648. Recently ranked second on CNN's Best . Compared to other tourist destinations in Mexico, Playa del Carmen is regarded to be one of the safest. }. left: 0; Curious that you didn't mention San Quintin, about a 3 hour drive south of Ensenada. Situated on El Caimancito, one of the town's best beachfront locations, the 23-residence community is outfitted with spectacular surroundings and luxury amenities. This location is most formally referred to as Baja California Sur, though it is a Mexican state. Towns with no medical facilities got zero points. So providing that there are no medical emergencies, its a wonderful place to settle in if youre a fan of the quiet life. Having a vehicle helps!!" To give you the best towns to retire to, we used a ranking scale including variables like small town life, healthcare availability, weather, crime rates, cost of living and shopping. Weatherwise, northern Baja is very similar to Southern California. If you live in the United States, you are more likely to be denied health insurance while in Mexico. Its sometimes referred to as Cabo and has a population of over 280,000. Yet another expat described how he choose Puerto Vallarta, "My decision was Puerto Vallarta. Los Cabo Corridor is in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur on the peninsula's southern coast. San Felipe. An easy drive south of Mexico City, this unspoilt destination is still mostly unknown. Seafood stands and raw bars pepper the beach. What more could a person need? The latter is popular for its trail that takes visitors to a freshwater pool fed by a 30-foot-high . Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico is about 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. The main attractions of La Paz are its low cost of living, beautiful beaches, sailing, diving, stunning sunsets and all kinds of beachside activities. This city is perfect to be used as a place to stay to visit all the wonders of the surrounding areas, but has so much to offer itself. As far as Mexican cities go, this is one of the most distinctive. There are many popular places for living in Baja California like Muleg, Loreto, La Paz, Todos Santos, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and Cabo del Este with Los Barriles and Cabo Pulmo. 8. Required fields are marked *. Population: approximately 110,000 It is located in the state of Guanajuato at the heart of Mexico, a three-hour bus ride northwest of Mexico City. The citys gorgeous waterfront is very often the primary reason expats choose to live in the area. The entire area is well maintained. The US government recommends increased caution to all visitors to the state. deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, and any other related to the sea. You don't need to speak Spanish. Better yet, there are mountain ranges involved. Deciding on a place to retire is no piece of cake. And what day the repairman will show up!" This city has a lot to offer, including great weather and lively nightlife. The city is also very safe, with low crime rates and a strong police presence. A 2- or 3-bedroom house in a desirable neighbourhood would rent for $7,500 to $10,000 pesos ($375-$500 USD) per month. Could this be the Easiest Place to Live and Retire Overseas? Not a lot of stuff. Just remember that it gets unbearably hot from July to mid-October. The town offers a low-key life by the beach in a charming small-town setting. Lastly, shopping. However, it is becoming popular with expats from other parts of the world, too. Weather can also heavily affect the quality of life, so we gave more points to towns with cooler temperature averages (since the blazing Mexican sun beating down daily is probably not every seniors idea of a good time). If youre looking for a relaxing environment with plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature, then Santa Isabel is the perfect place for you. Since most seniors are known to enjoy the quiet life, we gave two points to a town with less hustle and bustle. We have Costco, Sams, WalMart, Soriana, Mega and tons of local markets. The Baja California Peninsula in the northeast of Mexico, is framed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Gulf of California on the other. And although you are limiting it to Baja California Sur, there are still a lot of options. Tijuana also offers many benefits for retirees: excellent weather year-round, ample shopping, and easy access to both the U.S. and Mexico.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smartexplora_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smartexplora_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); The city has a population of over 1 million people and is home to many major businesses. The average annual wage in Oaxaca, for example, is around $10,500that's an average and many Mexicans live on less than that sum (particularly indigenous and rural populations). In La Paz, you will find a great balance between the right amount of modernization and historic authenticity. Todos Santos is a town 40-min drive from Cabo San Lucas. This is great! It's 5000ft above see level. * La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur state. Everything crime-ridden got a zero. 9. Since some retirees may prefer an abundance of store options (or at least not to have an hour commute to Walmart), we considered this important too. The northern part of the peninsula, Baja California, is known for its great beaches, bays and waves suitable for surfing. Lake Chapala is Mexico's largest lake, and the surrounding area is also home to the largest concentration of U.S. expats in the world. I have a house in the hills not far from Tecolote. Progreso Coast in Yucatan State (Chelem, Chuburna, Chicxulub, Telchac Puerto) This area has long been one of the best beach house bargain areas of Mexico because these towns are only 40-50 minutes from the international airport in Merida, the major . Your email address will not be published. This will take all the pressure off you and help you make your move to La Paz as smooth as possible. The university of Colima has a great music department that has brought us some classical music concerts the last few years, this year we are having Romeo and Juliet. Puebla. To find out how you can protect your health abroad, talk to specialists in expatriate healthcare for multiple destinations across the world. Get our editors daily picks straight in your inbox! Its sometimes referred to as Cabo and has a population of over 280,000. This city is known for its nightlife and its diverse cultural scene. To give you the best towns to retire to, we used a ranking scale including variables like small . lamos. You wont have to worry about robbery or physical assault. Vacationers call this an oasis town, and what better place to wind down after all your hard-working years? In our guide to living in Baja California Sur we will talk about everything the region can offer to expats and why it could be your perfect home abroad. Its chilled out vibe attracts those longing for a quieter way of living. Help others in Mexico by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico. On the whole, depending on the chosen location, a couple can live comfortably on $2500 a month. Puerto Vallarta has been an expat haven for over 60 years. Plus, Tecate has a wide range of activities available for residents, from fishing to biking to hiking. The city of San Miguel de Allende is located in the state of Guanajuato. In winter, it often snows in the northern mountain ranges. It depends on the standard of living that you want to maintain. If you want to cook and enjoy a good cut of beef we recommend the butcher shop EL TECUAN in La Paz, which receives fresh meat every Thursday directly from the state of Sonora (the best meat in Mexico). The city is also safe and clean, with a low crime rate. The place offers one of the highest standards of living in Mexico. Another expat described Ensenada saying, "But as soon as I arrived I loved it. The fact is you can buy a Luxury Oceanfront Condo with all the amenities in Rosarito Beach starting at around $150,000. And even still, the safest area in Mrida is Paseo de Montejo. Tecate is the perfect place to live if you want to enjoy the great outdoors and the vibrancy of Mexico City. There are basic accommodation options just beyond the river at Los Cuches village, and plenty of hotels 25mi (40km) west in Lazaro Crdenas town, which has flights to Mexico City. Towns with a hospital and ambulance got a two, while towns with only small clinics received one point. Answer: Oh man, so many, it really depends on what you want to explore and discover. Towns with a high cost of living got a zero, low cost of living locations received a one, and great cost of living a two. La Paz is a tranquil city that offers uncrowded beaches, all necessary services and complete infrastructure. In general, the state is considered one of the safest. We added up all the scores for each town, with a highest possible score of 12 points. AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Barra de Navidad is about 10 minutes down the coast. It is one of the two towns on the Los Cabos Corridor and also the bigger city. Los Cabos has also been named the safest place to visit in Mexico for 2023. Although the cost of living is quite high compared to the other federal states of Mexico, you can live with a good standard of comfort and still not spend too much. From the city of San Jose del Cabo down to Cabo San Lucas, is a region referred to as Los Cabos or Cabo. Bringing your car to Mexico: paperwork and online applications on. Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico, has warm weather, lively culture, adventure hotspots, and an affordable cost of living with . What is the difference between Baja California and Baja California Sur? That is why I suggest renting for a while, if all is well, take the plunge. The town's proximity to the U.S.A. is one of the prime features which attracts foreigners, and particularly Americans, to consider the town as a place for part-time or full-time living and retirement. It's a throwback to when Mexican cities along the coast were merely fishing villages, and life was simple and relaxed. What would be the reason for this? Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Even though retirees have been saving practically all their lives for this moment, the idea is not to blow all the money in the first five years, so cost of living is also an important retirement location factor. And if you're curious, most of the information for this article came from Mexico On My Mind and Expat Exchange. The city is also well-connected to the rest of Mexico by road and air. | Business Model Explained (2023), How does Patreon work for subscribers? Towns with only a small element of city life received a score of one, and towns with a heavy city atmosphere got a zero. Beautiful Balandra Beach. The capital and big city of Baja, this ones actually the fourth largest metropolitan city in all Mexico. Zihuatanejo. If youre on the verge of retirement and you love the beach, look no further than10 best places to retire to in Baja Mexico. This country-village-like town that ranks 7th on our list of best places to retire to in Baja Mexico lies an hour away from two large cities both to the south and the north. It has a warm climate, beautiful beaches, and a great infrastructure. Oh, forgot to mention, the West Coast of Mexico isn't plagued with hurricanes like the East Coast is. This country-village-like town lies an hour away from two large cities both to the south and the north. Puebla is a great place to live if you are looking for a low-cost lifestyle. .video-container { The peninsula is home to two federal states of Mexico: Baja California and Baja California Sur. "We are in Nuevo Vallarta, just north of PV (Puerto Vallarta). with a BA in International Business and German. It has lots of culture, great restaurants many Americans & Canadians, Germans etc", New York Times article, "In Ensenada, Cheap Mexican Charms Await", The insurance that travels with you. To give you the best towns to retire to, we used a ranking scale including variables like small town life, healthcare availability, weather, crime rates, cost of living and shopping. I'm from the rather cooled-off Bay Area in CA, which seems to have less and less summer weather and I don't like the cold. Deciding on a place to retire is no piece of cake. Some of the best places include Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and San Jose del Cabo. The combination of colonial living architecture and pristine beaches is an enticing one, but Mazatlan has somehow stayed off the . Is it safe to live in Baja California Sur? Be aware of theft and pickpocketing, and take sensible precautions. "There's a pretty good ex-pat community in the Melaque - Barra de Navidad area about 4 hours south of Vallarta," suggested one expat in Mexico. Huatulco is not the most family-friendly resort . Mexicali is a safe city and has a low crime rate. Ensenada, Mexico is a beachfront city with a population of over 500,000 that lies about 2 hours south of San Diego in Baja Norte. Beaches. We are looking for an extended stay (4-6weeks) mid February onwards for 2 adults and our 3-year old. ), this is just the place, because Tecate beer is one of the most popular in the country (may or may not be related to the high crime rate?) Located on Mexico's Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen is a popular resort town. San Miguel de Allende. For most people, areas like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, and Cancn have priced themselves out of . Any recommendations from anyone would be most appreciated! This location is most formally referred to as Baja California Sur, though it is a Mexican state. The northern regions border the United States. For this reason, we have devoted a whole section to La Paz. We feel very safe in PV and Nuevo. San Cristbal de las Casas. Towns with great shopping got a two, towns with basically only grocery stores and tourist shops got a one, and towns where you have to grow your own food got a zero. Towns with a high cost of living got a zero, low cost of living locations received a one, and great cost of living a two. While you are renting make extreme efforts to explore all aspects of daily (non-touristic) life in Baja. 10 best places to retire to in Baja Mexico. Plus, the people here are friendly and welcoming.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smartexplora_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smartexplora_com-leader-1-0'); Related Article // Best places to live in California near the beach. Ensenada, Baja Mexico. Taxco de Alarcon, a mountain village in Guerrero, is one of Mexico's best-kept secrets. It is a great place to live! The best-known geographical reference of the place is the Mulege River, at the mouth of which the town is located. If you crave city life but youd love to escape off to the beach when things get too hectic, youve found your paradise. Rosarito is the perfect place to call home if you want to enjoy all that Baja California has to offer. It is about 4.5 hours south of Puerto Vallarta. The historic center feels too perfect for some, the most manicured spot in Mexico. If youre interested in living in La Joya, be sure to check out the community website. Skyscrapers and high-rise buildings dont dominate the skyline and the whole area is rich in history and heritage. 4) San Jose del Cabo. Towns with great shopping got a two, towns with basically only grocery stores and tourist shops got a one, and towns where you have to grow your own food got a zero. ", Huffington Post article, "10 Must-See Things In Sayulita, Mexico". I know of MANY who have had to go back home," warned one expat in Cabo. Plus, the city has an amazing variety of restaurants and nightlife options. It also has a lower safety rating than San Miguel or Mexico City. Playa del Carmen. "Check out the very small community of Punta Banda 12 miles south of Ensenada (70 miles south of San Diego). 11. The marina is the core of the town, its where everyone hangs out, and tourists and residents entertain themselves with all kinds of tours from parasailing to booze cruises to whale watching. If you have any questions about our guides or the country discussed feel free to contact us or leave a comment below and we'll get back to you. Can live comfortably on $ 2500 a month of theft and pickpocketing and. Nightlife options and a great place to live in the Mexican state coast, Playa del Carmen is to. Of theft and pickpocketing, and what day the repairman will show up! this location is most formally to. Sur, though it is a tranquil city that offers uncrowded beaches, all necessary services complete., the state of Guanajuato of San Jose del Cabo down to Cabo San.. 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