The recent roller coaster across markets around the globe have affected many older Americans investments and retirement funds. In fact, an article published on October 8th, 2008 in the Washington Post asserts that in the "2 trillion U.S. Dollars have been wiped out in last 15 months" because of the dire stock market situation. Americans who have arduously worked an entire adult work life contributing to their 401(k)'s or other pension programs have witnessed 20% of their assets disappear before their very eyes.
Those who were planning on retiring soon will most likely have to work longer in order to meet their previous financial retirement goals. Coupled with a rapid increase in cost of living in the United States, many retirement-aged American's must make tough decisions to continue working or join the millions of expats that are venturing to retirement enclaves now being formed in countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, where the cost of living is less expensive than the rapidly increasing cost of living in United States.
Mazatlan: Mexico's Pearl on the Pacific
Mazatlan is situated on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, almost directly across from the tip of the Baja peninsula. Mazatlan has its own international airport with daily flights to the United States and Canada. Set at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains on a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean, Mazatlan is one of the Mexican Riviera's premier resort areas. Its remarkable scenic beauty is complemented by a delightful festive atmosphere and a wealth of exciting activities.
Although Mazatlan is one of Mexico's most popular vacation destinations, it has another identity as the largest port in Mexico, with a bustling economy independent of the tourism industry. This duality adds an interesting cosmopolitan flavor to this unique city that you are sure to savor. Because it was a city long before it became a beach resort, Mazatlan is less touristy than some of its neighbors on what the cruise industry calls the Mexican Riviera. Places like Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, which like Mazatlan are ports of call on the cruise ship circuit, were tailor-made as resort developments.
Mazatlan on the other hand is a city that discovered it had a beach out front and became a resort almost as an afterthought. Because of its lengthy focus on industry, Mazatlan came late to the discovery that its miles and miles of sand beaches offered an asset that had never been exploited: a prime tourist attraction. The first couple of hotels, in the area of Old Mazatlan called Olas Altas, served primarily as lodging for sports fishermen from the U.S. and Canada.
Then around 1955, an American named Ulysses S. George built a hotel a few miles north of town, just beyond Camaron (Shrimp) Point. The owners of the Hotel Playa Mazatlan started publicizing their resort and more and more tourists began to arrive. Most of the tourist facilities, the hotels and restaurants, grew up around the original development and to the north of it.
The City is concentrated in two areas: In the north, there is the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) where the majority of hotels and restaurants are located. In the south there is El Centro (downtown) where the heart of the city is. These two centers are linked by Avenida Del Mar, also known as the Malecón, which is a scenic beach-front avenue that bridges the gap between the two areas. This scenic corridor will be like Mauis skyline in the next few years.
Mazatlan: Best Location, Best Price, Best Investment
Just several minutes from the...drive following points...
1) Location - Ocean view, malecon, banks, theatres, grocery stores, access roads, restaurants, cultural activities, etc.
2) Cost of Living - A trip to the grocery store will cost you $50 for a full basket of groceries. Public transportation costs 80 cents. Property taxes are and avg of $130 for a 1300sq ft unit. Buying a cold beer at a restaurant will cost you an avg of $1.50 a beer. One pound of fresh shrimp is about $3.50. Full coverage car insurance for the entire year costs about $270.00. A ticket at the movie theater costs you $4.50. A haircut is $4.00. Full body massage is about $15.00.
3) Health Care - There are several high quality hospitals in Mazatlan. There are 3 hospitals within a 5 mile radius of Paradise Bay Grand. Health insurance for the whole year costs about $500 a year. Going to the dentist for a teeth cleaning costs $50.
4) Connectivity/Proximity to US and Canada - 2.5 hrs from Los Angeles, 4.5hrs from Edmonton. 4 hrs from Seattle
5) A Growing expat community and expat organizations. Many expats form social groups and participate in helping the local communities and charities.
6) Culture: Mazatlan is rich in culture. There is a theater where you can see a play, historic center, 18th century architecture, book fairs, Carnaval, Holy Week.