| You've heard the buzz. Millions of Americans and | | | | constantly be asking "What fiesta is it today?" The |
| Canadians nearing retirement age are looking south. | | | | color, the fireworks, music, dances, the people's love |
| Mexico draws thousands of foreign retirees every | | | | of a good party will soon enter your soul. In places |
| year. And those numbers will explode as more baby | | | | like San Miguel, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Mexico |
| boomers hit the magical number to let them quit | | | | City you have access to world-class cultural activities: |
| working and start living. | | | | ballet, symphony, a fabulous chamber music festival, |
| Here's a list, in no special order, of 12 things that | | | | art galleries, theater presentations in English and |
| might have you saying "Hasta la vista" to home and | | | | Spanish, film festivals, lectures, art classes, writing |
| heading south of the border. | | | | classes, yoga classes.... well, you get the idea. |
| 1. Quality of Life: Intangible and hard to put a value | | | | 8. The People: Mexicans are a warm and welcoming |
| on, this is the one thing most expatriates cite first | | | | people. Hospitality is a way of life. "Mi casa es su |
| when asked why they retired to Mexico. It's a | | | | casa" is not just a phrase on a wall plaque here. It's |
| combination of several of the other reasons listed | | | | their reality. They also have a great sense of humor |
| below--the people, the culture, the pace, the cost, | | | | and will even be patient with your attempts to speak |
| even the food. | | | | their language. The Mexicans' love of color, of music |
| 2. Weather: Mexico's a big country, with a wide range | | | | and dancing and parties will spill onto you. And the |
| of weather conditions. What you won't do there is | | | | sooner you learn to speak some Spanish, the more |
| shovel snow and chip ice off your windshield. In | | | | welcome you will be... and the richer your experience |
| retirement havens like San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, | | | | of living among them. |
| and Cuernavaca, the weather is close to perfect all | | | | 9. Sense of Community: Maybe it's because people |
| the year. Spring-like conditions are the norm. You'll live | | | | tend to spend more time in public, but you'll quickly |
| outdoors more, dining al fresco, chatting with friends | | | | develop a strong sense of community. It's easy to |
| on a park bench. For foreign retirees tired of mufflers | | | | make friends. The volunteer opportunities in most |
| and snow-blowers, this can be a major reason to | | | | Mexican towns also give you a chance to give back, |
| retire in Mexico. | | | | to make a difference--another fulfilling tie to the |
| 3. Cost of Living: Many parts of Mexico, especially | | | | community. |
| those that appeal most to American and Canadian | | | | 10. Communication: Though you should be trying to |
| expatriates like San Miguel de Allende, are not as | | | | learn Spanish, you'll find where northern retirees |
| cheap as they used to be. But housing costs are still | | | | congregate, English is fairly wide-spoken. The people |
| far lower than a comparable community up north. | | | | you interact with on a daily basis are more likely to |
| Property taxes are laughably low. Rentals are very | | | | speak it. Waiters, businesspeople, government |
| reasonable. Shopping the outdoor markets is a joy, | | | | officials, even taxi drivers will be trying hard to |
| and you get much more for your money. Overall, | | | | communicate with you. |
| you can count on about a 25% lower cost of living | | | | 11. Beautiful Location: Mexico is a diverse and beautiful |
| than you'd pay for a comparable lifestyle back home. | | | | country. The central plateau offers mountains and |
| 4. Domestic Help: Before moving to Mexico, I never | | | | lakes, high desert and prairie. The coasts has |
| thought I'd begin a sentence with "My maid...." In | | | | exquisite beaches. The south has jungles and ancient |
| Mexico, I can. Since wages are still low, most foreign | | | | ruins. Everywhere you go in Mexico, there is beautiful |
| retirees can afford household help, at least part time. | | | | scenery to enjoy and enrich you. And you're never |
| A maid, a cook, a gardener... all are within reach. | | | | far from an airport, a superhighway, or a deluxe |
| 5. Modern Infrastructure: If you still think Mexico's a | | | | inter-city bus to get you there or take you home |
| third-world country full of hovels with no running | | | | again. |
| water, you'll be amazed to find modern cities with | | | | 12. Safety: Despite what you may have seen on the |
| everything you need to live comfortably and to stay | | | | news, most of Mexico is very safe for foreigners. In |
| in touch with family back home--or even run a | | | | towns like Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, |
| business long distance. Reliable high-speed internet | | | | crime rates are extremely low compared to similar |
| and phone connections, cable TV (with major US | | | | towns up north. People feel safe walking the streets. |
| programming where expats congregate), excellent | | | | You'll be more relaxed as you realize you're less likely |
| health care--there's no need to give up the modern | | | | to be a victim of a crime than you were back home. |
| conveniences you're used to. | | | | Perhaps you, too, should consider retiring in Mexico. |
| 6. Easier Pace: The mañana complex is not | | | | After a lifetime of nose-to-the-grindstone, which |
| entirely myth. There never seems to be a reason to | | | | tends to limit one's view, retirement is a time to |
| hurry in Mexico. Once you adapt to this slower pace, | | | | spread your wings, to learn new things, start a new |
| you'll wonder why you were in such a hurry all those | | | | hobby, make new friends from different |
| years. Your body begins to relax; your mind slows | | | | backgrounds. Mexico is a great launching field for that. |
| down. You have time to literally "smell the flowers," | | | | You'll be learning a new language, discovering a new |
| (which are everywhere in Mexico!) There always | | | | culture, maybe learning to paint or make jewelry or |
| seems to be time to chat with a friend, linger over a | | | | play golf. And you'll be surrounded by others with a |
| cafe con leche, choose the perfect papaya from the | | | | great spirit of adventure, not afraid to take on new |
| pile. | | | | tests. |
| 7. Culture: Mexico has a long, rich history and a | | | | Are you up for the challenge? |
| complex culture. In San Miguel de Allende, you'll | | | | |