Baby Boomer no place like home

No Place Like Home...South of the Border

Call it ironic or even risky if you wish, but the U.S. Department of State estimates that out of the approximately four-million Americans living outside of the country, between 600,000 and one-million have made Mexico their new home. Baby boomers make up a large part of this massive contingent - to the tune of 500,000 over the last decade - heading south of the border, making Mexico the country with the most U.S. expatriates in the world. American Treasury Department officials estimate that the number of Treasury checks - Social Security, Veteran Administrations, tax refunds - sent to Mexico is "in the ballpark of 750,000."

Many of the neighborhoods are located in gated communities,

much like those found in the U.S. Throw in some cheaper-

then-state-side beachfront property, and it doesn't take much

to twist the arms of people looking to retire.

Americans can drive to Mexico to relocate. The country is steeped in rich history, has great food and architecture, and an inviting climate. Mexico is modern, with better highways than many parts of South America, and an infrastructure that allows foreigners to connect via telephone and Internet to the rest of the world - keeping

boomers from being inconvenienced by inconveniences. Mark Venegas owns Venegas World Star Realty. His staff is comprised of native-born agents who have U.S. training precisely to help with the process of moving to Mexico.

"Punta Mita is the boomers' most recent find, with sales tripling for the local real estate associations MLS and doubling for developers. It's a very upscale, low-density development with a Jack Nicklaus golf course and a Four Seasons Hotel. Up to now, most of their product has been beachfront or fairway/ocean view luxurious homes, but they have recently begun offering condominiums and townhouses," Venegas says.