Mexico for living is attracting record levels of interest. Be it requests handled by Mexican consulates for temporary and permanent visas, web searches for “living in Mexico”, visitor arrivals in popular beach destinations, or rebounding cruise ship landings at Pacific, Gulf, and Caribbean ports a tsunami of foreigners (mostly US citizens) are exploring Mexico for overseas living.

I check in from time to time with my network of colleagues and recently asked Patrick Hobson to weigh in on what’s cooking in what is my favorite beach location for long-term living: Mazatlán. Patrick has shared with us this handy recap of the primary residential zones that encompass this unique “Colonial City on the Beach” destination. Here is his report and insights about the numerous micro zones that foreign investors and future residents are exploring.

“The primary areas that most foreign investors/residents find attractive are (1) the Marina Mazatlan/ Nuevo Mazatlán area in the north part of the city, (2) the Golden zone and surrounding neighborhoods including the El Cid Golf and Country Club, (3) the Malecón beachfront avenue that connects downtown or El Centro to the newer “Golden Zone”, and (4) El Centro (the original colonial area near downtown; to the far south of the city).  I have lived in all four areas and currently reside in the gated El Cid Golf and Country Club.”

• Mazatlan’s new Marina area (#1 & 2 on the map) is an area that is prestigious, up-and-coming, and in the path of growth, on the way out to Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay.  Area attractions include the “new” $90 million Gallerias shopping center, the International Convention Center, a new Wal-Mart & Sam’s Club, a new hospital, and several schools.  The area is popular with Mexicans and well as Ex-Pats. There are several condominiums and gated community options.

• The Golden Zone (#3, 4, 5 & 6 on the map) is home to many shops, restaurants, banks, and services.  Its nearby neighborhoods are Lomas de Mazatlan, Gaviotas, El Cid Country Club and Sabalo Country.  Many American and Canadians live comfortably in these neighborhoods alongside their Mexican neighbors.  El Cid is a gated community of 800 acres surrounding 27 holes of golf and is considered the most prestigious community in the city.

• The Malecón (#7) is a beachfront avenue/promenade connecting the Golden Zone with El Centro.  There are several condominium developments perched across the avenue directly in front of the beach, and the boardwalk is a daily flurry of activity with walkers, joggers, and bicyclists.  Sometimes, particularly during Carnaval (Mardi Gras) and marathons, the Malecón can be noisy, and the avenue shut down, but in general, it is a cool place to live, particularly for joggers and bicyclists.  A plus is that it is halfway between El Centro and the Golden Zone/northern parts of the city.

• El Centro (#8) and its adjoining neighborhoods are home to the historic Plaza Machado, the Angela Peralta Theatre, the Public Market, the city’s original colonial sector, and its music, nightlife, bars, cafes, shops & galleries.  As El Centro can be noisy and parking is an issue, many choose to frequent Plaza Machado for dining, music, and entertainment, but rather live in other areas.

• Estrella del Mar (#10) is a gated high-end golf community near the airport.  EDM’s centerpiece is a 5-star Robert Trent Jones 18-hole golf course, which features 5 holes of oceanfront play.  The development was initially started by a Missouri-based association in the 80’s with only 5 holes completed, was later sold and the course was completed and real estate development started in 1996.  EDM is approximately 25 miles from the Mazatlan Golden Zone which takes about 45 minutes travel time.”

You’ll find Mazatlán pricing to be considerably more affordable than Mexico’s other iconic coastal options (Los Cabos, Vallarta-Nayarit, Mexican Caribbean), with single-family homes still available under $300,000 US. Mazatlán is also experiencing a boom of new beachfront condo development, with high-rise towers sprouting up from north to south.

Patrick Hobson can be reached here:

US/Canada Tel:  425-296-6565

Mexico Celluar /Whatsapp:  52-669-918-1006