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      by Byron Bales

Here's one of the big ones! If you don't know about the latest American invasion of Mexico - America stole 1/3 of that country over a century ago - it's time someone told you.

I don't believe there's even a rough estimate of how many retired Americanos have (legally) crossed the Rio Grande in recent decades, but suffice it to say, a whole pea pot full. While 'a whole pea pot full' isn't exactly scientific, to be sure it's in the millions.

Lots of reasons why. The Alamo is securely in our hands, Pancho Villa is dead and won't be retaliating, Mexico hasn't nationalized U.S. property in many years, and with NAFTA, Mexico's outlook is brighter than ever before while the economy and exchange rate remains very favorable for the Gringo from up Norte. The peso consistently hovers around 10 to one US dollar.

Mexico is extremely diverse. Great weather generally, good food, low property costs, and an expanding health care industry are more reasons to retire there. A reasonably friendly populace, more readily available international products and an increasing infrastructure are other reasons.

Generally, it's safer anywhere in Mexico than in parts of L.A: Roads and airlines schedules have dramatically improved and the Federales actually try to catch the banditos. So what if many Mexican governmental departments are as corrupt as ever; it doesn't affect the retiree.

Mexico is a huge country and I can't heap all areas and states into one basket. There are places I'd retire to in Mexico and others I wouldn't. Even in many states, there are variations. I'd live in Zacatecas (city) before I lived in just about any other town in Zacatecas State.

Guadalajara (very popular with Gringos) I don't care for at all and don't understand the attraction. An interesting city, though. I believe it's popularity is because early American retirees starting camping there and one thing led to another and now everyone and their cousin started retiring down there. So, that's sort of like parts of L.A., but in reverse.

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