Life can hardly get any better than sitting on the beach enjoying the cool ocean breeze. The palm trees above are gently swaying in time with the Caribbean Sea’s gentle waves, slapping against the white sand beach. You are just about to delight your palate with your favorite beverage. Then you suddenly wake up to the sounds of trucks and loud pipes outside. You look up at your bedroom’s plain white ceiling and think, “I’m dreaming again”. This gets you thinking about retirement more than ever. Where will you invest in a retirement home? Well, if your dreams are any indications. It should be in the Caribbean. But, that’s not all, the question truly is, what should you look for in a retirement home?
Whatever you decide, we’re sure it won’t include listening to loud vehicles in the morning or waking up to the same old routine. Instead, it will be more like living in a permanent dream vacation. You will be in a place that will allow you to live and do the things you truly want for the rest of your days. But first, you need to find a location that accommodates your needs. Let us help you with some useful suggestions in what to look for in a retirement home. These are intended to provide an interim itinerary that can jumpstart your search.
Find a Location That Meets Your Expectations
If you are looking to be close enough to Playa del Carmen, without the hustle and bustle of the city’s endless action, then think about looking just outside the city’s central district. There are many surrounding communities that have easy access to the heart of Playa del Carmen, such as El Cielo. It’s easy to catch a cab, drive or walk to all of Playa del Carmen’s most popular places. You are close to shopping centers, restaurants and other daily attractions.
If you want to be near or in the middle of the action, choose a location that can offer direct access to amenities. You can step out onto Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue, or in Tulum’s hotel strip. This places you steps from the beach and turquoise waters. It is always suggested to briefly stay in the approximate area(s) you are thinking of purchasing in. That way you can offer more detailed information to your trusted real estate agent when discussing your ideal location and needed activities.
Set a Budget That You are Comfortable With
Determine an allotted dollar amount that won’t create pressure or a financial burden on your retirement budget. Avoid the need to constantly think that the cost doesn’t matter, because it’s your retirement. Many retirees lose focus on their planned itineraries when they first experience paradise. There are plenty of condos and homes that will meet, and even exceed, your wants and needs. If you can justify the extra expense or cost, then go for it. But remember, you can always upgrade further down the road, as well.
Is a Condo or a Free-Standing Home Better?
There are advantages to both a condo and a single dwelling. A stand-alone home offers more privacy and more room. And in most cases, it has yard space to do with as you wish. Having a single-family home usually has a garage and plenty of space to park more than one vehicle. But there are other factors to consider such as maintenance and upkeep, which is usually more than in one condo. When you are away for a period of time (if you are a retiree snowbird), you can’t just lock the door and leave. You have to make sure your home is secure, the yard is cared for, and the pool is take care of (where applicable).
A condo is usually a part of a bigger complex. Its exterior and common areas are part of the association’s responsibility (which you pay for, of course). You can leave your home for an extended time and all you need to do is lock the door. There will be people around upkeeping the property and its amenities. On the other hand, there is less privacy beyond your front door. Parking can be troublesome if you have more than one vehicle, as well. Depending on the complex, there is rarely any covered parking, unless you pay extra for it. These are things to consider when looking at both a condo and a free-standing home.
You Need a Real Estate Agent to Find Your Retirement Home
Nothing really happens until you find a qualified and trustworthy real estate agent. Many inexperienced retirees don’t take the time to research and find a reliable agent to guide them through the process. Especially when they’re doing it in a foreign country. When you start looking for an agent to represent you, make sure they are skilled in working with American and Canadian buyers and that they know the ins and outs of purchasing a home abroad.
Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy your golden years in paradise. Whether you’re looking for a laidback lifestyle in Tulum or an upbeat, activity-packed adventure in Playa del Carmen, it’s up to you to decide what you want from your retirement.