ABSTRACT
Numerous American retirement communities have developed in Mexico, because of its proximity to the United States, the inherent advantages of its laws regarding migrants, and the combination of its varied scenic beauty and agreeable highland climates. The major American retirement communities of Mexico are all located within those four states. In fact, the largest urban American community outside of the United States is found in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco. The well established retirement town of Cuernavaca is in Morelos and the major cultural center, Mexico City, is in the Distrito Federal. In mainland Middle America, the foundations for retirement migration were laid in both Mexico and Panama at earlier stages than in the Central American area. Mexico, besides the beneficial aspects of its accessibility to the United States and lower cost of living, offers retirees a variety of natural scenery and climates.
