If you are
thinking about retiring, or living long term in Mexico, this article may be
very helpful for you, I’ll start with a little background information about me.
I was born
in north Mexico, but studied, and lived about the second half of my life in Texas,
right before moving to Playa del Carmen. Not just in Texas, but in El Paso,
Texas, ranked as THE safest (I may add boring) city in the United States for a
few years consecutively. As you can imagine, it was a huge change coming to
Mexico, deciding where to live, and adapting to a completely different life
style, in a tourist town. I have to say, it can be quite overwhelming if you
don’t have the right guidance throughout the process.
I had only
been in Playa Once, while being on vacation, so the only place I knew was
downtown, around the most touristy area. I looked online for a place in that
area, and got a rental that seemed alright, I thought well located, “a few
steps from 5th Av.”
It turned
out that it was just fine during the day but at night I’d hear people partying.
Definitely was rigth for someone who is in vacations but not the right place
for someone who had to be up early for work every day.
My lease
was ending, I had heard of PLAYACAR this nice, private, golf community I
thought would have stratospheric prices. One day mostly out of curiosity, I
decided to start my search for a place there, and found a good option that was
actually within my budget. I liked it and went for it – although I’m an
embarrassment even at mini golf-. During my first days in this community I
found it to be a super safe, peaceful, comforting 6km diameter. It had private
security when coming in. It was completely different than the city area I knew,
its noise and chaos, were replaced by golf courses and running trails. These
are the 5 things you should know before living in Playacar.
1. Safety is the most important thing.
Guards check and store visitors’ IDs at the entrance, note their license
plates, and will even ask to search the trunk if anyone is suspicious. Of
course, this will give you as a resident the safest and most peaceful lifestyle
in the area, you will feel safe at all times.
2. You will have your own beach club,
in one of the nicest beaches of the Mexican Caribbean, where you could see the
sunset every day if you want, as many residents do. As a Playacar resident, you
will have an ID that will give you access to The Reef Playacar hotel beach
club, to their gym, and will have special day pass discounts (depending on the
season of the year). Your backyard will be the sugar sand and turquoise water,
and you will get used to it. It will be hard to find a beach that you like just
as much.
3. Playacar has it all! You will never
want to leave your community, there will be no need to, you can find everything
at home, why stressing out? From convenience stores, shopping centers, cafes,
healthy palapas, restaurants, bars, and organic grocery stores, to a vet,
pharmacies, nail salons, beauty salons, gym, yoga/pilates places, and dentist
offices, Playacar has it all! Not to mention schools, and kindergarten.
4. You will never want to leave.
Playacar has the largest, friendliest community of expats, and retirees from
around the globe, can you imagine all the stories you will hear from them?
There are a bunch of online and chat groups to support each other, and to hear
news and events happening for teens and grown ups. You will be in a very
charming and cosmo, yet relaxed atmosphere, believe me, its beauty is addictive
and unique.
5. You will have a relaxed lifestyle.
Because everything is close by, you’ll want to get a beach bike like most of us
in Playa del Carmen, and pedal your way through the neighborhood either to get
to places, or just for fun. There are bike/run trails with amazing views to the
golf courses, Mayan ruins, or lush gardens that combined with the ocean breeze,
and your heart beating fast, make it a much desirable experience than hitting
the gas pedal.
If you
liked what you read, get in touch to see the most recommended developments for
retirees/long-term living in Playacar
