An Early Retirement to Small-Town, Caribbean Mexico
“When we decided to leave our jobs and move to Mexico, we lost 67% of our annual income,” says Paul Kurtzweil. “The amazing thing is that our standard of living is better than it was in the States.
Donald Murray
The One Thing I Take for Granted When I Travel Abroad
I was sitting at my boarding gate, about to depart from Mexico to Panama, when a young man approached me. I had no idea who he was, but he asked if my name was Donald. He then asked if I had my ID card on me. I knew then that I was in trouble.
A Postcard-Perfect Life in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
From the rooftop terrace of her luxury condo, Lori Gold, 29, gazes toward the Caribbean Sea before sliding into the warm water of her rooftop pool. “Honestly, it’s like I live in a postcard,” she says. “A place like this would cost way more than I could afford in Toronto. Plus, you can’t get a place on the Caribbean in Canada!
Discover the Turquoise Gem of Mexico’s Yucatán
Known as the Lake of Seven Colors, Lake Bacalar, a 26-mile-long, mile-wide body of fresh water on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, mimics the Caribbean Sea in its turquoise color and crystal clarity. It offers visitors an unusual, tranquil, wave-free experience in a freshwater lake.
“Our Cost of Living is About a Third of What it Was in the States”
At 45, Bob Cork is far from an old man. And yet he and his even-younger wife Nancy, 38, are both retired and living in the hip city of Cancún, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. “No, we didn’t win the lottery,” Bob insists.
Affordable Beach Living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
“The town is overflowing with charm and beauty,” says Jack Bramy, who has found his ideal retirement spot in Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. “It’s everywhere, from tiny local bistros to the narrow cobblestone streets climbing up the hillsides."
The One Thing to Check Before Your Overseas Move
I’m convinced a couple could live in almost any country outside the U.S. on Social Security income alone. I’ve seen it many times. You might find a cozy studio apartment in a tiny village in France or in a popular expat stronghold like Cuenca, Ecuador.
“I Fund My Life by Caring for Dogs in Paradise”
At a fit and youthful 60 years of age, Mike Hord sports a contented grin as he guides his four-legged charges along the winding malecón (esplanade) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The sparkling blue waters of Banderas Bay are to one side, the purple hues of the Sierra Madre Mountains to the other.
Low Costs, Warm Weather, and Our Own Ranch on the Shores of Lake Chapala
"I can’t believe this is our life now,” says expat Jane Holdren of her retirement to Mexico’s Lake Chapala. “All Frank and I have to do is walk a few yards to our stable, saddle up our horses, and we can ride for hours in magnificent, rolling country with breathtaking views in every direction. “We can see the entire eastern half of the lake from our ranch. We can also see the mountains to the north and east. We look out over an agricultural area between our ranch and the lake. It’s a breathtaking and gorgeous place to ride.”
Lake Chapala: Buy Now in a Great-Value Winter Retreat
Views don’t come much better than this. Friends back home are wrapping up for the winter. But I’m relaxing on a sun-drenched balcony, taking in the splendor of a vast, blue lake stretching into the distance, framed by imposing green mountains. The sky overhead is perfectly bright, heralding yet another clear, warm day. Here you can spend it canoeing or kicking back with the many expat friends you’ve made around town. And the stunning lake-view retreat you call home can cost less than $200,000.