Looking for the Best Place in the World to Retire?

During the past 15 years, International Livingperhaps 6-7 months. A month extra per year in
magazine has calculated its Annual Global RetirementParadise is often considered to be substantial to
Index; a resource intended to assist retirees andretirees!
future retirees in evaluating and comparing theUsing the above logic, it's no wonder why so many
world's most popular retirement destinations. It isretirees have migrated to Puerto Vallarta. This
based on a number of criteria, giving various weightsbeautiful tourist resort area has become home to
to each, depending on its importance to retirees.thousands of North Americans that have traveled the
Listed below are those criteria considered with theirworld, could afford to live anywhere on the planet,
individual weighting:o Cost of Living-20%o Healthand have chosen Vallarta as their winter, if not full
Care-20%o Special Benefits-20%o Real Estate-15%otime, retirement destination.
Entertainment, Recreation, and Culture-10%oLocated at the same latitude as Hawaii, Puerto
Climate-5%o Safety and Stability-5%oVallarta has a perfect climate with an average daily
Infrastructure-5%temperature of 73°F from November through
Believe it or not, until this year, Panama had toppedMay with virtually no chance of rain. With a population
the list for the past six years. It still has plenty toof approximately 350,000 inhabitants, Vallarta now
offer retirees, however this year, with 30 countrieshas a new and growing infrastructure including roads,
being analyzed and ranked, it fell to fourth position.water treatment plants and distribution systems,
Ahead of Panama in third position, was Italy with itspower plants and distribution grid, airport, maritime
beautiful cities, its fine weather, and of course, itsterminal, hospitals, university, etc.
historic sites. In second position was, of all countries,High speed internet, satellite TV, VOIP
Ecuador, which moved all the way up from the tenthtelecommunications, and US newspapers and
position last year. Ecuador offers an extremely lowmagazines are all available in Vallarta. Most of the
cost of living, great weather, beautiful land, a growingmega-stores found in the US and Canada have come
economy tied to the US dollar, and a stable politicalto Vallarta including Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Costco,
environment. It might be a well kept secret, butHome Depot, Office Depot, Staples, and of course,
Ecuador is becoming a land of opportunity andevery fast food chain restaurant imaginable! Vallarta
retirees are taking advantage of it.now has seven world class golf courses with three
Now, for the number one ranked country in themore either in the planning stage or currently under
world for retirement; MEXICO! Aside from the factconstruction. There are hundreds of tennis courts,
that Mexico is extremely convenient to the US andworld class deep sea fishing, and every other activity
Canada, that Mexico's Senior Citizens´ Benefitsavailable that you would expect in a city of this size.
Program offers up to 50% discounts on manyThere are numerous new cinemas, theaters, and
services to retirees over the age of 60, that thehundreds of fine restaurants.
Mexican government has enacted many new lawsDue to the explosive growth of Vallarta and the
encouraging foreign investment, Mexico has becomeinflux of North Americans, it is safe to say that its
an incredible place to enjoy retirement, offering theentire economy is based on tourism and the
quality of life that North Americans are accustomedretirement of North Americans, thus creating
to with numerous extra benefits.thousands of new construction and service related
(As a side note, a few years ago when the Canadianjobs for the locals. It has also created an atmosphere
dollar was at its weakest, Canada ranked in the topwhere speaking English has become a prerequisite for
ten. However as the loonie has strengthened, Canadaa decent paying job. Therefore, most of the younger
has slipped well out of the top ten this year. ForVallartenses are now becoming quite fluent in English.
reference sake only, the US ranked 19th this year!)The inability to speak Spanish is certainly not an
The major Mexican inland retirement communities areobstacle to retiring in Vallarta! Also, because the
located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, and theeconomy is based on the North American dollar,
Lake Chapala / Ajijic area. For the most part, thesesafety is of prime concern to the locals. You will not
inland retirement communities are located in beautifulfind a safer, more hospitable city of this size
colonial cities with moderate temperatures yearanywhere. In fact, this was clearly revealed in a
round. Most of the modern amenities and activitiessurvey taken by Conde Nast magazine, where
are available to retirees in these retirement cities withPuerto Vallarta was ranked the friendliest resort
a very attractive cost of living. Being located inland,destination in the world.
these retirees can purchase and own real estate withNow, let's return to our quest for the top retirement
title as they would in the US or Canada.haven in the world. If we can accept what the latest
For those desiring magnificent ocean views, thesurveys, polls, and indices suggest, Mexico is the
Pacific coastline offers many advantages over thecountry and Puerto Vallarta is the city.
Gulf of Mexico coastline; the major one beingWe've owned property in Vallarta for almost 25
protection from storms. The entire Yucatan Peninsulayears and have lived here as permanent residents for
area, including the Cancun and Cozumel areas areover ten years and can attest to its magical
great for vacations; but due to its exposure tocharacteristics resulting in a quality of life that can't
hurricanes, it is not considered by many to be idealbe surpassed anywhere in the world. The growth
for retirement. On the other hand, the Pacific Oceanthat we've witnessed since 2000, when the PAN
coastline seldom sees troublesome storms and offersadministration took power, has been truly amazing;
more than a thousand miles of incredible Pebbleso much so, that the head of the local Chamber of
Beach like views with a climate similar to that ofCommerce has projected the population of Vallarta
Hawaii.will reach 600,000 by the year 2015. There are
Pacific Ocean coastal cities such as Mazatlan,currently more than 7,000 new condos currently
Manzanillo, and Acapulco are somewhat popular forunder construction with well over 20,000 more
tourists, but have become quite industrialized andplanned in the future by Fonatur, the Mexican
commercialized and therefore not really considered asTourism Board. Because real estate sales in Mexico
ideal retirement cities. The most desirable retirementare generally done on a cash basis, this economy has
locations from north to south along the Pacific Oceannot been affected by the mortgage related problems
are La Paz and Todos Santos in Baja, Puerto Vallarta,seen in the US. Real estate values have tripled since
Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Escondido.2000 and continue to appreciate daily. Owning
La Paz and Todos Santos in Baja, Ixtapa /property here has surely been an investment of a
Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Escondido are more exposedlifetime for us.
to the elements than Puerto Vallarta, which is tuckedIf you're a baby boomer, either recently retired or
behind the Sierra Madre Mountains next to Banderasabout to retire, you owe it to yourself; make PV
Bay, safely protected from Pacific storms coming outyour next vacation destination and consider all the
of the south. Also, because Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo isqualities it has to offer. You'll definitely be impressed
approximately 500 miles south of Vallarta and Puertowith this glorious Paradise along the Mexican Riviera
Escondido is 300 miles even further south, the "highand will probably agree, Puerto Vallarta is the best
season", or the time during the year with perfectplace in the world to retire.
weather conditions, is reduced from 7-8 months to