Guadalajara-Chapala-Ajijic
Guadalajara, Chapala and Ajijic together harbor the largest colony of retired North Americans in Mexico. It is estimated that some 40,000 year-round expatriates call Guadalajara and the towns of nearby Lake Chapala (including Chapala and Ajijic) their home, while thousands more take up residency during the winter months.
Chapala is a beautiful town lined with Victorian-style buildings line. Though populated by retired Americans and Canadians much of the time, the town is still very Mexican in atmosphere and appearance.
A larger Canadian population lives in Ajijic, a relaxed small town with cobblestone streets. Aside from being Lake Chapala's most picturesque village, Ajijic touts some excellent dining and shopping.
The Lake Chapala Society is a foundation/service club with mostly expatriate members. The society is actively involved in the community, providing scholarships for local students, conducting health and safety classes and fundraising.
The proximity to the large but liveable city of Guadalajara is an advantage for people interested in living in Chapala and Ajijic, and many prefer the city itself. Parks, fountains, plazas and wide tree-lined boulevards are scattered throughout this home to many of the traditions and products most identified with Mexico: tequila, Mariachi music and charros, Mexican cowboys.
San Miguel de Allende
This fabled colonial town of artisans and writers was declared a national monument in 1926. It boasts colonial mansions, flower-filled patios, terraced cobblestone streets and some of the best options for dining and handicraft shopping around. Its North American expatriate community numbers 10,000 and is extremely active. Many plays, lectures, art classes and other activities are offered in English. An English newspaper, Atencion, lists these events. This is the perfect town for expatriates looking to retire in Mexico but still have ties with North American social groups.
Every December, the San Miguel Music Festival brings Mexican and international artists to the town, transforming it into an artistic mecca.
The town's biggest bash happens the last Saturday of September - San Miguel Arcangel, a celebration honoring the town's main patron saint, includes running of the bulls through city streets, traditional dancers, food and music.
In August, the town hosts the Festival de Musica de Camara, which has been running for more than 20 years. Music lovers from around the world come to hear internationally acclaimed ensembles perform in historic and architecturally unique venues.
Mazatlan
Located on a long, flat stretch of the Pacific coast of Mexico, east of the tip of the Baja peninsula, Mazatlan is Mexico's second largest coastal city (after Acapulco) and is considered to be the shrimp capital of the world. It is also coming into its own as a retirement destination.
In general, real estate prices and living expenses are lower than in many other areas popular with North American retirees. The few hundred or so Canadian and American expatriates who call Mazatlan home tend to spread out and integrate to some degree with the local population.
In 1999, a beautiful assisted living facility, The Melville, run by a Mexican/Swiss corporation, opened in the historic center of Mazatlan. The Melville is aimed principally at American and Canadian retirees in Mexico and is based in the American assisted living model. This is the first facility of its kind in Mexico to be designed specifically for American and Canadian retirees.
In the six days leading up to Ash Wednesday, Mazatlan hosts the world's third-largest Carnival behind Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. Nearly 300,000 participants come together for a spectacular array of festivities.
Morelia
Morelia is capital of the state of Michoacan, a land of renowned natural beauty. The state has few large cities but rather is a quilt of small villages and towns that have changed little since the early 1800s. Its pace is leisurely, its people friendly and its Spanish colonial and indigenous heritage rich--perfect for someone interested in a strong immersion with the Mexican culture.
Morelia, aside from its historical attractions, is also the cultural and political center of the state. It is home to dozens of writers, artists, philosophers, poets and a small community of retired North Americans. Retirees are lured to Morelia because of its low real estate prices and living expenses, as well as for the great opportunities of interaction with the local community.
The Feria de Morelia is the city's major fair (April 29-May 20) with exhibits of handicrafts, agriculture and livestock from around Michoacan, plus regional dances, bullfights and festivals. The anniversary of the founding of Morelia in 1514 is celebrated on May 18 with fireworks. An increasingly-important International Music Festival is held annually in November.
Oaxaca
Oaxaca, located southeast of Mexico City on an arid highland plateau about 5,000 feet above sea level, is not the most popular destination for North Americans, but it offers so much in terms of handicrafts, cuisine and history that veteran Mexico travelers have a special love and respect for this state and its charming capital city.
The city of Oaxaca is a romantic and magical town that has a lot to offer to potential retirees. Despite its population of 472,000, it feels more like a village than the sprawling town that it is. The pace is relaxed and the atmosphere friendly. Its downtown streets are lined with impressive baroque colonial architecture. In 1987, UNESCO declared its beautifully preserved Historic Center a World Heritage Site.
The climate is spring-like and pleasant year round, though cooler during winter months due to the elevation. Lodging and dining in Oaxaca are remarkably affordable, perfect for retirees looking to buy at reasonable prices. Oaxaca is also easy to reach via plane or bus.
Oaxaca celebrates its holidays and traditional festivals with a unique exuberance and intensity. The Guelaguetza, a festival held each July and attracting visitors from around Mexico and abroad, showcases the cultures of the state's seven regions.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated in a very special way in Oaxaca. The night of November 1, a procession of town people accompanied by the village band visit homes where they are invited in for food and drink. They also take music, flowers, food and dance to the graves of their dearly departed.
Other Popular Cities
There are literally dozens of popular cities in Mexico that offer benefits to those wanting to take up residence in the country. But about the only way you will know whether a particular city has what you're looking for is to try it out for a week or two.
Half the fun of selecting the right city is by exploring what each has to offer. Our advise would be take a month or more for travels through Mexico. Target several potential host cities and experience them first hand. Chances are good you'll find more than one place to land. Happy searching!
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