Living in the USA is hectic, which leads many people to wonder about living abroad. If you’ve ever visited Mexico, then you may be considering making a permanent move, but is that genuinely the best choice? The honest answer is that it depends on what sort of lifestyle you want, but there are some serious advantages to choosing a life in Mexico. Naturally, it’s not going to be the same, but how significant are the differences? Before you make any life-changing decisions, it’s vital to consider what matters the most to you. If the answer is living under constant stress, then you might want to stay put. However, for everyone looking for a more laid back life where the focus is on enjoying your downtime and spending time with the people you love, Mexico might be the best place for you.
Is it better to live in Mexico or the USA? It’s better to live in Mexico than in the USA. Not only is the cost of living lower in almost every way, but the myriad of options means there are ideal climates and cities for just about anyone. You will have to make some significant changes, but they’re well worth the effort.
Is It Cheaper to Live in Mexico
One of the biggest reasons people move to Mexico from the USA is the cost of living. If you are wondering whether it’s less expensive to live in Mexico, the short answer is yes. However, some things are a little more in Mexico.
For example, branded imports like Nike shoes might cost a little more. Likewise, you will pay more for American brands with English language labels than you would for the Mexican counterpart, but that’s the case anywhere. Fortunately, most other costs are less, so you can spring for those fancy shoes if you can’t live without them.
According to The Spruce, “Grocery items are anywhere from 10 to 130 percent lower in Mexico than in other countries.” That is just the beginning of the savings. Cars, rent, and utilities are substantially cheaper on the south side of the border as well.
Buying real estate in Mexico is a smart investment. Everything from cars to furniture is less expensive. You’ll find your dollars go a lot further than you think, and you can afford to live a more prosperous life if you move south.
Additionally, you won’t find the sort of bias that Mexican nationals get here. Instead of people assuming you don’t speak the language, a simple “hola,” will be met with a warm welcome and an assumption that you are at least partially fluent, or at least trying to communicate.
Medical Care in Mexico
Vitally, health care is incredibly inexpensive, as well. While that might lead you to believe the quality of care is less, you would be seriously mistaken. Not only are Mexican hospitals and dentists far less expensive, but they are thoroughly modern. You’ll be (pleasantly) shocked by how high quality the care is when you visit.
Medical tourism is a surprisingly large part of most large cities in Mexico. Moreover, your doctors will often give out their personal phone numbers and emails so you can correspond if you have questions or complications later. Plus, the wait time to see a specialist is minimal compared to the US.
Is it Safer to Live in Mexico
One of the reasons many ill-informed Americans think the USA is a better place to live than Mexico is the news. We get stories about every bad thing that happens, and some are quite overblown. Media bias, media favoritism, and sensationalism are the norms when you hear stories about Mexico, but they don’t paint a realistic picture of this lovely country.
An average of a hundred and fifty thousand US tourists per year visit Mexico, all with no more problem than you have going to a grocery store. However, there are unsafe areas. It would help if you always read up on a new place before you visit or move there.
Tijuana is very close to the US border. You’ll hear stories about all sorts of unsavory goings-on there. Sadly, a lot of that is real. In fact, Tijuana is the most dangerous place in Mexico to visit or live. However, it is the exception and not the rule.
New Orleans is an excellent example of how the facts get skewed. The FBI and the news have reported for years that the murder rates are down in the beloved, iconic city. While that’s true, it doesn’t give you much context.
The murder rate in New Orleans is roughly four times higher than all of Mexico
. Moreover, it’s five times higher than in Mexico City, which is one of the two largest cities in the world. Saint Louis, Buffalo, Baltimore, and DC all have ridiculous murder rates as well, but most Americans don’t factor that into their consideration if they plan to move.
Not only would you be safer buying a home in a lovely Mexcian city like San Miguel de Allende, but you’ll get more home for your money. Foreign citizens are welcome to purchase property in Mexico. Moreover, you can visit for up to six months with only your passport, so you don’t have to expatriate to live there part-time.
Choosing an Ex-Pat Haven or Safe City
For those who are concerned about safety, there are plenty of places that you’ll love. Mexico is absolutely riddled with ex-pats from the US and other countries who found the culture, people, climate, and cost of living so inviting they never want to leave. While many heavily touristed beach towns have a high population of non-natives, there are many options.
The Mexican Tourism Board established a collection of what they call Pueblos Magicos, or magical towns. These places have worked hard to create an inviting atmosphere for Americans and other visitors. Some, like San Miguel de Allende, have an ex-pat population as high as ten percent.
There are many homes available in San Miguel de Allende. You may even discover your new neighbors aren’t very different from you at all. As a resident of Mexico, you will meet plenty of people who come from the US.
In addition to the existing safety and push for modernization, the local governors, mayors, and national tourism board have collaborated to make these unique and beautiful places easier for visitors and future residents alike. You will find more law enforcement to keep you safe, and numerous amenities to help non-natives get around.
What Are The Downsides to Living In Mexico
As someone who has lived in both the USA and Mexico, I will share some of the unique challenges of living in Mexico. However, you’ll find that every one of these supposed storm-clouds has a silver lining. It is the differences that make Mexico worth considering as a new home.
First, let’s talk about water. Everyone knows you cannot drink the tap water in Mexico, and that’s no rumor. However, homes and many apartments are often supplied with huge tanks of potable water, which you can have refilled inexpensively for drinking, tooth brushing, cooking, and dishwashing. Once you’re used to filtering water or buying potable water, it’s not complicated. Moreover, there are places in the US, like Flint, Michigan, that don’t have safe drinking water.
The pace and schedule of life in Mexico is an eye-opener for many non-natives as well. You will often find places closed on Sunday that would otherwise be open in the US. Likewise, you may encounter flexible hours of operation and inexact timetables. People in Mexico are hard-working, and they will get things done, but not always on the clock, as you might expect in the USA.
While siestas aren’t universal, many people and places do shut down in the middle of the day. It’s incredibly hot out from noon to four for much of the year, and sensible people take a nap or curl up with a good book. They will get back to more active duties and responsibilities when the sun goes down.
As a result of the hot afternoons, people also stay up later. Family dinners might not start until eight at night, and even small children will be out with their parents at hours American families consider ‘past bedtime.’ Moreover, people don’t feel the need to ‘keep it down’ at those times. Since it is normal for most people to be awake later, the sounds of cities, neighborhoods, and families can be heard late into the night.
Finally, let’s look at technology. While there is a considerable push for tech, and you’ll find plenty of wifi and cell phones, life isn’t as computer-centric in Mexico. You will rarely see people, other than tourists, sitting at a restaurant and staring at their phones. Families don’t usually watch TV during meals or after school and workdays either.
That’s not to say that people don’t own televisions or computers, but life is for living. People in Mexico have a sense of joie de vivre and togetherness that is often lacking in US culture. It can be quite an adjustment, and yes, it would be rude of you to check emails during lunch with friends or coworkers.
Once you get into the flow, you’ll find that these things aren’t as important as you think. Grabbing bottled water or sitting down in the middle of a hot day is not a hardship at all. Mexico is a beautiful place to live.
Final Thoughts
Choosing to live in Mexico instead of the USA is a significant change, but a positive one. Families who want to get their kids away from the screens-all-the-time life, retirees, and plenty of others are flocking to our southern neighbor. It’s not hard to see why.
Once you get past the fear-mongering and media bias, you’ll see that Mexico is a culturally rich and thoroughly safe destination. Like any country, there are problem areas, and you should avoid them. However, most crime in Mexico is gang and drug-related. So long as you don’t plan to get involved with those things, the problems will not seek you out.
From the stunning and varied environments, gorgeous architecture, and friendly locals to the outstanding food and low cost of living, there’s plenty to love about Mexico. Although there’s nothing wrong with living in the USA, that’s not an incentive to stay.