As a favorite for Americans who choose to live in Mexico, Playa del Carmen’s history draws attention to how quickly this area has become a top retirement destinations. 50 years ago, the only retirees in Playa del Carmen may have been a few fishermen, enjoying retirement on one of the world’s finest beaches decades before it was discovered by the outside world. Now Playa del Carmen real estate is home to as many as 5000 retirees living in the area. At the end of July, 2010, a key event in this progross was celebrated – 17 years from the date it gained official status as a separate municipality.
The town’s history actually goes back somewhat further; although it was an important point on a Mayan trade route from the mainland to Cozumel, after the Spanish conquest of Mexico (starting in the 1520’s), the area remained virtually uninhabited until a group of fishermen founded a village on the current site during the 1930s. Not much more happened until the founding of Cancun in the late 60s as Mexico real estate ‘s first Integrated Resort Community.
Once Cancun began to establish its reputation as a tourism site, visitors also made excursions to the ruins in Tulum and the island of Cozumel; these tourists began to take notice of Playa del Carmen (the point for the ferry crossing), its beautiful, wide beaches, and the quaint shops of Fifth Avenue, its main street. Gaining popularity among groups like European back-backers, the town soon became one of the main attractions, instead of just a stop along the way. By the early-mid 90s, the town had become popular enough and had grown enough to become a separate municipality (previously it was the mainland section of the municipality of Cozumel).
While some retirees (or soon-to-be retirees) were already taking notice of Playa del Carmen at that time, since then, Playa del Carmen has grown significantly, not only in size, but also in the services and property options it offers.
Some of the conveniences Playa del Carmen has grown to offer in the past 17 years include:
- international stores such as Walmart, Sam’s and numerous similar choices
- 2 modern shopping malls
- English movies
- 8 golf courses (2 PGA)
- 4 full service marinas
- modern hospitals – similar quality to good, private U.S. hospitals, but lower prices
- a large number of well priced direct flight options (Cancun International Airport)
- the “New Fifth Avenue” or Little Italy, with its distinct European flavor
Playa del Carmen real estate has also greatly expanded its variety, now including;
- excellent condo and home options
- gated golf course developments
- marina condos
- full service retirement communities (with condo-hotel services, including transportation)
- a variety of locations, ranging from neighborhoods next to downtown to beachfront developments, to new gated communities close to shopping, golf and many activities
Playa del Carmen has grown in many ways since 1993, and even more so since 1930. For you as a retiree, these new services and options are good news. Consider enjoying retirement in Mexico here.
Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. In the summer of 2009, he received the first federally applied Mexico Real Estate Degree and Mexico Professional Real Estate License S.E.P. #5978657. He is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546 or through the company’s web site www.TOPmexicorealestate.com NETWORK
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