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The first members of the baby boom generation turn 65.

The first post-World War II babies started arriving in 1946, months after the soldiers got home.

Now, as the boomers prepare to retire, many of them will be tracing their fathers’ footsteps offshore.  Not to war this time, but to a retirement they can afford and enjoy.

The baby boomers represent more than 84 million individuals in the United States and 9 million in Canada.  They have been the driving force behind the U.S. and world economies their whole lives, and their retirement years won’t be any different.  For the next two decades, a continuous flow of new retirees will create a booming market for retirement homes and services.

Right now, many boomers are wondering how they can afford to quit work and retire on their pension, Social Security, and meager savings.  This generation has done many things well – but saving isn’t one of them.  Inflation has driven up the cost of living over the years, recession and taxes cut into wages, and easy credit made living beyond your means the social norm.

But when the paychecks stop, and the level of income drops, baby boomers are going to be forced to live on less.  Some have pensions worth far less than they counted on having.  Where could they go to make their home equity, and their monthly retirement income, stretch to cover the cost of a comfortable life?

AARP:  Best Places to Retire Abroad

In September 2010, the AARP Magazine published its list of the Best Places to Retire Abroad.  Six of the 10 recommended countries were in Latin America.

AARP isn’t the first nor the only organization to tell US baby boomers that Latin American countries offer a much higher standard of living for much lower cost than they can find at home.  But with close to 36 million members, it certainly commands the most attention.

Mike Cobb, president of ECI, a retirement community development company in Central America, has been anticipating this moment for years.  It’s what he calls “the convergence of demographics and scarcity.”

“The consumer demand for retirement homes in Latin America is set to take off,” he says.  “But the supply of homes that meets North American standards is far short of the potential demand.”

Today’s consumers largely take for granted the basic comforts of reliable electricity, excellent water pressure, high speed bandwidth for internet, access to top notch medical care, and quality construction.  In Latin America, many developers fail to provide even these basic services.

Boomer retirees want life, activities, neighbors, and community, something that the majority of these projects, cannot offer.   Only a few developers deliver the excellent infrastructure and amenities needed for a high quality of life experience that North Americans have come to expect.

Following the model established by most successful North American retirement communities in North America, Cobb’s ECI is developing what he calls the “Sun City of Latin America.”  The company provides high-quality products in a variety of environments including the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the cool tropical mountains, and the arid, high deserts of South America.

Two of AARP’s top-rated countries – Nicaragua and Belize – are home to ECI retirement communities that are already up and running, and continue to welcome new residents.  Costa Rica, another AARP top pick, is next on ECI’s list.  The developer has bought 1,100 acres of prime coastal property with nearly two miles of white-sand, Caribbean beach, and permitting is already underway for a new community there.

ECI also is looking for opportunities to expand to other countries on the AARP list, including Panama and Argentina.

Even after the economic meltdown of 2008, Cobb points out, the baby boomers are about to enter their next stage of life with more time and more money than any other generation in history.  With longer life expectancies, these consumers know that they will have many years of life after retiring.  They plan to travel, continue working, and even start new careers.  They want infrastructure, amenities, activities, neighbors and community.

The company that can offer all of the above, at an affordable price, in a choice of climates, is perfectly positioned to profit in the coming decades.  ECI Development is already serving this market, and is positioned to capture an even larger segment as it grows and expands.

If you agree that serving the retiring baby boomers in their golden years will be a “booming business,” then e-mail Mike Cobb clicking here right now, and ask for more information on the company and opportunities to take part.  You too can profit during this 20-year gold rush.

Michael Cobb's Bio and Contact »