayed, did one of two things. They either started a new business or they got really involved in causes and charities. Either or both are fine and dandy, and things to look into, in terms of' forming social circles, and "things to do". Business can be hard in Mexico. Mexicans LOVE their paperwork and to stamp things, and they like to take their time doing it and making it as confusing as possible, with rules which change with the winds. Bureaucracy is a big deal, and be prepared to occasionally grease a wheel or two.
Beach communites, especially those with a lot of tourists and gringos are just as expensive as the states, maybe even more expenseive than some rural parts of the states. Electronics are very expensive, as is electricity. Summers are intensly hot and humid, with the occasional hurricane, which can also be periodically dangerous. Air conditioning alone can break your bank, so most just "sweat it out".
Really think about the things you might be giving up. I know that I personally really miss things like good Chinese food. I miss things like art house movie theatres. I miss friends from the states who keep planning to come and visit, but never do.
On the flipside, I have a great life here with a wife I love, new friends, a great business and 6 months of "play time" per year, followed by 6 months of "head down" hard work.
Be prepared for seeing severe states of poverty, sickly wild animals, poor treatment of animals, really uneducated people, nasty roads, things like "street lights" which only occasionally work, etc. Whole sections of general infrastructure which may just not work for a little while.
Try it on for size, and if you like it, stay! I recommend AT LEAST 9 months, and then look to settle.
As someone that been here for years, now, I can say that without question, there is a lot to love, but there is also a lot to get used to.
All the best and good luck! |
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