Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Have you been thinking about retiring in Mexico, but haven't quite decided where you want to live? It's a big country and you have many wonderful options, from laid back beaches to pristine mountain environments and from bustling culture-rich cities to small, peaceful villages.

Most people start off considering a Mexican retirement because of its low cost of living – it is possible to live in Mexico in considerable style on a social security income. But others come here because of its warm winter climate, its great beauty, or because it is an adventure far opposed from living in a stateside-gated American retirement community.

Whatever your reasons for considering a Mexican retirement, here are some key factors to consider before making your move:

International Living editors, Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher, recently listed The '4 C's' of choosing your overseas retirement destination: Comfort, Convenience, Cost and Culture.

1. Comfort: This includes climate, terrain and safety. For us, that means no snow, a flat walk able urban area, and of course, we want it to be safe. We'd never consider any location that we don't feel is generally safe - although no society is completely crime-free. Just as at home, you'll find rough neighborhoods in every big city. And while you'll probably never find your way to any of them, it's important to be selective about where you choose to live.

2. Convenience: For us, this means being close to an international airport, a good hospital, shopping and the entertainment amenities important to us.

3. Cost: We want the place we live to be affordable. Just makes sense.

4. Culture: You'll be moving to a foreign community so make sure you enjoy the local culture. And be sure that there are plenty of opportunities to keep yourself engaged... whether it's water sports and outdoor activities or music and theater, or golf and shopping, be sure your interests will be satisfied.

Mexico is a huge country where you'll find most everything you need. It offers a low cost of living in a variety of different environments, from colonial cities in the mountains to gorgeous little beach and resort towns. In many locals throughout Mexico there are huge communities of retired expats from the US and Canada where most everyone speaks at least a little English.

Now that they've laid the groundwork, which retirement destination should top your list?

Baja California Sur

Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, and San Jose del Cabo are the southernmost points on the long Baja Peninsula, which starts with the border city of Tijuana and nearby Ensenada. By contrast with these northern towns, the Peninsula, known colloquially as 'Baja' by Americans and Canadians, is renowned for its natural beauty and pristine environment. Expats have settled all along this beautiful coast that's famous for whale watching and sports fishing. Handicraft shops, owner-operated art galleries featuring landscape paintings of local scenes, upscale restaurants, boutique hotels and restored colonial buildings abound in the peninsula's coastal towns.

Guadalajara

Called "The Pearl of the West," Guadalajara is the Capital of Jalisco and Mexico’s 2nd largest city. It is also one of the largest urban centers in North America. This stately city in north central Mexico used to be one of the hotter spots for Americans to retire. In recent years it has ceded its popularity to the Lake Chapala region some 45 minutes to the south. Still, many prefer Guadalajara because of its culture, shopping which includes big-box American stores like Wal-Mart and Costco, graceful architecture, and old-style Mexican ambience. Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city with 5 million people. An estimated 50,000 Americans live in the greater Guadalajara area.

Lake Chapala and Ajijic

An hour south of Guadalajara, Mexico's Lake Chapala lies at the latitude of Hawaii but at the elevation of Boulder, Colorado. The most popular place for American and Canadian retirees is in the Lake Chapala region, either in Chapala (Lakeside) or nearby Ajijic. Planned, gated communities dominate there. Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest fresh water lake and incredibly beautiful Americans and Mexicans tend to live side by side in Chapala, whereas Ajijic tends to be more homogeneously populated by those from north of the border. Magnificent year-round weather is just one reason they've been popular expat destinations for more than 70 years.

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a major port and tourism is popular because of its twenty-plus miles of sandy beaches. Due to its location to the north of Puerto Vallarta, its weather is quite mild and warm throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 68° to 80° Fahrenheit depending on the season. During the 40's and 50's many hotels were built here to accommodate the tourist trade, and the city contains a large number of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. The city is also home to a brewery, a coffee factory, and the Teatro Angela Peralta, which houses a concert hall, galleries, an art school and a conservatory of music and dance.

Puebla

This World Heritage Site is located at about 7,000 ft. about sea level in the mountains of central Mexico, 2 hours south of Mexico City. The city has a distinguished tradition as an ancient Spanish city. It has preserved its great religious structures such as the 16th–17th-century cathedral and fine buildings like the old archbishop's palace, as well as a host of houses with walls covered in tiles (azulejos). Along with its rich culture and architectural history, the city features many colorful squares, a vibrant arts scene, and is the gastronomical capital of Mexico. It is another of the most popular retirement destinations for North Americans.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most appealing destinations for the baby boomers generation, as it has been named one of the top destinations for retirement by leading travel and lifestyle publications such as AARP, Zoomer, International Living, and US News and World Report. This city on the Pacific Coast has been growing and growing for the last 40 years, and there are many retirement destination perks found here, such as its accessibility from major hubs in the US and Canada, affordable homes, first class medical care facilities, a vibrant culinary and cultural scene, many popular American franchises (Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot), and a growing international community.

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a former colonial silver town that many consider to be the crown jewel of central Mexico. One of the most well-preserved Spanish colonial towns in Mexico, San Miguel is a United Nations World Heritage site and was recently named in Conde Nast Readers' Choice poll as the best city in the world. Its expat community is large, well-organized, and eclectic. Air connections from the nearby international airports at Queretaro and Leon are excellent. It has the cobblestone streets and charm that reminds one of old Mexico. It also has terrific shopping (art and folk-art), many excellent restaurants, which tends to attracts many wealthy people.

So there you have it. Retirement in Mexico can be not only comfortable, but easy and fully appointed, with world-class golf courses, marinas, restaurants and shopping. This is a lifestyle that is available only on a limited basis worldwide, and is truly (not metaphorically) comparable to the best you could enjoy in southern California if you could afford it. In Mexico, you can afford to retire in style on an average budget.