Retire in 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," said one retiree in 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," explained a retiree in Manzanillo.

"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.," explained one retiree living in Ajijic.

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

"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," commented one retiree living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

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

"My wife says that I have all the patience in the world.... because I have never used any... That might be a bit extreme but having lived overseas for 20 some years I have learned to adapt... Here are the things that I have found important to surviving and enjoying a new country: Flexibility is a requirement for successfully living abroad. Do your schedule in pencil not pen. Lose your comparisons with your former home. It is what it is... Learn the local ground rules and play the game. Have or obtain a sense of humor... Without it one will not last long in any environment and certainly not outside his native land. Have or obtain a sense of adventure. This is an opportunity to meet new people, experience new things and to learn a new culture. Learn basic local language niceties and build your vocabulary... A simple Gracias coupled with a warm smile will work wonders..," said one retiree in living in Ajijic, Mexico.

"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," remarked one retiree in Ajijic.

"One of the most challenging aspects of retiring in Mexico is adapting to the culture. The language, customs and laws are all different than in the United States, and some may take some time to get accustomed to. Another challenge is health care. While Mexico has improved its health care system in recent years, medical resources and healthcare providers may not be up to the same standards found in the United States. Additionally, affording the same lifestyle overseas can be difficult, as Mexico has a lower cost of living than the US. Finally, the lack of reliable internet infrastructure in some areas can make keeping up with family and friends abroad difficult," said a retiree who moved to Mexico.

"Getting mail! The mail system in Mexico is not great, or secure, so I need to rely on friends coming from the States to bring mail and packages. Receiving mail in other countries where I've lived has also posed a challenge in that forwarding mail is often quite expensive," said one retiree in Lake Chapala.

"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 one retiree in living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.

"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," said one retiree in Apizaco.

"We have two groups to meet other ex-pats. One is for couples, they meet weekly and go to dinner. Their name is Thirsty Thursdays. The other is a ladies lunch group. we meet once a month at the restaurant El Tablau, at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome and we generally have a speaker. From these two groups you can learn about the charities and opportunities in Manzanillo," explained one retiree living in Manzanillo.

"It's really no different that meeting people anywhere, with the exception that Mexicans - in general - are more welcoming. Smile, laugh, wave, learn simple greetings. Breathe..," said one retiree in living in Mexico.

"Basically the same way you meet people everywhere. Volunteering somewhere is a great way as is taking an in-person class, a church, and, of course, expat groups," explained a retiree in 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," explained one retiree living in Patzcuaro.

"If you are working here, start with work colleagues. An organization called MEXPAT also hosts monthly events for expats here," said one member in Mexico City.

"People here, like other cities, love fiestas of which their are many. Family and socializing are the priorities for my friends. Men are macho and kind to women and children. People sit outdoors and love to talk. Of course, they must make a living. Couples marry young here and the young women and their beautiful children are often the only ones on the little buses during the day. People like to follow soccer on t.v," explained a retiree in Patzcuaro.

"Tequis is a small, colonial town that caters to weekend tourists, mostly from Mexico City and surrounding environs. Many of them own weekend homes here and come to get away from the hub-bub of big city life. Local denizens are very family oriented and making a living is just a normal part of everyday life. No big corporate presence here, just small businesses and many restaurants. Tons of small specialty shops," explained one retiree living in Tequisquiapan.

"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," said one member in San Carlos.

"Get out, see the town. Clearly, learning Spanish makes getting out a lot easier, so learn Spanish (again, people here are pretty patient, so it's a great community to try perfecting one's broken Spanish). The downtown has a lot to offer, between the Alameda, Plaza de Armas, and various free/cheap museums. The Serape Museum is my favorite, and, as creepy as it sounds, the Bird Museum is pretty interesting (and in the summer, well worth spending 10 pesos for an hour or so in the air-conditioning). If your company is moving you, they'll probably suggest that you live in the way north side of the city--this is a nice area of town and may be advantageous as it seems that most expats live there. However, do consider the Republica neighborhood, downtown, and the south side of town. They're all great places to live, within walking distance of points of interest, and often a lot cheaper than the northern neighborhoods," commented one retiree living in Saltillo, Mexico.

"Mexico offers many attractive benefits for retirees looking for a warm climate and a lower cost of living. Before retiring to Mexico, expats should familiarize themselves with the country's laws, customs, and culture. Additionally, they should investigate the cost of living in their preferred location, as prices and availability vary greatly depending on the region. Expats should also consider enrolling in Mexico’s medical insurance program or purchasing private coverage to ensure they have access to quality medical care. Additionally, expats should be aware that many medicines not available in Mexico can be ordered online or imported. Finally, many retirees in Mexico find it beneficial to learn some conversational Spanish, since the language is widely spoken throughout the country," explained one retiree living in Mexico.

"I would say, "Brother, you will not find a more excellent choice for a place to retire here in Mexico". Sure, there are more exciting places with nightclubs, wild bars with loud music and perhaps an ocean to frolic in, but with that comes a lot of undesireable "junk". The weekdays here are very quiet and relaxing, while the weekends are fun filled due to tourists and special functions designed by the Presidencia municipal. The elevation here is about 6,000 feet, which means we do not get hot. Most days are in the 75-80 degree range, though it can get a little chilly at night during the winter. I enjoy a second floor two bedroom apartment right across from the main town plaza. I keep the balcony doors open at all times and revere in the almost constant breeze that keeps my place cool, night & day. Rent? Under $300 US per month. Try and beat that in the US," said one retiree in living in Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

"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 a retiree in Mexico.

"Living costs are about 2/3 of those in the states. This is a relatively new area. 60 years ago there was nothing here but a fishing village. Not as cheap as in other parts of Mexico, but still a savings. Bring a good sturdy vehicle. The weather and the waters are sublime (although hot and humid in the summer months). Very low crime area, but petty theft is here as it is everywhere. You feel welcome wherever you go. Relax. Sometimes you have water and electricity...sometimes you don't. Bring butter," explained one retiree living in San Carlos.

"In Mexico, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and sports complexes. Beaches are popular for swimming, sunbathing, and other water activities. Parks provide a great place to relax, take a walk, or have a picnic. Sports complexes offer a variety of activities, such as tennis, basketball, and soccer. Mexico also has a number of cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and theaters. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, Mexico has a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and mountain biking," remarked one retiree in Mexico.

"There is everything in Merida from local street vendors, market stalls, to Super Duper big box markets. There is a Walmart that is a step above what you find in the States, Sears, and a few super duper markets that sell everything from household goods to groceries, all in one place. Several malls have recently opened, so you can shop from high end to low end, and Centro has many streets of unusual and unique shops. You will need to guard your money as these unique shops have lovely hand made items," explained one retiree living in Merida.

"We have so many large grocery stores in Playa, that I wonder sometimes how they stay in business. We have two Walmarts. Local produce markets are not easy to find. There is one very small one in town once a week," said one member in Playa Del Carmen.

"Super mercado Leys grocery store in the center of the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta has most everything and more than many U.S. supermarkets. La Comer, a large gourmet grocery store, puts Whole Foods to shame. It has quality wines, liquor, all cuts of meat, vegetables, canned goods and specialty gourmet items," explained one retiree in Mexico.

"SHOPPING is great. Many do their grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, Sams Club, Chedraui (the Mexican version of Wal-Mart that is fantastic) the Mega store and others. Fifth Avenue is known for its lively, atmosphere with stores, restaurants with all types of specialty foods such as Mexican, Argentinian, Brazilian, French, Italian, Seafood, Steak and even fast food places like McDonald's and Burger King, Domino's Pizza, KFC. We have Office Depot, Home Depot, DHL, Fedex...just about everything," explained a member in Playa del Carmen.