Mexican Retirement - Convenience:
Choosing a Major City or the Sticks?

Retirement Convenience is a pretty easy 'C' to qualify, as long as you take the time to really assess how you're going to spend your time in the place you choose to retire in. Do you have a large family or circle of friends, that you want to see on a regular basis during your retirement years? If so, perhaps you had better make sure you're located near a convenient airport. No one will come visit you if it takes three plane connections and a five hour bus ride to get to your house. The same perspective should apply for your own travel plans. Traveling is difficult enough these days without an extra day added on just getting to the airport.

On the other hand, if you've spent the better part of your life hosting uninvited relatives and free-loading friends, then maybe isolation becomes an important criteria for your retirement location in Mexico, or anywhere else. Mexico, with over 50 international airports, offer dozens of potential retirement cities, towns and villages that are convenient or tolerably close to transportation hubs.
[photo: Aeropuerto internacional, Guadalajara]

As in ranking the other 'C's, do your research. Find out how far away airports are. The cost of taxi fare, airport shuttle bus or driver to get you there. What airlines fly in and out? How well do they connect with the cities that you figure in your retirement vacation traveling? What are the rates? If there is only one airline serving your city of choice for Mexican or American retirement, the lack of competition puts you at the mercy on high fares.