When you think of Mexico Retirement Communities, which place names come to mind? Maybe Lake Chapala or Puerto Vallarta? While these are excellent retirement choices, you may also wish to consider Yucatan Real Estate, especially in the capital of Merida for your retirement.Merida, a city of 800,000 people, is a beautiful colonial city that is full of culture, history and activity, but where retirees can still relax and enjoy a worry-free retirement with all their necessities nearby. The colorfully painted homes and 2 or 3 storey buildings line narrow roads, which run in a perfectly straight line through the old city. In the colonial city center, you’re likely to see a horse drawn carriage or bicycles blended in with cars and modern transportation, to hear traditional music and to find great opportunities to try local food.Merida is also home to the largest population of Mayan people; walking through the streets of Merida, you will have a very good chance of hearing people speaking Mayan as their day to day language, with Spanish as the main language. The city was originally Mayan, established in the 13th century, and abandoned by the Mayans before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, renaming the city Merida after the city in Spain.In the touristic colonial center, many people also speak English, and are very willing to help new residents find their way around. Near the city’s main attractions, police booths also include pamphlets and information in English. The city is clean, picturesque and very safe. On Sundays the old folks get together to dance in the city square, and the young people gather in the parks. For a retiree, this relaxing style of life in a year-round warm climate is ideal.But don’t imagine that Merida is a backwards city, stuck in the past; the real, living culture of the old city is the heart of a thriving metropolis which includes all kinds of communities, property types, a diverse economy and many, many activities and services. Nearby golf courses, live music, jazz concerts, art shows – both traditional and modern – close access to the touristy beachfront (or a only a little further to more isolated beaches, if that appeals more to you) are only a few of the activities for retirement in Yucatan’s capital.Because of NAFTA, living in Mexico has come to offer many of the same conveniences of living in the U.S. or Canada, and Merida more so than most parts of the country. The metropolitan area also includes modern shopping malls, new large-screen movie theaters, and international restaurants. Health care is among the best in this part of the world, drawing residents from central America. The city is also planning on investing directly into retirement-focused facilities in the near future, making retirement even more attractive here.And what kind of property do you imagine for your retirement? A luxury beachfront condo, a beautiful single family home near a golf course, a traditional Mexican home in a Colonial neighborhood? Merida offers these and much more, all at prices more accessible than you might imagine. Consider Merida for your retirement. It might just be the place for you.

“Austin based Ardent Residential and Atlanta-based Post Properties have purchased almost five acres of land in a highly desirable area for redevelopment. The two companies, working in partnership, bought up Kingswood Apartments and Bull Creek Townhomes. Bull Creek Townhomes at 4320 Bull Creek Road is a 140-unit residential community. Kingswood Apartments is a 32-unit community situated at 4318 Bull Creek Rd. The two buildings were purchased in two separate deals, apparently as part of a plan to scrape and rebuild.The new Alexan City Lights apartment complex, a Class-A complex of homes, has been purchased by Los Angeles-based SCI Real Estate Investments LLC. The building was completed only last year by Trammell Crow Residential and Opus West Corp. According to Travis County tax records, the property at 501 East Stassney Lane has a value of $33 million. At the time of the deal, Alexan City Lights was 96% leased. According to reports, the sale was brokered by Apartment Realty Advisors.Alexan City Lights received a great deal of press last year, when it was built near Congress Avenue in South Austin. This upscale apartment development has many amazing amenities, including remote-controlled limited entry, paved entrance, a coffee bar, a high-tech fitness center that is open 24 hours, a business in conference and center that boasts computers copiers and faxes, a resort style pool, a veranda area, a built in barbecue, and outdoor fireplace, a carport, and an attached parking garage. All common areas of the building include wireless Internet access, and most resident entries have ceramic tile. Most residences include side-by-side refrigerators, built in microwave ovens, gourmet island kitchens, designer cabinets and countertops, faux hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, crown moldings, large closets, ceiling fans, and large utility rooms. Residence units boast Satina Whirlpool appliances, private patios, linen closets, garden tubs, marble sink vanities, walk-in closets, multiple cable and phone lines, and much more. For truly comfortable urban living, Alexan City Lights certainly delivers with lots of space and a great modern style. The building is comfortable and modern and has all the amenities needed for a modern family or couple.Lease terms for the apartments are a minimum of 12 months. This three-story building has central air-conditioning and is conveniently located close to a number of good schools, including Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Bedichek Middle School, and Crockett High School. Pets are allowed in the building with no damage deposits or fees. SCI Real Estate Investments LLC certainly brought a building with lots of potential and a good location. The low vacancy rate will only help the investors. At this time it is unknown whether any major renovations are planned, but it will certainly be interesting to see what long-term plans SCI Real Estate Investments LLC has for Alexan City Lights.”

Due to a massive inward migration fueled by the Queensland Mining Boom, Brisbane’s Real Estate has seen some massive redevelopment over the last 10 years. Brisbane was very much the sleepy town before hitting the international news when it hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Since then it has seen a huge increase in population as people have migrated there for the sunny climate and job security.This increase in population has brought substantial gains in Real Estate Prices and has seen the architectural landscape change. Many Brisbane suburbs have gone through the first gentrification changes and are unrecognizable from just a few years ago.The Real Estate architecture in Brisbane is made up of Queenslanders, Post War, Contemporary Modern and Apartments. The main changes are evident in suburbs that had mainly post war homes because of a council ruling on demolition of post 1946 homes. These post war homes have been removed by many to be replaced by contemporary homes which cater for the modern family that demand modern indoor spaces. Usually the homes are built on 405 square metre blocks of land and many boast elegant swimming pools and outdoor entertainment areas.Some of the post war Real Estate has been removed on land zoned LMR ( low medium residential) which allows more than one dwelling to be built on it. A common redevelopment has seen the building of four townhouses on a 809 square metre block of LMR land.The Brisbane City Council has tried to preserve some of the Real Estate heritage by restricting the removal of pre 1946 homes. Some Real Estate sits in Demolition Control Areas which makes it difficult to remove or modify the property. A full application has to be made to council on the grounds of property in a state of disrepair or materially modified beyond its original character.Some areas have been zoned for high density such as suburbs like Chermside. Here developers have built multi level apartment blocks to meet the demand of low cost housing.Brisbane is set to change rapidly over the coming years as land becomes more scare in inner city areas.