The Silver Economy in Mazatlán, Sinaloa: A Critical
Inquiry into Retiree Migration
Resumen. La migración implica el traslado de personas,
fenómeno que se ha intensificado en la era de la globalización,
con un aumento sin precedentes en la movilidad humana. La
migración de jubilados del Norte económico hacia destinos
como Mazatlán, en el Sur económico, es relevante y poco
estudiada. Estos jubilados buscan un clima cálido, menor costo
de vida y mejor calidad de vida. Sin embargo, surgen
preguntas sobre si estas decisiones son solo por placer o
influidas por factores económicos como el capitalismo
financiarizado y la crisis del 2007. Esta migración ejemplifica
la fluidez de las sociedades contemporáneas y el papel crucial
de la tecnología. Además, destaca la complejidad de los
procesos migratorios en un contexto globalizado, donde las
motivaciones individuales se entrelazan con fuerzas
económicas y sociales más amplias.
Palabras clave: migración en Mazatlán, Sinaloa, turismo de
jubilados, migración de pensionados, turismo residencial en
Mazatlán
Abstract. Migration, at its core, entails the displacement of
individuals from one place to another, bringing with it new
experiences and significant changes. In the current era of
globalization, this phenomenon has intensified, with an
unprecedented increase in human mobility and global
interconnectedness. In this context, the migration of retirees
from economically affluent countries to economically less
advantaged countries, such as in the case of Mazatlán, stands
out as a particularly relevant and understudied phenomenon.
These retirees often seek in destinations like Mazatlán a
warmer climate, lower cost of living, and overall better quality
of life. However, this movement also raises questions about
whether these decisions are purely for pleasure or if they are
influenced by broader economic factors, such as financialized
capitalism and the 2007 global crisis. The migration of foreign
retirees to Mazatlán exemplifies the fluidity and mobility of
contemporary societies, as well as the crucial role of technology
in facilitating these displacements. At the same time, it
highlights the complexity of migratory processes in a
globalized context, where individual motivations intertwine
with broader economic and social forces.
Keywords: Migration in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, retired tourism,
pensioner migration, residential tourism in Mazatlán.
I. INTRODUCTION
Capitalism, driven by insatiable profit-seeking,
undergoes continual accumulation, now through
financialization (1). This process integrates profitable agents
while expelling unprofitable ones, creating a dichotomy
between the included and the marginalized. Labor migrants
from economically unproductive countries represent the
marginalized, seeking opportunities elsewhere. (2) suggests
that the excluded in capitalism epitomize a paradoxical form
of inclusion, where integration and expulsion highlight the
excess of a universalizing power dynamic. Retired migrants,
initially excluded within their home countries, assume an
inclusive role upon migrating and integrating into recipient
societies.
The 2007 crisis, linked to personal income
financialization and savings, particularly through toxic
mortgage loans, undermined the interests and quality of life
of many retirees. Consequently, many chose to liquidate
debts and migrate to countries with lower living costs,
extending their pensions. Between 2005 and 2010, over 13.3
million foreclosure notices were issued, leading to
approximately 9.3 million evictions, affecting around 35
million individuals (3). This intensified capital extraction
coincided with the collapse of personal savings in the
United States, indicating underlying weaknesses in real
accumulation (4).
Under global capitalism, capital commodifies objectives,
values, and narratives, exploiting well-being for
accumulation (5). Retirees construct a social imaginary
influenced by information received through various
channels. They choose destinations based on attainable
quality of life and marketing narratives. Some are driven by
a desire for authentic intercultural encounters or off-the-
beaten-path tourism (6).
Studies on retired migrants highlight factors pushing
migration, including political and economic considerations
and the high costs of living on a pension in the United
States. The choice of countries such as Ecuador, Costa Rica,
Panama, and Mexico is influenced by proximity, English
speakers, political stability, and existing infrastructure (7);
(8).
Policy considerations on migration, taxes, and healthcare
impact retirees' decisions. Restrictions on healthcare
insurance portability abroad hinder access to healthcare
coverage. Some retirees aspire to maintain or avail of
medical insurance in countries like Ecuador, where it's
relatively less expensive than in the United States.
Retirees' migration decisions stem from prior
experiences, recommendations, or research through various
channels, including the internet and publications like
International Living. Articles on retirement destinations
further influence their choices (5).
II. RETIREE MIGRATION IN THE ERA OF
GLOBALIZATION: EXPLORING PATTERNS,
PERSPECTIVES, AND IMPACTS MAZATLÁN,
SINALOA
In the context of economic globalization over the past
thirty years, migrations have gained significant prominence
worldwide, not only from regions of the South to the North
but also among regions within the South and, in recent
years, from the North to the South, with specific migratory
flows such as those of retirees seeking a higher quality of
life at the end of their working lives. Radical changes in
transportation and information technologies, along with the
aging population in wealthy countries, negative impacts of
structural adjustment economic policies in the South leading
to mass migration outflows, the interdependence of North-
South labor markets, and other factors have led Stephen
Castles and his colleagues to characterize the current
migratory situation as the era of migrations (9).
Every day, more elderly individuals from developed
countries decide to live in a country other than their country
of birth. This new dynamism and flow of migrants from the
economic North settling in Southern countries require a
different theoretical analysis, as it is non-labor migration,
non-typical for economic and social studies. Regarding
these retired migrants, they are considered residential
tourists since they do not fit into the theoretical frameworks
and archetypes of migrant workers from underdeveloped
countries migrating to countries with better economic
conditions. Nor are they normal tourists, as their stays
extend for months or even years. This ambiguity and
discrepancy in concepts mean that the typology of the
migration they undertake is currently not well defined; some
theorists define it as privileged migration (10), while others
classify it as residential tourism (11). Other perspectives
focus on "lifestyle migrations" or "life style migration" (12),
while others base their studies on the comforts or amenities
that host locations provide, using the term "amenities
migration" (13); (14). Some researchers study aging
processes, "aging migration" or "aging in place," using the
term to describe individuals who live in a place by their own
choice and with the intention of aging there for as long as
life permits (15). Finally, others examine the link between
the place where older adults reside and the changes they
bring to those communities (16).
Most of the literature on this topic does not delve into
elucidating the reasons why older adults decide to leave
their country of origin. The reasons are overlooked under a
discourse of supply and the virtues that destination sites
possess (beaches, low housing costs, good climate all year
round, tranquility, etc.), while the contexts of departure and
economic, political, and social structures are omitted.
Therefore, as (17) comments, it is necessary to develop a
perspective that goes beyond the focus on rational choice
and integrates structure and agency into the analysis, where
there is a thorough analysis of social processes. The
migration of retirees has been understudied in our region,
although it has been researched in other areas such as Spain
and North Africa due to retirees from Northern Europe
seeking a better quality of life in the Mediterranean.
Although this phenomenon is relatively recent, it has
sparked interest in the social sciences. Retiree migration,
mostly from the Global North to the Global South, is poorly
understood and has received little academic attention.
However, in recent years, there has been increased interest
in understanding the economic, cultural, and social impact
of retiree migrants.
This research delves into the migration of retirees from
the United States and Canada to Mazatlán, Sinaloa,
conceptualizing the phenomenon through existing literature
and qualitative interviews. Mazatlán, located in the state of
Sinaloa in Mexico, emerges as a noteworthy destination for
pensioners due to its combination of cultural richness and
natural beauty. With its privileged location along the Pacific
Ocean, Mazatlán is renowned for its kilometers of golden
sandy beaches and tropical climate. The city offers a wide
range of activities for retirees, from relaxing on the beaches
to exploring the historic downtown with its colonial
architecture, charming plazas, and the famous Mazatlán
Cathedral. Additionally, Mazatlán boasts a vibrant culinary
scene where retirees can indulge in fresh seafood and
authentic Mexican cuisine. Therefore, Mazatlán represents a
compelling case study for understanding retiree migration
and its implications in the broader context of global
mobility.
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research employs a multifaceted approach to
investigate the phenomenon of migracion de jubilados o
turismo residencial en Mazatlan, Sinaloa. The preliminary
phases of the study employ snowball sampling, a method
invaluable for populations lacking a clear sampling
framework (18). This approach capitalizes on the social
networks of participants to obtain referrals, thereby enabling
the recruitment of new individuals (18). The research
follows a qualitative methodology, encompassing a range of
data collection techniques (19). These methodologies
encompass:
1.- Participant Observation: Direct engagement with
the research setting allows for firsthand observations of the
social environment (19).
2.-Semi-structured In-depth Interviews: In-depth
interviews with key informants delve deeper into their
experiences and perspectives (20).
3.- Documentary and Indirect Documentary
Approaches: Analysis of relevant documents and records
supplements the data collected (21).
 The research begins with a case study approach,
dissecting the configuration of each case to illuminate
broader phenomena (22). This approach allows for in-depth
exploration of the Saraguro canton and its unique approach
to sustainable tourism. The ultimate goal is to generate
knowledge applicable to other contexts. This necessitates an
in-depth exploration of multiple cases within the broader
study (21).
As stated by (23), applied research addresses specific
issues within particular circumstances. This study focuses
on the challenges and opportunities related to tourism
development in Mazatlán, a location with growing tourist
potential. The research in Mazatlán leans towards
descriptive research, characterized by a systematic
description and analysis of observed phenomena (19). This
approach aims to capture the current state of tourism
development in Mazatlán.
Combining direct and indirect observation allows for
data collection through personal observation and analysis of
existing materials (19). This entails visiting Mazatlán and
engaging with both tourists and business owners to gain an
understanding of the local tourism environment. Indirect
observation includes the analysis of oral and written
testimonials from individuals who have interacted with
Mazatlán tourists. Content analysis, a systematic approach
for interpreting communication products, is utilized to
analyze collected data (24). This method allows for
objective, systematic exploration of the manifest content of
communication, aligning with Berelson's qualitative content
analysis perspective (25). Non-probabilistic sampling is
employed to select participants for in-depth interviews
exploring their perspectives on silver economy tourism in
Mazatlán (19). These interviews, based on Allen-Perkins
approach, delve into the informants' experiences with
tourism or migrant perspectives (26).
IV. UTOPIAN ASPIRATIONS IN RETIREMENT
MIGRATION:
Thomas More's "Utopia" (1516) offers a vision of an
equitable and just society, serving as a lens to understand
the migration of retirees to Mazatlán, Sinaloa (27). In
"Utopia," resources are shared equitably, resonating with
retirees seeking a better quality of life and lower living costs
(28). However, retirement migration raises concerns about
inequality and access to resources, reflecting broader
societal disparities (29). Interaction between retirees and
locals can enrich culture but may also pose integration
challenges (30).
Retirees' migration to Mazatlán embodies an imaginary
of an ideal retirement, where dreams of seaside living and
socializing come true (31). They construct narratives linking
new experiences with improved well-being, forming
resilience strategies amidst adversity (32). In a context of
global capitalism, retirement migration reflects complex
interactions between individual resources and societal
changes (33).
Residential tourism serves as a resilience strategy for
both retirees and host communities, particularly in global
southern countries (34). Despite limited literature, retiree
migration presents avenues for future research into this
emerging dynamic (35). By using "Utopia" as a framework,
we can critically examine retiree migration, acknowledging
its potential benefits and challenges (30).
V. CONCLUSIONS
The migration of retirees from North America and
Western Europe to Mazatlán over the past decades is
understood as a strategy adopted by retirees primarily from
the United States and Canada, and subsequently from other
countries, seeking an improved quality of life in Mexico.
This movement has grown over time, now representing over
6.5% of the local population, thereby generating a local
economy focused on meeting the needs of these migrants,
ranging from tourist services to healthcare.
While this migration may have positive economic
impacts, such as job creation, it also entails inflationary
effects and significant social, cultural, and political changes
in the receiving community. Local residents may feel
displaced or lose control over their environment as the
influence of retired migrants becomes more evident. This
challenge underscores the need for inclusive public policies
that promote harmonious coexistence between the new
migrant community and traditional residents.
For many of the interviewed migrants, the decision to
retire in Mazatlán is based on economic considerations, as it
allows them to maintain or enhance their quality of life due
to lower living costs and the ability to maximize their
pensions. Additionally, the availability of quality healthcare
services and appropriate medical infrastructure are
determining factors for those seeking adequate medical care
during their retirement.
However, migration is not limited solely to economic
aspects. It also entails cultural changes, where migrants
adapt their values and behaviors to those of the receiving
community. Some migrants find a new quality of life by
integrating into communities that foster cultural and social
activities different from those they were accustomed to in
their countries of origin.
Further research is needed to fully understand the
motives and implications of this retiree migration. The lack
of precise data hinders the accurate evaluation of its
economic and social impact. However, factors such as social
security, financial crises, and low living costs influence the
decision to migrate. Ultimately, retiree migration to
Mazatlán and other southern destinations is a complex
phenomenon that requires a holistic approach. It is essential
to consider not only economic aspects but also social,
cultural, and political factors to develop effective public
policies that promote harmonious and beneficial integration
for all parties involved.
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