Mexico a Retirement Hotspot Despite Recent Crime, Group Says
 CBC News
Some Calgarians aren't shying away from Mexico as a retirement destination, despite a number of recent high-profile crimes involving Canadians.
Rod Burylo, a financial planner with the organization Canadians Retiring Abroad, says that Mexico remains by far the most popular destination for seniors. Burylo's group runs information sessions, providing information on tax and residency rules for people who want to live abroad.
While Mexico may have figured prominently in the news lately, Burylo says that people have to be conscious of dangers wherever they travel.
"There's some places in Calgary that I wouldn't want my own mother walking around at night. In any city of any size in the world, there'll be places where you'd, say, exercise some common sense, and don't put yourself in a situation that's not safe," he said.
"If you look at the number of Canadians that are being hurt or killed in other countries regularly — annually — such as the United States, the numbers don't compare," Burylo said.
Russ Williams and his wife are in the final stages of buying property in the western region of Mazatlan. Williams says he's looking forward to his retirement.
"You can get along fine down there, we've met some very nice local people in Mazatlan," he said.
Mexican government prints safety ads
Miguel Cortines, a Calgary-based consultant who helps Canadian businesses forge relationships with groups in Mexico, says the Mexican government has placed safety ads in magazines, cautioning visiting Canadians and Americans not to drive late at night.
"Things you do in Mexico for safety you can do in any place in the world," he said. "Even here in Calgary, you should be very cautious about your security, right?"
Last Saturday, two Ontarians were wounded in a drive-by shooting outside their hotel in Acapulco. The shooting comes weeks after 19-year-old Adam DePrisco from Woodbridge, Ont., was killed in the same resort city.
A Mexican doctor blamed the teenager's death on a hit and run, but his family and friends allege he was beaten to death.
Last month, a man from Chatham, Ont., was struck by a car and killed in Guadalajara.
Dominic and Nancy Ianiero, also of Woodbridge, were found slain in their hotel room near Cancun nearly a year ago.
Mexican authorities initially named two Ontario women, Cheryl Everall and Kimberly Kim, as suspects. Everall and Kim, who have set up a website to clear their names, are calling on Ottawa to declare a travel ban to Mexico. The Thunder Bay women say Mexico is not a safe tourist destination. |
Vallarta Weddings
Puerto Vallarta Real Estate | February 2007 
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