Rocky Point -

 - is Arizona’s nearest coast. 

My main goal for you is to become familiar with Mexico and feel comfortable when you visit… 

After all, as I have said, it is a foreign country – different than the States in so many ways. 

One of the most popular Mexico tourist destinations for those living in the States is Puerto Penasco –

usually called Rocky Point, the closest beach that Arizona has! It’s only a 60 mile drive, once you cross the border into Mexico.

The first thing that may seem a bit scary is the border crossing itself,

when you head to Rocky Point…

…Don’t let it be intimidating. 

The type of scenery you’re going to encounter driving from the States to Puerto Penasco is very similar to parts of Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. The mountains are beautiful and the cactus and flora is so diverse. It’s always a great drive. Of course, do be careful. Be aware of your surroundings, study your maps. Don’t be foolish and go exploring on deserted side roads all by yourself. 

There’s usually not a lot of traffic – that’s true on a lot of Mexico’s roads. So, make sure you keep your gas tank full, and your car in good running condition. (Wouldn’t hurt to keep a cooler with drinks and snacks in the car with you too. Sometimes in Mexico, it’s a long distance between places.) 

Rocky Point is a fun place to visit and spend some vacation time. The seafood there is just wonderful! The area can really be a bit “touristy”, but still… it’s worth visiting if you have the time. We have friends who LOVE Rocky Point and who have their own condos and time-shares there. 

So different strokes for different folks! 

Rocky Point article by Barbie.

This article was inspired by an email I received. The author, who will remain anonymous, was “putting down” many retirement communities.

Depending on what is important to you, you may find the following destinations to be some of the worst places to retire or you may not! (My opinions are in the parenthese.) Keep in mind everyone has different wants and needs and expectations.

Clearwater City, Florida:  Large senior citizen population (Personally I see nothing wrong with that!)

Austin, Texas: Hard Time Getting a Doctor who Takes Medicare (I don’t know why.)

Anchorage, Alaska: Fewest Fellow Seniors (Brrrrr!!)

Bridgeport, Connecticut: Highest Taxes.

Wisconsin: The 2005 Bloomberg Wealth Manager rated Wisconsin the worst state for retirees, saying they pay on average $17,528 in property, income and sales taxes. (Yikes! There goes a huge amount of our income for the year!)

New Jersey:  Llocal property taxes average $1,871 (ranks low for retirees.)

Washington, DC: Most poor Seniors (and high cost of living!!! – great place to visit – but live there??? Especially in retirement??? Nope! Sort of like New Orleans – for Dick and I, as I report in my book, Retire In Luxury, we loved living there where the job checks were coming in, and we love visiting there now, but live there? No, No…)

Rhode Island: Least Older Men (Here, I am reminded of the “Casserole Brigade” in one retirement community. Dick was talking to a recently widowed gentleman at a gathering we were at and he was filling Dick in on the phenomenon that happens upon a wife’s death – the casserole brigade appears delivering casseroles in droves. This particular gentleman had no interest in “things in a dish that were unrecognizable”…and kept his trash full and the dishwasher busy just disposing of the “food”. Gals – take note…maybe an invitation for lunch at a nearby restaurant would be appropriate.)

Provo, Utah: Most Youthful Population (Dick and I recently spent some time in Utah – a unique state – full of wonderful, breathtaking scenery.)

Queens, New York: Violence and the Boulevard of Death (Oh dear…well, so much for New York! Think taxes may be a bit high there too!)

Your Kid’s House: (Well, as a last resort, maybe.)