| Baby-boomers love the beach, and many are | | | | were swapped stories and experiences around the |
| transitioning from living in the States to spending more | | | | dinner tables. Several guests said they have been |
| time at their vacation homes in Mexico. That's one | | | | considering living in Mexico for many years and travel |
| step closer to retiring in Mexico, and savvy developers | | | | there often. |
| are building "designer communities" to respond to the | | | | "We met this guy who was disabled, and a retired |
| need for more of a neighborhood than a vacation feel. | | | | lawyer living in a beautiful home in Baja," said Grinnell. |
| Seeing a move to Mexico as a leg-up on the | | | | "He was in a wheel chair and I said to him 'forgive me |
| economy, boomers see Mexico as a place where | | | | for asking but it must be very difficult for you living with |
| they can live a better quality life and afford to retire | | | | a disability in Mexico because they just don't have the |
| early while they still have a full head of steam for | | | | wheelchair accessible accouterments in Mexico we |
| enjoying life. They can see themselves taking their | | | | have in the U.S." |
| laptops and moving to where they can slow down. | | | | "And he said to me, 'Are you kidding me? I live like a |
| The 2nd largest land developer in the world, Homex, | | | | king here'. He said he had a guy who drives for him |
| has plans to develop 22 designer communities in | | | | and practically carries him anywhere that he can't get |
| Mexico in popular destinations. Some developments, | | | | with his wheelchair," said Grinnell, "and he explained |
| like Las Villas de Mexico, will offer membership | | | | that, besides the housing and taxes, service is so |
| benefits that include a certain amount of free urgent | | | | inexpensive in Mexico that you can live like a king." |
| care and preventative care. In addition, there will be a | | | | "The point of living in Mexico is that you can live very |
| focus on neighborhood culture. | | | | well on not a lot of money and to me that is the main |
| "Since in a brand new development we can't talk to | | | | point," said Grinnell, "and also that you can make friends |
| the neighbors, we want to know what a developer | | | | easily in whatever community you live in." |
| can tell us about what they are doing to support a | | | | Grinnell contrasted the "neighborly" atmosphere of |
| community culture; like a community center or an arts | | | | expat communities she's visited in Mexico to the |
| commission, or even a theater either being built or | | | | experience of her friends who live part time in the |
| already available in the accessible town culture," said | | | | Palm Springs area and part time in Mexico. |
| Kate Grinnell a Seattleite who recently attended a | | | | "They have owned their condo in Cathedral City longer |
| "Retire in Mexico" dinner presentation in Bellevue, | | | | but they know no one there," exclaimed Grinnell", "They |
| Washington. | | | | have no social life there so they go to their place in |
| The attention that night was on a particular location in | | | | Mexico every other week and have the most glorious |
| the coveted Cabo San Lucas area; homes in a brand | | | | time down there with all their friends; all really |
| new planned community, and according to the | | | | interesting people!" |
| promoter, "going for the early 1990's prices". Those | | | | "That was my other point," she said, "I think the people |
| who love the Caifornia lifestyle are finding the | | | | who even think about leaving the United States, for a |
| ocean-side developments along Baja very appealng in | | | | retirement community abroad or for any extended |
| terms of amenities; country-club living at American | | | | stay, are just more interesting people. That's just how I |
| middle-class prices. | | | | feel about it. |
| Grinnell's comments were typical of other guests who | | | | |