The following excerpts appeared in Yahoo! Finance on July 9, 2011. We feel that with Merida’s close proximity to Sunset Shores, you will get the best of both worlds with affordable, pristine beachfront living, as well as all the modern amenities and hidden treasures that Merida has to offer.

8 Great Places to Retire Abroad

by Donna Fuscaldo, contributing writer

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Great places to retire can be found outside of Florida and Arizona. In fact, many can be found outside of the U.S. entirely. Safe, attractive and affordable places to retire are scattered across the globe, from Latin America to Asia and even Europe. We’ve narrowed our list to eight overseas retirement hot spots.

Two factors critical to retirees (and their wallets) shaped our choices: cost of living and health care. To make our picks we consulted several experts on travel, tourism and overseas retirement. We also gave added weight to the cost of living, real estate and health care components of International Living’s Global Retirement Index of the top 25 countries for retirees.

A note on cost of living: Monthly budgets for overseas retirees will vary widely, depending on country, lifestyle and housing type. There’s no one-size-fits-all dollar amount. The estimates provided for each retirement hot spot offer a ballpark figure, including housing expenses, for how much a “typical” retired American couple would need to live comfortably.

Merida, Mexico
Population: 1.25 Million
Climate: Tropical. Temperatures range from the low 70s to the mid 90s.
Proximity to major airport: Merida has an international airport with some nonstop flights to the U.S. Mexico City is less than two hours by plane.

Access to health care: There’s a slew of quality medical facilities, including the highly regarded Clinica de Merida. Some retirees may qualify for Mexico’s low-cost public health insurance program, known as IMSS. Mexico ranks 14th out of 25 countries on International Living’s Global Retirement Index for health care.

Cost of living: Mexico tied for third (with Colombia and Thailand) on the Global Retirement Index for cost of living. A retired American couple can live comfortably in Merida on $1,700 a month.

The draw: City living meets colonial charm. Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan, is a world away from Cancun, its touristy cousin across the peninsula. Sitting 22 miles inland, Merida has a European feel, thanks to its Old World architecture and abundant culture. There are opera houses and cathedrals to explore, and foodies rave about the dining scene. There’s a growing population of retirees from the U.S., as evidenced by an English-language newspaper and library. Merida has escaped the violence that has plagued Mexico’s border towns.

http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/113064/great-places-to-retire-abroad-kiplinger?mod=retire-planning

If you would like to know more, please contact your Trans Caribbean Trust agent today and we will be happy to help you gather the info you need for your investment options in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula.

MÉRIDA, Yuc.- Está por comenzar la venta de superficie para la segunda etapa de Ciudad Caucel; alistan la construcción de cinco mil casas.

MÉRIDA, Yuc.- Socios de la Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Desarrollo y Promoción de Vivienda (Canadevi) comenzarán, de diciembre a febrero, la construcción de cinco mil casas en toda la ciudad, con lo que hay optimismo de un crecimiento importante del sector, manifestó su presidente local, Eduardo Ruiz Mendoza.

Anticipó que está a punto de iniciar la venta de superficie para la segunda etapa de Ciudad Caucel y de acuerdo con las reglas de operación de este proyecto se adquirirán terrenos para el desarrollo de nuevos conjuntos habitacionales.

“No somos triunfalistas, pero sí tenemos optimismo de que hay condiciones para que a partir del segundo trimestre del año comencemos a ‘patear para arriba’”, expresó.

El directivo de la Canadevi indicó que se cierra 2009 con ocho mil 500 viviendas, 15 por ciento debajo de la meta programada por los promotores inmobiliarios, sobre todo en aquellos desarrollos que arrancaron en el segundo semestre del año.  ”Esto es resultado de la crisis económica que nos afecta, que si bien es cierto que las instituciones financieras se abren y autorizan algunos créditos para el financiamiento de la construcción de la vivienda, la contracción y recesión económica del mercado financiero nos pegó durante todo el primer semestre de 2009″, abundó.

Ruiz Mendoza destacó que en el último año se incrementó la compra de vivienda usada que ante la crisis compite de manera fuerte con la nueva e, incluso, es tomada en cuenta de manera importante dentro de los esquemas de Fovisste e Infonavit.

El presidente de la Canadevi detalló que en 2008, en el Infonavit, el 18 por ciento de los créditos que se otorgaron fue para vivienda usada y en este año la cifra se elevó al 33 por ciento.

Sobre la demanda de los desarrollos habitacionales de tipo residencial dijo que hubo un impulso importante el año pasado y las viviendas que no se vendieron en 2008 lograron comercializarlas en este año.

Afirmó que queda un “stock” de mil viviendas para otorgar en 2010.

Rafael Vega/SIPSE

http://www.sipse.com/noticias/22077–extiende-merida-largo-ancho.html

Comments on this article by Trans Caribbean Trust  Real Estate: if you are this deep into our site, you know that we represent coastal real estate in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.  We specialize in three niches: Costa Maya below the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, and the Sunset Beach stretch northwest of Merida.  Our prime real estate listings consist of beachfront and ocean-view properties; however we also have some inland estates on Cozumel Island starting at ten acres for $185,000 and we have some suburban lots between the Merida beltway and the Gulf Coast of the Yucatan where Sunset Beach and Sunset Shores are located.  Even though the article is in Spanish, some of our readers will find the information on the growth of Merida useful.  Baby-boomers, expats, and soon-to-be retirees from around the world interested in a new life in the Caribbean come to us for advice on investing in beachfront real estate as a foreigner.  Contact us today to set an appointment to see our Caribbean beach lots and ocean-view properties in Mexico’s warm and wonderful Yucatan Peninsula.

WHAT ABOUT CRIME…… IS MERIDA SAFE?

Violent crimes in Mexico are very rare and Merida and the Yucatan are considered by most people to be one of the safest places on earth to live. In Merida, you can walk down any street in Centro day or night without worrying about purse snatching or muggings.

WHY? First there is a different philosophy of law and order. The Mexican approach is based on the Napoleonic Code rather than English Common Law. Therefore, instead of being innocent until proven guilty, a person must prove their innocence or take the penalty. Thus, people in Mexico tend to be more careful and concerned in their dealings with others and in their behavior.

A second factor (especially in the Yucatan) is that it is primarily a family and community oriented society and there is very little juvenile crime and delinquency. For example: on weekends, instead of the youth driving around, drinking and looking for trouble; they go to many of Merida´s town squares with their parents and family. In Merida, you can see teenagers escorting their Grandparents and even dancing with them in the Zocolo.

In addition, neighbors (both Mexican and foreigner) watch out for each other and keep an eye on each other´s property while they are away from home.

CAN I EAT THE FOOD WITHOUT GETTING SICK?

In Merida, you can find a wide variety of restaurants from fast food to five star. Merida also has a huge number of street vendors…all of which are safe. I have been in Merida for over two years and have never once been sick. However, I would personally recommend drinking bottled water.

Merida has a large variety of grocery stores and many local market places with tremendous selections of fresh fruits, vegetables and produce that truly make shopping a pleasant experience. The Mexican climate provides year round growing so that berries, melons, mangos, pineapples, avocados, bananas, lettuce, squash, etc. are picked for the market when fresh and are delicious.

WHAT ABOUT PETS AND VETS?

Dogs and cats with a veterinarian´s certificate indicating updated immunizations can be brought into Mexico without any quarantine. The vets in Merida are all well trained, inexpensive and even make house calls at no added cost. Those of us at Mayan Living have a combined total of seven cats and four dogs and we all like our vets and would be more than happy to give you their phone numbers. My vet also has a service that will pick up my dog, bath her, clip her and return her safely home for $12 US.

WHAT ABOUT AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE?

If you bring your car from the States or Canada (using your tourist visa or your FM3), you must have insurance. We have one car we brought from the States and one we purchased in Mexico. Insurance for our vehicle from the States costs about $200 a year for full coverage and has to be purchased from the States. The insurance on the Mexican car was purchased in Merida and is slightly higher. We would be more than happy to recommend both agencies.

WHY IS MERIDA CALLED THE WHITE CITY?

There are probably three reasons why it is called the White City: (1) the inhabitants generally wear white guayaberas, huipilles and Panama hats, (2) there is a white lime mixture that is used to spread on most of the roof tops to make them watertight and (3) the cleanliness of the city. The streets, plazas and parks are generally cleaned every day.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MERIDA?

Merida, the colonial capital of the Yucatan was founded by Francisco de Montejo (a Spaniard) in 1542. When the Spanish arrived, they conquered the Mayan city of T´ho or Ichcansiho, tore down the pyramids and used the huge stones to build the foundation for the Cathedral of San Idelfonso. The Spaniards enslaved the Indians and built grand houses, offices and cathedrals. Merida became the capital, trade center and seat of civil and religious authority of the Peninsula. The Indians finally rebelled in the 1840´s ( the Caste War).

WHAT IS MERIDA LIKE TODAY?

Merida today has about 950,000 residents and is a very cosmopolitan city with Mayan and Spanish descendants and is an extremely cultural city with many museums, libraries, theaters, numerous universities, etc. The economy that was once based on the henequen industry is now based on tourism, agriculture and fishing plus Merida´s export business is increasing every day. Some of the items exported are honey, sisal rope, petroleum products, hammocks, fine jewelry, concentrated orange juice, fish etc.

Residents call Merida “the Paris of the West” because of it´s tree lined boulevards, colonial mansions and estates of the henequen barons of the 1800¨s. There are many things to see in and around Merida. It is an easy drive from Merida to beaches, Mayan ruins, haciendas, etc. One of the nicest things about Merida is its people. The Yucatecan people are hospitable, honest, easygoing, hard working and make wonderful neighbors.

DOES MERIDA HAVE GOOD MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITIES?

YES! Merida has numerous hospitals that are staffed by well trained physicians, most of whom were trained in the United States. The hospitals in Merida are considered among the best in Mexico. Wonderful, inexpensive dental work is also available in Merida. Many Americans and Canadians have been taking advantage of this for years. Also within the past five years, a growing number of Americans and Canadians have been coming to Merida for plastic surgery. We would be more than happy to refer you to competent doctors, dentists and plastic surgeons in Merida.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?

Tipping varies from place to place and depending on what the services is, the following is a general rule to follow:

• restaurants…15%

• hotel and guest house help…. at least 10 pesos ($1 US) per day

• strolling musicians…. 40 to 50 pesos

• parking attendants….. 5 to 6 pesos

• bag boys and girls at the grocery store…. 5 to 6 pesos

• gas station attendants….. 5 to 6 pesos….YES, gas stations are still full service in Merida

• Extra tips for exceptional service are always welcomed and appreciated

http://www.mayanliving.com/law.html

According to the 2007 Retirement Index, Mexico has gone up five places to become this year’s winner and the “Top Retirement Haven”. Merida is named among San Francisco, Budapest and Bangkok as one of the New Hot Cities. Reports have already shown that the number of foreigners choosing Merida as their primary home has increased substantially over the course of this year. So, why has the world gone loco over Merida? Merida offers a perfect mix of centuries-old traditions, contemporary lifestyle, modern amenities, a low cost of living, and diverse entertainment options. Blessed with a warm climate, culture and fine dining, Merida also scores highly in its first-rate health care standing and its still-affordable but quickly-growing real estate sector.

Merida’s health care infrastructure is top-notch. The private clinics and hospitals are staffed by expert physicians, many of whom were trained in U.S., European and Mexico’s own world-renowned medical schools. Surprisingly, medical care and prescription drugs are only a fraction of the cost of these in the U.S.

Not only is the cost of living lower than that of most of American cities, but the cost of real estate is still very attractive. New developments and residential communities are being built and their value is appreciating rapidly among the majestic residences of downtown Merida, where the old houses have been overhauled and now function as hotels, shops and restaurants. The old architecture has regained its former splendor and is now an integral part of the city’s commercial circuit.

There is more to the city than culture and history– the beautiful nearby coast of Yucatan Bay is a gorgeous beach that is rapidly attracting more investors’ interest. Only a short drive from downtown Merida, the area offers endless white sand beaches, turquoise water and gentle waves that the citizens of Merida can enjoy on the weekends, on holidays, or as “the front yard” of their permanent home. It is on this beautiful coast, near the town of Sisal, that Merida’s first gated ocean front community is being built. Sunset Shores offers you the luxury of owning your dream home on a white sand beach at a very affordable price with all the amenities and the obvious advantages of its proximity to the best retirement haven in the world. To reserve your lot on Sunset Shores, contact your Trans Caribbean representative.