Retire in Mexico

"Ajijic is definitely a retirement area. The majority of the expat population appears to be over 60... That said, there are numerous cultural activities plus exploratory trips around the area and other Mexico venues. Night life is somewhat subdued...but at 75 bed time comes early for us.," said a retiree who moved to Ajijic, Mexico.

"There is a large expat community in Ajijic. Lots of things to do here," said one retiree in Ajijic and Chapala.

"We live in Cozumel but travel to Merida often. Beautiful city with many benefits, Great Restaurants, Night Life and hot as hades in the summer," commented one retiree living in Merida, Mexico.

"Retirees in Mexico and its surrounding areas can lead an active lifestyle filled with outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and plenty of recreation and nightlife. Many expats find Mexico a great destination to retire as it offers a rich cultural life, friendly locals to connect with, as well as natural beauty and warm climate. Whether it is fishing, golfing, horseback riding, exploring ancient ruins, or wandering through lively local markets, there are plenty of activities to keep people of all ages active and engaged. For those looking for nightlife, the cultural capital of Mexico City offers an array of bars, traditional tequila tasting, and a vibrant night-club scene. Additionally, there are beautiful beaches, stunning colonial villages, and intriguing archaeological sites to explore," explained one retiree living in Mexico.

"We have a small but active ex-pat community. We have a ladies lunch group once a month to hear speakers on local issues and meet other expats, plus keep up on what is happening in town. We have a couples group that has dinners every Thursday at different restaurants also to meet the other ex-pats. We have golf groups, tennis, bridge, cards, a church service or two in English. We also have a new Gold's gym. The university of Colima has a great music department that has brought us some classical music concerts the last few years, this year we are having Romeo and Juliet. We have many great restaurants and most have live music and dancing," said one retiree in living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"What are you waiting for? Don't let the news scare you. They want you to be trapped up there in your homes. Come down and see what paradise is all about," said a person in Manzanillo.

"Be positive, learn the culture, and immerse yourself in the society, you'll be surprised at how many things we have in common," remarked one retiree in Apizaco.

"So far everything has moved right along except at a slower pace... We used the services of a recommended local attorney and we have a property manager. Between the two we have taken care of buying a home, car and paying the bills... If we had to do this alone it would take more time and probably peg the frustration meter...We will eventually take over the bill paying etc but for now this has proven to be a worth while expenditure," explained a retiree in Ajijic.

"We came from the US about 4 yrs ago, have always been adventurous and have lived in several states mostly in the west. For us it had nothing whatsoever to do with the political environment or the economics. We had saved and prepared well f or retirement, more lucky than smart. We knew the culture and people would be wonderful and the climate is so much better than in beautiful Seattle. Our kids are scattered throughout the US and we travel back every few months and they come here. Just what we hoped for. The city of Merida is fabulous. We live by choice in a neighborhood where no one speaks English so we try (somewhat successfully) to communicate in Spanish and to fit in. People are accepting and kind. Driving is an adrenaline rush every day. All in all, it has been 99% of what we had hoped and plan to stay for as long as our health is good. We have used healthcare here numerous times and have found it to be of highest level and advanced," remarked one retiree in Mexico.

"I love having a more international perspective on the US. I appreciate the different cultures I live in and I like the challenge of adapting to different customs. And I really love the expats I meet overseas. They are often quite adventurous people," said a retiree who moved to Lake Chapala, Mexico.

"We are living the "american dream" in Mexico. We have a wonderful life. We are pampered, have time to pursue whatever we want, have time for our friends, the weather allows us to go outside almost every day to play. I am selling real estate, so not retired, but my husband is," said one retiree in Manzanillo.

"Yes, I get 100% medical services such as Doctors, Hospitals, Operations & Medicines for free through the ISSTE system. My Wife was an English teacher at a Federal School so I was able to enter the system as her spouse," explained one retiree living in Apizaco.

"We have several hospitals here and are only 3 and a half hours from Guadalajara which has as good medical care as anywhere in the world. We had a friend who spent 3 weeks in intensive care in Guadalajara and the total cost was 35,000.00 dollars. Think of that in the US.. and she is well now," said one retiree in living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"It depends on who you want to meet. There is an English library inside the restaurant, Lupita's, a few steps from the Bascilica on Arciga Street. A volunteer group has their meetings there. English is spoken. They would welcome volunteers. If you want to meet Indigenous Purepecha, Mulle (dock) San Pedrito is run by them and it is a beautiful park next to the lake. Also they sell their art on the street and in the mercado in Centro ( open every day-even Christmas.) They also sell fruits and vegetables, clothes, shoes, socks, anything you need. To become friends with local people, it is necessary to speak Spanish and they are friendly. There are usually English speakers sitting outdoors at a cafe on Plaza Grande. One can take Spanish lessons as well," said a retiree who moved to Patzcuaro, Mexico.

"Take a look at Incanto: https://www.incantovallarta.com/ I've attended several events there and have made friends in this environment via Bingo & Theater. The owner is a great and friendly host. Stroll within the calendar, as well, since you teach Improv. The current calendar looks like its still within the high season. This and many other options are available in Puerto Vallarta," said one retiree in Puerto Vallarta.

"Go to a restaurant and talk to the people at the table beside you - talk to a anyone. It is natural and almost expected here in PV. Something I would never do in my original home of Vancouver," commented one retiree living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

"There are lots of activities in San Carlos. In the winter, Club Deportivo hosts an Educational series along with the usual bingo and such. There are several non-profit organizations to join, The Rescate (EMS) thrift store collects and sells items to support ambulance service. The Castaway Kids supports the local orphanage. The Rotary - and more. If you want to be involved there are many avenues. Most of the support groups are run by English speaking people, so there should be no hesitation if you haven't entirely grasped the language," explained one retiree living in San Carlos.

"Stroll the malecón in the evening, hang out at Captain Don's bar in 5 de Diciembre neighborhood, and at probably lots of bars in Old Town ("Zona Romantica")," said one retiree in living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

"People tend to work long hours during the week, not much on the weekends which is generally reserved for families. If you have kids you will be invited to tons of birthday parties, parents are expected to attend, not just drop the kids off. The parties are quite extravagant compared to the US," explained one retiree living in Mexico City.

"Generally the expats are retired and their lives revolve around golf, tennis, bridge, socializing, walking or swimming in the ocean, reading, and whatever else they feel like. We have quite a few artists and others willing to share their knowledge. There are charities and animal welfare groups always looking for help," said one retiree in living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"Saltillo is a small city/large town, so it's relatively quiet here. People here seem more respectful of their neighbors than in other areas of Mexico. For example, in general people don't blare their music from their homes or use their car horns as doorbells. People work hard and enjoy their families. While social stratification runs the gamut here, in general people are friendly and laid-back. While soccer is still a huge pastime, baseball appears to be just as popular, if not more popular, than soccer. Saltillo's professional baseball team won the 2009 national championship, and I always hear my neighbor kids hitting a ball around. Saltillenses are good runners, too. Every June, the city hosts a half-marathon, and throughout the year there are a variety of 5K and 10K races. Saltillo also boasts a plethora of good public parks--great for picnics, enjoying some green spaces, or playgrounds for kids," explained a retiree in Saltillo.

"People here love kayaking, fishing, scuba and off-roading. There is a large, modern marina. There are rocky beaches, sandy beaches, public and isolated. There are also many restaurants with excellent food - Italian, Mexican, American, Greek, and even Texas Style BBQ," explained one retiree living in San Carlos.

"Expats and digital nomads living in Mexico often find that life there is full of opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration. Mexico's mild climate, friendly locals and vibrant cities make it a desirable place for many expats and digital nomads looking to settle down in a new country. The country also offers a variety of activities and locations for expats, ranging from its stunning beaches, old-world colonial cities, and incredible nature preserves. Expats and digital nomads in Mexico enjoy a low cost of living, and they are able to find affordable housing, transportation, and food. Although learning the local language can be challenging due to the lack of English-speaking facilities and programs, the country is known for its welcoming culture and its legal system that aids expats in obtaining visas and permanency. Overall, Mexico is an ideal destination for expats and digital nomads, who can enjoy the warm weather, low cost of living, and vibrant culture while continuing their work abroad," said one member in Mexico.

"I have a 3 bedroom, 3 bath in a nice gated community. Very safe and quiet well except for the fireworks!!! Be prepared for 2 weeks in September. The weeks from Sept 6 to Sept 20th, Magdelena has a Saints Festival with almost nonstop fireworks,fiestas, parades and music. Then it goes into the week of Sept 16 fireworks, fiestas and music!! In December we have the posadas. The rest of the time it is quiet. We have marvelous hot air balloons, or on the ground tours of all the marvelous wineries," commented one retiree living in Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

"We chose Merida over Tulum, Cancun and all of the of the primarily tourist destinations in MX. There are a thousand cities each unique. I would not live in Tulum for the dame reason I would not choose to live in San Diego. We live in a quiet Mexican suburb, have access to the beach (many) in 20-30 min, Have all the conveniences that we would have in a city of 1 mil. people. Many whine about the heat in Merida, but with 5 minutes of research you know what the weather is month in and month out. As a beautiful historic city Merida is a dream at least for us. The city is feeling it's growing pains but the people and culture are a delight. We (I) recently had occasion to undergo an emergency cardiac procedure here and spent time with multiple specialists, most spoke English well, at the costs were much lower than expected; the technology and care was exceptional. Tulum, to me at least, is not what I want; neither is anywhere near there like Cancun Playa del Carmen, Akumal, etc. A little like trying to have a quiet normal life in the FL Keys," explained one retiree living in Merida.

"I suggest you never secure a 6 mo lease until you see and feel the property. Committing to 6 month online is not recommended whether you get a 180 day visa or not. Get a hotel when you arrive and make that your base camp to find longer arrangements. Don't think what you see online is what is actually there. Bait and switch happens in Mexico....and don't forget it. Once they have your money you are behind the curve," said one retiree in living in San Carlos, Mexico.

"Learn basic phrases in Spanish, be patient and kind. Remember Mexico is a foreign country and nothing like the United States. If you are an arts and crafts person and are retired or have your own income, I think you would like it here," explained a retiree in Patzcuaro.

"There are many people from the USA, Canada and Europe have visited Mexico, love it and have considered relocation. Many visitors also spend their Mexico trip to the top resort areas at the best time of year to be there. This being the winter months. The down season is usually from May through October and the top resort areas are ghost towns. Reason for this is the abysmal heat and humidity. I once spent a month in Mazatlan in August. Mazatlan is just the start of the tropics and the heat and high humidity were abysmal and almost impossible to tolerate. Even walking a short distance can be very unpleasant as are the temperatures that can top 120 degree with 98% humidity. The only tolerable place to be are inside with the air conditioning on high. I love and visit the tropical areas yet only in the winter. I live in the South area of Rosarito Beach, Baja California. Year round climate is beautiful. Never too hot or cold. Winters are very mild and similar to San Diego, Ca. I have friends in Rosarito that spend their summers here and winters in the tropics. Living in the tropics is most certainly not the ideal area for most people. Even the locals hate the low seasons. I have not seen this topic get a lot of attention here yet what I have said is absolutely true," explained one retiree living in Mexico.

"There is a large sport club here for tennis and golf. Every Sunday the streets are closed for bikeathons for the entire family to participate in. And any time you want to hike, go visit a ruin. Most of the cenotes allow swimming and are wonderfully cool and magical," explained one member in Merida.

"Anything related to the beach, snorkeling, golf, exploring cenotes (caves), dining out. The food is amazing and the options are endless," said one retiree in Playa Del Carmen.

"Boating, swimming, fishing, snorkeling, scuba, para sailing, sunset cruises, booze cruises, bird island tours, Jack Nicklaus golf courses and others, tennis, ultralight flying, ziplining, and lots of fine dining with ocean views," remarked one retiree in Puerto Penasco.

"People living in Mexico typically buy groceries and do other shopping at local markets, supermarkets, and department stores. Many people also shop at street vendors and small shops. Additionally, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular in Mexico," remarked one retiree in Mexico.