Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

pfhobson

Feb 16, 2003, 2:03 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2231 views)

Shortcut

Mazatlan Retirement

Can't Post |

Hi All!

I had just about decided to try Chapala for retirement when I heard many good things about Mazatlan. I have lived in Vallarta for many years and it has gotten too too for me; so am ready to move on. It seems to me that Ajijic is almost as expensive as Vallarta, but Mazatlan looks to be a little more reasonable and a little less hot in the summer months (although not much). Anyone have some experience with Mazatlan? I was there once in 1960, but that was under less than favorable circumstances! All help is appreciated!

Peter Hobson

Hendersonville, N.C.

USA

Uncle Jack

Feb 16, 2003, 2:11 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1728 views)

Shortcut

Re: [pfhobson] Mazatlan Retirement

Can't Post | Private Reply

You might want to try:

http://freemaz.com/board/

and:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mazinfo/

Lots of information, but you may have to wade through a little BS on the first one.

UJ

Tomás

Feb 18, 2003, 3:03 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1566 views)

Shortcut

Re: [pfhobson] Mazatlan Retirement

Can't Post |

Hi pf, I am retiring in Puerta Vallarta in April. You said it is getting ¨too too¨and your ready to move on. Would you mind being more specific. It would be helpful and I would really appreciate it if you would talk a little about the good and the bad of Puerta Vallarta and why you are thinking of leaving. I too have researched Mazatlán and it seems like a good place to retire also. It´s a bit less touristy than PV I understand. Thanks for your help and advice.

Tomás de la nieve

pfhobson

Feb 18, 2003, 5:33 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1504 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Tomás] Mazatlan Retirement

Can't Post |

Hi

I guess it is because Vallarta is just too crowded and the ifrastructure can't handle it. Going to the beach is a hassle as there are no parking places because of the high rise condos and hotels on the beach. The roads have gone downhill and will tear your car up in 6 months. Costs have risen far and above other Mexican areas. Sewers back up when it rains, and trash abounds everywhere. The bay of Banderas is polluted by all of the open toilets that empty directly into it and into the river cuale that feeds into the bay.

I have noticed that the restaurants have gone up 15-20% each year. Maybe with the hurricane, earthquake, and 911, which has caused business to start hurting there, prices may drop, but I doubt it. There is also several cruise ships in town on any given day that tie up the streets.

Hope you find a nice place. I like Mazatlan and Chapala, although the large influx of norteamericanos that have settled in Chapala/ajijic now number about 30,000 and have driven prices higher there. I have heard that if the lake keeps going down as drastically as it has in the past,house values have dropped and will continue to do so. I like Ajijic strictly for the year round weather, while living in Vallarta in the summer is just awful without a.c.

Peter

Uncle Donnie

Feb 27, 2003, 10:28 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1363 views)

Shortcut

Re: [pfhobson] Mazatlan Retirement

Can't Post |

Hi Peter,

This will seem odd to some but I plan to spend a few months in Maz during the summer. I've spent short periods there over the past 10 to 12 years and don't find the heat oppressive. It's very hot but the beaches are great and once you fight past the sidewalk hucksters (like PV they sell timeshares, cruises, fishing charters, dining deals, and a number of other goodies by persistence, trickery, and volume) it's a beautiful modern city. My guess is that if you feel the need for a/c in PV you're going to need it in Maz. A lot will depend upon where and how your house is situated. I did quite well in PV in a place up on a hillside where I could leave doors and windows open. A huge net over the bed and a ceiling fan made most nights fairly comfortable. My place in Bucerias had an a/c unit in the bedroom which I took full advantage of most nights.

My son-in-law is encouraging me in my plans because he's a fisherman and one of the great North American bass lakes is El Salto, just a hop and skip outside town.

In Maz the shopping is excellent in both modern mega-stores and local markets, rents are much more reasonable than in the Ajijic area (in many cases), and the entertainment and dining scenes are somewhere in between the frenetic activity of PV (which I DO love in small doses) and the almost comatose small-town atmoshere of Lakeside. Yes the Lakeside area does have a lot of traffic at certain times of the year, and yes they do have a number of clubs and organizations that provide entertainment and diversion to those inclined to join in, but it's not the same spirit as you'll find in more touristy areas.

Plus, I think Maz is much easier to get around in. There's an excellent private hospital right on the main drag (like out in Marina Vallarta) and there are a fair number of reasonably priced and nicely appointed places for rent. Post a message for Marlene in Mazatlan and she'll be able to give you excellent advice.

Like everything else about life, it's all about personal choice. Maybe I'll see you at the beach.

UD

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

annainbc

Feb 27, 2003, 10:44 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1316 views)

Shortcut

Re: [pfhobson] Mazatlan Retirement

Can't Post |

hi

My husband grew up in Mazatlan and We lived there together for a little over a year before moving back to Canada. His family is still there. I really liked Mazatlan over Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas because it seems to be an actual town not just a "tourist trap" It has an infrastructure that is well established and quite a large expatriot community (Canadians especially), living in various parts of the city. Rents near the beach in the Golden Zone are definately high but areas near the beach in the older areas are more reasonable. Because it is a larger town there seem a bit more crime than in the smaller communities but this is to be expected and accordingly the police seem to be more vigilant as well. I am sure you will hear differing opinions about Mazatlan. But if you are looking for convenience and economy there are a lot of options for you. Good luck and let me know what you decide. We make trips to see the family all the time!