Why Should You Move to Mexico?

Did you know that Mexico is one of the top retirement destinations in the world?

Mexico has been featured in numerous popular publications as a top place to retire and move to. And recently, it’s gotten a lot of attention with digital nomads who, like me, are looking for a sense of adventure in a comfortable setting that is also very affordable!

International Living, a magazine dedicated to living overseas, published Mexico in their yearly “Worlds best places to retire 2021 index.”  

So why is Mexico so popular?

Well, Mexico has warm weather and a comfortable lifestyle at costs much lower than where you may be living now. It also helps Mexico encourage foreigners to live here by making the residency visa process relatively easy and affordable.

Now. Does this mean you should pack your bags and jump on a plane right away? Probably not… So here are the top reasons why you should consider a move to Mexico.

Cost of Living

Compared to most areas of the world, Mexico offers a more affordable lifestyle without sacrificing good quality of life! The natural beauty, fresh food, and diversity of scenery and activities make life fun while living expenses can be very low. However, your exact budget will depend on where you live in Mexico and, of course, what kind of lifestyle you want to have.

I recently interviewed my friend Sheree who lives in Lake Chapala, and agreed to share her living expenses with you. Now, The biggest determining factor in your budget will be rent and medical insurance. 

• Rent in a 2bed 2bth condo with water included- $600/month
• Utilities- $15-$30 USD every 2 months
• Healthcare Insurance – $150/month
• Personal Trainer and Spanish Teacher – $13/hr
• Internet – $20/month
• Groceries – $30/week (she cooks a lot at home)

Her total monthly budget is close to $2,000/month because she does a lot of traveling and mentioned to me that she lives very comfortably without restricting herself on purchases. 

Read Sheree’s full interview here.

But what if $2,000/month is over budget for you?

I also recently interviewed my friend April who has a family of 4 in San Cristobal de Las Casas and manages to live on less than $2,000/Month, and in some cases, she mentions being able to get by on as little as $1,500/month for all 4 of them!

If you’re interested in watching my interview with April, watch the live stream.

So what does that mean for you?

I can confidently say that It is very realistic for you to live in Mexico on $2,000/month as a couple and as low as $1300/month as a single person if you have medical insurance. (which I cover later on)

Move to Mexico For The Weather

An important reason you should consider a move to Mexico is for the weather!

You can pick your ideal temperature in Mexico because it is close enough to the equator. The hot areas are usually constantly hot, and the cooler areas are usually constantly cool. There aren’t many places in Mexico with drastic weather conditions like snow for weeks.

Now, Mexico is a big country, and different climates range from hot, arid, humid, temperate, cool, and rainy. There’s something for everyone here!

There are places like Ajijic, San Miguel de Allende, and Cuernavaca known for their temperate and fresh climates year-round. These cities draw people in to move to Mexico not only for their charm but also for their inviting nature.

If 70-degree weather is too cool for you, then Mexico’s beaches will be your ideal setting. And not only are the beaches in Mexico beautiful, but they vary a lot from North to South.

That’s the wonderful thing here in Mexico. No two places are alike. The only caveat is the beaches in Mexico are in the hurricane belt. But rest assured that these cities have had their fair share of tropical storms and are prepared to handle these storms.

Mexico tends to have two seasons, the rainy and dry seasons. The coastal areas in the south tend to be humid and hot. The middle’s central highland areas tend to have temperate weather, with the heaviest rainfalls during June-September. And if you like drier weather but want to be close to the beach, you can live in the Baja Peninsula, which tends to have a Mediterranean climate like that of San Diego but at a fraction of the cost. 

For you this means you can choose your ideal year round temperature based on location and elevation. And luckily there are several cities that fall in each of the categories I mentioned. 

Health Care & Health Insurance

What if you could save a ton of money on a basic need like your health without having to sacrifice your actual health? Talk to any expat living in Mexico about their healthcare experiences here, and you will get overwhelmingly good reviews. 

Many of the doctors in Mexico have been trained in the U.S., and sometimes you’ll even find a few that speak English as a result. Most private hospitals in Mexico are very modern and are equipped with excellent tools that make Mexican healthcare of international standards.

Medical care in Mexico is first-class and usually, a fraction of the cost compared to what most are used to paying. It isn’t unusual to pay $10-$20 for a doctor’s visit in Mexico. And that isn’t a copay. That is a visit without insurance. 

Because healthcare costs are so affordable, many ex-pats living in Mexico choose to “self-insure.” Meaning they simply pay out of pocket for their medical visits and move to Mexico without ever buying health insurance. And if you are a resident in Mexico, you even qualify to receive free healthcare through the INSABI medical program!

If you do decide to purchase health insurance, you can also expect insurance in Mexico to be affordable depending on your pre-existing conditions and the type of coverage it offers. There are a wide variety of plans available for all budgets!

To give you an idea of how inexpensive health insurance I’ll share what Sheree pays for health insurance: Sheree is a 67-year-old retiree and pays $150/month for local health insurance that covers her at any private hospital in Mexico. There are also international plans that cover you in the U.S. and Mexico and I have read reports of these being as low as $250/month depending on your age, health, and coverage network. 

If you’re interested in learning more about healthcare insurance in Mexico, I did an extensive live stream with Antonio who is a healthcare broker in Puerto Vallarta and has over 10 years of experience working with ex-pats.

Established Expat Communities

Another reason you should consider a move to Mexico is because there are several established ex-pat communities. Foreigners from all over the world have discovered the beautiful, vibrant, and affordable lifestyle available in Mexico. 

Some areas have a higher concentration of ex-pats than others. For example, Ajijic, Puerto Vallarta, and San Miguel de Allende have thousands of ex-pats living there. 

Why is this worth mentioning? Well, moving to a foreign country is hard, and It could make your transition more comfortable if you live in an area with more ex-pats because there will be more English spoken and similar people like you who can sympathize with the changes you are adapting to. There will also be many activities you can get involved in which will have other ex-pats around. And, areas with more ex-pats tend to have more services and products you are familiar with. 

Some other parts of Mexico have fewer ex-pats living in them, but it can be just as valuable to you if you’re looking to immerse yourself in Spanish and Mexican culture!. Regardless of where you come from, you’ll be surprised at how many foreigners you meet from your home country or other countries. There’s a melting pot of foreigners here who call Mexico their home!

Watch the Full Video on Youtube

Beautiful Nature

Not only is the weather in Mexico nice & warm year-round. But the beautiful landscapes that make up this country are lush, green, and amazing! 

Mexico has miles of coastline, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, dense jungles and a seemingly endless variety of plants and animals. Around the country you can spot exotic birds of every color and shape. Because of the availability of dense tropical forests there are sloths, howler monkeys, nasuas, jaguars, coatis, and in the mountain regions there are even bears.

Mexico’s nature is one thing that amazes people the most!

It truly does feel like a paradise because you can experience mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, and beaches all in one day in parts of Mexico

Rich Culture

If you love having new experiences, you’ll never get bored in Mexico! Mexicans are proud of their country and their heritage. As a result, there is always a good reason to have a fiesta in Mexico and throw a party to commemorate a special tradition! 

It seems that almost every weekend of every month something is going on. Some of the most important celebrations include:

January-Reyes Magos

April- Semana Santa

September- 15 de Septiembre (Independence Day)

November- Dia de Muertos

December- Posadas, Christmas and Noche Buena

These are only some of the top holidays in the country. However, each province has its own festivals and traditions.

And that’s part of the exciting thing about Mexico is that the people love to celebrate a holiday or a tradition and really go all out in decorations, traditional dresses, parades, and music.

NEW ADVENTURE

And finally, one of the most important reasons you should consider moving to Mexico is simply because it’s a new adventure! Life can get boring when you do the same things over and over again.  Mexico will give you a new adventure, unique cultural experiences, and a more affordable lifestyle. 

Moving to a new country can be hard, but it should also be exciting. And I hope this post has given you some new inspiration to dream about your life in this colorful and friendly place I like to call home.

And if you want to know more about living in Mexico, make sure and visit my page on “The Ultimate Guide on Living in Mexico for Expats.” I just updated it!