Is it true that Mexico has some really nice areas for retirement?

Question

I've heard that Americans can retire in Mexico and that the cost of living is considerably lower than the US. Is this true? Where? How safe?

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

I v'e heard about that also - 60 Minutes maybe?. I think Panama is better. Not sure where. I question the safety

Answer 2

Yes, there are many great places to retire in Mexico.  if you want to live where there are many othet gringos..there are places like San Miguel de Allende and Lake Chapalla, and othet touristy cities.  These areas are more expensive...as are beach and resort towns.  Cities that do not have a high number of gringos, and are not major tourist areas are much cheaper.  Where you live depends oni if you want hot and humid, or in the mountains, cooler and not humid.  small town near a big city is great...lower prices, but all conveniences nearby.  You can get an FM3 retirement visa if you can prove you have about 1200 a month steady retirement income.  You can rent first if you like.  Best to just bring personal and sentimental items and buy new furniture here...a lot cheaper than moving everything...and you can get nice furniture here for less.    Here are some sites to start with. income...and you can actually live just fine on that.  There are tons of great websites on retiring in Mexico.  you can research, pick some areas, make a scouting trip .  If you have more questions, you may email me.  One person suggested Panama...i know some people retire there, but the problem with oanama is that it is ROASTING hot ALL THE time, EVERYWHERE in the country.  I have never met anyone who has gone to Panama who did not comment on the extreme heat.

Answer 3

i asked this question of our van driver when we were in mexico in jan...he said alot of people retire there from the states..we love going there...people are very nice...

Answer 4

Yes, It is true. I suggest Merida in Yucatan State.

Answer 5

Yes, it is true.

Many people from USA and Canada is living here in México. Almost all the migrants come back to México at retirement time to live here. It is far cheaper living here than there.

It is false all the country is "dangereus" or "unsafe"; just like US Schools are not having gun shotings every day.

We can live peaceful and safe in most areas of México. Touristic areas are not as cheap as you could wish (like Mérida, Veracruz, Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos). Some very popular areas for foreigners are San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato state) and Chapala (Jalisco state); the main reason I guess is because of the weather (not as hot as the beachs).

Some places to live in México safe and comfortable could be: Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende, Chapala, Morelia, León (central highlands, better weahter than lowlands).

Answer 6

Hi, I know San Miguel de Allende is the city with more people from USA and Canada. 26% of the population are from there. It is very nice place and is wonderfull  see how people from 3 diferent countries (Mexico, USA & Canada) live in peace and talk when take a rest in the main park.

Answer 7

Yes it does actually a lot of people around the world retire there or move to Mexico, I.E. French,America,Germa Spanish, Russia. One op the places people retire is Merida, Mexico it's a mall town and there's not to much action. But if you want a place with more people there's Nayarit, El Cabo San Lucas, somewhere around the ocean.

Answer 8

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&...

Good Morning,

  I decided to pop in, after looking through sites in this general link, which you may have already done.

  Having been in MEX. a few times, I probably would choose Central America, but certainly there are areas in Mexico where people are not savages, revolutionaries, Pirates, etc.

   I saw one response mentioning the Yucatan. That worked for me in a historical/Archeaological sense, but it's not all a network of good roads leading from one large town to another.

   I prefer the coast, but more the West coast,, and probably not so far South of Baja. I'd advise, NOT Mexico City or its suburbs, or even any village most rural, unless you have a decent command of the language, exchange philosophies, can adapt to third World systems, policies, a lack of amentities as are known in the US.

   The situation is pretty much a two class system, with few to none in the middle, unless you were able to endure a major city.

   Tourist areas certainly attract money, as well as slightly higher living expenses, but within walking distance of many self contained resorts you can find abject poverty. Tourist areas can also have a higher propensity for crime situations.

   Mountain areas are no less attractive than they are in the States, especially were the Tail of the Rockies exists. I'd advise against a bus, and Mountain living can certainly be a challenge,  but again, your decision should depend on, your tolerances, acceptance levels, notions about isolation/or not, learning not only the language, but customs, religious factions, goverenment FOR SURE, The general day to day life of the "common man" (No offense meant). Even studying the custom of gestures, slang, etc. and knowing what isn't appropriate, can go a long way.

   The closer you are to industrialized areas, tourist areas, areas of commerce, the more likely you are to find services you're accustomed too, but are prepared to downgrade to. C.O.L. is probably relative. Certainly the exchange rate might help, as well as general costs for goods, services, adequate housing, but also involved are trade offs.

   On the East coast, I'd shy away from any place near Belize, although I realize its "Touristability" factors, it's probably still or will always be in a modest Civil War status. I realize that people aren't strictly ignorant savages in most rural areas, but you might find surprises in life styles, etc. Certainly Mexico has its issues with governing bodies and the military as well.

   Most media either glorifies Mexico, or creates Amazon like images. Research and some levels of experiencing different areas are a good way to begin a plan.

   As with anyone moving into a new "neighborhood" One should assume that they too have to adjust to a period of being accepted. In large measure for a "Gringo" (no offense) that should involve knowing all one can about the economy, the locals at least, traditions/customs, general policies in local authority agencies (where they exist), preparing for a lifestyle change, and knowing the consequences as well as the possible benefits.

  Another example: As of yesterday $1(USA) Feb 15 = 10.759 Pesos. I have no real clue currently regarding what 10. 75 pesos buys in Mexico.

  Anyway, just popped in with the morning coffee, and off to my work soon. Good hunting Steve.

Steven Wolf

Answer 9

Well if you are retiring it is very much a pennysaver. You could pay for a 4/3/2.5 House for only 500,000 pesos on average (only about 120,000 dollars)Security wise move to the yucatan.

Answer 10

We can't tell you where without knowing if you want the beach, mountains, big/small town, close to the US, etc

Yes there are nice places but you'd better get some books and make a few visits before getting excited.  Nowhere in Mexico is like the US only cheaper