Millions of foreigners come to Mexico every year. Many, having seen and tasted life in Mexico, decide to stay here. And every year the number of expats settling in Mexico is growing.
Life in Mexico attracts expats with its lower rates, simplicity and ease, sunny climate and magnificent beaches, rich history and culture of the state. The attitude of Mexicans towards foreigners is almost always friendly and inviting. There are security problems in Mexico, however, so far they do not threaten expats any more than in many other countries in the world.
The choice of places to live in Mexico is simply huge, for every taste and budget. You have the right to settle on the coast and enjoy the sea and sun every day. You can immerse yourself in the local culture and choose to live in a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. You have the right to live in a modern metropolis with all its pros and cons, but have the opportunity to retire on the shore of some lake, where the infrastructure has been created just for the needs of foreigners.
4 cities that we will tell you about, — completely different. Each of them is considered the largest center of the expat community in Mexico in its direction. Thisfrom rating was compiled by the WeExpats website and is based primarily on the opinions of American expats. At least a million Americans live permanently in Mexico, making it the largest group of expats. Americans make up more than 60% of all foreigners permanently residing in Mexico.
You won't find Cancúna in this ranking. Perhaps for Russian-speaking expats thisfrom city — the best place to live in Mexico. However, no more than 20 thousand Russians permanently live in Mexico, and the Russian-speaking commune does not play a big role in the expat life of the state. Cancún is incomparable as a travel destination, as a place to breathe, and to give birth. In Cancún, it is allowed to do business by providing government services to guests and workers in the country. But if you just want a quiet life by the sea, take a look at the Pacific coast of Mexico — The climate is milder here, prices are lower, the cuisine is tastier, and this is where most foreigners live.
Puerto Vallarta — best city to live by the sea
Puerto Vallarta — one of the best cities to live in Mexico for those who prefer beach life. This is a large international resort with an urban area stretching almost 50 kilometers along the coast of Banderas Bay. Here you can simply live and spend your day on the shore. Activities include fishing, whale watching, sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing, to name just a few of the many water activities in the bay. The nearby Sierra Madre Mountains offer options for trekking, mountain biking and hiking, and the climate here is less sweltering in summer.
Only recently has the Riviera Nayarit become a newfangled tourist destination in Mexico, rivaling the Caribbean and Southern California. But an expat community began to form in Puerto Vallarta more than half a century ago, earlier than in many other cities in Mexico. During this time, expats were able to adapt the city's customs to their culture, and it is believed that the expat community of Puerto Vallarta — the biggest in the country. Puerto Vallarta International Airport provides reliable connections to the rest of the world and is considered another reason why many expats have made this city their new home.
Puerto Vallarta is also known for LGBT tourism, and the city has even been called the “Mexican San Francisco.”
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San Miguel de Allende — best historical city to live
San Miguel de Allende is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the world. Beautifully preserved pastel-colored buildings from the Spanish era dominate the city. San Miguel de Allende is also famous for its arts and crafts tradition. Its streets are lined with small shops and stalls selling locally produced handicrafts. There are many art galleries, cozy restaurants, parks and very beautiful squares. The city and its surroundings host numerous cultural festivals throughout the year. And most importantly, living here is very inexpensive!
The city is small, with a population of about 140 thousand people. The size of the emigrant community reaches about 10 thousand people, which is quite a lot. This makes the city one of the best places to live in Mexico for those who prefer the charm of a small town without seeming like they need to socialize with other expats.
While the need to adapt to heat and humidity — One of the conditions that is often necessary for living in Mexico, the climate of San Miguel de Allende is simply ideal. The city is located in the central part of the Mexican highlands, here there are warm days and cool, refreshing nights. It has a very low crime rate, making San Miguel de Allende one of the safest cities in Mexico.
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Merida — best cultural city to live
How and San Miguel de Allende, capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan Mérida — it is a picturesque colonial-era city teeming with local culture. But this is where the similarities between the two cities end. San Miguel de Allende — small and steeped in history, Mérida — big and modern. Merida is home to a million people, and, according to various estimates, of this million, about 4,000 are expats. You'll have to seriously brush up on your Spanish before moving to Merida. But Mérida is considered one of the best cities not only among expats. Many Mexicans would like to move here live.
Mérida has the status of cultural capital of the entire Yucatan Peninsula. There are many theaters here and everywhere — live music scene. Musicians can be heard on the streets and squares of the city, day and night.
Mérida is large, but at the same time calm. It has a small town atmosphere. Located in the far southwest of Mexico, Mérida is isolated from drug cartel-related crime and is considered one of the safest cities in Mexico and the second safest city in all of Latin America. Merida has its own international airport, connecting the city not only with the rest of Mexico, but also with the USA and Cuba.
Beyond Mexico begins a country of jungles, mangrove forests, ancient Mayan ruins and white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. 40 minutes (25 km) — and you're in Puerto Progreso, with its extensive beaches and inexpensive seaside restaurants. Yucatan has a culture that is in some ways distinct from what is considered typically Mexican. Merida's own culinary traditions have earned a reputation among expats.
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Tijuana — best city to live near the US border
There is an opinion that Tijuana — the most dangerous city in Mexico, a huge number of Americans live here. Tijuana is especially popular among American retirees. The relatively low cost of living, its leisurely pace and well-developed infrastructure are perfectly combined here. American expats have learned to adapt local life to their needs. Every day, many of them cross the border with the United States, working in the south of American California.
As a cosmopolitan city of 1.8 million people, Tijuana offers a wide range of attractions and activities. There is the Playas de Tijuana beach, Avenida Revolución (historic city center), Mercado Hidalgo, a cultural center, a zoo, many personal restaurants, vibrant nightlife, museums and everything you would expect from a large modern city. And it's all cheap.
Tijuana is also the most «trading» city of Mexico. All commerce here is directed either to foreigners or to trade with the United States. Many Americans moved to Tijuana in addition to this because doing business here is quite easy.
Unfortunately, over the past few decades, Tijuana's reputation has been significantly damaged by crime. Wars between gangs continue to occur in the city, some of them quite bloody. For this reason, Tijuana is not considered a safe city, but it is worth noting that unless you are a member of a gang, you have nothing to fear. Tijuana is generally a safe place for tourists and expats.
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