For many American and Canadian retirees, purchasing a piece of paradise in Mexico is the perfect reward for decades of hard work. With an unbeatable climate, gorgeous views and plenty of great activities, Mexico can offer retirees a truly amazing lifestyle during their golden years. However, once retirees have decided to purchase a retirement property in Mexico, there is another important decision to be made. Namely, potential purchasers must consider whether a condominium or a villa will best suit their needs, preferences and the lifestyle of their dreams.

Condos and villas in Mexico both feature excellent characteristics and have plenty to offer. Both types of properties can be found in exquisite locations with breathtaking views. Condominium and villa ownership provides retirees with many opportunities to engage in recreational and social activities, and to spend quality time with friends and family in a truly beautiful part of the world. That said, however, there are several important differences between these two types of properties that potential purchasers should carefully consider before making their final decision.

To begin with, retirees should consider the amount of time each year that they are hoping to spend at their property in Mexico. This factor is important in terms of property maintenance as well as in terms of keeping a property back home in Canada or the United States. Retirees who want to live in Mexico year-round may prefer to reside in a villa. Providing great privacy and comfort, villas offer the space and freedom to truly make your Mexico property feel like home.

Furthermore, villas come with minimal association fees and can be staffed for greater convenience. By providing a very comfortable permanent base, villas also allow retirees to liquidate their property back home, freeing up more financial resources for traveling and enjoying their new life in Mexico. Another great benefit of purchasing villas in Mexico is the fact they offer very favourable value appreciation and thus can present excellent investment opportunities.

Condominiums, on the other hand, often represent the best choice for those retirees who are planning to spend only part of each year in Mexico. While condos do not offer the same level of privacy as villas, their maintenance concerns are minimal. Generally, condominium owners will be able to simply lock the door and head back home to Canada or the US without any worries. Moreover, condos can be used to generate rental income during those months when the owners are not in Mexico. Most condos also include or are located very close to an array of great amenities, providing a high level of convenience with respect to recreational and social activities.

Of course, there are several other factors which should also be considered when deciding between condo or villa ownership. Cost and guests, for example, are important things to keep in mind. When it comes to price per square foot, villas will typically cost more than condos. In Puerto Vallarta, for example, the average villa will cost approximately $250 per square foot while the average condo will cost approximately $200 per square foot. If retirees are expecting to have many friends and family members visiting them in Mexico, having more space may be a greater concern than the above cost difference. Naturally, villas can accommodate more people than the typical condominium and can therefore be a great choice for retirees expecting many visitors.

While all of the above considerations are extremely important, the fact is that health is a vital consideration for those who have reached retirement age. Villas require more maintenance than condominiums and are also often built on multiple levels, requiring daily trips up and down stairs. For that reason, older retirees or those with health issues may find condo ownership more suitable and manageable. However, choosing between condo and villa ownership is a decision that should involve careful consideration of all of the above factors so that retirees will end up with the perfect property to suit all their needs and wishes.

Mexico’s sun, surf and culture have long attracted Canadian and American tourists looking for an idyllic yet affordable vacation spot. However, Mexico is also luring an increasing number of Canadians and Americans from another sector of the population — retirees who want to find a piece of paradise where they can enjoy their golden years. While in the past Arizona and California have been top destinations for retirees looking for a new place to settle, Mexico is fast becoming a favourite place for baby boomers to call home.

Sometimes referred to as the Silver Surge, the influx of Canadian and American retirees to Mexico shows no signs of slowing down. While it is not known exactly how many Canadian and American expatriates are currently living in Mexico, a survey conducted in 2004 indicated that the numbers back then were somewhere between 500,000 and 600,000. Considering the continuing growth of Mexican real estate developments aimed at retirees, those numbers have likely been surpassed and in all probability will continue to rise steadily in the coming years.

When questioned about their reasons for choosing Mexico as their retirement destination, there are many factors that American and Canadian expatriates point to. Climate and culture are often at the top of the list, with plenty of year-round warmth and sunshine as well as charming mercados, friendly locals and a rich history. Many retirees also cherish the more relaxed pace of life that can be found in many parts of Mexico, particularly in the beachside towns. After decades of fast-paced city life, many baby boomers are more than ready to kick back, relax and truly enjoy what’s going on around them.

Of course, with the current economic climate and with all the financial considerations that come with retirement, another factor which makes Mexico so attractive to baby boomers is the country’s affordability. When two-bedroom beachfront condominiums can be found for $300,000 and when many retirees can live comfortably on $1000 per month, it’s not surprising that Mexico is a popular place for the baby boomer generation to settle down once they leave the workforce. And when a low cost of living includes affordable health care, even more retirees become interested.

All in all, Mexico has an abundance of benefits to offer Canadians and Americans looking to make the most of their retirement years. Despite extensive media reports about H1N1 and drug-related crime, US and Canadian expatriates still find that Mexico is a beautiful, safe and welcoming place to live, and the number of baby boomers flocking south for a new life post-retirement is only expected to rise.

Mazatlan, Mexico is one of the world’s most unique and promising tourist destinations. Brimming with investment potential and offering incredible opportunities for real estate development, Mazatlan has been attracting many savvy investors in recent years. Today, one of the leading developers in the region, Impulsa, is taking advantage of Mazatlan’s incredible potential to provide clients with impressive residential projects which cater to a variety of tastes, preferences and needs so buyers can find the perfect vacation home or retirement home where they can live the lifestyle of their dreams.

Impulsa is one of several companies that was founded over forty years ago by Manuel Clouthier del Rincón, whose entrepreneurial spirit was born while he was studying agricultural engineering at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. The Clouthier family owns and operates business enterprises in a number of different fields including agriculture, media and real estate. Impulsa has been involved in real estate development for approximately twenty years now and today is under the direction of Manuel Clouthier’s son, Ricardo Clouthier.

Ricardo Clouthier is a man who is dedicated to the same values as his father, including discipline, teamwork and social responsibility. These qualities and values have been directly applied to Impulsa’s development projects in Mazatlan where the company is deeply involved in creating innovative residential projects which offer quality, desirable homes while focusing on client satisfaction and environmental sensitivity.

Ricardo Clouthier and his family have focused on Mazatlan as a location for their real estate development projects because of the destination’s unique tourist attractions and appealing characteristics. Often referred to as the Pearl of the Pacific, Mazatlan offers the sunshine, sparkling waters, sandy beaches and outdoor recreational opportunities expected of tropical vacation destinations. At the same time, however, Mazatlan has so much more for tourists and residents to enjoy. From the stunning architecture of the historical downtown area to the region’s rich history and vibrant culture, Mazatlan is a true Mexican jewel.

With a deep appreciation for what Mazatlan has to offer as well as its remarkable potential as a tourist destination, Impulsa has constructed a number of properties and projects in the area which meet high standards of quality and provide homebuyers with the opportunity to experience an incredible lifestyle. For example, Impulsa currently has properties available for sale at its Marina Gardens project and its Horizon Mazatlan Sky Residences.

The Marina Gardens project is a private residential development located just 300 feet from a stunningly beautiful beach. This Impulsa development project features its very own Marina Gardens Club House as well as contemporary Mexican-style single-family homes nestled among tranquil palm trees. Impulsa’s Horizon Mazatlan Sky Residences also offer oceanfront living with their state-of-the-art, contemporary homes located in close proximity to the Golden Zone and downtown Mazatlan.

Impulsa believes in offering beautiful, comfortable homes that are upscale without being pretentious. And that is exactly what the company has achieved with the Marina Gardens residences and the Horizon Mazatlan Sky Residences. Whether homebuyers are looking for a family vacation home or a retirement home, Clouthier and Impulsa provide incredible investment opportunities as well as elegant and tasteful luxury with their Mazatlan real estate development projects.

With many Americans unable to access or afford quality health care in the United States, medical tourism is on the rise. While medical tourism is not just a North American phenomenon, it is certainly growing rapidly in popularity in the United States as a result of the problems with the current healthcare system. Medical tourism involves traveling to other countries to seek medical services such as surgeries, dental procedures and physical therapy which are available at a fraction of the cost of those same services in the United States.

As a result of its proximity to the United States, its lower cost of living and its many beautiful locations, Mexico has become the destination of choice for many American medical tourists. The popularity of Mexico as a place to travel to for medical services has also been further enhanced by the availability of high-quality facilities and highly trained medical personnel. In fact, with the opening of the Atlantic Health International Hospital in Mazatlan, medical tourists in Mexico have access to medical care of exceptional quality.

The Atlantic Health International Hospital in Mazatlan is a medical tourism unit and state-of-the-art facility which provides a wide range of surgeries and medical services such as weight loss surgery, hip and knee replacements, hernia repair, radiology services and laboratory services. All of these surgeries and medical procedures at the AHI Hospital in Mazatlan are performed by US board certified medical personnel who maintain active practices in the United States, and the facility is accredited by the Joint Commission International Accreditation.

Originally built to the 1994 California building code, the AHI Hospital in Mazatlan recently underwent renovations and features lounges, operating rooms, recovery areas and patient suites. By combining top quality medical care with a resort setting and atmosphere, the AHI Hospital in Mazatlan provides a truly relaxing environment where recovery and quality care are the primary focuses. Yet, even with such excellent services being provided by top physicians, surgeries and other procedures at the AHI Mazatlan Hospital are far more affordable than the same procedures and services in the United States.

Typically, medical procedures performed in Mazatlan will cost patients 40 to 60 percent less than what the cost would be in the United States. And that reduction in cost does not come with any sacrifices with respect to the quality of care. On the contrary, many American patients find that they receive better all-around care in Mexico than they do at home. When the excellent standard of care provided by the AHI Mazatlan Hospital is combined with affordability and Mazatlan’s stunning natural environment, it’s easy to understand why Mazatlan medical tourism is becoming a more and more attractive option for many Americans requiring medical care.

If the great climate, vibrant culture and beautiful natural surroundings were not enough to encourage Americans and Canadians to purchase property in Mexico, the low property taxes on Mexico real estate will likely provide that extra incentive. In fact, many Americans and Canadians are very surprised when they first find out just how low property taxes in Mexico can be. Although property taxes differ from region to region and state to state, they are generally far lower than property taxes in the United States.

Called predial, Mexico property taxes are locally taxed and have always been low. Even higher priced properties in popular locations, such as Cozumel homes pushing the $1 million mark, often have annual property taxes of just a few hundred dollars. When compared to the average property taxes levied in the United States, the numbers in Mexico tend to be significantly and even surprisingly lower. Also, even though owners of property in Mexico will be required to pay certain additional fees, those costs will generally still amount to far less than the money saved by paying such low rates on property taxes.

Such excellent deals on property taxes mean that Americans and Canadians can find remarkable investment opportunities when it comes to Mexico real estate. Whether potential property buyers are looking for a vacation home, a retirement home, an investment property or a combination of the above, Mexico real estate certainly offers many attractive options. And by allowing property owners to save so much money on property taxes, owning Mexico real estate not only becomes a far more viable option for many Americans and Canadians, it also becomes more enticing.

When the cost savings derived from such low property taxes are considered in combination with the potential appreciation of properties in many regions, it is clear that investing in Mexico real estate can be highly profitable. And the exceptional lifestyle that property owners can enjoy while living or vacationing in Mexico should not be overlooked either. All in all, Mexico’s low property taxes provide one of the main reasons why many Americans and Canadians consider Mexico real estate to be a highly attractive investment.

The number of retirees in the United States is about to explode, with Baby Boomers beginning to reach the age of 65. This means that more people than ever will be transitioning into retirement lifestyles. However, with the rising cost of living in this country and the recent economic woes, many retirees and soon-to-be retirees will be looking for ways to make their savings go further.

Since the retirement lifestyle that many Americans are looking for cannot be found at an affordable cost in the United States, more and more retirees are turning their sights to Mexico. Not only is the cost of living significantly lower in Mexico, the lifestyle and real estate options are very attractive.

While Mexico offers a fabulous climate, with year-round sunshine in many parts of the country, it also offers everything from relaxation to outdoor and social activities. Golfing and tennis are widely available in Mexican retirement communities as are quality restaurants, art shows and other cultural events. In other words, retirees in Mexico have many options available to keep them engaged and enjoying life.

Yet, while lifestyle is one of the major factors that draw retired Americans to Mexico, affordable real estate also makes the top of the list. While popular retirement destinations such as Lake Chapala and Puerto Vallarta are home to residential resort communities geared specifically toward Americans and Canadians looking for vacation or retirement homes, there are many towns and cities all across Mexico where excellent real estate opportunities can be found.

In fact, many Americans are surprised when they find out just how affordable Mexican real estate really is. From condominiums to detached homes and from beachfront properties to villas in the mountains, there are beautiful and attractive properties to fit many American budgets. And, since interest in Mexican real estate is only expected to grow over the coming years, purchasing property in Mexico is an excellent investment.

For retired Americans who want to make their life savings go as far as possible while still enjoying the high quality and engaging lifestyle that they have dreamt about, Mexico presents the perfect solution. Within easy reach of the United States and with property prices still remaining far lower than those found in the rest of North America, Mexican real estate is proving to be an affordable and highly attractive option for many American retirees.

Photo Credit: Alaskan Dude

Discover the land of eternal spring with a Lake Chapala vacation getaway. Offered by Go Mexico Way, your Lake Chapala getaway will provide you with an unbelievable opportunity to explore beautiful Lake Chapala, Mexico and to discover the region’s vibrant culture, relaxing atmosphere and amazing climate. In fact, Lake Chapala’s climate has been rated as the second best climate in the entire world, which means that the environment provides for wonderful recreational opportunities as well as outdoor fun and relaxation all year round.

For those who wish to own their own piece of paradise in the land of eternal spring, Lake Chapala’s El Dorado residential project features condominiums and villas which offer the very best of comfort, privacy, style and sophistication. Located above the shores of Lake Chapala, El Dorado condos and villas are perfectly situated for a high standard lifestyle with a blend of natural beauty, old world charm and modern amenities.

By embarking on a Lake Chapala vacation getaway, you will be able to discover for yourself the amazing lifestyle that can be experienced on the shores of Mexico’s largest freshwater lake. Your getaway will consist of two nights and three days accommodation at the spectacular five-star Lakefront Real de Chapala as well as three daily meals, welcome cocktails, entertainment and round-trip Guadalajara Airport transportation.

While staying at Lake Chapala, you will have the chance to explore the El Dorado residential project as well as the nearby town of Ajijic during your guided three-hour tour of the area. You will also have the opportunity to experience the local lifestyle by relaxing and unwinding on the lakeshore, shopping at high quality local boutiques or enjoying outdoor recreational activities such as golfing, hiking and horseback riding. You can also pamper yourself with a massage at the full-service spa or enjoy fine dining at one of the many fabulous restaurants.

In other words, your Lake Chapala getaway will allow you to get a taste of what life is like in this beautiful region of Mexico and to get a firsthand look at the available investment and retirement opportunities at El Dorado. Priced at just $199 per couple, Lake Chapala getaways are specifically designed for couples 40 years of age or older who have an annual income of at least $150,000, and who are interested in investing in Mexico real estate or retiring to this gorgeous location.

With Go Mexico Way acting as your guide and educator, you will be able to learn all that you need to know about the Lake Chapala region and investing in real estate in Mexico. At the same time, you will enjoy an unforgettable vacation getaway while discovering the beauty and joy of living and vacationing in Lake Chapala, Mexico, the land of eternal spring.