Every year, thousands of foreigners decide to come and live in the Riviera Maya: the tropical weather, paradisiac beaches and the rich culture are some of the main attractions of the area. Here at Top Mexico we have worked with many retirees, snowbirds, people working from home, and even some entrepreneurs looking to start a new business.
In the last years, we have noticed there is an increasing growing number of families with children looking to relocate part or full time to the Riviera Maya. After all, the Riviera offers a full collection of beaches, cenotes and Mayan sites to enjoy with the family; as well as bilingual school, hospitals, entertainment and shopping centers, etc.
Finding the right place to live in the Riviera Maya can be relatively easy, as there are thousands of properties distributed in different areas along the coast. However, it is important to keep in mind some of the main attributes of a family-friendly home in the Riviera Maya.
In our experience helping parents find the right property, and being parents ourselves, we can provide some guidelines regarding the ideal family friendly neighborhood.
1. Secure gated community
Playa del Carmen is still a small city, and so far, the crime and violence are rarities. However, living in a gated community offers a space with limited traffic, so children and pets are less exposed to accidents.
A gated community offers controlled access to visitors, where only residents and people invited by residents can enter, so your privacy and safety are guaranteed. Some of the gated communities on the market offer a double security system, with a gate at the main entrance and a second one to enter your cluster of homes.
2. Social areas
A community with social areas is ideal for families, as there is space for children to play, practice sports or even learn to bike or skate in a safe environment. Walking paths throughout are also important, as it gives families the space to spend time together and walk the family pet.
Developers in the area are noticing the need to build subdivisions for the growing number of families in the Riviera, and are building accordingly. Most of the family-oriented developments in the area have parks, play areas, walking and biking paths, sports courts, etc., so there is always something to do within walking distance.
3. Close distance to everything
The Riviera Maya is growing fast, and both Playa del Carmen and Tulum have been declared as the fastest growing cities in the world. The growth of these cities is restricted, as they are surrounded by protected natural areas, so most of the new developments are being built towards the jungle.
Many of the neighborhoods that are being built are in the outskirts of the city, so getting back and forth can take some time. On the positive side, Playa del Carmen is still a small city and you can travel from one end to the other in about 15-20 minutes.
4. Access to services
The fast growing of the cities in the Riviera Maya, and the high demand are making it difficult for some service providers to keep up. Some new developments lack services like phone lines and internet, and believe us: for many these are deal breakers.
If you are looking for a family friendly neighborhood that has all the services available, you might go for an established area like Playacar or Puerto Aventuras. There are some alternatives like having satellite TV or hiring a wireless internet provider, but the speed might not be that fast.
5. Spacious homes with space to grow
Families look for homes that have enough space for every birthday party, gatherings and making memories with their loved ones. Â Also, living in the Riviera Maya you get a lot of visitors; so, it is important to take that in account when looking for a home.
Having space to grow is not a requirement, but it would be nice in case there is an addition to the family, or you decide to add a guest suite. This space also can be used to build your own palapa or pool for your parties, or even a small garden or vegetable patch can be added. Click here to take a look at a new project offering customizable homes which can grow according to your needs.
Here at Top Mexico Real Estate, we are big believers in sharing our experience and knowledge with our clients. We have a vast collection of educational materials: e-books, webinars and even an exclusive tour to learn more about the process of purchasing real estate in Mexico.
Working together, we can find the ideal home to fit your needs; and be there with you in every step of the purchasing process. Visit our website to find the ideal home in Mexico, or contact one of our expert Real Estate Agents; we are here to help!
