Many people dream of enjoying their retirement years sailing or cruising America’s waterways. The trouble with that retirement plan is that it can require a big retirement nest egg. If it’s the boater’s life you fantasize about for your retirement, don’t give up on the dream. Consider taking it overseas.
Here are three places with top-notch marine facilities where you could embrace a boating lifestyle on a very modest budget.
[See: The Top Travel Destinations for Retirees.]
Mazatlán, Mexico. Mazatlán doesn’t just offer a great marina; this city includes an entire Marina District featuring a large waterway, developed by the city, that meanders for more than a mile and a half along the coast between 150 and 1,000 yards inland from the ocean.
The full service marina has 428 slips and can accommodate boats up to 120 feet in length. In addition to the gas dock, amenities include free Wi-Fi, showers, rest rooms, laundry service, a social center and a supermarket. If you’re cooking on board, you can arrange for daily fresh fish, shellfish and vegetable deliveries.
Along Mazatlán’s waterway, developers have put together attractive waterfront projects that include boat slips. The largest of these are the El Cid projects, single family homes, condos, marina space and a 27-hole golf course.
Mazatlán is an established resort city offering a full complement of resort amenities. The city is known for its fine dining, miles of beaches and boardwalk. The famous golden zone is adjacent to the Marina District, while the newly renovated historic center is about 20 minutes farther away. Between the two stretches is one of the hemisphere’s longest continuous beaches, bordered by a well maintained boardwalk and fronted by a few miles of restaurants, cafés and shops.
In Mazatlán, you could live right at the marina, meaning that, when you’re not boating these waters, you could sit on the terrace of your condo and watch the other boaters passing by. At the current rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso, you could purchase a nice condo in a position to allow for a view of the Pacific sunset for less than $200,000.
[See: 10 Places to Retire Overseas in 2017.]
Punta Del Este, Uruguay. The municipal marina at Punta del Este includes a total of 500 slips and moorings that can accommodate boats up to just over 42 feet in length. If your craft is longer, you can moor it out in the bay where the cruise ships anchor.
In addition to its gas dock, the marina offers a restaurant, Wi-Fi, dressing rooms, a weather center, gas station and a supermarket. The yacht club (and its notable restaurant) are located just across the street.
Punta del Este is South America’s premier beach resort, and the marina is one of the best located in the world. From your boat, you can walk to a long, calm swimming beach, as well as the best restaurants, cafés and nightlife that the city has to offer.
Punta del Este’s beaches, casinos, restaurants and upscale shops have attracted resort-goers from around the world for almost a century. Perhaps best of all, it’s located in Uruguay, a first world country with one of the continent’s highest standards of living, lowest levels of corruption and best infrastructure.
Right at the edge of the marina is Punta del Este’s Peninsula sector. Older, modest apartments here can be had for just over $100,000. Also available are large, luxury apartments priced in the millions. You could enjoy the boating life in Punta del Este part of each year and rent out your apartment when you’re not using it yourself.
[See: 10 Ways to Celebrate Your Retirement.]
Lagos, Portugal. Marina de Lagos claims to be the best marina in the Algarve and has received awards for the quality of its facilities. It is equipped with 462 slips that can accommodate craft up to 98 feet in length, and it is located on a stretch of Portugal’s coast said to offer the best sailing in Europe.
In addition to fuel services, Marina de Lagos offers Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, showers, rest rooms and professional drivers to shuttle you around. The marina also hosts a commercial center with restaurants, shops and bars, and a full supermarket is located just 200 yards north of the marina.
The location of this marina is ideal for a European boating base. You’re just 200 yards from a beautiful sandy beach bordered by calm, clear waters and within easy reach of 42 golf courses.
Best of all, you’re located alongside Lagos, a historic city of narrow cobblestoned streets, quaint cafés and shops. Lagos’ 16th-century city walls still encircle the whole of the old town, and Phoenician and Greek merchant ships once sheltered in its Bandeira Fortress, complete with drawbridge and moat, today an important tourist attraction.
With more than 320 days of sunshine per year, this is one of the sunniest spots in Europe. It’s also one of the old world’s greatest bargains. All this history and lifestyle can be enjoyed on a modest retirement budget. You could purchase an apartment directly on the marina and a short walk to the beach for as little as $200,000.
Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group.
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The World’s Best Boater Havens for Retirement originally appeared on usnews.com
