Boomers in Mexico.

Reporting 'Easy Access' Baby Boomers Rush South to Retire

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico -- The US Department of State estimates that out of the approximately four million Americans living overseas, between 600,000 and one million are in Mexico - up from about 200,000 a decade ago.

Many of the residential areas are gated communities much like the communities north of the border. Most of the American residential areas are beachfront properties at prices much lower than state side. Most recently in, an estimated 100,000 Americans have created the first North American land rush of the 21st century.

In the last decade, an estimated half million American Baby Boomers have moved permanently to Mexico, making the United States' southern neighbor the country with the most U.S. expatriates in the world. Not since the conclusion of the American Civil War -- when thousands of Southerners emigrated to Mexico -- have so many Americans moved to Mexico. 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."

The reason so many Americans and Canadians choose Mexico is because they can drive to Mexico in a car. A bigger reason is that Mexico is a bargain compared to the USA and Canada. Mexico is rich with history, steeped in culture having perhaps a more pronounced culture than any other nation in Latin America. Mexico has great food, great architecture and many areas with an excellent climate. Mexico is modern, with better highways than many parts of Latin America and an infrastructure that allows foreigners to connect via telephone and Internet to the rest of the world. This level of infrastructure isn't available in Nicaragua, or in Guatemala, and this is a very important determining factor for the boomer retiree who doesn't want to be inconvenienced by inconveniences.

Boomers who are concerned about making the move have solid sources to turn to. Mark Venegas, owner Venegas World Star Realty, has made a point to have native born agents who have US training precisely to help with the process of moving to Mexico. "The closing process, notary, escrow, your deed (Escritura), capital gains taxes, security and management of property are just a few things we guide clients through...we have a unique position to offer inside information on the real estate with the understanding of what US residents really need to know," states Venegas.

"Punta Mita is the boomers' most recent find, with sales tripling for the local real estate association's MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and doubling for developers. It's very upscale, low-density development with a Jack Nicklaus golf course and a Four Seasons Hotel. Up to now, most of their product has been beachfront or fairway/oceanview luxurious homes, but they have recently begun offering condominiums and townhouses," adds Venegas.

Venegas World Star Realty specializes in matching Puerto Vallarta luxury home, second home, retirement home or investment home buyers with select Puerto Vallarta locations.