Many Americans are seeking out warm, exciting and exotic places to retire. Some are content with states such as Florida or Arizona. These states provide the warm temperatures that retirees are looking for with all the comforts of home. Â However, for some people, retiring in the United States in not an option. Some adventurous types want to explore outside the borders of the United States. Some people want to travel the world. Others are just a content to settle in on their own little piece of paradise.
This article is going to explain the in and outs of retirement in Mexico. It will be beneficial to those who are just beginning to look into retiring in Mexico as well as those who have been making their plans for year. You will find information on the advantages and disadvantages of retiring in Mexico. As well as some great information on the best towns to live in, places to visit and the cost of living.
The Advantages of Retiring to Mexico
There are many advantages to planning your retirement in Mexico. Some of these advantages may seem a bit obvious and others are a bit more hidden. We’ll start by addressing the more obvious advantages of Mexican retirement.
Climate is one of the greatest advantages of moving to Mexico. While it can get somewhat cool in the winter, the weather is fairly mild and the temperature rarely falls below 70 degrees. While it may be obvious it is important to point out that the further south you go, the warmer the temperatures will be in the winter. There is rarely rain during the winter months.
The rainy season in Mexico is during the summer. The humidity tends to be high. If you love the weather in Florida then you are very likely to fall in love with Mexico’s summer climate as well.
Another advantage of moving to Mexico is that their retirement money seems to reach further. Prices are on the rise in the United States and Canada and most people are trying to get the most bang for their buck. Retiring to Mexico is a great alternative for those who want to retire to a tropical climate, but not have to make many lifestyle changes.
The Disadvantages of Mexican Retirement
The language barrier is one of the disadvantages to retiring in Mexico. If you are well versed in Spanish they you will likely do well in Mexico. Those who know little to know Spanish will find that they may have a hard time communicating. It is important to think about how you will communicate with the doctor, grocer, and postman. You may be wise to take a class to learn or brush up on your Spanish before moving to Mexico.
The process of obtaining the proper paperwork and visa’s to move to Mexico is another disadvantage. This process is not extremely difficult; however, you would be wise to hire an attorney to help you create the documents and file the paperwork the proper way.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Mexico can be significantly less than the cost of living in the United States of Canada. Housing prices can vary from town to town, but most towns rent and home prices are low. There are some important things that you should factor in when you are considering the cost of living in Mexico.
Water is not safe to drink in Mexico, so you will need to factor in the cost of water. Individual water filtration systems can be expensive. If you do not have one of these systems, you will need to purchase bottled water.
Another thing that you should take into consideration is medical costs. Living in Mexico means that you may on occasion ingest unsanitary water or food. This could result in unforeseen medical expenses for you and your spouse. It can also mean that you may get sick and be unable to enjoy your retirement in Mexico.
You may also want to look into the cost of telephone service in Mexico. You will find that telephone service is very expensive. Telemex is the telephone company in Mexico and they are run by the government. Most people try to avoid using the telephone so that they will not have to pay an extremely high telephone bill.
There are times when the electrical systems can malfunction. These systems are very unreliable. There may be a need for you to have a backup system for electric. This is one of those unforeseen expenses that are incurred when they retire to Mexico.
The Best Places to Live in Mexico
Mazatlan- This city is on the coast. Many retirees are drawn here, because of the laid-back attitude of those who live in the city. Mazatlan is a popular tourist city as well. If you think about a lawn chair in the sand listening to the waves during your retirement then this may be the city for you!
Acapulco- Acapulco offers the best of both worlds. It is a quiet resort town on the Mexican coast; however, there is plenty of city life to keep you entertained. Acapulco has plenty of shops and diners to keep you busy.
San Felipe- If you want to live close to the United States border then San Felipe may be for you. You will find yourself in a town with plenty to do. This town is also just under 3 hours from the border of California.
Cuernavaca- This town offers the true Mexican experience. If you are looking for a traditional Mexican town then you should really consider moving to Cuernavaca. This town is located only 45 minutes from Mexico City. Due to its convenient location, Cuernavaca is one of the most sought after cities to retire to in Mexico.
Barra de Navidad- Barra de Navidad is a quiet costal town. Some want to retire here just to enjoy Mexico without all the tourists. There is a downtown area in Barra de Navidad; however many of the streets are unpaved. This is a great town for people who just want to relax in peace and quiet.
In summary, if you are planning or considering Mexico retirement, consider the countries’ advantages, disadvantages, costs of living and best cities. Arm yourself with plenty of knowledge, then relax and enjoy this fun stage of life to its fullest!