Latin Living

While there is great concern over the number of Mexican immigrants coming to the United States, the growing number of Americans moving to Mexico is also growing at a startling pace. Many people simply don’t realize the number of Americans living in Mexico. As a recent report in the Dallas Morning News states, though, there are as many as one million United States citizens now residing throughout Mexico. So just what is causing this shift? Well, according to most people currently moving to Mexico, it’s the affordable senior housing, picture perfect retirement landscape, medical care and various other cost savings.

The exodus of Americans moving to Mexico wasn’t always so; it is a rather recent trend in the last few years. In fact, the number of Americans living in Mexico is five times greater than it was only ten years ago. The affordable retirement in Mexico is the number one reason that this has become such a popular option, and one thing that surprises many people is the affordable and high quality health care. Canadians and Americans living in Mexico need to buy health insurance once they have made the move, but the healthcare is very good. Both public and private hospitals are usually very accessible and well equipped. Retirees can also sign up for the medical IMSS plan, which is a Mexican Social Security program that costs about $200 a year and covers medical, dental, and vision care.

Another aspect of affordable retirement in Mexico is the cost of transportation. Most retirees find that there is no need to have a car because the public transportation is affordable and reliable. Many Americans living in Mexico still have a car or keep one back in the states but they generally don’t need to use them. There are also more of the stores and services that Americans and Canadians are used to, at least in the more popular tourist destinations. An American enjoying a Puerto Vallarta retirement, for example, will have access to major chain stores and restaurants just like they would expect to find back home.

The affordable senior housing also means that an American’s retirement dollars go further. A retiree with the same amount of savings and Social Security to afford a modest apartment or condo back home might be able to live in a home in a beautiful beach community in Mexico. With the possibilities of a Manzanillo, La Paz, Punta de Mita, Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta retirement, many Americans are finding it impossible to resist the migration south of the border.

Affordable retirement in Mexico also got easier ever since certain laws, which made land within 62 miles of Mexican borders and 31 miles of the coastline off limits to foreigners, have been changed to accommodate more American buyers. Now it’s possible for U.S. citizens to purchase beautiful Puerto Vallarta retirement homes right on the beach, as long as they use a “fideocomiso,” or bank trust. It’s become easier for American citizens to obtain home loans in Mexico, too. More and more U.S. lenders are providing Americans with loans to buy south of the border. Retirees also find that they can do home repairs, remodeling and maintenance for much cheaper than back in the states.

Anyone planning on moving to Mexico for retirement needs to understand the various procedures for residency there, though. It is a different country, after all. Many Americans moving to Mexico get the rentista, which is a non-working visa that is only available to retirees aged 51 or older. Americans living in Mexico for five years may also become eligible for permanent residency status, which provides them with all of the rights and obligations of a Mexican national.

The number of Americans moving to Mexico doesn’t seem to be slowing down. For those of us still young and working, let’s only hope there are good homes left in the most popular Mexican destinations when we reach retirement age.

This is the response I receive from most people when I tell them that I want to move to Mexico in the near future.  This initial exclamation of shock is usually followed by a mini interrogation, which I think is designed to determine whether I have actually lost my mind.   The typical line of questioning includes things like, “Why would you move somewhere you won’t even be able to drink the water?” Or, “Why would you want to move somewhere you could be held for ransom by Banditos, or even worse, by the Federales?” 

In the end, I think people realize that I haven’t lost my mind, and instead realize that there are good reasons for wanting to relocate to Mexico.

It is true that our parents ran so fast from Mexico and never looked back, but they had a reason: they wanted a better life and more opportunity for their children.  Well, guess what, they accomplished just that. We received a college education, got good jobs, bought nice houses and new cars. We achieved the American dream.   But now, 30 years later, I am the one looking for a better quality of life for my family.  And I am looking to Mexico to provide this.

The Mexico of today is not what most people imagine. In fact, it is probably more like the US used to be 50 years ago – when family was the number one priority, when we liked our neighbors, and when we didn’t worry that our children would be killed while attending school.  That is the real Mexico. But, because the media has continued to portray Mexico as a country full of corruption, bribery and armed officials carrying huge rifles, many people question why I would want to live in Mexico.

The real story is that Mexico is the number one economy in Latin America and one of the most important countries in the world for exporting goods.  It is also the number one destination for those interested in buying real estate either for vacationing, retirement or investment. The majority of those purchasing homes in Mexico are U.S. and Canadian citizens. Why are so many looking to their neighbor to the South for a place to vacation and retire?  For starters, you can enjoy a much better quality of life in Mexico with just a fraction of the income that it would take to enjoy the same quality of life in either the U.S. or Canada.  And, in addition to the lower cost of living, life is more enjoyable, the pace is slower, and the weather is beautiful. 

I have traveled extensively throughout Mexico and because my desire to move to Mexico is so strong, I chose to develop a planned community consisting of 18 homes in the Lake Chapala area of Ajijic.  It is an area in high demand and the place where I will someday live with my family.  Here are the top 10 reasons I believe so many people choose to move to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico:

1. Near Perfect Weather.  There is little or no humidity in Ajijic and the average temperature is 78°F (25.5°C) year ‘round.
2. A Safe and Secure Environment. 
3. Accessibility.    There is an international airport located just 30 minutes from Ajijic, making travel in and out of Mexico easy and convenient.
4. Established Infrastructure.  Many of the conveniences we are used to at home are available in the Chapala area. And, anything that you can’t find in Chapala, you can certainly find in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city, which is just a 45-minute drive from Ajijic.
5. Excellent Communication Systems.  High-speed Internet, phone and satellite TV are available to residents of Ajijic, making it easy to keep in touch with those at home and to stay well-informed when it comes to world events.
6. High Quality Health Care.  Ajijic and the Chapala area have many high quality health care facilities and pharmacies, with many bilingual professionals who were trained in the US and Canada.
7. Lower Cost of Living.  The cost of living in Ajijic is estimated to be at least 30% lower than the cost of living in the U.S.  This allows you to get a beautiful, unique home at a great value.  You definitely get a lot for your money.
8. English is Frequently Spoken.  In Ajijic, you can get by without ever learning Spanish, though it is fun to learn at least a little.
9. Gorgeous Scenery.  Ajijic and Chapala have a stunning beauty, with breathtaking sunsets over the lake and majestic mountain views.
10. Easy Maintenance.  Ajijic caters to expatriates, offering a variety of services you won’t easily find elsewhere in Mexico.  The services offered in Ajijic make it easy to cope with home maintenance, shopping, health care, and all of the other “must do” chores of daily life.

Given all of the great reasons to live in Ajijic, it is no wonder it is one of the top destinations in the world.  If you too decide to buy in Ajijic or elsewhere in Mexico, you must affiliate yourself with a knowledgeable and professional Realtor, just as you would at home.  Mexico currently does not have a licensing law in place, but there is an association called AMPI.  All AMPI members are required to abide by a code of ethics, so the next time you are looking for a Realtor be sure he/she is a member of AMPI.  Do your homework first, or call me, Lucy Garcia-Robles. I am a Certified International Property Specialist and I can be reached by phone at 1-888-411-CASA or on-line at www.nidmex.com or at luciegr@hotmail.com. 

In recent times, Latin America has been flooded with American patriots and pilgrims looking for something new. If you haven’t heard the latest news, Latin America is the new Plymouth Rock. While there are a lot of popular places to live in Latin America, there is still a lot of land to explore and to experience. Many parts of Latin America have yet to be enjoyed by thousands of American new comers. Many people generalize countries like Mexico or Costa Rica with certain characteristics that might pertain to certain areas in those countries, but if you venture out to explore the isolated areas in these countries, you will quickly find that there are many unique attractions in these countries that make them so desirable.

At the same time, it can be comforting to know that there are areas of Latin America that are “Americanized” enough that anyone interested in retiring in these countries can easily adapt to the culture and lifestyles. A lot of nice communities in Latin America, in fact, have been established to make it easier for Americans to retire in comfort. When it comes to finding the right place, you have to decide whether you want to venture out and expend your horizons or if you would prefer to find somewhere that is exotic, yet comfortable.

As you begin to explore your options, and Latin America, you should be able to find a place to invest in that is just right for you. Also, as more and more of Latin America is discovered and developed, you will be able to find comfort in knowing that you have retired in one of the best places in the world. Make your way to Latin America ad begin your pilgrimage toward your retired life.

I decided to write this post while I was still basking in the warm Mexican sun. As I sit on my balcony overlooking the Marival Grand Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, I can’t help but come up with excuses to return to Mexico as soon as possible.

I came to Puerto Vallarta at the invitation of Mexico Alive. Mexico Alive hosts what they call The Discovery Weekend. The Discovery Weekend is an opportunity to travel to Vallarta and immerse yourself in the Mexican lifestyle, culture and learn the fine points of buying real estate in Mexico.

As have many of us, I have had the misfortune of being talked into the typical real estate presentation or timeshare weekend with the lure of a cheap room or a free helicopter ride. The Discovery Weekend could not be farther from that type of event. There was absolutely no pressure. I was not asked to do a one on one session with any sales person or commit to anything other than being open to learning and experiencing Mexico as a home and an investment opportunity. The Discovery Weekend is entirely about the Mexican lifestyle and learning with a lot of fun mixed in.

In fact, many of the people that I met were on their second or third Discovery Weekend. It has become a family of fellow Americans and Canadians who want to learn about buying homes in Mexico. Mexico Alive has been able to create an environment that feels very comfortable, professional and for lack of a better word, genuine. There are no smoke and mirrors. Instead, you are offered a window to what it takes to relocate, retire and invest in Mexico.

The Discovery Weekend schedule consisted of gourmet dinners, sunset boat cruise, all inclusive resort accommodations, beautiful beaches and a city tour all wrapped around several informative sessions on buying real estate and getting a home loan in Mexico. Of course you are presented with the concepts, pricing and features of the real estate developments that Mexico Alive represents.

Mexico Alive represents several developers throughout Mexico with a current focus on the Nuevo Vallarta. They offer amazing and high quality home and investment projects which are built and designed by top developers and architects throughout Mexico and the rest of the world. The Mexico Alive brand is built around quality people, projects with excellent investment potential.

Visiting the Developments

As part of your visit, you have the option of touring the various home and condo developments throughout Vallarta. During my visit I was able to see home sites and projects that varied from very luxurious high end in Punta De Mita, mixed use condominiums Puerto Nuevo to the very beautiful and family friendly Delcanto home project which sits on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in all of Mexico. I intend to bring my wife to the next Discovery Weekend to purchase a unit for our family.

The bus ride to each development gave me the opportunity to see Vallarta in a way that a tourist never would. The bus was very nice, clean, cool and stocked with cold beer, soda and water. The Mexico Alive team points out the features and history of each area as you pass through it. They also explain the local real estate market and what is on the horizon.

You could be sitting in Starbucks one day when you realize that retirement is just around the corner. When you look at the cup and see that they have gone back to their roots with the Pikes Place décor and look, it will make you feel dated. But it will also cause you to stop and to think about going back to your own roots. One of the best ways to do that is to go there- Latin America. There are many old and traditional customs that you can enjoy in Latin America that will get you back to the core of your younger days and to a more youthful self.

It’s always helpful to remember the past times because it helps you to keep up the energy to stay active. This is why many people suggest getting to Latin America. You will be engaged in so many different traditions and lifestyles; it forces you to be a part of a community and to get involved. You will have to re-establish a lot of the social skills that you had in previous years and can use them to continue to make the most of your retirement.

Not many people realize that retirement is closer than they think. But instead of worrying about it, why not make the most of it and simply make it an extension of the life you live now. There are not many differences in retirement living and living now; or at least there doesn’t have to be. Starbucks is good whether you are getting it before work or before your day spent in retirement. Get back to your roots and to Latin America.

It is understandable that someone would be hesitant to invest in a Latin America property for their retirement. In fact, rarely has anyone been to a Latin American country for longer than a cruise vacation getaway. It is a good idea to experiment. Try it out. When thinking about your retirement, you might consider going to the country of choice for a certain amount of time to see if you are able to acclimate enough to enjoy your retirement. You might be surprised that actually living in one of these countries is much different than vacationing there. If you test it out for at least a month, you will not only be more prepared for the life of retirement, but you will also have a little bit more knowledge of the lifestyle differences between a vacation and retirement.

Living in Latin America for an extended period of time will show you many of the lifestyle ways of life of Latin America. In addition to that, you will also get a glimpse of the many things to do to fill up your time. Unlike a vacation, you do not have to fill your days with one activity after another. In fact, you could easily plan days where all you do is stay at home without doing anything.

One more thing to keep in mind when testing out your retirement life is that you are not obligated to stay at home all the time. In fact, while many people would consider your home a vacation getaway, you can leave on vacation whenever you feel like it and possibly even let people stay in your home for their vacation. There are many things to take advantage of with Latin living; but test it out first to make sure that it is right for you.

There have been many questions and requests for information on retirement in Latin America; and more specifically, Baja California. The search for the perfect retirement begins with your idea of “perfection” and what type of lifestyle will help you to obtain it. Depending on what your ideal situation is, there are basic searches in Baja California that you would limit yourself to. First, you need to think about the motives for moving to Mexico as well as the preferences of Baja community types. For example, would you prefer a retirement community in Baja? A condo? Perhaps even a beachfront property in Baja? You need to think about what type of environment will actually allow you to have the retirement that you have dreamed of.

Many people looking to retire in Mexico prefer more of a resort-like community, so that they do not feel crowded and “retired.” These types of retirement communities allow you to have your personal space and make it easy to make your home personal as you would like. As far as the community aspect, you are still able to socialize and make friends with fellow retirees. You can easily join in the many festivities that you were never able to participate in before.

If you are looking for more of a retirement community that has all of the conveniences more easily accessible, many of the communities are built with everything you need right in the same community. This is helpful for some, convenient for all, and makes for an easy lifestyle that can be thoroughly enjoyed. When you are looking for the different options that are available, sometimes it is easier to find a retirement community, especially if you are looking to stay long term. Everyone will have their own preference when it comes to retirement housing. Know which option is best for you, based on your “perfect” idea.

Costa Rica has been known as being the secret paradise for a long time. That time is running out. With more people coming to spend their retirement here, houses are filling up, as is the paradise. It is not too late to get a spot in one of Latin America’s most exotic places. Take advantage of the popularity while prices are still cheap, the weather is still perfect, and the relaxation is paradise.

Thinking about retirement is something that everyone looks forward to for years before the actual time comes. Much in the same way, people dream about coming to Costa Rica for a long time before they actually make it. However, with prices where they are for housing, there is no reason why these plans and dreams cannot be a reality right now!

Come check out the great prices on Costa Rica housing. There are plenty of available spots left. But in order to make one of them yours, you have to act quickly. As more people are starting to discover Costa Rica, spots and houses are filling up. Don’t dream anymore, and don’t watch as they float past you. Come to Costa Rica and live your retirement in paradise.

Baja California has everything you need to enjoy your retirement. As you are winding down from the 9-5 career, there are many things that will help you to make the most of your time. Baja California provides you with the paradise of being on vacation, and the easy going lifestyle that makes it possible to relax. Many people will hesitate to retire in Baja, but after seeing the perks this place, it will surely be on the top of your list.

So why retire in Baja California?

1. Proximity to California- within driving distance from California’s border, you can easily find a great home somewhere in Baja. As long as you have your passport handy, you are free to venture across the border for whatever reason you need.
2. Distance from City life- Most places in Baja California won’t make you claustrophobic. Far from the smoggy city air, the traffic and noise, you can sit and relax in your retirement home in Baja California.
3. Weather- The weather in Baja is always shining; much like your retirement. With tropical weather and constant sunshine, you will have a hard time complaining about the weather.
4. Things to do- There are many new hobbies that you can take up, especially outside in the wonderful weather. Take advantage of finding a hobby to fill up your time and to enjoy while in retirement.

Take advantage of everything that Baja California has to offer. You have worked for it, you earned it, and you deserve it.

That time is coming: retirement. While the main goal of your retirement is to not worry about anything, and to let all the thinking be focused on new hobbies and activities, there are some things to consider before you reach retirement; the biggest one being where you want to retire. This week’s country: Panama!

Why retire in Panama?

There are many reasons that you might consider Panama as a place to retire, beyond the obvious of being in a prime location with wonderful year-round weather. There are many advantages that you can take advantage of in Panama. Listed below are some of the top reasons that many people have retired in Panama.

The Ocean, The view, The Weather. Panama is probably most known for being one of the most picturesque, give-you-a-perfect-tan, close to the ocean locations in Latin America; it’s hard not to see the beauty that makes up Panama. Having that kind of beauty not only makes it a desirable place to visit, but why not live there?

The Prices. Being one of the newer locations to retire, there are many properties and homes for sale that you can take advantage of. The prices are extremely low, as owners are trying to fill up their homes and properties. In addition to that, there are many properties that are being built almost on a daily basis that will be affordable.

Cost of Living. In Panama, the cost of living is most likely the lowest in all of Latin America. With that in mind, living your day to day life will be a breeze. You can not only afford your groceries and monthly housing expenses, but you can also take advantage of taking up a hobby or even investing in some water toys to enjoy in the beautiful surrounding oceans.

Adjustment to Retirement. Most people that choose to retire in Panama have an easier time adjusting to the lifestyle, the environment, and the cost of living here than in any other place. This is no surprise, as Panama provides the atmosphere of a permanent vacation. But in addition to that, Panama allows you to get used to life in retirement as usual. Without a job or work to worry about, your mentality and emotions get a run for their money. The easier you can adjust to a new lifestyle, the easier it is to live your retirement to the fullest.

With these in mind, it makes sense that more and more people are making their way to Panama for their retirement. There is a lot to take advantage of and even more to enjoy, making life easier. Take advantage of retirement, and life in Panama.