Thinking About Retirement in Merida?

This is a reader testimonial from Tim, who relocated to Merida with his wife in 2023. 
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Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the fruits of our labor. For many, it's also a chance to explore new places and cultures. When my wife and I started thinking about where we wanted to retire, we knew we wanted a place with warm weather, affordable living costs, and a rich history. After much research and consideration, we found our perfect retirement destination: Mérida, Mexico. My wife and I retired early and moved to Merida in January 2023.

First, I joined numerous online Facebook groups dedicated to expats and Mexican locals. And I learned as much as I could about the city itself and the surrounding areas.

Located in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is the capital city of the state of Yucatán. It boasts a population of nearly one million people and has been deemed the safest city in Mexico for several years running. These factors were important to us as safety was a top priority in our search for a retirement destination.

But beyond its safety record, there are several other reasons why Mérida stood out to us as an ideal place to retire. One of the most appealing aspects was its affordability. The cost of living in Mérida is significantly lower than many other retirement destinations in North America or Europe. This allows retirees to stretch their retirement savings further and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank.

"Hey," my wife called from the kitchen, "are you telling them about our first attempt at this adventure?"

"Of course! How could I not?" I smiled, reminiscing about our first arrival three years ago, which was just a vacation that turned into much more. Our excitement had been palpable as we eagerly rolled our suitcases down the narrow streets, ready to explore every nook and cranny of our new city. Little did we know that a global pandemic was looming on the horizon, threatening to upend our plans.

We planned to use Mexico as a base to live our dream of traveling in South America and Central America. We visited Merida for the first time three years ago, and instantly fell in love with the city. Our rented Airbnb was large and had an outside terrace so we could spend more time in the fresh air. It was the start of the pandemic and things were restricted everywhere.

"We made the most of it." My wife smiled softly, recalling the time we'd spent learning Spanish and reassessing our situation.

A few months later, we flew home to the United States, reflecting on our whirlwind adventures before leaving Mexico behind. We just couldn’t stop thinking about the beauty and peace of the Yucatan.

We never stopped thinking about returning to Mexico, and we did it in early 2023. We pulled the trigger and did it! We flew down to Merida in January 2023, signed a long term lease, and have been enjoying the Yucatan and all its charms ever since!

Armed with experience and wisdom, we are ready to embrace the challenges and triumphs of our retirement, and pursue our dreams.