Retirement: Spend your Golden Years on Golden Shores

mexicoalive.com

Retirement in Mexico represents a wonderful opportunity to experience your golden years on the golden shores in one of the most sought-after destinations for US retirees in the world. Mexico offers the kind of experience you may never have had: the chance to live abroad in an easy, comfortable environment, with many options to interact with new people in an alluring place. Here are some things to remember when considering where to spend your retirement:

1. Weather
2. Proximity
3. Affordability
4. Safety
5. Healthcare
6. English Language
7. Friendly Environment
8. Companionship

1. Weather: As we age, we become less tolerant to temperature shifts and a cold climate. Bound by two oceans, Mexico offers mile after mile of beaches that feature varying kinds of weather – mostly warm and sunny. That's not to suggest that Mexico doesn't have its weather challenges – hurricanes off the Gulf of Mexico, for example, are as common in Mexico as in the United States – but the country is known for warm sea breezes and tropical weather. Both the Yucatan Peninsula and Puerto Vallarta are known for their temperate climates and almost 320 days of sunshine year round.
2. Proximity: As next-door neighbors to the United States, Mexico is close enough to get to easily, both for you to visit the US, as well as for the family and friends you left behind to come visit you in your new home. Cancun and Puerto Vallarta offer International airports and direct flights to many US cities as well as connection flights to almost anywhere in the world.
3. Affordability: Although there are plenty of ways to spend money south of the border, Mexico is traditionally a place where the simple things in life – sunshine, sea breezes and a friendly environment – are totally free. The day-to-day necessities are usually reasonably priced (especially for a "local" which is what you'll be) and the financial requirements of life in most of Mexico suit people living on fixed incomes.
4. Safety: Each year between 15 and 16 million US citizens visit Mexico, with more than 385,000 Americans living throughout the country during the course of a year. As in the United States, Mexico has varying degrees of crime. In some areas of the country (such as in the northern border towns near Arizona, California and Texas), violence may break out. However, in metropolitan areas, as well as along the Mexican Caribbean and Pacific coastal vacation towns, crime is relatively low and rarely violent. As in the United State, common sense prevails. For example, if you have an in-home safe, you may choose to leave your valuables at home while you go out; when you go out it is not recommended to dress in a way that would make you a victim; avoid attracting attention by wearing flashy jewelry, watches or clothing; do not flash large amounts of cash and use caution at ATMs, and naturally, women should avoid walking alone at night. The US Department of State continually updates security information on its website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html
5. Healthcare: Mexico's healthcare system has been improving for many years and all major cities have excellent top-rated hospitals that offer care often at a much lower price than the United States. 
   a. Many doctors throughout Mexico speak English and have been trained in the United States 
   b. Many prescription medications are available over the counter at a fraction of the cost of the same medication in the United States. No insurance needed. 
   c. Many Mexican doctors have a wide range of skills, and even specialists can mend broken bones or treat general illness 
   d. Cities with a large number of retirees tend to have a large number of specialists in the fields of heart, cancer and cosmetic surgery 
   e. Mexico's proximity to the United States makes it easy to return home for specialized care 
   f. Retirement in Mexico can be virtually stress-free, ensuring greater health due to environmental factors 
   g. Mexico offers year round fresh fruit and vegetables picked and eaten at their peak for better taste, so you eat more of them
6. English: Because of its near proximity to the US, Mexico has a large percentage of the population who speak English. This is especially true in metropolitan areas and where US citizens live and vacation (e.g. Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta).
7. Friendly Environment: Mexico's population is overwhelmingly friendly and Riviera Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula, has been the recipient of many internationally renowned awards, including "Top Destination in Mexico" for six consecutive years by Travel Weekly (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009); the "Best Destination for a Beach Vacation in Mexico" by Travel Age West in 2009; Travelocity's "Best Luxury Destination Mexico" in 2009; "The Best Destination in Mexico" by Crystal Apple Award 2008; "One of the Hottest Beach Destinations" by Orbitz in 2008 and the destination was featured in the January 2006 issue of Travel + Leisure as "The Next Riviera." While, Puerto Vallarta, for example, was voted the "friendliest city in the world" by Condé Nast. Because most of the country realizes that American investment in tourism, second-home ownership and retirement is a critical boom to the Mexican economy, Americans are welcomed with opened arms.
8.  There are others like you: It is estimated that almost one-in-four of the 4 million Americans living overseas are living in Mexico – more than 600,000 permanent citizens, in fact. When you retire there, you're going to enjoy the company of others just like you – brave enough to do something exciting with their lives and smart enough to do it in a place that is easy, warm, friendly and comfortable.