Author Archives: Thomas Lloyd

How Does Mexico Compare to the 10 Best U.S. States for Retirement?

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What’s the best place to retire in the U.S.?  A recent slide show at Marketwatch.com visualized and summarized the findings of a recent Bankrate survey.

You can go take a look at at, but a quick glance will show you that the results are … surprising.  The empty badlands and sprawling wheat fields of the Dakotas, the plains of Nebraska and the hills of the Appalachians – beautiful places, to be sure, but not exactly the sunny retirement that most people imagined.

So, what happened in this rating?  Is Bankrate just trying be counter-culture and shock people?  Actually, if you read the stats, they are just being realistic.  The classic favorites in the Sunbelt are simply too expensive for the average (or even above average) American.  To find a good balance of cost of living, health care, low crime and good services you have to look northward.

In my opinion, a much better solution would be to look southward – to Mexico that is.  Of the factors Bankrate considered, many locations in Mexico excel:

Cost of living – Mexico tends to be about half that of the U.S. on average.  I’m sure this means that most nice places in Mexico are noticeably less expensive than the states on that list.

Health care – Mexico’s healthcare has modernized significantly, and now has hospitals on par with private hospitals in the U.S.

Retire in Mexico Beaches

The beaches of Playa del Carmen

Modern services – Banks, supermarkets, transportation, etc. – these will be well run, modern and comfortable.

Crime rate – Surprisingly, many parts of Mexico are safer than many parts of the U.S.  Yucatan, for example, has a crime rate as low as Wyoming, one of the safest states.

Sunshine & warm weather – Many parts of Mexico enjoy sunshine over 300 days a year.  This includes beachfront areas and small lakeside towns in the hilly central highlands.

And … we can’t forget that with all this, you can still be on a beautiful beach, or perhaps a charming lake front if you prefer.  So, you can go digging up nice retirement towns in South Dakota, if you like.  I’m sure the people will be friendly and the landscapes will be beautiful … during the 3 months of summer, at least.

Or you could come down to Mexico and enjoy even lower cost of living, sunnier weather with most of the same benefits.  The beach will be much, much closer.

You choose.

-by Bea Lozano

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Wouldn’t You Like to Catch a Fish Like This in Playa del Carmen?

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Fishing is a big thing in Playa del Carmen.  In fact, the reason the town was founded in the first place (just over 100 years ago) was as a fishing village, which is what it remained until the 1990s when tourism took off and it became a major expat community.

 

Fishing is still a part of daily life.  You find everything from the traditional fishermen throwing their nets in at the beaches in the very early mornings to luxury boat owners going out for a deep-sea catch.

 

Just the other day, I was walking along the beach and saw this young Argentinian guy who had just caught this fish, right from the beach:

 

Whatever you’re style of fishing, I’m sure you’ll find it in Playa del Carmen!  And, if you prefer just to enjoy the fresh catch of the day and let someone else do the work, that’s easy (and very low cost) too!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

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Beach Soccer was Amazing! – Pictures

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If you remember, last week I posted about the beach soccer tournament; I went on the weekend and got some great pictures – well, pictures of a great event, in any case!

 

Notice that the event is actually sponsored by FIFA, the organization for the World Cup:

 

And here, with the FIFA flag, you can see the beautiful Mamitas Beach:

 

Mexico vs. Brazil:

 

Mexico vs. Spain:

 

Here are the cheerleaders:

 

And finally, this is the beach after the games:

 

If you think you would’ve enjoyed this, you’ll be happy to know about the 8th “MUNDIALITO DE FUTBOL DE PLAYA” (or “little World Cup for Beach Soccer”) coming up on June 21 – 23. For this one, the teams are made of expats from Playa representing their home country.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

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You Want to Retire in Mexico, But She Doesn’t …

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On Thursday, The Huffington Post has a great article about what to do if you are in love with Mexico and planning on retiring here, but your wife (or husband) does not.  Here’s an excerpt with the main points of advice:

 

1. Involve them in the planning.

This is a big decision. And it deserves careful thought and planning by all involved. Talk, talk and talk some more about it. Make sure you’re both as informed as possible and involved in the decisions about where to move, how to live, and so on. Spend time together and separately, perusing online forums and other resources. If your motivation is economic, make sure you both understand what’s going on with your financial situation.

 

2. Compromise with a “no strings attached” test drive.

Nothing is scarier than cutting the ties completely. If your partner is reluctant to do that, consider giving the new life a test drive. Before you sell your house or buy that one-way ticket, rent an apartment in the new locale for three months or more.

 

3. Don’t sugarcoat the challenges.

Discuss the difficulties you’ll face along the way, and work together on solutions. For instance, you may want to take some foreign language classes before your move. Try out voice- and video-over-internet (VOIP) technologies so you can easily stay in touch with family and friends. If you’re retiring, do some budget planning. There will still be unexpected challenges, but by working together, problem-solving can be part of the fun.

 

4. Help ease the transition.

Once you’ve moved, take an active approach to learning as much about your new community as you can. Be sure your partner has an opportunity to meet other expats and locals with similar interests. These days, you can do this in advance of your move through online blogs, forums, and websites. And keep busy — this is the perfect opportunity for you both to try something new. Fortunately, in most expat communities, you’ll find your new social life is more active — and more enjoyable — than ever.

 

5. Remember that attitude is everything. When challenges do arise, maintain your sense of humor and look on the bright side: this experience will likely strengthen your relationship. (And it will give you great stories to tell later.) So support one another and make a point to have as much fun as possible on this adventure.

 

The writer than goes on to address the question; after all that, what happens if he/she doesn’t fall “in love with Mexico? Well, don’t think of your move as a one-way ride or as the last move you’ll ever make — if it doesn’t work out, you can always move on or even go back home.”

 

I would just add that you can always do the snowbird plan (winters here – summers there) or move back and forth.  You’re retired after all!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen

Mexico’s Two Caribbean Islands are Among the Best in the World

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There are experiences which are created and planned – like Disney World.  Some of these have their charm, but what you experience is exactly what a team of marketing experts in an office building somewhere (these days perhaps in Hong Kong, or maybe Beijing?) decided you will experience – nothing more, nothing less.

 

Other experiences are not planned or created – they simply happen.  The place you are, the people your with and what you see and feel while you’re there is well beyond the control of any corporation or travel agency.  Yes, planning is an important part of getting there and making the most of your visit, but the experience itself is defined by your own personal reaction and many random factors shaped by geography, nature and cultures that have developed over centuries.

 

Isla Mujeres and Cozumel – Top Islands in Mexico and the World

This is the case with two of the world’s favorite islands, Mexico’s two Caribbean islands, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.  Recently, both have been ranked among the top islands in the world, for example, Isla Mujeres in TripAdvisor and Cozumel by Scuba Diving magazine. (Here is also a nice blog post of a traveler sharing their experience on Cozumel.)

 

They share the wide, soft white beaches and turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea – some of the most beautiful in the world.  They share the heritage of the ancient Mayan people and the warm, welcoming culture of their descendants.  They share warm, sunny weather all year round, and excellent diving access to the world’s second largest barrier coral reef.

 

Retire in Mexico - Islands

And, by geographical luck, they are located about an hour away from each other.  Either can be accessed quickly from the Cancun International Airport

 

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a tiny island just of the coast at Cancun.  Coming directly from the bustling city of Cancun (where the ferry leaves) – which is quickly becoming the largest on the Yucatan Peninsula, and a cosmopolitan hub for travel and international events – the difference is like day and night.

 

You feel like you’re arriving to a different world.  Yes, the climate and the beaches are the same, but suddenly you’re in a quiet place, a sleepy island where time hasn’t seemed to go anywhere in the past few decades.

 

Retire in Mexico - IslandsCozumel

Cozumel is has ferry access from Playa del Carmen.  In addition to diving in the reef, there is deep-sea fishing, boating, sight-seeing, Mayan pyramids, golf and much more.  One of the ideal ways to spend a day on Cozumel is to rent a scooter or a motorcycle (there are Harley rentals!) and just tour the island enjoying the warmth of the open air.  The freedom to simply explore and discover the jungle, the ancient ruins and relaxing beaches at your own leisure is truly a unique experience.

 

Cozumel also has a small city (about 80,000 – a bit smaller than Playa del Carmen.)  In this city you can enjoy the shops of knickknacks, artwork and handicrafts.  There are also excellent restaurants, including many that sell the local catch of the day – fried fish is a local specialty.

 

Experience Life

Yes, on both Isla Mujeres and Cozumel you can buy tours, you can plan your day and decide what you want to see.  But here, these are only tools to make it easier to find a unique experience that is shaped by the place and its culture that you will not find anywhere else.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen

The World Cup Comes to Playa del Carmen

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… the Beach Soccer Worldwide Cup, that is.
Starting tomorrow (May 3), the Beach Soccer Worldwide Riviera Maya Cup will be taking place at Mamitas Beach Club.  I’m kind of thinking of going to take a peak.  I’m usually not a soccer kind of guy, but on the beach … that’s something altogether different!

 

And, it’s worth noting that its free!

 

This is the announcement from Mayan Explore:

 

Riviera Maya Cup 2013 in Playa del Carmen from the 3rd – 5th May 2013

 

Mexico, Spain, Brazil and the Bahamas will take part in the Riviera Maya Cup 2013 at Mamitas Beach Club in Playa del Carmen.

 

This competition will be played in a round robin format, with all of the teams playing each other, the team with the most points will be awarded the Riviera Maya Cup 2013 Champions.

 

Her e is the schedule for the Round Robin:

 

Friday 3rd of May

 

1.45pm:- Spain Vs Brazil
3pm:- Bahamas Vs Mexico

 

Saturday 4th of May

 

1.45pm:- Brazil Vs Bahamas
3pm:- Mexico Vs Spain

 

Sunday 5th of May

 

1.45pm:- Spain Vs Bahamas
3pm:- Mexico Vs Brazil

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen

Wouldn’t You Love to Ride a Train to the Beach … in Mexico?

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Many Americans and Canadians love riding trains.  While the use of practical trains for commuting is returning, far more interesting are the tour trains that run through picturesque locations with beautiful scenery and stopping at interesting little towns.

 

Why We Love Trains So Much

For myself, I remember riding a train through the countryside back home, seeing the fields and forests roll by, and also the pictures of the trains running through tunnels in enormous mountains, or following a river through a green valley.  I never rode on those ones, but I always wanted to.

 

Here in Mexico, up in the north of the country, in the state of Chihuahua, there’s the Copper Canyon train with splendid views of rivers, cliffs and forests.  There’s also the Tequila Valley train offering scenery and tours of the communities in Jalisco where the famous liquor was invented.

 

What about a Train to the Beach … or Mayan Pyramids?

Retire in Mexico - train

Here’s some good news that you may have heard about.  There are currently plans to build a train across the Yucatan Peninsula, going from the beaches in Playa del Carmen to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, the colonial towns of Valladolid, Merida and Campeche, arriving to the beach once again.  I think there may also be plans for a route out to Progreso.

 

That would be a simply beautiful train ride!

 

Besides the practicality of another reliable and low-priced way to travel across the peninsula, the views would include the lush, green jungle, the ancient pyramids, all but forgotten Mayan towns and the romance of Mexico’s colonial cities.

 

When Will We Get the Yucatan Train?

It’s hard to say when this train will actually come into existence.  The plan has been around for a while, and it’s been put on hold several times.

 

Retire in Mexico - train

The good news is that the plan was approved and endorsed by Mexico’s new President, Enrique Pena Nieto, in December, his first month in office. In just a few months, this President has established a reputation for getting things done – quickly and efficiently.  He has already modified the constitution, begun drastic improvement of the country’s education and started economic reform that has given international observers and investors confidence that the country’s annual growth will soon increase to 7% (up from the current 4%.)

 

When this President says there’ll be a train in Yucatan, it gives me confidence that there really will be.

 

Since starting a new train route requires infrastructure, planning and millions of dollars of investment (about $1.5 billion to be exact), it’s not something that happens over night.  In April the states in question held meetings to begin making plans.  The bidding for the private contract is expected to start at the end of this year.

 

Let’s Hope …

Personally, I love the idea of riding a train across the Yucatan. I’m really hoping that this becomes reality!

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen

Looking for a Retirement Job? Why Not Your Dream Business in Mexico?

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Retirement in MexicoFinally you’ve made it to that big day when retirement begins, so you can … compete in a struggling job market to make ends meet?!?

 

It may sound absurd, but more and more retirees are finding themselves in this situation.

 

Pressures on Retirees

“‘Retirement job seems like an oxymoron,” observes a recent article in USA Today. “And yet a growing number of Americans say that they plan to continue to work during their retirement years.”

 

The article goes on to list all sorts of fun things like:

  • harder times making retirement budgets work
  • difficulty finding jobs
  • employers’ adversity to hiring workers in retirement age
  • higher unemployment in the 55+ group
  • etc.

 

Of course, for professionals, the pictures is a little different.  But the bottom line still is that it’s becoming harder and harder to just forget about work and enjoy life during retirement.

 

Have You Thought about Mexico?

People who find themselves in this situation would do very well to look south. First and foremost, the cost of living is so low in Mexico, that it solves the problem for most people.   The stress of wondering if those retirement funds will go far enough is removed and people can relax and live well.  Most people could easily afford a nice Mexico property, leaving their savings in tact, or even boosting them if they sell a more expensive property back home.

 


Starting a Business

Some people would still need a source of income.  In Mexico it’s much easier to invest in a rental property or open that business you’ve always dreamed of.  Many retirees are living in Mexico, and gaining an income here.

 

But it’s not that they’re working that same office job that they’ve been waiting to be rid of for so long – they’re working their dream business – a restaurant, cafe, sailing tours, yoga, decoration,  dog kennel – whatever is their passion is.  And they own it.

 

Even people of modest resources can start a business in Mexico.

 

Working for Enjoyment

There are also many retirees who keep working in Mexico, even though they don’t have to.    Why?  Because they enjoy it.   But there’s a world of difference between working  because you like it, and working because of financial pressures.  Working because you enjoy it is also a nice luxury even back home, but in Mexico add to that the comfort of living better on less money, warm weather, beaches, great food and – best of all – relaxation as a way of life.

 

-by Thomas Lloyd

 

Awa Condos Playa del Carmen

In Uruapan, Michoacan, Bright and Lively Festivals Are Celebrated All Year

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This is a guest post from John Glaab, an real estate expert in La Paz and in Mexico’s international connections.  He also has strong interest in the city of Morelia in central Mexico.

 
All year long there are festivals occurring in Uruapan, near Morelia. The two most noteworthy and that fill the hotels are; Noche de Muertos (Night of the Dead) and Semana Santa (Holy Week). The first is November 1 and the second is Holy Week which includes Palm Sunday and Easter.

 

Michoacan is the center of the part pagan, part Christian celebration of Noche de Muertos (Night of the Dead). Tzintzuntzin the capital of the Tarascan empire is especially important, but Ofrendas (altars) are also abundant in the streets of Patzcuaro and Uruapan. For the past three years, Uruapan has also had a celebration of velas. (candles) More than 10,000 candles adorn the Centro Historica and the main plaza.

 

During Semana Santa, the artisans fill the four block long plaza in Uruapan. This year more than 1,200 came to display and sell their work. Representing 73 communities, the artisans came with 1 million pieces. These ranged from copper works of art (Santa Clara del Cobre) to fine guitars. (Paracho)

 

There were two parades during the week. One the parade of the artesanos and the other the parade of the aguadores. (Water carriers) The later in rational costume carried water from the Rio Cupatitzio, to the Inmaculada church for blessing. Of course both had musical groups in the processions.

 

You may also wish to read about:

 

 

-by John Glaab

 

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At the Riviera Maya Film Festival I Met Patricia Arquette!

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I’m not one to go following stars around, or even looking for them, but if I get the chance to meet one, I’m definitely happy about.  As is more and more common these days, there are celebrities showing up in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and this entire region.

 

And yesterday, at the gala in Puerto Morelos for the Riviera Maya film festival I met Patricia Arquette!  I got some nice pictures:

 

beatlo's Patricia Arquette album on Photobucket

 

I’m not sure if I mentioned it on Saturday when I announced the festival, but this festival is entirely FREE! So, you get glitz and glamour and after-parties and fun activities … without paying anything.  Besides seeing stars, and enjoying international cultural events, it costs very little or nothing.The rest of the event was very nice.  

 

Take a look at the moon over the sea:

 

Riviera Maya International Film Festival Puerto Morelos Playa del Carmen 

Here are some pictures of other parts of the event, and the after-party:

beatlo's Gala Puerto Morelos album on Photobucket

 

Of course, Saturday was really good here in Playa too, with some screenings in Fundadores beach right downtown:

 

beatlo's Riviera Maya Film Festival 2013 album on Photobucket

 

Playa del Carmen really is growing into a thriving place for culture, celebrities, events, festivals and all of this – of course – in the setting of pure relaxation on the beach!

 

– by Bea Lozano

 

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