Is Ajijic, Mexico Retirement Hot for Gay Folks? | Queer Money 660
Is Ajijic retirement hot?
Puerto Vallarta gets most of the attention when gay men talk about retiring in Mexico.
But what if the perfect gay vacation destination isn't the perfect gay retirement destination?
We're currently in Ajijic, Mexico, extending our Mexican residency from one year to three years and seriously considering spending the first four months of our move to Mexico right here.
So we're asking:
Is Ajijic retirement hot?
In this episode of Queer Money®, we're sharing 5 reasons Ajijic has become one of the most interesting retirement destinations in Mexico for us, plus 3 reasons it might make you say absolutely not.
And we're doing it from Ajijic based on what we're actually experiencing.
🌈 Why Ajijic has our attention:
🏳️🌈 It's surprisingly gay. Ajijic has an active LGBTQ+ community that feels less focused on nightlife and more focused on building friendships and community.
It's an easy soft landing in Mexico. A large immigrant community, English-speaking services and established infrastructure can make moving abroad considerably easier.
🏥 Healthcare is accessible. Ajijic has local hospitals, specialists, labs and dental care, with even more options available nearby and in Guadalajara.
💰 Our money goes further. Ajijic isn't bargain-basement cheap anymore, but compared with many places in the U.S., everyday expenses can still feel considerably more reasonable.
🌴 It's retirement hot, not necessarily vacation hot. Puerto Vallarta may win for beaches, nightlife and vacation energy. Ajijic may win for community, everyday living and building an actual life.
But Ajijic isn't retirement paradise for everyone.
Those charming cobblestone streets can become a serious mobility issue. The large immigrant population can make it easy to stay inside an English-speaking bubble. And traffic on the Carretera may test your retirement zen.
So would we retire here permanently?
We're currently about a 7 out of 10.
But we're also planning to spend the first four months of our move to Mexico here, which probably says more than the score.
Because the real test of a retirement destination isn't:
“Did I have a fabulous vacation there?”
It's:
“Could I actually enjoy Tuesday there?”
If you're considering retiring or moving abroad, get the Queer Money Retire Abroad Planner & Calculator here.
Retire by design, not by default.
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