South of the Border: 12 Reasons to Retire in Mexico

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You've heard the buzz. Millions of Americans and Canadians nearing retirement age are looking south. Mexico draws thousands of foreign retirees every year. And those numbers will explode as more baby boomers hit the magical number to let them quit working and start living.

Here's a list, in no special order, of 12 things that might have you saying "Hasta la vista" to home and heading south of the border.

1. Quality of Life: Intangible and hard to put a value on, this is the one thing most expatriates cite first when asked why they retired to Mexico. It's a combination of several of the other reasons listed below--the people, the culture, the pace, the cost, even the food.

2. Weather: Mexico's a big country, with a wide range of weather conditions. What you won't do there is shovel snow and chip ice off your windshield. In retirement havens like San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, and Cuernavaca, the weather is close to perfect all the year. Spring-like conditions are the norm. You'll live outdoors more, dining al fresco, chatting with friends on a park bench. For foreign retirees tired of mufflers and snow-blowers, this can be a major reason to retire in Mexico.

3. Cost of Living: Many parts of Mexico, especially those that appeal most to American and Canadian expatriates like San Miguel de Allende, are not as cheap as they used to be. But housing costs are still far lower than a comparable community up north. Property taxes are laughably low. Rentals are very reasonable. Shopping the outdoor markets is a joy, and you get much more for your money. Overall, you can count on about a 25% lower cost of living than you'd pay for a comparable lifestyle back home.

4. Domestic Help: Before moving to Mexico, I never thought I'd begin a sentence with "My maid...." In Mexico, I can. Since wages are still low, most foreign retirees can afford household help, at least part time. A maid, a cook, a gardener... all are within reach.

5. Modern Infrastructure: If you still think Mexico's a third-world country full of hovels with no running water, you'll be amazed to find modern cities with everything you need to live comfortably and to stay in touch with family back home--or even run a business long distance. Reliable high-speed internet and phone connections, cable TV (with major US programming where expats congregate), excellent health care--there's no need to give up the modern conveniences you're used to.

6. Easier Pace: The manana complex is not entirely myth. There never seems to be a reason to hurry in Mexico. Once you adapt to this slower pace, you'll wonder why you were in such a hurry all those years. Your body begins to relax; your mind slows down. You have time to literally "smell the flowers," (which are everywhere in Mexico!) There always seems to be time to chat with a friend, linger over a cafe con leche, choose the perfect papaya from the pile.

7. Culture: Mexico has a long, rich history and a complex culture. In San Miguel de Allende, you'll constantly be asking "What fiesta is it today?" The color, the fireworks, music, dances, the people's love of a good party will soon enter your soul. In places like San Miguel, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Mexico City you have access to world-class cultural activities: ballet, symphony, a fabulous chamber music festival, art galleries, theater presentations in English and Spanish, film festivals, lectures, art classes, writing classes, yoga classes.... well, you get the idea.

8. The People: Mexicans are a warm and welcoming people. Hospitality is a way of life. "Mi casa es su casa" is not just a phrase on a wall plaque here. It's their reality. They also have a great sense of humor and will even be patient with your attempts to speak their language. The Mexicans' love of color, of music and dancing and parties will spill onto you. And the sooner you learn to speak some Spanish, the more welcome you will be... and the richer your experience of living among them.

9. Sense of Community: Maybe it's because people tend to spend more time in public, but you'll quickly develop a strong sense of community. It's easy to make friends. The volunteer opportunities in most Mexican towns also give you a chance to give back, to make a difference--another fulfilling tie to the community.

10. Communication: Though you should be trying to learn Spanish, you'll find where northern retirees congregate, English is fairly wide-spoken. The people you interact with on a daily basis are more likely to speak it. Waiters, businesspeople, government officials, even taxi drivers will be trying hard to communicate with you.

11. Beautiful Location: Mexico is a diverse and beautiful country. The central plateau offers mountains and lakes, high desert and prairie. The coasts has exquisite beaches. The south has jungles and ancient ruins. Everywhere you go in Mexico, there is beautiful scenery to enjoy and enrich you. And you're never far from an airport, a superhighway, or a deluxe inter-city bus to get you there or take you home again.

12. Safety: Despite what you may have seen on the news, most of Mexico is very safe for foreigners. In towns like Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, crime rates are extremely low compared to similar towns up north. People feel safe walking the streets. You'll be more relaxed as you realize you're less likely to be a victim of a crime than you were back home.

Perhaps you, too, should consider retiring in Mexico. After a lifetime of nose-to-the-grindstone, which tends to limit one's view, retirement is a time to spread your wings, to learn new things, start a new hobby, make new friends from different backgrounds. Mexico is a great launching field for that. You'll be learning a new language, discovering a new culture, maybe learning to paint or make jewelry or play golf. And you'll be surrounded by others with a great spirit of adventure, not afraid to take on new tests.

Are you up for the challenge?