Mexico is known to have a population of over 124 million; In 2017, about 1.3 million of those were foreign immigrants, according to the United Nations Department of Economic & Social Affairs (DESA). Mexico is a popular tourist destination for most North Americans. Still, the country recently saw a sudden increase of people immigrating to the “Land of Enchantments.”
So, What are the advantages of living in Mexico? The friendly attitude to foreigners, diversity of climate, geography, low cost of living, quality but affordable medical care the strength of many foreign currencies, and a modern living standard make Mexico advantageous to live for those especially living in more expensive countries.
Living in Mexico could be a wonderful experience, primarily because of its colorful and rich culture; despite being colonized for about 300 years by the Spaniards, they have retained their own cultural heritage. Living here, one may experience the perfect mixture of colonial and pre-colonial culture.
We also have to consider the fact that one of this country’s strongest points is its climate. Mexico is a tropical country, only experiencing rainy and dry seasons.
Economically, the country has been ranked 67th in the 2020 index based on the Heritage Foundation. Experiencing a 2.0% growth in GDP resulting in about $2.6 billion. Mexico’s economy did not experience a sudden fluctuation nor spike, having a perfect balance that allows its citizens to thrive.
There are a plethora of reasons why Mexico has become and currently still is a flourishing country, like a magnet attracting more and more people to start moving here. If you were to ask a person what they can say about Mexico, most would say about the country’s people and the culture that comes with them; some would even blurt out the cuisine, perfected by years of influence, and the warm, sandy beaches. No matter what your current lifestyle is, living in Mexico will surely impact your continuous growth.
Will all that’s being said, one may still ask, “What are the Advantages of living in Mexico?” What attracts people to this country? Most would point out that the country’s cost of living, the tourist destination, the people, and even the culture.
Advantages of Living in Mexico
Thinking of moving to Mexico can be a difficult thing to process. You have to consider numerous factors before you can really move; financials, culture, family, business, and many more. Here is a list of advantages why it’s a good idea to move to Mexico in the near future.
Climate
The North American climate is no match for Mexico’s. Mexico is known for its coastal beaches, both in the east bathed by the Gulf of Mexico and on the west bathed by the pacific ocean. Mexico’s tropical country has the best weather with the right amounts of the rainy season and dry season. The average temperature is about 77 degrees Fahrenheit, plus the annual humidity is about 70%. Even with the hottest days in Mexico, the tropical breeze makes it bearable.
Cost Of Living
Mexico is the second-largest economy in Latin America and the 11th largest economy in the world. Asking the question, “is it expensive to move and live in Mexico?” And the simple answer to this question is, No, it is now. Contrary to popular belief, Mexico is a cheap country to move to, especially if you came from countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries on Europe’s continent. Compared to other countries, one of the main reasons Mexico has a low cost of living is its local markets and produce. On average, it is calculated that you need about 250 USD for a furnished studio apartment if you’re considering a house that will cost you only about 400 USD. If housing itself is this low in Mexico, think about the other important bills you need to pay attention to like Utilities, Education, and Health Care.
Health Care Costs.
In the United States, health care is an expensive necessity that citizens pay in a year. Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows that the average American paid about $9596 on healthcare in 2012. Compared to the Land of the Aztecs, Mexico, on average, posts an annual healthcare cost on its citizens about 7,000 MXN Peso, which is about $354.
When you’re thinking about the average cost of a doctor’s visit in this country, it was calculated about 400 Mexican Peso or $20. While in the United States, the average cost of a doctor’s visit without having health insurance is about $300-$600, depending on the service and treatment. This only shows that the Federal country of Mexico highlights the importance of healthcare for its citizens.
Mexican Cuisine
Mexican Cuisine has branded itself independent in the culinary world rather than under the umbrella of Latin cuisine. All over the United States, you will observe how Mexican cuisine influences your everyday food habits, from ordering take out at Chipotle, Taco Bell, Chili’s, and many more. Now think about really having that authentic taste from the country where it was birthed in the first place. But Mexican Cuisine is simply not a singular thing; it encompasses hundreds of different dishes that can be found in different regions of the country. Travel to the Oaxaca region and discover the savory and flavorful tamales and tortillas; stay near the coastlines of Mexico and discover that seafood takes center stage in all of their dishes; stay at the Bajio Plateau, an immense land bordered by mountains, and discover dished influenced by Spanish culture only perfected in that particular region. The country is divided into 7 regions, all of which have a special contribution to the overall Mexican Cuisine.
Safety & Security
It’s undeniably true that Mexico is known for its drug cartels. Heck, you would even observe statues of Jesús Malverde, known to be the fold saint of drug cartels both in the United States and in Mexico. Most countries around the world experience a problem with drug trafficking. But overall, living in Mexico is safe for the average citizen. 2016 data from US Traveler Assist (USTA) showed the millions of Americans go to Mexico to go on vacation. It was found out that incidents that threaten their safety were shallow. It is challenging to not be influenced by gossip and miscommunication; it’s highly understandable that people would assume that Mexico is a dangerous country because of its still existing drug cartels.
The People of Mexico & Their Culture
When asked to describe a Mexicans, they would often say that these people are often seen as happy, jolly, and “laughs at the face of destruction” In this country, you are at an advantage if you know how to speak fluent Spanish; really paying attention to your Spanish teacher during high school suddenly pays off. It is known that Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the entire world; with a population of over 124 million, 121.9 million of those are native Spanish speakers.
Before you can even consider living in Mexico, you must first familiarize yourself with how in different parts of this country, Mexicans want to be called by a certain name. There are three names you have to familiarize yourself with:
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- MEXICANO/A — a person born in Mexico
- MEXIQUENSE — a person from the State of Mexico
- MEXIQEUÑO or CHILANGO — a person from the capital city of Mexico City
The rich culture in Mexico has been a great influence worldwide, primarily because of its delicious and flavorful Mexican cuisine. One of its main points is its value on the Catholic religion. You can clearly see how in Mexico, the catholic faith is important by visiting the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, one of the holiest sites and most prone to foreign visitors in Mexico.
Infrastructure
Living in Mexico, you will be surrounded by well-preserved and amazing infrastructures that will always leave you in awe when you live here. Over the years, we have seen the further development of this country, especially in infrastructure. Mexico has matured into a global manufacturing hub. The Mexican government has promised in the year 2019 that they will be spending roughly about $44M for infrastructure improvement.
People would categorize Mexico as a third world country. Still, for a third world country, it has fast internet access with an average download speed of 6.03 Megabits per second (Mbps, and load speed of about 5.69 Megabits per second between June 2017 and May 2018.
Final Thoughts
When you’re thinking of moving and migrating to a different country, most would always go for countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Spain, and many others. Mexico has recently seen an increase in their immigration statistics, which can only be inferred that Mexico is becoming one of those countries in the world that most foreigners are considering migrating to.
If you were to think of different aspects that will have you applying for a residency visa or even citizenship in Mexico, the advantages on this list would have you considering it. From Mexico’s food, culture, safety, people, and mainly the cost of living. In a survey by the InterNations, it was discovered that Mexico has become a place fit to raise or even have a family. With all that’s being said, if ever you are thinking of moving and having the best time of your life, move to Mexico.