11 Reasons to Move to Mexico Before Everyone Else Does
11 Reasons to Move to Mexico Before Everyone Else Does
There’s a lot of great reasons to move to Mexico. Heck, the toughest part for us is narrowing them down! From its well-known strengths (beaches! tacos! mariachi bands!) to its hidden gems (Grutas de Tolantongo! Cenotes! Bar Mina El Edén!), there’s no question that our neighbors on the southern border bring a lot to the table that the U.S. just can’t touch.
Now, Mexico isn’t perfect: poverty and cartel violence are real and affect far too many people. In fact, 1/3 of Mexicans would rather move to the US. With that said, let’s look at our top 11 reasons to move to Mexico:
1) Affordable, transparent healthcare
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Mexico has some of the most affordable healthcare in the world. People can access quality services at a fraction of the cost of what they’re used to in other countries. We’ve seen several facilities with pricing prominently posted, and pharmacies are equally reasonable. A move to Mexico could also mean being able to afford more preventative care, ultimately leading to better health and wellbeing. Not to mention the reduction in stress from points 2 & 3!
➤ 14 Countries with Better Healthcare Than the US
2) Less (or at least different) political division
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On the Expatsi Test, we ask people for reasons why they want to leave the U.S., and more than half include the fact that the U.S. is very divided.
In Mexico, there have been four political parties duking it out since the country became democratic in 2000, but Mexicans themselves don’t identify so strongly with those parties that they’re turning brother against brother, mother against daughter, like we see in the U.S. That might make it an ideal destination to start fresh and escape all the drama. This is beneficial for those who are seeking a peaceful environment with no constant political debate or disruption of everyday life. Additionally, Mexico has a more relaxed and laid-back culture, making it an excellent place to unwind and truly enjoy life.
(That doesn’t mean Mexico doesn’t have problems, of course. Because of cartel violence and lingering authoritarian systems, it’s much more dangerous to be a politician, police officer, or journalist than it is in other countries.)
3) Ahorita > hustle culture
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If you’re tired of working sunup to sundown or having a side hustle for your side hustle, consider Mexico. Although folks work very hard (a 48-hour work week is normal), they don’t live and breathe hustle culture like the United States, where everything is about climbing the professional ladder, and they have mandated vacation premiums and Christmas bonuses.
The culture is great for those who want to enjoy their downtime without feeling pressure to work constantly. There’s no need to feel guilty about taking your time when accomplishing a task in Mexico – it’s considered perfectly normal! Many people have found that this helps them to find better balance and create a more enjoyable lifestyle.
4) Obviously, the beaches…
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From the Riviera Maya to the Pacific coast, with 7000+ miles of coastlines, Mexico is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Whether you’re into surfing, sunbathing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, or just enjoying an icy margarita, there’s something for everyone. (Amazing fact: all of Mexico’s beaches are public by law, so everyone gets to enjoy them).
➤ 10 Best Beaches in Mexico (that aren’t Cancun)
5) …But so much more
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If you’re not into tropical beaches, you’ll be surprised to find out that Mexico also has a variety of climates – from humid subtropical climate in the north, through temperate and tropical climates in the south. There’s even a touch of polar weather if you climb the highest mountains, like the 18,491 ft. Pico de Orizaba or the 17,802 ft. Popocatepetl. You can pick whatever weather you like!
Speaking of mountains, this huge country has an incredible array of adventurous places to explore, from dozens of volcanos, to jungles, swamps, rapids, deserts, waterfalls, springs, and SO much more. Mexico is the 6th most biodiverse country, and there are ample opportunities to enjoy animals responsibly in their natural habitats, from rare and endangered sea turtles to jaguars, ocelots, flamingoes, and even whales.
6) Asada, pastor, pollo, chorizo, pescado…
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You can’t forget one of the most obvious reasons to move to Mexico – it has some of the best food in the world. One of the funniest posts I’ve seen in the Expats subreddit was a question about what Americans missed most about the U.S., and the top answer was Mexican food. ???? There’s an easy way to avoid having Mexican food FOMO.
Each region has its own specialties, like cochinita pibil in Mérida, mole negro in Oaxaca, and chiles en nogada in Puebla, and you’ll also find delicious street food everywhere you look, like tacos, elote, gorditas, and churros. Finding and cataloging your favorite local eateries will be the tastiest part of your move.
7) History is everywhere
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The Aztec and Mayan empires left behind some of the most fascinating and inspiring ruins, relics, and stories of their time in Mexico. The Mayans created astronomy, the concept of zero, and galvanized rubber. They built elaborate cities and invented chocolate. They had agriculture, medicine, and art. The Aztecs were incredible engineers who built causeways, artificial islands, and double aqueducts. They performed surgery, wrote poetry, and did things with numbers I can’t even explain. They’re famous for being the first society to make education compulsory for children. Mexico was colonized by Spain for 300 years, destroying these civilizations, and that history also remains.
8) Holidays are sacred
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With its Catholic heritage, no one does a holiday like Mexico – including festivities that last a month for Christmas, two weeks for Easter, and two days for el DÃa de los Muertos. Celebrate like a local while sampling delicious foods, enjoying live music, watching the fireworks, visiting ancient pyramids and temples, or simply taking part in the processions.
➤ 7 Safest Cities in Mexico for Expats
9) Cost of living in Mexico
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We think it’s important to recognize that while the cost of living in some countries might be low compared to the United States, that doesn’t mean it’s low for citizens. We’re fortunate that Mexico is incredibly affordable on an American remote work salary, Social Security income, investment income, or pension. For young students and digital nomads, that could give them more opportunities when they return to an increasingly more expensive U.S. without hefty student loans, medical debts, or lack of savings that keep them from being able to buy a home or build generational wealth.
➤ 10 Best Colleges & Universities in Mexico
10) Arts & culture
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Maybe it’s the strip malls, fast food, and Kardashians, but living in the U.S. can feel like a culture vacuum. Not so in Mexico. From traditional Mexican folk music and mariachi bands to modern electronic music, lucha libre (Mexican wrestling), ballets folkloricos (folkloric dance), and the famous telenovelas that make American soap operas look like C-Span, there’s so much authentic, original entertainment. You’ll find museums and art galleries packed with local sculpture and paintings in every city, but public art also abounds.
➤ 10 Best Cities for a Gay Male Expat
11) It’s the people for me
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At the end of the day, if Mexico cost as much as Singapore, served British food, and had Norway’s weather, I’d still want to move there. The people are warm, caring, and giving, and there’s a collective spirit where folks work together and look out for each other that extends to their visitors and new neighbors. It inspires me to do the same, and it’s what I’m looking for in my new home.
14 Countries with Better Healthcare Than the United States
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In some cases, countries have much better outcomes than the United States, and in others, countries have marginally worse outcomes but much more affordable, accessible care. Learn about 14 countries with better healthcare than the US where you can immigrate.
➤ 14 Countries with Better Healthcare Than the United States
10 Countries Where You Can Retire With Just $150,000 in Savings
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The median amount that Gen Xers have saved for retirement is $40,000, with as few as seven years left before reaching the retirement age of 65. The good news is that with a little hard work, you can still find a comfortable retirement abroad.
In these countries, you can fully retire with $150,000 in savings, or even less if you collect social security payments.
10 Countries Where You Can Retire With Just $150,000 in Savings
Hands Off My Check! These Countries Don’t Tax Social Security
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For many Americans looking to retire abroad, living well on a fixed income ranks among their highest priorities. You’ve paid into social security through your working years and want to relax. Maybe you have a pension or a 401(k), too, and intend to stretch that retirement income as far as it’ll go. If you could enjoy a lower cost of living, warm climate, and countries that don’t tax social security, that would be the dream, right?
For many retirees, that dream has come true in each country on this list. Many of them entice American retirees through good healthcare, friendly locals, and lucrative tax treaties. They offer clear paths to permanent residency and, for the truly invested expats, a chance for second citizenship. Most countries on this list have nice beaches and national parks to explore at your leisure. And each country wants you to live out your golden years with them.
➤ Hands Off My Check! These Countries Don’t Tax Social Security
5 Easy Ways to Find the Best Country to Live In
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How do you find the best country to live in?
It’s an impossible task, really; a great country for someone else might be a disaster for you. You might want low cost of living with universal healthcare and income equality. Maybe personal safety in an attractive destination where English is widely spoken. Perhaps you want a small country offering quality education in an international school system.
With nearly 200 countries to choose from, picking your top countries gets tough quickly. Here are a few ways to find the lifestyle that suits your needs:
➤ 5 Easy Ways to Find the Best Country to Live In
Brett Andrews is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps expats discover how to leave the U.S. Brett and his partner Jen developed the Expatsi Test to recommend countries to move to, based on factors like budget, visa type, spoken languages, healthcare rankings, and more. In a former life, he worked as a software developer, IT support specialist, and college educator. When he's not working, Brett loves watching comic book movies and reading unusual books.
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Brett Andrews is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps expats discover how to leave the U.S. Brett and his partner Jen developed the Expatsi Test to recommend countries to move to, based on factors like budget, visa type, spoken languages, healthcare rankings, and more. In a former life, he worked as a software developer, IT support specialist, and college educator. When he's not working, Brett loves watching comic book movies and reading unusual books.