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United States' international retirement migration: the reasons for retiring to the environs of Lake Chapala, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2007

T. S. SUNIL ,
VIVIANA ROJAS  and
DON E. BRADLEY
T. S. SUNIL*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, University of Texas, San Antonio, USA.
VIVIANA ROJAS
Affiliation:
Department of Communication, University of Texas, San Antonio, USA.
DON E. BRADLEY
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
*
Address for correspondence: T. S. Sunil, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA. E-mail: thankam.sunil@utsa.edu
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Abstract

Most studies of retirement migration in the United States focus at the national level, and there is comparatively little information about the retirees who cross international borders in their search for new homes. Retirement migrants are unusual in that many select destinations in less-developed countries, contrary to the general pattern of migration from poor to rich countries in search of jobs, higher incomes and a better standard of life. This study has examined the reasons for retirement migration from the United States (US) to the Lake Chapala area of the Mexican state of Jalisco. A non-random sample of 211 US retirees was surveyed using a self-completion, semi-structured questionnaire that included items about the decision to move to Mexico, the quality of life at the destination, cultural adaptation, and aspects of personal identity, financial security and health-care. Four major reasons for migrating to Mexico were identified: financial circumstances, the natural environment, a sense of community and friendship, and a better quality of life. While the migrations contradict much taken-for-granted and popular knowledge about migration patterns around the world, they have important implications for the ways of life, social relationships and welfare of the most recent cohort of older people. More in-depth multidisciplinary studies are needed to increase understanding of this evolving phenomenon.

Keywords

international retirement migrationretireeslate-life migrationUnited States of AmericaMexicoquality of life
Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , July 2007 , pp. 489 - 510
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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