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Retirement.
The end goal of the hamster wheel that is work.
Even when we love our work, the idea of forgetting - or not caring - what day of the week it
is and having every day entirely your own is daydream-worthy.
If retiring to somewhere warm and exotic sounds nice, consider Mexico.
Mexico offers a fantastic quality of life, stunning beauty, and modern infrastructure.
You can even semi-retire to Mexico with reliable cellular and internet coverage and continue
working while sitting on the beach.
You may find the cost of living extremely reasonable, depending on where you currently
reside.
Monthly charges for housing, Transportation, health coverage, and housekeeping averages
about $2,500 each month for a couple at these places on our list, some even for less.
Join me as I explore ten more beautiful cities you can add to your retirement research list.
Number ten.
Sayulita, Nayarit.
You'll find Sayulita 45km north of Puerto Vallarta.
The city used to be a quiet fishing village but has expanded into a stunning laid-back
beach getaway.
Living here as an ex-pat, you'll find exciting amenities like hotels, yoga retreats, shopping,
local markets with food, residing in Sayulita is excellent because there are plenty of things
to do and see.
Surf culture is strong here, so if you want to spend time in the water during your retirement,
the waves in Sayulita are great to learn the skill.
If you want to stay on land, you can explore the jungle on a horse or explore nearby towns.
Medical clinics are also present to cover your more minor needs; for more significant
medical issues, you can go to the bigger cities nearby like Puerto Vallarta.
You can spend time exploring the town where you don't need a car you can walk just about
everywhere or a bike is your best option since at weekends the town gets crowded with local
tourists and parking space is limited.
Buying a property in Sayulita Nayarit, Mexico, is easy to do; prices are more affordable
than in the bigger cities here in Mexico.
Number nine.
Tepoztlan, Morelos.
The ragged Tepozteco Mountain bursts from the valley floor and starkly contrasts the
small but bustling town.
Cobblestone streets and colonial architecture give the city a distinctly bohemian vibe.
Artists, writers, and eccentric folks have called the townhome over the years.
The community is still relatively small, and the number of expatriates that live in the
area is even smaller.
While this may make non-Spanish speaking activities, classes, and events more difficult to find,
it offers a better opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture.
Weekends can bring droves of tourists, which certainly liven up the town, which can be
good or bad - depending on your preferences.
Since Tepoztlán is still a relatively small town, many of the usual amenities are not
available.
Shopping here is very limited to basic needs and local products.
There is no clinic or major hospital in town; modern conveniences and big-city amenities
are only available in Cuernavaca, a 45-minute drive away.
Also, Speaking Spanish here is very helpful.
Tepoztlan is a safe town to retire and live comfortably and enjoy life as an ex-pat here.
Number eight.
Merida, Yucatan.
My second favorite town on this list.
If safety is one of your top concerns, Merida is among the safest cities in Mexico.
Conde Nast Traveller magazine also named the city the third best city in the world in 2020.
While the weather can get scorching in the summer months - it is in a tropical zone,
after all - there are ways to beat the heat.
Cenotes - or natural sinkholes filled with water, offer sublime escapes from the summer
heat.
Festivals celebrating culture and seasons are plentiful, and the local government offers
daily activities for free, allowing you to immerse yourself in Mayan and Mexican culture.
People still gather at Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins for the Spring and Fall Equinoxes to
watch the sunrise through the center of the temple.
Accessibility for continued travels, or friend and family visiting, is provided via Merida
International Airport.
While Mexico remains cheaper than many metropolitan areas, it's important to note that living
costs in places like Merida are rising as the popularity of international retirement
and the age of digital nomads explodes.
Healthcare is also excellent, with world-class private hospitals and clinics, including specialist
medical care.
The prices are lower here than in Cancun or Puerto Vallarta if you do not have health
insurance.
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Number seven.
Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo.
Our next spot on our list belongs to another relaxed laid back town.
Puerto Morelos is just 30 minutes south of Cancun International Airport and offers a
small-town fishing village vibe atmosphere.
Stroll the streets and explore the different bars and restaurants in the town center or
hang out at one of the many beach clubs and restaurants along the beach.
The ability to dive or snorkel the Mesoamerican Reef is available here in Puerto Morelos and
not to be missed; take one boat tour and explore the marine life; you won't regret it.
Many ex-pats have made Puerto Morelos their new home enjoying the small-town life with
the convenience of being close to Cancun and having access to everything from big store
chains like Walmart and Costco to top medical facilities in Cancun, but be prepared to pay
high prices if you do not have health insurance which I would recommend to get if you are
planning to move to Mexico.
Number six.
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
We're finally moving inland for our next entry on this list.
San Miguel de Allende lies in central Mexico, with the closest beach seven hours away.
This is a city that isn't easy to get to..., but people tend to stay.
About 20 percent of the people living in San Miguel de Allende are transplants.
It has been estimated that these 10,000 people represent more than 60 nationalities.
As a result, English is widely spoken, so limited knowledge of Spanish will do just
fine.
History and architecture abound here - the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and features stunningly preserved Colonial and Spanish architecture.
The local market - Mercado Ignacio Ramirez, is a must-see and will become your go-to for
your grocery shopping.
Unlike some of the entries on our list, San Miguel de Allende experiences a more temperate
climate.
Some describe it as an "eternal spring," meaning that relaxed evenings on rooftop bars are
a lovely way to spend time.
Number five.
Guanajuato City, Guanajuato.
Guanajuato, another city in Central Mexico, is known for its colorful colonial mansions,
cathedrals, and tree-lined plazas.
Like other centrally located cities, a rich history can be found around every corner and
on nearly every building.
It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site like our last entry.
With a small ex-pat presence among its population of around 800 people, you should have some
knowledge of Spanish before thinking of moving here, and depending on your lifestyle, you
can live here cheaper than some other places on our list.
A shopping mall is present, and several supermarkets and two traditional local markets in the city's
historic center are a great option to get your shopping done.
Living here gives you a front-row seat to one of Latin America's largest and most prestigious
performing arts festivals, the International Cervantes Festival, which lasts 2-3 weeks
and brings world-class artists together.
For anything not available in Guanajuato, the city of León is about an hour away there;
you have everything you might need from excellent hospitals and shopping malls.
Here you'll find Costco, Sam's Club, Home Depot, and various American restaurant chains
and stores.
With an airport just 30 minutes away, direct flights to the United States are readily available,
as are international travel options.
Number four.
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
Once a quiet fishing village, Zihuatanejo - often shortened to Zijua, is Located on
the Mexican Pacific coast; the climate is especially appealing for escaping cold weather.
Temperatures stay consistent at 30 to 32 degrees Celsius, but summer humidity makes it feel
like 40 degrees Celsius.
Beaches, clubs, and a wide array of restaurants and taco carts ensure plenty of activities
to pass the time.
A bridge takes you from Zihua to Ixtapa, where you'll find massive resorts, golf courses,
and generally more luxury tourist destinations.
Depending on your preference, you can experience a wide range of lifestyles when you retire
to this area!
a decent two-bedroom rental property starts at around 600 dollars a month
medical care is also outstanding and affordable here in Zihuatanejo; all in all, it is a great
place to retire.
Number three.
Ensenada, Baja California.
Ensenada feels like a world away, just eighty miles from the California border.
It's a beautiful ex-pat oasis due to its low cost of living and laid-back beach culture.
Healthcare in Ensenada is on par with healthcare in the United States.
Like Southern California, you can expect mild to warm temperatures most of the year, with
little rain and seasonal coastal fog.
Ensenada delivers some of the best sportfishing globally, and the famous Cedros Island has
provided some fantastic trophy fish.
Perhaps you can perfect your techniques and land a record-setting Marlin!
Other thrilling activities like off-road racing are prevalent in Ensenada, with the annual
Baja 500 or 1000.
The American dollar stretches further here than back home; you can retire in Ensenada
for a fraction of what you would spend in the United States.
With a high standard of living, decent, affordable healthcare compared to the USA, and perfect
weather virtually year-round, it is a favorite pick for ex-pats to retire.
Number two.
Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The birthplace of tequila and Mariachi music, Guadalajara acts as a cultural center for
Mexico.
Located in the central highlands of Mexico and perched nearly a mile above sea level,
Guadalajara experiences spring-like weather year-round.
With Top-notch Hospitals and specialized clinics for about every medical procedure you might
need, medical care is top-class and affordable compared to other ex-pats destinations in
Mexico.
Speaking Spanish is helpful in this city if you plan to make it your home; rental properties
start from a few hundred dollars to thousands depending on the area and your lifestyle needs.
Public Transportation is good in Guadalajara; you do not need to buy a car to get around
in the city.
You will find everything you might need or crave from back home for shopping and groceries
here.
Number one.Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
Number one on our list Puerto Vallarta lies tucked away in lush mountains in The Bay de
Banderas.
Puerto Vallarta is my favorite spot on this list.
After living for five years here, I had a great time here.
It is a bustling oceanfront city where it's never getting cold in the winter, and Puerto
Vallarta has plenty of luxury accommodations and many exciting things to do.
But when thinking about retirement, it's just as important to understand that the sophisticated
city still maintains a somewhat small-town atmosphere.
Because the city is more well-known amongst tourists, more nightlife is going on.
If cutting a move on the dance floor is your favorite late-night activity, check out one
of the Havana-style nightclubs or explore the Malecon.
If your retirement plans include additional travel, you'll be happy to know that it's
a major port for cruise lines, making it easy to make your home a basecamp for adventure.
The surrounding towns and jungles or hidden bays are also great to explore.
Living in Puerto Vallarta is convenient for retirees.
Medical care is top class here, having specialized hospitals for about everything you might need.
The south side neighborhood of Zona Romantica will quickly become a favorite place to spend
time.
Also known as Old Town, it's a quieter area where you can escape the busy Malecon and
explore all the different venues and food stalls.
This part of town comes to life after 8 pm.
If you get a little homesick and want to visit the States, then the international airport
nearby will get you back home.
That concludes today's list.
We hope we've inspired you to dream of a happy and fulfilling retirement, wherever it may
take you.
Remember not to box yourself into your home country when you think about the future - the
world awaits!
What's your dream retirement spot in Mexico?
Have you vacationed to any of these spots and have more to contribute?
Please share with us in the comments below!
Don't forget to like and subscribe, so you never miss an opportunity to be inspired by
travel.
Until next time!