Finding a Terrific Place to Retire
During the past 15 years, International Living magazine has calculated its Annual Global Retirement Index; a resource intended to assist retirees and future retirees in evaluating and comparing the world’s most popular retirement destinations. It is based on a number of criteria, giving various weights to each, depending on its importance to retirees. Listed below are those criteria considered with their individual weighting:
Cost of Living—20%
Health Care—20%
Special Benefits—20%
Real Estate—15%
Entertainment, Recreation, and Culture—10%
Climate—5%
Safety and Stability—5%
Infrastructure—5%
About the Author: Since the summer of 1999, BoomerCafé™ has been an online creative writing gathering place for baby boomers with active lifestyles and youthful spirits.
Debra Darvick | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
Jim Scherrerr’s piece on retiring to Puerto Vallarta is rife with irony. I’m not making political statements in any direction. Just noticing ironies:
• Mexican citizens stay in Mexico to work in the booming economy keyed to American retirees and polish their English skills to maximize employment options.
• Mexican citizens leave Mexico for menial work that doesn’t require fluency in English or lead to better jobs.
• Americans decry the influx of illegal immigrants, who then tap into US social services, public education, etc.
• American retirees tap into Mexico’s Senior Citizens´ Benefits Program that offers up to 50% discounts on many services to retirees over the age of 60.
• The Mexican government enacts many new laws encouraging foreign investment. According to the article these laws have had positive impact.
• The US government enacts drug enforcement laws to discourage Mexico’s multi-billion dollar export. Alas, these laws don’t make a dent.
• Real estate (purchased with hard cash) is booming in certain sectors of Mexico.
• Real estate (purchased on pie in the sky loan terms) is tanking all over the US.
Let’s hope that PV stays immune to US retiree woes.
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David | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
What?! No mention of corruption, poor health care and drug traffickers?!
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Jill W. | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
The U.S. We are boomers; 60 yrs. old. Where in or around Hill Country in Texas is there a boomer community. That would be The Austin, San Anton area. We’ve stayed in cabin rentals. I grew up in Texas (military family) and like being there for the winters. The weather is tremendous. Is anyone interested in the same area? The communities we have found are older and jam-packed. There is opportunity in a proud and beautiful state. Aren’t there some of you who grew up there and did not get to stay? My parents returned to Racine, WI.; their home. Their retirement was in Sun City West, AZ.
Looking and still ambitious.
Jill
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