That Baja California will become the first choice for retirement by Americans and Canadians is not a question as to whether it will or won’t, as it will. Rather the question is how fast?
 
It has been a matter of perception since places like San Miguel Allende, Ajijic, Chapala, Puerto Vallarta and other more mature inland and coastal regions have better name recognition; but in the state of Baja California places like Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Tecate, Playas de Tijuana and San Felipe are winning recognition as retirement havens.
 
Perceptions aside of the estimated 1 million Americans living in Mexico, approximately 25 % live in the Baja California peninsula already, which is no small percentage.
 
It may sound like local bravado predicting that Baja California will become the overwhelming retirement choice for Americans and even Canadians within the next 10 to 15 years. Such prediction is greatly supported as Baja offers the diversity meeting the goals, aspirations and needs of a majority of today’s and future retirees.
 
We are familiar with the population sector called Baby Boomers, as those born between 1946 and 1964, that number over 78 million, who will be reaching retirement age (65) between the years 2011 and 2029, and the pre-Baby Boomers those born between 1935 and 1945 whose 2013 ages range between 68 and 85, numbering over 30 million.
 
Obviously the number of now and future retirees is more than ample, so the question is why would they choose one place over another?
 
To grasp why Baja is becoming the favored retirement region, one must first recognize the four options available and in order of preference:
1. Don’t move – stay put.
2. Downsize within the same community.
3. Move to another community or other state.
4. Move out of country.
 
Were it economically possible to live by the sea shore or ocean view vicinity, U.S. retirees faced with choice number 3 above, San Diego would be a primary location of choice, but the high living cost makes it nearly impossible for the majority of retirees. This in turn, due to its immediate proximity, makes the Baja California north coast from the U.S. border to Ensenada a very desirable alternative.
 
For those choosing to move out of country, Mexico is already the first choice; however, putting a damper on this trend has been the fear of personal safety concerns that the U.S. media has imbedded in the minds of its audience. The second damper has been the global economy that had slashed U.S. property values and devastated retirement accounts which in large numbers forced the postponement of retirement.
 
But the documentary, The North Baja Coast: Come Visit, Stay to Live, showcasing interviews with American expatriates whose sincere testimonies are discarding the negative individual security reports as they attest to being safe, and getting the word out on cost of living savings, availability of quality medical services, near perfect weather, plentiful activities amid wonderful and caring people.
 
The primary retiree moving to Mexico to date has been the “active adult” who does not require help in daily living activities. However, attention to the “aging in place” must be recognized as the natural sequence in aging will at some point in time require assistance in daily chores and local affordable and timely available health services becoming increasingly important services that are also available in Baja or if preferred within short mileage in San Diego.
 
At present the various reasons for choosing Mexico for retirement, depending on the income level of the retiree, range from looking for luxury at bargain prices, but with familiar comforts found in U.S. homes, and the more active also seek adventure, cultural exchanges and new learning experiences, coupled with quality of life. Primary attractions to a particular region are climate, security, available quality health care, convenient location and of primary consideration – better living at less cost. Here again, Baja exceeds expectations.
 
To further understand the potential attraction of Baja California and indeed, Mexico, I use data provided by arguably the most qualified husband-wife team in the field of aging, Maddy and Dr. Ken Dychtwald, who find that though active adults share an “age range,” their plans, goals and aspirations are most often quite diverse, and have segregated them into four categories:
1. “Ageless Explorer” – personifies the current ideal for retirement and is not satisfied with traditional retirement – they seek to be active, productive and independent.
2. “Comfortably Content” – this group seeks relaxation and enjoyment of the fruits of their labor without any further real responsibilities.
3. “Live for Today” – enjoy fund and adventure but are financially unprepared for a comfortable retirement.
4. “Sick and Tired” – are inactive, unfulfilled and resigned to less than a satisfying future.
 
Categories 1, 2 and 3 represent the most likely candidates for Mexico retirement. Active Living International concludes that those three categories identified by the Dychtwald group are close to 28 million strong providing ample potential retirees for all of Mexico but this author bets for all above reasons that Baja California will become the first to “fill up.”

Patrick Osio is the editor of HispanicVista, and co-founder of TransBorder Communications, producers of the documentary, “The North Baja Coast: Come Visit, Stay to Live.” Contact at Posiojr@aol.com