If you are considering retirement it is a very important to know that Mexico was given the #1 rating in International Living’s Global Retirement Index for the years 2007-2008. Here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala things have only improved in the last two years. This means that it’s not only as good as retiring in the U.S. or other countries; it is, in fact, better. Besides being right next door to the U.S., with quick, an inexpensive and easy flights home (albeit a tad intrusive if you opt for the pat down), the cost of living in Mexico is very low, as are taxes –property taxes, sales taxes etc.

Modern state of the art health care is available for a fraction of the price in the U.S. and health insurance (full coverage) is available very inexpensively.

These advantages are great for retirement but they are also real bonuses for anyone considering living in Mexico.

Here are the top 3 reasons to live in Mexico, whether for retirement of other reasons:

The first reason to come to Mexico is affordability. High quality properties are available for around $250,000.00 US. Those looking for something to suit a smaller budget, or an excellent investment opportunity, can find land with all the necessary services for as low as $55,000. US where you can design and have your own dream home built.

If you want to live in complete comfort, you can do well with $2,000.00 US per month, and if a simpler lifestyle is appealing to you, your budget can be even less than this. The value of the peso is low right now – it’s been hovering around 12.25 to the US dollar. This means that your money will last you a lot longer here – longer than it used to in Mexico, and much longer than it would back home.

The second reason is the “buyer’s market” which was created during the recession. While some people feel that we are now coming out of the recession, many American buyers have not yet regained full confidence in taking the step to purchase another home. But this situation means that the properties geared towards foreign buyers are available in large numbers. Considerable price reductions are still being offered on original asking prices. But this situation won’t last forever; once buyers from the U.S. regain their real estate confidence, these opportunities will quickly disappear. The advantages of buying a home in Mexico are becoming known to more people, in any parts of the world. With the exception of these recent reductions, property values have been very stable in Mexico, with healthy increase. Mexico homes also show every sign of being one of the first markets to recover from the price slumps from the recession. A few buyers who know how to identify super opportunities are the ones who have been buying in Mexico over the past years and a half.

Living in Mexico is safe, comfortable and neighborly. Main stream media likes to cash in on big news stories and blow them out of proportion (this is true of anywhere) and has consequently painted a very negative image of Mexico which even people who should know better have bought into. While drug related violence is a real problem along the US border, which the Mexican government is fighting hard to end, most of Mexico is further away and less affected by this than many parts of the U.S.

Day to day life in Mexico is very secure. While many homes are available in private gated communities, some Americans choose to live in other types of communities and feel safer than in many U.S. cities. There are always American neighbors around, as well as many from Canada, Europe and many other places especially here in our wonderful ex-pat community of Ajijic, Lake Chapala. The Mexicans are a very warm and friendly people who also make wonderful neighbors.

If you’ve ever thought about buying a home in Mexico, whether for retirement or just to enjoy life, stop thinking about. Find a good real estate broker and start looking for your new home today.

For those who know Mexico, retirement there can be part of a dream come true. They enjoy a great climate, great food, a rich culture and fabulously warm and friendly people.

Some retirees move into Mexican communities, like ours in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, and integrate with life there. This can make the whole experience much more worthwhile and fulfilling.

For those with hobbies, the hobby or interest can almost always be pursued in Mexico. Communications via the Internet will keep you up-to-date with the latest sports scores and coverage and home new if you need that. Most of us have some system of satellite so that we can receive every channel we are used to in English. Name a sport and you will be able to play it in Mexico. Particularly golf and tennis can be enjoyed year round at many excellent facilities right here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

Many people continue their passion for or turn to, art, photography and writing using Mexico as their landscape and inspiration. Some fine that their work can be sold outside Mexico to news and media agencies, supplementing their income. There is a thriving art community in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

Other people get involved in social work. Helping deprived communities to build new infrastructure, sharing their extensive knowledge, experience and understanding of life with others and make a signification and positive contribution to the communities they live in.

There is no better time to learn Spanish. Surrounded by the language, engulfed in a country passionate about its history and culture, there is no better place to learn than in Mexico. Language classes for all levels are available everywhere.

If you view your retirement as an opportunity to improve your golf game, Mexico has no less than three of the world’s top golf courses for you to try and dozens more besides. For example, there is a golf course, Atlas, just outside Guadalajara that is the second longest course in Mexico.

You can retire in Mexico in total seclusion if you want to, buying property in the middle of a stunning landscape, with nothing but nature around you for miles. Or you can live in the middle of one of Mexico’s towns or cities surrounded by the local communities, sharing their culture and their way of live or somewhere in-between. Whatever you want, you’ll find something to suit your tastes somewhere in Mexico.

In Ajijic, Lake Chapala we have the best of both worlds with nature all around us as well as the infrastructure that makes life enjoyable. Ajijic is nestled between the Sierra Madre Mountains and beautiful Lake Chapala with breathtaking views and is also less than 45 minutes from the world class city of Guadalajara.

Everything everywhere cost money and Mexico is no exception. How much you spend will depend on your lifestyle expectations.

However, you’ll find that Mexico can offer good value in just about everything you will need to buy, from land and real estate through to furniture and Do It Yourself materials, food and drink and entertainment.

Generally speaking, Mexico can be excellent value for money for people who chose to retire there, especially if they are earning a hard-currency based retirement income.

Mexico is also safe with minimal non-violent crime. We do suggest, however, that you do not include drug trafficking in your retirement activities.

Retiring to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

I have blogged about the wonderful retirement opportunity in Ajijic, Lake Chapala but I thought it is well worth blogging about again.

There have been three things that lately have, to some, put a damper on travel and retirement in Mexico and I would like to address those three issues.

First, there was the global economic crisis that hit in September 2008. We opened Collins Real Estate in July 2008 and have received lots of comments about our brilliant timing. I am happy to say, however, that we have had a steady stream of clients and sales since opening albeit perhaps not as many as we might have had without the economic crunch.

People are still retiring in droves as the Baby Boomers move through the market. Good deals are available and people are still buying here even though there are some cheap deals in Arizona and Nevada it is still not Mexico and when the economy recovers even slightly as it already has our weather and cost of living will remain very attractive for those seeking ideal retirement locations.

Second, there was a lot of buzz about the “drug wars” on the border of Mexico and the U.S. Both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama have visited our Mexican President Filipe Calderon and have agreed that this problem is a shared responsibility. The fact that 95% of the guns in Mexico are imported from the U.S. and the voracious appetite of the Americans for drug consumption are both fuelling these drug wars. Ajijic, Lake Chapala is largely an expat community and here the only drug of choice is Viagra so we have been largely untouched by the violence reported in the papers. Both Mexico and the U.S. are committed to eradicating this scourge on humanity and as a result instances of violence are markedly reduced. The legalization of Marijuana would go a long way in easing the problem as well.

Thirdly, H1N1 (Swine Flu) caused many to change their plans to come to Mexico as they thought instant death awaited for them as soon as they set foot here. This was not quite the case, as it turned out. Although the number of H1N1 cases did reach 30,000 worldwide the scare was blown completely out of proportion causing unnecessary financial stress to many in Mexico City. H1N1 is not as serious a strain as the normal seasonal flu and can be easily managed with the proper medication – Tamiflu.

The upshot of all this is Ajijic, Lake Chapala is still a wonderful and safe place to retire. Our weather is the best in the world and right now we are enjoying the rainy season which the best season of the year. (Not that any of our seasons are bad.) Lake Chapala is high and the Sierra Madre Mountains are green and the colors of the flowers and flowing trees and shrubs are magnificent. The mangoes are heavy on the trees and the aromas are wonderful.

To get up every morning to have ones coffee (or morning drink of choice) on your terraza while watching the sun sparkle on Lake Chapala is truly great for the soul.

So if you were considering retirement in Ajijic, Lake Chapala but because of the above reasons became reticent worry no more. Retirement in Ajijic, Lake Chapala still is everything you want it to be and so much more.

Retiring to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

Here are a few of ours in no particular order:

International Airport
Access to a large city
Excellent Medical Care
Good Schools
All denominations of Churches
Good Shopping
Good Restaurants
A wide variety of activities and cultural events
Climate
Warmth of the people
Good Housing Prices

All the above can be checked off your list in Ajijic.

We are 40 minutes or less (depending on your driving speed) from the International Airport in Guadalajara.

Guadalajara is a city twice the size of Toronto, Canada and, therefore, has all the amenities a big city has to offer.

The medical care in Guadalajara is world class with many fine hospitals and also the medical facilities lakeside are excellent with doctors coming out from Guadalajara regularly to see patients. Maskaras Clinic is very good with all the specialties well represented.

There are good schools in Ajijic. From them our children went to bi-lingual schools and both went on to universities in the US and Canada.

All denominations are here in Ajijic. Thee are Catholic churches, of course, Anglican, Baptist, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Presbyterian etc.

The shopping in Ajijic is very good and is excellent in Guadalajara with all the designer labels available.

There are many good restaurants in Ajijic for all tastes and pocketbooks and of course, there is fine dining available in Guadalajara.

There are activities to suit all tastes in Ajijic. Golf, tennis, bridge and cribbage clubs, garden glubs, writing clubs, theatre, arts and crafts to name a few. Also the cultural experience is wonderful with many world class theatre and musical groups coming to our own auditorium.

The climate is the best in the world and is only rivaled by Kenya. However, for my money, this is a better bet politically.

The warmth and welcome of the Mexican is second to none in the world. They truly live the expression “mi casa es su casa” which means “my house is your house”.

Finally, attractive housing prices are what bring many people to Ajijic along with the wonderful year round climate but it is the people that make us stay.

Retirement in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico

One of many pluses about retiring in Mexico is that your dollar goes further and never more so than at the moment. For example you would receive 14.38 pesos for l US dollar today.

You can buy a bigger house for your money here and your expenses are lower. You have no heating or air conditioning charges for instance as our climate is second to none in the world.

Food is less expensive as is the cost of eating out. Golf and tennis are cheaper than up north and live entertainment and cultural events are readily affordable to all.

Medical care is less expensive and is first class. Many people come to Mexico for all sorts of plastic surgery and dental work as the cost is about a third of the cost up north.
Guadalajara is known throughout the world for the quality of its teaching hospitals.

Everyone can easily afford at least one maid and gardener to help with the maintenance of their property and many residents also have cooks.

Fruits and vegetables are plentiful and available year round and many fruits grow on trees in your own back yard.

Veterinary services are a fraction of the costs up north and all varieties of food and treats for your pet are available at very competitive prices.

Furniture and appliances are cheaper and custom drapery etc. is also cheaper. Landscaping your property is cheaper too.

Wine and spirits are cheaper but, of course, the more expensive labels are available to you if you wish.

Shopping for clothes, shoes etc. is also cheaper but you can find all designer names in Guadalajara which is only 45 minutes or less from Ajijic.

Although your 401K’s may be shrinking in the US your dollar goes a lot further here for a very agreeable lifestyle amid a warm and welcoming people.

Retirement in the Lake Chapala, Ajijic, Mexico Area

Moving away from your home and family can be a scary proposition, however, let us take the fear factor our the equation for you and if you come to Ajijic/Lake Chapala from the cold north having family visit will not be an issue.

We moved our family here when our children were 10 and 12 and they will both tell you it was the greatest gift we ever gave them. They are now tri-lingual and their horizons are broadened beyond belief as yours will be too. Learning a new language later in life is a wonderful challenge and very good for the mind.

What I am trying to say is that finding a paradise on earth is an exciting adventure at any age and it can change your life forever in a very positive way.

Here in Ajijic/Lake Chapala the infrastructure is extensive enough for even the most discerning tastes and needs. Ajijic/Lake Chapala is 40 minutes outside the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara. Nestled between the largest lake in Mexico and the beautiful Sierra Madre mountains, bouganvillea cascading over stone walls and cobblestoned streets complete the picture of peace and tranquility.

Guadalajara, a city of about 7 million, has an international airport, world class medical facilities, restaurants, golf, and shopping and schools. Ajijic/Lake Chapala is a largely ex-patriot community which also offers great golf, tennis, restaurants, shopping and medical facilities. It is also a thriving art community and has activities for all tastes including theater and music.

So if you are looking for the perfect place to retire Ajijic/Lake Chapala will indeed let you check off all the required boxes on your clipboard. You need look no further. Come home.