Generation Gringo: Young Americans Moving to Mexico

Glaring omission: There's no mention in this article of moving for political reasons.

(snip)

"A generation ago, older Americans would move to San Miguel, or Lake Chapala, or Mexico City," says Joann Andrews, who has lived in Merida, a large city on the Yucatan peninsula, since the 1950s. "But now, there are Americans setting down roots throughout the entire country. Americans have finally discovered the beauty of their most populous neighbor."

Officials at the American embassy estimate that there are "officially" more than 600,000 American citizens living permanently in Mexico, but concede the actual number is closer to 800,000. Treasury Department officials in Washington estimate that the number of Treasury checks -- Social Security, Veteran Administrations, tax refunds -- sent to Mexico is "in the ballpark of 750,000."

In Baja California, an estimated 100,000 Americans have created the first North American land rush of the 21st century. In the Yucatan peninsula, there are more Americans retirees than in some cities in southern Florida.

"When I first moved to Mexico, my family and friends thought I was nuts," says Skip Connors, a Vietnam veteran who has lived in Mexico since the 1990s. "But the quality of life I enjoy here, the friendships I have made and the peace of mind that I have living where people treat each other with respect and decency has saved me."

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http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=4c6618c2588e72f4e4a877fc13301da7

In the back of my mind, I've been considering leaving the U.S. if things get too bad. (Know that's heresy on DU, but I'm a realist.) Most of my thoughts have been of Canada; I dismissed living in Mexico because I considered it a retirement haven. I'm in my early 40s, I've lived in retirement meccas before (Florida) and I prefer an area with people of all different ages. (I may be one of the few middle-aged fogies around who enjoys young people.) Sounds like Mexico is becoming that place. I understand the cost of living is rising there, but it would still be very affordable for me, particularly if I rented. I'll keep it in mind.