24 April 2008 133 views No Comment

For investors in Mexico real estate, the guiding phrase should be “Location, Location, and Health Care.” Most of the foreigners who choose to purchase property in Mexico do so for one of two reasons: business or pleasure. In either case, proximity to world class health care is at the top of the list for “must have” amenities. The State of Yucatan can deservedly boast of having some of the best health care (and English-speaking physicians) to be found in the world, with StarMedica as the state-of-the-art flagship hospital, along with the International Red Cross Cancer Center.

Physicians have long reported that, in order to give emergency patients the best possible opportunity for a positive outcome, they should be able to get to a well equipped hospital within what is called “The Golden Hour.” Accepting that as a guide, then it would only make sense to go to StarMedica, drive a little less than an hour in all directions, then connect the dots into a Golden Circle. Anywhere on or inside that circle would be property that is virtually guaranteed to appreciate in value over time.

What would one find in the Golden Circle around StarMedica in the State of Yucatan? The first thing one would find is the sophisticated City of Merida. Yucatan Living does an excellent job of detailing what life is like for expats in Merida. In the photo gallery, the photos of Modern Merida quickly show that life in Merida is much like life in any 21st century city. But there are many other towns and villages that would fall inside the Golden Circle around world class health care in the State of Yucatan. The smart investor would do well to investigate all of them.

One example of a small city that lies within Yucatan’s Golden Circle around world class health care is the City of Motul, which is a colonial city with a history that is richer than most because it is the birthplace of one of Yucatan’s most beloved historical figures, Gov. Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Today, Motul is a thriving city that lies in almost a straight line to the east, and on an excellent new highway, about 30 minutes from StarMedica Hospital in Merida. Yet, Motul retains much of its Mayan culture.

Even with a 21st century Internet presence, Motul is still the kind of small town that can post pictures of local children and brag about their accomplishments. Here is just one of these special children: Niña de la Semana (Little Girl of the Week) in Motul. Browsing through Motul’s site is proof positive that small town “America” still not only lives, but thrives not 30 minutes from world class health care in Merida. Founded in the 11th century, it is a fairly safe bet that the City of Motul will be around for a while. Within 30 minutes of world class health care, it is also a fairly safe bet that property in the area of Motul is now, and will continue to be, one of the best real estate investments in all of Mexico.