AMAR, the Mexican Association for Retirement Communities (Asociacion Mexicana de Asistencia en el Retiro) is a non-profit organization that serves as a link for active seniors and their advocates to inform and advise them on high quality lifestyles, access to services and to help anybody in need of life enjoyment after retirement through independent and assisted living opportunities en Mexico.
According to AMAR founder, Javier Godinez-Villegas, there are over 1 million American retirees and expats living in Mexico. He projects that in the next 10 years there will be approximately 3 million more. In an interview he mentioned that during 1946 and 1964 every 8 seconds a baby was born. His theory is that after 55-60 years every 8 seconds someone will retire. Sources say that there are 76 million baby boomers in the United States so 4 million retirees in Mexico over the next 10 years seems logical. It is in the best interest of the Mexican government to take initiatives to prepare for this boomer avalanche. Infrastructure will be a top necessity in order to take care of the retirees already in Mexico and those to come. This infrastructure might include airport expansions, more highways, hospitals and medical facilities on par with those in the United States. With demand for top quality assisted living communities outstripping supply in the United States there are dynamic opportunities in international real estate development, resort and health care services throughout Mexico that retirees abroad are going to want to hear about. This will likely contribute to enormous job creation in Mexico as these new residents will look for services like someone to cut the grass, re-model their home and fill other needs that are bound to come up.
Javier's suggestion for real estate developers looking to cater to this market segment is to build communities with lots to do. In the interview he said, "Many people have the image of retirees in wheelchairs sitting around, but today's retirees are more active than ever. It is not enough to build a big beautiful house. Housing must be accompanied by activities."
His organization has hosted an event they call AMAR CONFERENCE. It brings together entrepreneurs, investors, developers, land owners and operators to network, share information, form new business relationships and discuss how investments in this industry can be brought to Mexico, and the '2B Alive' event to promote the quality life in Mexico, it brings together retirees from North America and promoters of “Pueblos Magicos & Pueblos Coloniales” all over Mexico.
By Brian Requarth
Co-Founder
The VivaReal Network
www.VivaReal.com
NAHREP Board Member
