Once named La Ciudad Mas Amigable en el Mundo or the friendliest city on Earth, Mexican resort Puerto Vallarta’s 40 different local beaches and moderate tropical climate have made it one of the top destinations in recent decades for American and Canadian retirees seeking the advantages of a beach and ocean front lifestyle. Since the early 1990s, the Puerto Vallarta area has seen rapid and substantial increases condo, rental apartment and hotel construction, making it one of the fastest growing regions in the Americas. Recently, expanded development has extended to areas just north of Puerto Vallarta, which offer both the benefits of proximity to the popular resort destination but a more relaxed and quieter environment. Nueva Vallarta Located just 30 minutes north of downtown Puerta Vallarta and at the center of the Bay of Banderas, Nueva Vallarta has experienced a surge in its popularity in recent years. With beautiful, sandy beach fronts, two champion golf courses, a multitude of watersport and other activities nearby, a wealth of modern amenities, and very low crime rate, Nueva Vallarta has become a popular destination for families and retirees. In 2010, Nueva Vallarta was the winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Award for family vacation destination. Established originally as a destination to increase foreign tourism, recent years have seen a shift in development towards permanent homes and lifestyle communities. In 2010, the first American-developed beachfront community for retirees in Mexico, Luma, was completed in Nueva Vallarta. Condo and home residence prices range from the mid $200s to as high as $2 million. While this may seem high, many expect that as the global real estate market recovers that Nueva Vallarta’s popularity will continue to increase. San Pancho Originally envisioned and planned to be an “ideal Mexican village” by Mexican President Echeverría in the 1970s, San Pancho is the nickname for the Mexican town of San Francisco. Located 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, the quaint beach front town has a population of little more than 2000 and serves as the cultural capital of the state of Nayarit. Echeverria’s Utopia remained a unknown paradise until the 1990s when the first expatriates began to arrive. While the town maintains a close proximity to Vallarta’s modern amenities and shopping, local zoning and planning requirements have continued to allow San Pancho to retain its quaint, serene lifestyle. None of the buildings are more than three stories high and most of the town’s population are descended from the original four families that built the community. In addition to the usual water and ocean sports, the town is situated just west of the beautiful Sierra Madre mountains, an attraction for jungle and forest lovers. Other local activities include horseback riding, polo, soccer, bird watching and several great golf courses are within easy driving distance. A performing arts center is currently under construction and the town’s plaza already is home to art galleries and exhibits from both local and international artists. As expected, recent years have increased San Pancho’s popularity and real estate prices. Lot prices start at under $100,000 and home prices can range from the high $100K to over one million. Still, for investors seeking the next “hot” area near Puerta Vallarta -- with small town appeal and cultural attractions – San Pancho is the place to be. Additional reading: Climate, lifestyle draw Canadians to Nuevo Vallarta