| The recent roller coaster across markets around | | | | Olas Altas, served primarily as lodging for sports |
| the globe have affected many older Americans | | | | fishermen from the U.S. and Canada. |
| investments and retirement funds. In fact, an | | | | Then around 1955, an American named Ulysses S. |
| article published on October 8th, 2008 in the | | | | George built a hotel a few miles north of town, |
| Washington Post asserts that in the "2 trillion U.S. | | | | just beyond Camaron (Shrimp) Point. The owners |
| Dollars have been wiped out in last 15 months" | | | | of the Hotel Playa Mazatlan started publicizing their |
| because of the dire stock market situation. | | | | resort and more and more tourists began to |
| Americans who have arduously worked an entire | | | | arrive. Most of the tourist facilities, the hotels and |
| adult work life contributing to their 401(k)'s or | | | | restaurants, grew up around the original |
| other pension programs have witnessed 20% of | | | | development and to the north of it. |
| their assets disappear before their very eyes. | | | | The City is concentrated in two areas: In the |
| Those who were planning on retiring soon will | | | | north, there is the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) |
| most likely have to work longer in order to meet | | | | where the majority of hotels and restaurants are |
| their previous financial retirement goals. Coupled | | | | located. In the south there is El Centro |
| with a rapid increase in cost of living in the United | | | | (downtown) where the heart of the city is. These |
| States, many retirement-aged American's must | | | | two centers are linked by Avenida Del Mar, also |
| make tough decisions to continue working or join | | | | known as the Malecón, which is a scenic |
| the millions of expats that are venturing to | | | | beach-front avenue that bridges the gap between |
| retirement enclaves now being formed in | | | | the two areas. This scenic corridor will be like |
| countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, | | | | Mauis skyline in the next few years. |
| where the cost of living is less expensive than the | | | | Mazatlan: Best Location, Best Price, Best |
| rapidly increasing cost of living in United States. | | | | Investment |
| Mazatlan: Mexico's Pearl on the Pacific | | | | Just several minutes from the...drive following |
| Mazatlan is situated on the Pacific Coast of | | | | points... |
| Mexico, almost directly across from the tip of the | | | | 1) Location - Ocean view, malecon, banks, |
| Baja peninsula. Mazatlan has its own international | | | | theatres, grocery stores, access roads, |
| airport with daily flights to the United States and | | | | restaurants, cultural activities, etc. |
| Canada. Set at the foot of the Sierra Madre | | | | 2) Cost of Living - A trip to the grocery store will |
| Mountains on a peninsula that extends into the | | | | cost you $50 for a full basket of groceries. Public |
| Pacific Ocean, Mazatlan is one of the Mexican | | | | transportation costs 80 cents. Property taxes are |
| Riviera's premier resort areas. Its remarkable | | | | and avg of $130 for a 1300sq ft unit. Buying a |
| scenic beauty is complemented by a delightful | | | | cold beer at a restaurant will cost you an avg of |
| festive atmosphere and a wealth of exciting | | | | $1.50 a beer. One pound of fresh shrimp is about |
| activities. | | | | $3.50. Full coverage car insurance for the entire |
| Although Mazatlan is one of Mexico's most popular | | | | year costs about $270.00. A ticket at the movie |
| vacation destinations, it has another identity as | | | | theater costs you $4.50. A haircut is $4.00. Full |
| the largest port in Mexico, with a bustling | | | | body massage is about $15.00. |
| economy independent of the tourism industry. | | | | 3) Health Care - There are several high quality |
| This duality adds an interesting cosmopolitan flavor | | | | hospitals in Mazatlan. There are 3 hospitals within a |
| to this unique city that you are sure to savor. | | | | 5 mile radius of Paradise Bay Grand. Health |
| Because it was a city long before it became a | | | | insurance for the whole year costs about $500 a |
| beach resort, Mazatlan is less touristy than some | | | | year. Going to the dentist for a teeth cleaning |
| of its neighbors on what the cruise industry calls | | | | costs $50. |
| the Mexican Riviera. Places like Puerto Vallarta and | | | | 4) Connectivity/Proximity to US and Canada - 2.5 |
| Los Cabos, which like Mazatlan are ports of call on | | | | hrs from Los Angeles, 4.5hrs from Edmonton. 4 |
| the cruise ship circuit, were tailor-made as resort | | | | hrs from Seattle |
| developments. | | | | 5) A Growing expat community and expat |
| Mazatlan on the other hand is a city that | | | | organizations. Many expats form social groups and |
| discovered it had a beach out front and became | | | | participate in helping the local communities and |
| a resort almost as an afterthought. Because of its | | | | charities. |
| lengthy focus on industry, Mazatlan came late to | | | | 6) Culture: Mazatlan is rich in culture. There is a |
| the discovery that its miles and miles of sand | | | | theater where you can see a play, historic center, |
| beaches offered an asset that had never been | | | | 18th century architecture, book fairs, Carnaval, |
| exploited: a prime tourist attraction. The first | | | | Holy Week. |
| couple of hotels, in the area of Old Mazatlan called | | | | |