Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover locations to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

This series of articles introduces you to a curated list of locations throughout Mexico that foreign residents consider to live, work or retire in Mexico.

Emerging places to live in Mexico

This article in the series introduces you to locations in Mexico that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally places ‘off-the-beaten-path’.  These locations may be of interest to potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Acapulco

Acapulco continues to attract a certain type of foreign resident; usually those who know Mexico well and enjoy the old-world charms of these lands. Acapulco offers coastal living in a port city with an authentic and traditional Mexican feel featuring a wide range of local services and amenities.

Some head to the ‘old town’ of Acapulco —more or less west from the downtown areas— where, in the 1950s and 1960s (and for most of the 1970s) the rich and famous had homes. Those properties, now looking dated and some also severely dilapidated and in need of restoration, may be acquired at value prices.

If you want something more modern and up-scale (with prices to match), head south-southeast around the bay to the Diamante area. On this coast road from downtown Acapulco toward Diamante, you’ll also pass residences overlooking the outstanding Acapulco Bay (it’s said that only Hong Kong can better it for style), but you’ll need deep pockets for those mansions—if one happens to be for sale when you’re looking.

Acapulco’s heyday is long past, although the new Diamante area, near the airport with a relatively new international expo center adjacent, high-end hotel resorts, and contemporary residential developments, is proving a popular choice with potential new residents seeking modern facilities, tranquil living, and easy access to the traditional downtown and old town areas of Acapulco.

The Diamante area of Acapulco is now connected via a (tolled) road tunnel that makes the trip faster and easier than the narrow (but picturesque) coastal road that has become increasingly congested in recent times, especially during weekends and holidays.

Campeche

Campeche is a picture-postcard colonial city situated along the shorelines of Mexico’s Gulf coast. Relatively unknown, even by travelers, this ancient port city holds potential for foreign residents seeking a coastal lifestyle amidst a historic and visually attractive colonial setting.

Real estate developments have already begun to emerge here as the city begins to attract some attention from Mexican and foreign investors: high-end housing and condo communities are being built and sold across stretches of the beautiful coastline in this area.

It’s a city with a low concentration of foreign residents that attracts people seeking the ‘authentic’ feel of Mexico, without the commercialization and notoriety that has characterized some other coastal towns and cities.

Campeche is well served by an international airport offering connections to Mexico City and the USA and is also within an easy two-hour drive of the important and picturesque city of Mérida

Comala and Colima

Comala offers semi-rural living in Mexico, off the beaten path, and ideal for foreign residents seeking a place to live that offers an authentic Mexican experience where you can fully immerse yourself in local culture and cultivate a traditional lifestyle integrated within welcoming and friendly communities.

This countryside idyll is situated just 20 minutes by road from the capital city of Colima; about a 2.5-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara —Mexico’s second largest city— and approximately 90-minute drive east of the commercial port and resort town of Manzanillo—on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

When you’re looking for a place that’s far removed from the usual locations potential foreign residents tend to shortlist, amidst a rural idyll with easy access to urban services and amenities and good transport links, Comala can provide a countryside lifestyle amidst one of the most fertile and colorful regions of Mexico.

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are two adjacent and contrasting towns on the shores of Mexico’s Pacific coast, situated about 160 miles northwest of Acapulco. Most foreign residents and retirees who come here to live choose the traditional and quaint ‘village’ feel of Zihuatanejo instead of the modern ‘vacation resort’ of Ixtapa; although the latter offers a wider assortment of amenities on the doorstep. There is a good road connecting the two locations, which are only a few miles apart and the local airport offers connections to Mexico City as well as the USA (some flights are seasonal)

Puebla and Cholula

Puebla is a picturesque colonial city within easy reach of the capital by road, and well connected to the adjacent state of Morelos —home to Cuernavaca and Tepoztlán— via the spectacular Siglo XXI highway that offers unparalleled views of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes.

The heart of the old city is the most picturesque to live in; the rest of the city extends out and around from the historic center into a series of contemporary districts and neighborhoods more akin to the look and feel of Mexico City.

Puebla is one of Mexico’s more industrial cities (large corporations have offices and factories here) and some people who want (or need) to live near Puebla but want to be away from the city might choose the adjacent town of Cholula, famous for its churches, its university quarter, impressive views of the volcanoes, and host to one of the world’s largest pyramids (by volume).  Cholula offers a more serene and provincial feel; the town is also a popular tourist attraction that becomes busy during the weekends.

Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido, a surfers’ beach town and chic oceanside town is a ‘niche’ location for foreign residents and retirees considering places to live in Mexico.

This Pacific coastal enclave attracts surfers and the bohemians looking for rustic, authentic —often remote and undiscovered— Mexico by the sea. If you’re a surfer, an artist, a romanticist, or a hippy-at-heart (or for real), consider Puerto Escondido (and nearby Puerto Angel) as you scout for places to settle in Mexico.

Puerto Escondido is one of the more remote places you can choose to live in Mexico; you can fly here, but if you intend to move around on land, it’s a seven-hour drive to Acapulco; about a 90-minute drive to Puerto Angel, and an eight-hour drive to Oaxaca City over heavy mountainous terrain.

Puerto Escondido is one of those locations that attracts and retains certain types of foreign residents; if you’re attracted to alternative lifestyles, remote places, and stunning coastal scenery, a reconnaissance visit is essential to get to know the town, its people, and the surrounding areas.

San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a highland mountain town, situated amidst the thickly wooded mountain jungles in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico.

Like Pátzcuaro, its strong ties to traditional cultures and indigenous roots have kept its style and character very distinct to most other places in Mexico.  San Cristóbal is a place to consider when you’re looking for highland mountain living in a relatively remote area of Mexico.

The town is about a 90-minute drive from the nearest big city, the state capital city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez; and a two-hour drive to Comitán de Dominguez, a quaint and quiet colonial town very near the border with Guatemala.

San Cristóbal has a relatively low concentration of foreign residents and retirees, probably due to its remoteness; although for those who do choose to live here, the outstanding natural scenery, the strong indigenous heritage, and the rugged mountain-jungle terrain, are all an integral part of the attractions of this place.

It’s a location to consider when you’re seeking places off-the-beaten path amidst authentic and uncommercialized culture, and when you’re seeking to cultivate a local lifestyle among traditional indigenous highland communities.

San Felipe

San Felipe in Baja California has for many years been a favorite stopping point for travelers exploring the east side of the Mexican Baja peninsula.

Today, San Felipe is a retirement haven with significant investments in real estate projects that have created new infrastructure, services, amenities, and affordable retirement homes.

One of the key attractions for Americans with homes and families situated in the southern US is that San Felipe is just a two-hour drive south from the border (Mexicali) and its location offers an agreeable climate, an outstanding mountain backdrop, and attractive waterside living and leisure opportunities on the shores of the Golf of California (formerly known as the Sea of Cortés).

Veracruz

Veracruz is an important industrial port city on Mexico’s Gulf Coast. Although it may not strike most people considering places in Mexico for living or retirement as a potential location for a shortlist, the city offers certain charms of its own which are particularly attractive to people who know Mexico well and enjoy a fusion of Mexican and Caribbean cultures.

The historic center is frequently likened to pre-revolutionary Havana, and although its colonial buildings lack the majesty of those found in the Cuban capital, this remains a charismatic port city that attracts people seeking coastal living and authenticity away from the traditional tourist and foreign resident trails.

Veracruz city is situated less than four hours by road from the colonial city of Puebla, and about a five-hour hour road trip from Mexico City.

Discover more places to live in Mexico

Connect to the other articles in this series and discover more places to live in Mexico:

• Discover popular locations to live in Mexico: includes locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.
• Discover emerging locations to live in Mexico: summarizes locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present.

You’ll need to exercise patience during this period, and if you have a partner or family arriving with you, it’s important to be mindful of their needs and any emotional and practical support they may require as you work together to cultivate the beginning of your new lifestyle.

Mexico has a distinct feel and ambiance, and you will each need to give yourself time to adapt to the physical environment as well to the cultural changes and nuances you and your partner/family will find yourselves surrounded by.

This article offers some practical tips and resources that can help you prepare for the period of adapting and settlement in Mexico.

Exchange your residency visa for a residency card

To begin, a reminder: when you arrive in Mexico with a residency visa sticker(s) in your passport(s), you must begin the visa-to-residency-card exchange procedure within 30 calendar days of your arrival date and before the residency visa’s expiry date.

If you forget or omit to do this, or allow your visa to lapse, your visa will become void, and you’ll need to leave Mexico to restart the residency application from a Mexican consulate abroad.  If you need help with the visa exchange procedure, consider using our Mexico Immigration Assistance service.

Adapting to the local climate and elevation

If you have moved to one of the many towns or cities in Mexico situated at elevation —principally Mexico’s colonial cities and its three big cities— you may need to allow time for your body to become accustomed to the ‘thinner’ air prevalent in these places if you did not live at elevation before you came to Mexico.

You may also need to take time to adjust to the general climate where you chose to live, for example if you’re near the coast you may have to acclimatize to the heat and humidity, especially if you accustomed to the climate of a cooler or colder country.

Become acquainted with Mexican culture and local customs

If you have not yet read our guides and articles about Mexican culture and traditions, the settling-in period is good opportunity to do some research and get acquainted with Mexico’s culture.  Mexperience offers a wide selection of articles and guides to help you—connect to the resources using the link below.

Begin to develop your social and community network

A vital component of becoming integrated into your new lifestyle in Mexico is to seek out and connect with local people, community groups, and others with similar interests to you.   Learn more about exploring common routes and approaches that foreign residents use to discover and cultivate new connections and friendships as part of their lifestyle in Mexico.

Find a school for your children

If your you have school-age children to raise, the settling-in period is also a time to visit the schools on your shortlist and choose one for your children to attend. Getting your children into a school routine will help them to find and make new friends, settle into their new surroundings, and begin to engage with the local language and customs.

Learning or improving your Spanish

Language gives you access to the culture and makes your lifestyle experiences richer and more meaningful. Learning or improving your Spanish is an essential part of settling-in and making Mexico your home.  Mexperience offers articles, resources, and connections to help you.

Managing your money and using bank services

If you’re not already familiar with Mexico’s currency, take time to get acquainted with the coins and banknotes you’ll need to deal with every day; and you can open a Mexican bank account when you have your residency card.  Mexperience offers local knowledge and insights about money and finances in Mexico.

If you’re retired, apply for your INAPAM card

If you’re 60 years of age or older and hold a Mexican residency card, you can opt to apply for the INAPAM card that offers discounts to seniors living in Mexico across an ample range of products and services.

Settling-in to your home in Mexico

Whether you are renting or buying a house in Mexico, there will be a period of moving-in and settlement to your new home—and all the things that entails, including dressing the home with furniture and adornments, and might also include things like finding a gardener, a housekeeper, and someone to maintain your swimming pool if you have a private pool in your garden.

You’ll also need to learn about how to get all your domestic services in place: electricity supply, gas and water, telephone, internet access, etc.

The Mexperience guides to House Maintenance and Home Security in Mexico includes lots of practical guidance and local insights about managing and maintaining your home in Mexico.

Get connected to stay in touch

Although you might keep your home country mobile phone (at least for a while) you’re likely to benefit by getting a Mexican mobile phone number so that you can communicate locally at low cost, and others in Mexico can contact you easily.

If you plan to open a Mexican bank account, you’ll need a Mexican mobile phone number to be able to download and access the banking apps they provide.  Mexican mobile phone plans offer affordable choices with unlimited calls across North America and generous mobile data allowances in exchange for a modest monthly fee.

You’ll also need to consider how to get your home connected with internet: there are various choices of providers and if your home is situated in a rural or semi rural area, there are options including mobile data and satellite services.

Create your ‘essential local services’ list

When you move into you home in Mexico, compose a list of “essential services” providers locally. This ought to include:

• medical services like a local doctor, emergency clinic, dentist, opticians;
• local emergency service numbers—you can dial 911 in Mexico, but look for local service numbers as well;
• contact numbers for your gas suppliers, the water company, the electricity company, your drinking water supplier;
• contact details of anyone who attends your property regularly, e.g. your housekeeper, gardener, pool maintenance, etc.
• helpful service providers including fumigators, dry cleaning, local taxi services, etc.

This list is likely to grow over time and may include the names and contact numbers for helpful plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other local domestic service providers.

If you live in a gated community, that list might already exist as part of the Homeowner’s Association pack—check locally.  If your home is not part of a gated community, then asking friends, colleagues, and neighbors, or local community and association groups (including online groups related to specific locations) is a useful way to begin compiling your list of essential local contacts.

Tip: If you already know a plumber, that person might also be an electrician (the two trades often accompany each other) or one trades person might be able to refer you to another as they might work with others on larger building projects, etc.  So ask your plumber if you need a carpenter or ironmonger, for example.

Discovering food and drink in Mexico

One of the most attractive aspects of living in Mexico is the access to lots of fresh, colorful, and flavorful food and refreshing drinks.  As you settle-in, you’ll begin to explore and discover your local shops, markets, and food purveyors.  Here are some articles and guides for further discovery.

Taking time out for leisure and recreation

Amidst the demanding routines of physically moving to Mexico and taking time to settle into your new life situations, it’s worth remembering that Mexico’s enormous choice of leisure and recreation activities (supported by its agreeable year-round climates) is now on your doorstep—and as a resident, you can take full advantage of everything Mexico offers you for leisure.

Mexperience helps you to discover places, travel experiences, and opportunities for enjoying your leisure time here, and our travel associates can help you to create custom itineraries if you need assistance with your leisure trips.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Finding suitable accommodations
• Approaches to choosing or changing your Mexico lifestyle
• Discover places to live in Mexico
• Principal routes to legal residency in Mexico
• Latest articles about lifestyles in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

After the eventful period during which you’ll deal with the immediate needs and logistics associated with your physical move and settling-in period, you’ll enter a more ordinary pace and rhythm of everyday life situations as your life in Mexico begins to unfold in earnest.

This ‘second-stage’ settlement period will present opportunities and challenges. Ensuring that your situations are underpinned by healthy routines, a sense of purpose, and connections to other people will speed your adaption period and help you to create a balanced and fruitful lifestyle in Mexico.

This article outlines the important need to find purpose and routines as part of everyday situations, and also highlights some common risks to help you spot any potential difficulties.

Forming regular routines

How your daily routines begin to unfold will depend upon your life stage, the intentions you set out, and your lifestyle priorities. Routines during the first few months of your settling-in period will likely revolve around practical logistics that support your move; however, when those matters are discharged, more ‘mundane’ matters will take precedence.

Your daily routines are likely to vary depending upon your life stage and circumstances, for example:

If you are retired

You might have a significant amount of spare time to fill; or you might have specific interests and activities you intend to engage with that fill that time. Some retirees arrive and explore for ways to get involved locally, and some might also start a business or begin working for local companies or non-profit organizations to share their expertise, life experiences, and knowledge.

If you’re arriving as a couple without children

You might engage with specific interests you each have separately, or together, or a mixture of both.

Although the issue of finding strong routines might seem inconsequential at first, one of the key dangers a couple faces is that if one or the other is unable to settle into a regular routine —and find activities of interest to them— the move to Mexico can quickly become barren.

This is especially true if the other partner in the relation does have a regular routine and interests and is enjoying Mexico and can happen, for example, if one partner has a job, work project, or finds integration natural, and the other doesn’t; the situation can be exacerbated by language barriers.  See the section below about spotting risks and pitfalls for additional insights about this.

If you’re arriving as a family or a parent with minor children

Your routines are likely to be primarily formed around the children’s daily needs: schooling, and other social and scholastic matters are likely to take up a great deal of time and energy.

If your children are growing older, it’s sensible to think about how your routines will evolve when they finish school/college, and how your priorities and routines will respond to those changes.

If you arrive in Mexico as a single person without children

Your routines will likely be based entirely on the lifestyle intentions you set out with as part of your move to Mexico, that may include a retirement lifestyle, a work/project lifestyle, or combination of both.

Finding purpose in everyday situations

Regardless of your situation and life stage, you’ll need to make a conscientious effort to build new routines —daily, weekly, and monthly— as an integral part of your settling-in period when you move to Mexico.

Routines help to provide focus and are also the anchors that help to give life situations a purpose, and thus motivate you to engage more meaningfully in your everyday activities and pursuits.

Having purpose also mitigates potential risks associated with an absence of routines and purpose; unchecked, these can spiral downward and become detrimental to yours, your partner’s, or family’s well-being.

Social connections are key anchors

Making new friends, forming new associations, and getting involved in local community groups and activities comes naturally to some people; and for those with jobs, children, or work projects to do here, those activities can provide solid daily routine structures and contacts —professional and social— which in turn support their everyday life situations here in Mexico.

However, not everyone is naturally adept in the art of forming new social connections or may not have the formal structures that workplaces, schools, and other working groups provide as a primer and platform for making new friends.  The task becomes even more difficult if your Spanish language skills are not well-developed.

When you move to Mexico, it’s worthwhile taking some time to consider how you will respond to the matter of developing your human connections here, and consider what efforts you personally need to make to discover new social circles and cultivate acquaintances and friends within those—perhaps from ‘square one.’

Human connections, that include acquaintances, family, friends, colleagues, and associates, are a key support mechanism because they help to provide practical, social, and emotional support to us every day; and while these are important wherever you live, they take on additional importance when you have recently moved to a foreign country and you may find yourself needing to recreate networks of connections, people, and groups—possibly from square one.

As you plan your move and set-out your intentions, consider how you will cultivate the new connections that will play an important role in your everyday situations in Mexico—and might well become a determining factor of how well you settle into and enjoy Mexico as a place to live.

Pitfalls in the absence of purpose and routines

It’s worth touching on the matter of common pitfalls that can appear when you don’t have regular routines to engage in, you or someone close to you lacks purpose, and/or develops too few human connections when you or they come to Mexico to live.

Being mindful of these pitfalls may help you to spot warning signs that can point to the emergence of situations which can undermine your original plans and intentions.

Here are some key situations to be mindful of, based on experiences of some people who moved to Mexico.

Lack of social connections

Neglecting to cultivate social and community connections can quickly lead to isolation, and depression.  Depression can lead to abuse of addictive substances including alcohol and drugs—and this, in turn, limits your ability to socialize properly and develop wholesome routines and new human connections, creating a downward spiral that can be hard to break out of if goes unnoticed.

Vices and addictions

Limited social circles and/or closed-group communities can sometimes be a good breeding ground for a gradual but certain progression to alcoholism, and other substance abuse.

This seems especially prevalent among people with lots of spare —often barren— time on their hands.  Regular rounds of social events and dinner parties that are heavily drenched with alcohol can unwittingly facilitate alcoholism by stealth.

Alcoholism is perhaps one of the biggest hidden threats to foreign residents in Mexico who lack strong daily routines and/or clear purpose as they cultivate their life situations here.

Partners adapting to Mexico

When couples move to Mexico together, the move might be advocated, and thus propelled, more strongly by one of the two partners in the relationship—and when this happens the dominant influencer will often make a greater effort to integrate, establish routines, and find purpose than the other.

If this disequilibrium continues, living in Mexico can quickly evolve into an inhospitable experience for the partner who is not integrating well, and that can put tremendous strains on the relationship. One partner may summarily decide that they want to return to their home country, leaving the other to contend with the substantial issues that that type of unilateral decision would entail.

It’s especially problematic if one of the partners is in Mexico on a defined work contract; but can be equally devastating to a retired couple, one of whom adores Mexico and doesn’t want to leave, and another who believes that they are unable to adapt and integrate.

It’s worth reading our article about considering your motivations and intentions for moving to Mexico in the first place, and talking candidly with your partner about your shared desires, interests, and aspirations vis-à-vis moving to Mexico.

Being open and receptive to the other’s concerns or incertitude can minimize the possibility of critical situations —of type that can break plans and relationships— from developing in the first place.

If issues emerge after you arrive in Mexico, being cognizant of the potential difficulties can help a couple to respond constructively, and exercise flexibility and understanding of each other’s needs.

Children adapting to Mexico

Being mindful of family members who might move to Mexico with you, particularly children, and especially in the early months after your move to Mexico, is important.

Individuals respond to material changes in their lives in distinctive ways, and a move to a foreign country is perhaps one of the most materially significant changes that we can experience.

Children, especially younger children, tend to be the most adaptable, but some children might find the change hard to contend with, and adolescents and young adults may find it hard to grapple with the social, cultural, and language changes that a move to Mexico will bring to their lives.

The better private schools in Mexico will be mindful of families’ needs when they have moved here from abroad and will have support mechanisms in place to help parents and children cope, as well as to help and encourage them to adapt and integrate.

Mitigating the risks as you settle-in to Mexico

The situations described above are the most typical encountered by foreign residents in Mexico; there are others, and while you can never eliminate all risks, they can be mitigated through some forethought, planning, and self-awareness.

Here are some guiding tips:

Clarity of purpose

Be clear about your intentions for moving to Mexico. Define those intentions, know your priorities, and compose a plan—if you have a partner or family, be sure they are involved and engaged in every aspect of that plan.

Make an effort to integrate

After dealing with the logistics of moving and settling-in, make a determined effort to build and develop strong daily routines and find purpose in your Mexico lifestyles, regardless of your life stage.

Make friends

Invest earnestly in the effort it requires to develop local connections and associations with others when you arrive in Mexico; avoid becoming isolated or only having limited circles of friends.

Speak Spanish

Learn or improve your Spanish language skills; the importance of being able to converse in Spanish everyday cannot be underemphasized and ought not to be underestimated.

Be mindful of yourself and others

Spot the signs —in yourself, and your loved ones if they move with you— of isolation and depression and the vices that often accompany people if one or both those afflictions takes hold; provide support to those near you and seek professional support if you need it.

Bring people along

As you move to Mexico and begin to settle-in, be mindful of your partner’s and family’s needs and any troubles or doubts they might be experiencing as they learn to adapt to a new country and an unfamiliar environment; be prepared to flex and respond constructively to support them.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Approaches to choosing or changing your Mexico lifestyle
• Making friends and cultivating social networks
• Adapting and settling-in to your lifestyle in Mexico
• Latest articles about lifestyles in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Factors that may influence accommodation choices

Everyone’s situation has unique attributes when they’re moving, although there are several common factors that tend to influence the choices regarding accommodations, including:

• how long you intend to stay in Mexico—shorter stays will usually preclude a home purchase, but not all people who intend to stay long term will buy a house;
• your familiarity of Mexico—if you know Mexico and have friends or family here, this will likely influence your approach to finding accommodations; and
• any existing arrangements—some people already have property in Mexico they can move into, although sometimes the property is in a different location to where they want to live now; also
• specific circumstances and financial means—you might have specific reasons for wanting to rent or buy, and your decisions might be facilitated or restricted based on your financial means.

Renting before buying

If you do decide to buy property in Mexico, you might consider renting first to get a feel for the area(s) you’re thinking about moving into, before committing to a place or neighborhood—even if your preference is to buy and you have the financial means to do so.

If you already know the area you want to live in from previous experiences, you might only rent for a brief time in temporary accommodations while you scout for and buy a property in Mexico.  Some people buy soon after they arrive, perhaps on impulse, although most people rent (or stay with friends or family) at least for a short while beforehand.

Mexico’s house rental market

Most people who come to Mexico to live for the first time start out by renting a house here, and we recommend that people unfamiliar with the country begins by renting in the first instance—if only on a temporary basis.

Renting property gives you flexibility that can be helpful, although you’ll have to purchase a house in Mexico to benefit from the widest choice of property types available and obtain a dwelling space that suits your needs in detailed ways which rented properties are unlikely to be able to.  Renting property might also place other restrictions upon you; for example, many rentals don’t allow pets.

Rental properties are plentiful in Mexico, but the practicalities of finding a decent rental that is adequate for your needs takes time and effort, patience, and a degree of luck in respect of the listed properties during the timeframe that you are scouting the market.

Some real estate agents will help you scout for properties, although many agents prefer to only deal with property purchases and sales because the income available to them from rentals is materially lower than income generated from property sales.  If you intend to rent before you buy, let the agent know this, because some agents who don’t normally deal with rentals are sometimes prepared help potential future buyers to rent something locally in the near-term.

Buying a house in Mexico

People with intentions to stay longer in Mexico trend toward buying a property as soon as practical, as it can represent a better investment over the long term—provided that you choose wisely, that includes settling in a location that properly suits your lifestyle intentions, and that you don’t overpay for the property.  It’s better to buy less house in an optimum location than more house in a sub-optimal location.

Buying also gives you a much wider range of options than renting and enables you to shape the living spaces as you’d like them. It might also be sensible to buy sooner in a place where the market is buoyant, and prices are rising.

Choosing to buy a property in Mexico enables you to find a place that is more precisely suited to your lifestyle needs and can also encourage you to ‘put down roots’ in the location you have chosen—this is related to the level of commitment you have in relation to your move to Mexico.

Mexperience offers extensive articles and guides about real estate in Mexico that help you to discover the property market here, whether you are a buyer, an owner, or a seller.

Financing a property purchase

Many people moving to Mexico have capital available to them to purchase a home here —especially retirees— through investments and savings, or with equity that has accumulated in their existing home.

However, some people moving here might need or want to finance a home in Mexico.  Most foreign residents who buy property in Mexico do not need or seek credit, although real estate financing in Mexico is available through various specialized finance houses.  Our guide to real estate in Mexico includes a complete chapter about real estate finance.

Owning a house in Mexico

Home ownership is a responsibility whichever country your property is located in. Once you have moved to Mexico and taken possession of your home, whether you own your property in Mexico or are just renting it, there will be certain matters to organize and deal with on a regular basis to keep your house properly maintained and secured when you are home and away. With some local insights and forward planning, the maintenance and security of your home in Mexico should pose no major headaches or inconveniences.

Mexperience publishes a comprehensive guide to home maintenance and security in Mexico with tips and practical knowledge to help you manage your home in Mexico, keep it secure and prevent your Mexican home from falling into disrepair.

Insurance for your home in Mexico

Whether you’re buying or renting a home, it’s prudent to consider insurance for your home and personal possessions.

Mexico is subject to hurricanes (if your property is near the ocean) and earthquakes (whether you’re by the sea or inland) and it makes sense to protect your investment with an adequate home insurance coverage plan to protect your asset as well to cover you against third party liabilities, e.g., a tree falling onto your neighbor’s property and causing damage or injury.

If you’re only renting, you can buy an insurance plan to protect your personal items from loss due to flooding, burglary, etc.

Selling a house in Mexico

When you purchase property and eventually come to sell your home, there are different routes to market, agents to consider, processes to follow, and paperwork to organize.  Our guide to real estate in Mexico includes a full chapter dedicated to helping home sellers.

Working with a local realty agent

Finding and working with a local realty professional can be a worthwhile investment.

A well-established agent will be able to provide you with insights into the local area and community, brief you about locales and neighborhoods that could be appropriate (or otherwise) for your needs; and when you buy a house with the help of an agent, they might also assist you by connecting you to local groups, associations and perhaps even new acquittances that could become friends.

Renting out your Mexican home

If you purchase a home in Mexico, you might plan to rent out your Mexican home, in part or in its entirety.  Mexperience offers helpful articles that share insights about this, and our guide to real estate includes a chapter about renting.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Resources include:

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Discover places to live in Mexico
• Principal routes to legal residency in Mexico
• Latest articles about lifestyles in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

You’ll be able to find community and social groups to engage with in most Mexican towns and cities where foreigners live in any significant numbers in Mexico; and even in emerging towns and locations off the beaten path, foreign residents tend to find meeting points and gathering places that can include certain local cafés or bistros, or social gatherings organized homes of people already well-established locally.

This article explores common routes and approaches that foreign residents use to discover and cultivate new connections and friendships as part of their lifestyle in Mexico.

Ways to make friends and cultivate your social circles in Mexico

You’ll need to make a conscious effort to find and cultivate new social connections in Mexico. Creating a strong social network requires your investment of time and energy to find new acquaintances, some of whom might become friends, and then work regularly to cultivate those friendships.

There are lots of avenues you might explore do this—here are some examples:

Work placement

If you’ve come to Mexico as part of a work placement, the company you work for might provide a list of existing local social and community groups; larger companies tend to organize ‘away days’ or ‘team building events’ where the employees and their families can meet in a social setting and get to know each other—these connections can lead to other activities, new acquaintances, and potential new friends.

Sports and hobbies

If you play sports and/or have specific hobbies or interests that you pursue, you can search for and find sports teams that you can ask to play on, as well as clubs and societies you can apply to join. Joining a local golf club or the local gym also offers an opportunity to get involved locally and meet others; if you play an instrument, you may find a local band or orchestra to play in.

Walking your dog

If you have a dog, taking it on frequent walks in the local neighborhood or park is a good way of meeting your neighbors and meeting other dog owners.  Parks in large towns and cities have ‘dog play areas’ these days which also create a meeting point for humans watching over them.  As younger generations use these parks to walk their dogs, they provide an opportunity for older generations to invest in cultivating friendships with younger people.

Help and be kind with your neighbors

Get to know know your neighbors and be helpful.  If the people living in your vicinity are older, be mindful of any needs they might have, for example, you could offer to go shopping or take them shopping with you.  If they are younger and have a family, consider how you might help them.  Small acts of kindness and common courtesy can make a big impact.  For example, you might wheel trash cans back to the house after the garbage delivery has passed; you might gift them a plant for their garden. Even if neighbors don’t become close friends with you, it’s good practice to cultivate good relationships with the people you live among.

Hosting parties and events

Hosting a party at your home for your new friends and immediate neighbors helps you get to know them if you’ve recently moved in—as well as to develop friendship and sharing in the longer term.  These types of events also carry the potential to present serendipitous opportunities and make new connections locally, especially if your guests are encouraged to bring other people they know that you don’t yet know.

Churches and spiritual centers

If you attend a local church or spiritual center, you will be able to meet new people of faith and through those meetings have an opportunity to make and cultivate new friendships.

Join or create a common-interest group

Birds of a feather enjoy flocking together so a good way to find new people to connect with is to join interest groups doing  things you enjoy or have an interest in. Book clubs, writing groups, hobby groups (crafts, collecting, sewing, painting), walking and hiking, history and culture, etc.  If a group doesn’t exist locally, consider taking the initiative and starting one.  You can meet at local coffee houses, community centers, or yours or someone’s else’s home as may be appropriate.

Attend and support local events

Make an effort to find out about and attend local events. Art exhibitions, wine or food tasting days, music concerts, local theater groups, dance, and craft exhibitions and workshops are among the most common events that offer good opportunities to meet others and make new acquaintances.  To make this work, you often have to attend events regularly; every occasion might not offer-up an opportunity to meet other people you would ideally like to cultivate a friendship with, but some events will. Regular attendance and consistent effort is essential.

Become a regular patron at local establishments

Get out of the house and go for coffee or beverage, or a meal, at local establishments in your area—and make that habit a regular one.  Over time, you’ll get known and you’ll start to notice and meet other people who also regularly attend these places, and you might strike up conversation with them.  If you like watching major sporting events, don’t stay in to watch it—attend a local sports bar and join others with that common interest.

Reconnect with people you’ve lost touch with

Sometimes a fledgling friendship can get sidelined by the events and responsibilities of everyday life situations. Consider people you’ve met before who you subsequently lost contact with and make an effort to contact and reconnect with them.  You could offer to buy them a coffee or invite them out to a light meal as an opportunity to rekindle the acquaintance or friendship.

Meeting other parents

If you have school-age children, your local school is natural focal point for you to meet other parents, and through school meetings and other events (for example, school camping trips are popular here) there’s an opportunity to find and cultivate new acquaintances and friendships this way.

If you don’t have children, or are retired, there are other ways of finding and joining local groups, and a search online using social media channels, as well as notices on boards posted at popular local stores, cafés, and restaurants may connect you with new people and groups who, in turn, will connect you with others. In time, you’ll become part of the connections chain that introduces future new residents to your community.

Volunteering and community work

Volunteering is a way to give back to your local community and an ideal opportunity for making new friends. Search locally for existing initiatives that might be operating; or consider starting a new initiative of your own.

Entrepreneurship

Some people who are retired and who discover that they have spare time and patient capital in their lives decide to embark on a project to create a small enterprise.

Some might work for a local company to share their life’s knowledge and expertise, others might start a small business of their own—for example, they might open a local shop, or start a local business.  They might partner with a Mexican associate to achieve this.

Engaging with these types of self-employment can connect you to new people and opportunities you might not otherwise meet through social groups alone, and the investment you make can create new value for your local community.

Local anchors as connectors

Things come from things.  And new connections can emerge from existing connections.  An excellent way to begin to develop a circle of new friends is to encourage your existing contacts to introduce you to new people they know locally.

Another anchor you might consider is the realty agent (if you used one) to buy your home in Mexico. That person might be an excellent anchor for helping you to make your first connections when you first move to Mexico, including practical connections like local service suppliers you need as you settle-in.

The good agents will know about the local community groups, may introduce you to some local people they know, and could also help you find domestic helpers like housekeepers and gardeners. These personal introductions can serve as key anchors that enable you to develop your new social networks when you move to Mexico.

Some foreign residents go further and make and concerted effort to integrate with groups and communities beyond those organized by other foreign residents. Local churches, local community groups and associations, and local neighborhood associations are good places to do this.  Getting involved locally is also a positive way to develop your Spanish language skills.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Approaches to choosing or changing your Mexico lifestyle
• Adapting and settling-in to your lifestyle in Mexico
• Discover places to live in Mexico
• Principal routes to legal residency in Mexico
• Latest articles about lifestyles in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Some people who know Mexico and have been visiting here for many years may have a clear idea about where they want to live.  The place is known to them, they might already have an established network of acquaintances, friends, and contacts there; they are probably familiar with the location and the areas surrounding it, and they might even own a home there already which they have been using for extended visits without having moved to Mexico to live full-time.

Others may have some outline thoughts and ideas about the different regions, and some limited experience of having visited some places in Mexico. Some people will be approaching Mexico for the first time, with little or no prior knowledge of the country.

This article highlights and explores key factors and choices to contemplate as you consider short listing potential places to live or considering whether places you already know will be suitable for your lifestyle needs.

Key factors to consider when you’re researching places to live in Mexico

For many people, choosing a place to live in Mexico can be something of a blank canvass.  Our detailed article about matching your lifestyle needs with your location provides helpful foundational guidance that will help you to consider places beyond their notoriety or current popularity.

Key factors are summarized in the section below; and by connecting to our related articles and guides, you’ll be able to begin your search in earnest for potential places to live here.

Our series on places to live, work or retire in Mexico summarizes a list of specific locations to discover and consider.

Local climate and seasons

The climate and seasons are key factors you should consider when you’re exploring potential places to live in Mexico.  Places you visited on vacation might be fine for short periods, or during certain seasons; ideally, seek out locations that offer climates which will be agreeable to you and your intended lifestyle activities year-round.  Our article, land of three lands, describes Mexico’s three principal climate zones, and our article, hot coasts, cool colonial cities, describes the contrasts between living along the coastal plains and living in the highlands.

Consider the local topography

Also consider the topography—the terrain matters because it affects climate, accessibility, and practical matters like getting around and adjusting to living at elevation.

Mexico’s beautiful mountain towns are quaint and picturesque, but some of them are literally built-in to the side of a mountain and feature steep roads and sidewalks. In some mountain towns, houses are constructed on several ‘terraced levels’ to compensate for the steep terrain on which they are built.

The beautiful colonial cities of Guanajuato and Taxco are good examples of this.  If you have or develop any mobility issues, these sorts of places can be, or become, physically challenging to live in.

You might also to consider how you will cope with living at elevation; most people can adjust to living in thinner air, but you ought to keep this in mind if you’re moving from a low-elevation area to living a mile or higher up on a mountain.

Choosing between urban, semi-urban, and rural locations

Another key element to consider is whether you want to live in an urban, semi-urban, or rural location in Mexico.

Mexico’s cities offer all the services and amenities most foreign residents need and are also the most crowded.

Semi-rural locations are generally small or medium sized towns within a 30-to-60-minute drive of a big town or city.

Rural Mexico is unlike rural towns and villages in the US and Europe, for example; it offers some outstanding opportunities for picturesque countryside living, but it will require you to make some compromises and organize your lifestyle routines somewhat differently than if you are in a larger town or city.

The value of good a real estate agent

Working with a local real estate agent, especially when you’re buying a home, can be a worthwhile investment. Well established realty agents carry a wealth of local knowledge, and the best ones have lived and worked at the location they represent for several years or more.  A good local agent can apply their experience to give you invaluable insights and assistance in finding a home, and settling-in by connecting you to local contacts and helping you to make new acquaintances some of which might evolve into new friendships.

Speaking Spanish is important, regardless of location

It’s quite hard to live in Mexico and operate effectively on a day-to-day basis if you don’t speak at least some Spanish.

Living in or near a community of foreign residents will provide you with an immediate support network and there will be people there who can ‘show you the ropes’ and interpret for you if you are new in Mexico and speak little or no Spanish to start.  However, not all places that you might want to live in Mexico offer this, and so being able to converse in Spanish becomes essential.

Being able to converse in the local language offers access to the culture and enriches your overall experience of any foreign country. You will enjoy Mexico a lot more if you take some time to learn, or improve, your Spanish language skills.

Mexperience offers resources including an entire series of articles that help you to get acquainted with the context and nuances of Mexican Spanish language in everyday usage, and shares connections to language learning online, and at schools in Mexico.

Choosing between expat, local, and gated communities

When you have chosen a location to move to in Mexico, you will have three broad choices regarding the type of community and neighborhood you live in; these are:

Expat community locations: to live among other foreign residents, in well-established locations that are popular and often concentrated with other foreign residents; or

Gated communities: to live as part of a gated community that is most likely to be home for a mix of foreign residents and Mexicans; or

Traditional neighborhood: to live in traditional local Mexican neighborhoods.

Expat community locations

If you choose to live in a location that is popular and well-established with other foreign residents, —Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, and Puerto Vallarta are prime examples— you’ll likely find yourself living in a neighborhood or area that has a relatively high concentration of other foreign residents living there, too.

This can provide excellent social and practical support, especially during your settling-in period, and can be enormously helpful as you begin to make new acquaintances and friends and need advice about contacts for services and amenities that you want or need locally.

You also have the advantage of moving into a mature community that has well-structured and organized groups and local societies that address many of the needs and interests of foreign residents.  They also provide helpful opportunities to meet socially with people who share your language and culture.

Many foreign residents move to these well-established places and cultivate thriving lifestyles there. The higher demand for these locations means that you are likely to pay a premium for property—whether you rent or buy.

A potential risk of creating a dependent lifestyle in these places is that you might settle yourself into some form of ‘lifestyle bubble’ that is somewhat removed from everyday Mexico and by design limits your social circles—but it doesn’t have to be this way: plenty of people enjoy the benefits of living in communities heavily populated by foreign residents and integrate constructively with local people, culture, and events; learning (or improving) your Spanish is a key skill in this respect.

Living in gated communities

Regardless of whether you live in a location that has an established community of foreign residents already living there, or somewhere less popular with foreigners, most towns and all cities offer the choice of living in a ‘gated community’—a private complex of residential homes that might also feature some shared spaces for social gatherings and other residential amenities like swimming pools, children’s play areas, sports facilities, gyms, and roof gardens.

Most condo units are part of a gated community. Our Guide to Real Estate in Mexico describes the types of homes available in Mexico, including those inside gated communities.

These gated communities offer several advantages, especially regarding management and security, as most of the matters related to maintenance, utilities, and upkeep are managed on behalf of the owners (or tenants) in exchange for a monthly Homeowners Association (HOA) fee.

The ratio of foreigners to Mexicans living in gated communities varies greatly and depends on the location, the locale, and the gated community itself.  If there is a strong contingent of foreign residents living there already, you might find connections there to expat groups, societies, and events through meeting your neighbors and local notice boards or private online social media groups run by the residents.

In gated communities where foreign residents are not highly concentrated, you can still make new connections and get involved in local community activities through meeting your new neighbors, kindling acquaintances, and developing new friendships.  Being neighborly is also an ideal way to improve your Spanish and many Mexicans enjoy talking with foreigners so that they can practice and improve their English.

Living in local Mexican neighborhoods

Some foreign residents seeking a place to live in Mexico might consciously make a choice to avoid places that already have strong contingents of other foreign residents living there; choosing instead to seek less popular places and to live in traditional Mexican neighborhoods where few other foreigners are likely to live in the immediate vicinity.

Most (but not all) foreigners who choose to live within the heart of a local Mexican community will know Mexico already, and their choice of community will come about either through knowing the location where you’ve chosen to live, or perhaps through having rented a home locally for a while and explored potential local options before deciding.

Some people who move to Mexico are more intrepid and carry within them the motivation and character to beat a new path for themselves and thrive without the need for a location already established by foreign residents, or within the managed structure of a gated community.  They might or might not know Mexico well; and some might live with Mexican partners or family here, which facilitates a move into a traditional Mexican neighborhood environment.

Property prices (rentals and purchases) are generally lower in local Mexican communities than in locations already settled with a high concentration of foreign residents.

Cultivating a lifestyle within a Mexican local community will require you to have a good-enough command of the Spanish language to be able to operate, especially regarding finding a house to rent or buy locally and maintaining that property—that you will also have to manage yourself.  Our guide about home maintenance and security offers in-depth practical tips for doing that.

You’ll also need to assimilate Mexican social culture more quickly, and possibly without the aid of other foreign residents nearby providing their personal experience and guidance; our free guide to social etiquette offers an excellent primer.

Factors that may influence your location shortlist

When you have considered what is influencing your choices about a places to live and undertaken some research of specific places to live, the next logical step is to compile a shortlist of places that you would consider moving to in Mexico.

Most people’s shortlist will likely be influenced by these significant factors:

Familiarity

Familiarity of the location(s) and area(s) is important.  If you have visited the location before, and recently enough, —perhaps on vacation— you will already have a feel for the place, and possibly a sense about whether it might be suitable as a place to live, work or retire.  Some additional research to discover its year-round climate (not just the seasons you have experienced there) and how it compares to your lifestyle intentions and requirements, will help you to determine whether any places already familiar to you in Mexico might be potential options for a location to live.

Environment type

Having established whether you want to live in an urban, semi-urban, or a rural location, you can further refine your options and filter your list on that basis.

Coastal plain or colonial highland

If you have decided that you want to be on or near the coast, or living inland at elevation, then that will provide another filter to narrow your choices; if you are open to coast or inland (highland) living, then your ultimate choice is likely to be determined by other factors —for examples, the availability of local services and amenities, and community connections— instead of climate.

Health, amenities, accessibility, communications, and schools

Other key factors you ought to consider include local access to health and clinical services, (especially if you have an existing medical condition and may require urgent assistance); access to local amenities that are important to you, e.g., stores, gyms, leisure or local community facilities, art and culture centers; proximity to transport hubs if you intend to travel a lot (e.g., airport); access to reliable telephony and internet services, especially if you intend to work professionally from home; and the availability of educational establishments if you have school-age children.  Our article about matching your location with your needs describes these things in detail.

Exploring places to live in Mexico

Our series about places to live and work or retire provides a list of key locations to discover and consider.

The references below offer further connections to helpful and insightful articles and guides that can help you to carefully consider significant matters as you discover and explore places to live in Mexico, consider key decision-making factors and, using that knowledge, compile a shortlist of locations for review.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.  Resources include:

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Discover places to live in Mexico
• Principal routes to legal residency in Mexico
• Latest articles about lifestyles in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Two calculations are required

There are two calculations you will need to make to determine the financial means you will need to have at your disposal to retire in Mexico:

• the first calculation is related to the financial requirements to qualify for a residency permit in Mexico, and
• the second calculation is related to your real living costs in Mexico that will be determined according to your individual circumstances, personal choices, and lifestyle plans.

Income or savings/investments required to obtain a residency permit

The financial requirements to qualify for a residency permit have risen in recent years.

Monthly income —v— savings/investments to qualify

Unless you intend to lead a ‘high octane’ lifestyle, the monthly income required to qualify for residency in Mexico is considerably higher than the typical costs of living in Mexico.

A corollary of this is that some people who want to retire in Mexico don’t have sufficient monthly income to qualify but do have sufficient income to live here.

If your pension income doesn’t meet the current income requirements, you can instead qualify based your savings/investments—and many people who have been saving throughout their lives will have sufficient savings and investments to qualify, even if their monthly income does not meet the minimum threshold.

The links in the box below contain detailed information to guide you about this. The include information about the current amounts of income or savings/investments you need to demonstrate to qualify for residency under the auspice of ‘economic solvency’ as well as other routes to residency besides ‘economic solvency.’

Income required to sustain your retirement in Mexico

The second calculation you’ll need to make concerns working out your real living costs in Mexico, and these will be determined by your individual circumstances, your intentions, and your lifestyle choices.

The question: “How much does it cost to live in Mexico?” has no specific answer because the amount of money you need to live and sustain yourself here will depend on an assortment of factors, the most common of which include:

• where in Mexico you choose to live: the most popular places also tend to be the most expensive to live in—from rents and house prices to everyday living expenses;
• whether you will rent or buy a home in Mexico;
• whether you have homeowner association fees to pay in addition to other expenses;
• the state of your general health and well-being: healthcare insurance premiums are higher for those with previous ailments, and while medications are less expensive in Mexico, they are still a cost and might have to be paid out of pocket;
• whether you’ll have a car or other vehicle(s) in Mexico to run and service;
• how often you travel, including trips back to your home country;
• what lifestyle choices you make including things like how and where you shop, how often you eat out, how much alcohol you consume (alcohol prices have been rising steadily in recent years), how much you spend on non-essentials, how much you spend on healthcare matters and medications, etc.;
• how much home help and other domestic assistance services you want or need: for example, whether you hire a housekeeper (and how often), a gardener, someone to maintain your swimming pool, if you have one, and other home services, e.g., nurses, or in-home care givers;
• how often you intend to travel within Mexico as well as how often you travel back-and-forth between Mexico and your home country.

Our guide to the cost of living in Mexico is a comprehensive resource that explores real living costs in Mexico and helps you to step back, make an assessment of your situation, and formulate a budget based on your individual circumstances.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Comprehensive guide to living and lifestyles in Mexico
• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Articles about living costs in Mexico
• Learn about obtaining residency in Mexico
• Latest articles about retirement in Mexico
• Is Mexico right for your retirement?
• Benefits Mexico offers to retirees
• Discovering potential places to live in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

This article explores typical profile patterns of foreign residents who come to Mexico to live and work or retire, and also describes the key considerations which influence people’s level of commitment when they come to live here.

Foreign residents’ commitment levels vary

While everyone’s situation has unique aspects, people who come to Mexico to live and work or retire tend to fall into one of these profile patterns—and reviewing these can help you to consider what level of commitment you might have.

Full-time residents, fully committed to Mexico

Foreign residents who are fully committed arrive to live and work or and/or retire full-time and settle permanently in Mexico.  They usually sell their home abroad and move all their personal goods to Mexico.

They might already own a home in Mexico, or will purchase a home, perhaps renting somewhere for a time while they scout for and find the property they want to buy.

Some people might commit to Mexico this way and rent a home instead of buying; for example, if they have sufficient income to rent, but insufficient capital to buy—or if they prefer the flexibility that renting a house offers.

These types of retirees tend to visit family and friends in their home country at least once a year; and family and friends may also come to Mexico to visit them.

Our article about considering choices for accommodations in Mexico shares further insight about whether to buy or rent in Mexico.

Full-time residents, partly committed to Mexico

Foreign residents who are partly committed arrive to live and work and/or retire full-time in Mexico, but tend to keep their home and other significant assets abroad.  They either rent long term or buy a home here if they don’t own a home in Mexico already.

They will likely make regular annual trips back to their home country, perhaps at certain times or seasons of the year, to be with family and friends they have outside of Mexico.

Part-time residents, living in Mexico for defined periods

Foreign residents who arrive to live and work and/or retire in Mexico part-time, for defined periods are not fully committed to Mexico and tend to hold considerable assets and perhaps work and family commitments abroad.

When and how long these types of foreign residents stay in Mexico varies, and dates and seasons might depend on individuals’ own circumstances and commitments they have ongoing here, and elsewhere.

Foreign residents who overwinter in Mexico are commonly termed as “snowbirds”—who typically arrive in November and leave in April or May of the following year.  They might own or buy a home in Mexico, or they might rent a house here—and they’ll probably keep a home abroad.

Frequent shuttling or short stints in Mexico

Some foreign residents, especially (but not exclusively) those who live near the southern US border, might shuttle frequently between a home in the US and their home in Mexico.

Others might live most of their time in their home country (or another country) and live in Mexico for a short stint or stints: either for a single, defined period during the year, or through several shorter periods in weeks or months peppered throughout the year.

These types of residents will almost certainly own a home in Mexico, although some might have long term rental arrangements in place.

In years past, foreigners who arrived in Mexico to live this way would not bother getting a residency permit and stay in Mexico using a visitor permit instead.  However, with changes to the way foreign visitors are admitted, it’s prudent to apply for a residency permit in Mexico.

Considerations that tend to influence commitment levels

How long you spend living in Mexico, and how much commitment you make to cultivating a life and lifestyle here, will depend on many things and is ultimately  determined when you define your intentions for moving to Mexico to live and work or retire.

This section describes key considerations that tend to influence people’s decision-making.  Contemplating these these as you make your own deliberations can be helpful as you think about your move to Mexico, or making changes to your current arrangements if you already live here.

Your social and family ties

The choice about whether to live in Mexico full-time or part-time is oftentimes influenced primarily by people’s social and family ties back home.

If you have strong friendships, children and grandchildren that you are close to and want to see them more often than through occasional visits, then you might choose to make Mexico a part-time living place.

Most people who live in Mexico part-time choose to live here during the months of the year when the climate is least agreeable in their home country—and for most that’s the late fall and winter months in the northern hemisphere, when foreign residents arrive to overwinter in Mexico.

Attachment to your home country

Another key influencing factor is how attached you (and your partner and family as relevant) feel to your home country.

For example, some people find the notion of selling the family home —where children were raised, and lifetime memories were engrained— difficult. It’s easier for some people to let go, and more difficult for others.

As you contemplate this, consider your partner’s feelings about the matter; as we noted in a related article about setting out your intentions for moving to Mexico, moving abroad when a one partner is enthusiastic and committed and the other is lukewarm or unpersuaded can break relationships—even long-standing ones.

The distance between Mexico and your home country

Consider how long it takes you to travel between Mexico and you home country.

If your home in Mexico is close to the US-Mexico border and your other home is in the southern US, this might be relatively inconsequential.

Conversely, if your home country is Europe or Japan, your travel time between the two countries will be substantial.

Most Americans and Canadians that fly home will have to travel for between 6-12 hours to get to/from Mexico, door-to-door.  Most Europeans will need to travel for between 24-30 hours to shuttle between Mexico and their home country, door-to-door.

Aside from the time, effort and financial resources you’ll need to expend to travel between Mexico and your home country (especially if you continue to have significant ties to your homeland), there is also a psychological aspect to take into consideration that’s also related to your commitment level (see first section, above).

If you’re only living in Mexico part time and your home country is far away and you have significant commitments and attachments there, this is likely to eventually take a toll on you even if you are able to fund the continual traveling.

Logistics, financial resources, and personal energy

Persistent traveling may become more burdensome for some as they grow older.

Living part-time in Mexico and part-time elsewhere every year requires you to manage at least two sets of homes, two lifestyles, and two ‘lifestyle structures.’

The logistics become more complex if you must rent out one house or the other as part of your income needs.

Shuttling between two countries requires considerably more financial resource and moreover it demands time and energy from you personally every time you shuttle.

Consider the impact this will have on your budget longer term and, more importantly, on your body and overall wellbeing: as we grow older, constant moving may become less attractive, and for some also less viable.

Offspring’s perceptions and concerns

People who come to to live, and especially those who come to retire, often have grown children (and grandchildren) living in their country of origin, or in a country other than Mexico.

Most adult children concern for their parents as they age, and if you choose to live in Mexico, it’s sensible to share those intentions with any children you have and express to them how long and what level of commitment you might make to Mexico in the longer term.

Some children might be quite comfortable with the notion of their parents living or retiring abroad in Mexico; others might see it as fancy experiment that will be short-lived, while others might express worry or fears—especially if the parents are ‘selling-up’ and moving to Mexico full time.  These personal family connections can become significant influencers in the decision-making.

If you intend to commit to Mexico long-term and make Mexico your ‘primary home’ then be sure to communicate this intention with your close family; and consider the longer-term impact, including estate planning and, related to that, senior care services and end-of-life planning.

Some people retire with the intention of living out the remainder of their lives in Mexico and if you become unable to make decisions it’s helpful to have a (legally-binding) plan in place that may prevent others from acting against your wishes and moreover facilitate the implementation of yours and your partner’s wishes.  Hire a Notary Public in Mexico to talk about living wills, and/or consult with a professional financial advisor or attorney.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Defining your intentions for moving to Mexico
• Matching your location with your lifestyle needs
• Discovering potential places to live in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

Before you can assess whether Mexico is right for you and your situation, the matters concerning:

• your approach to retirement in Mexico;
• defining your intentions to move here; as well as
• factors that may influence your choice of location; then
• taking the time to settle-in properly to Mexico; and
• finding balance in your day-to-day lifestyle in Mexico…

…are entirely relevant to potential retirees as well as anyone else considering a move to Mexico—see the links in the box titled Further Insights below for more details and articles on these topics.

In essence: If Mexico as a country to live in is right for you (and your partner, and family where relevant), then it’s highly likely that Mexico will suit you for retirement, and that you will be able to cultivate a healthy, wholesome, and fruitful retirement lifestyle here.

Conversely: However attractive or suitable Mexico might appear to you in terms of its climate and environment, amenities, services, and cost of living, if you (and/or those close to you) cannot adapt to Mexico —and create a retirement lifestyle here on Mexico’s terms— then you are unlikely to find contentment in retirement by being here.

Mexico offers an ample variety of places and benefits that can be especially attractive to retirees the resources for retirement in Mexico here on Mexperience help you to consider practical matters and compromises that future or budding retirees may have to consider as part of their deliberations and planning for a retirement lifestyle in Mexico.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Latest articles about retirement in Mexico
• Discovering potential places to live in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

However, Mexico is especially attractive to retirees because some of these features and benefits can be especially helpful to people in retirement.

This article summarizes the key benefits Mexico offers to retirees and connects you to detailed information and local knowledge published here on Mexperience for further reading and research.

Agreeable climates

Climate affects us every day, and Mexico offers agreeable climates, often temperate or warm, and cold only at higher elevations in certain regions—and then only for limited times during the year.  Connect to a wide range of articles and guides on Mexperience for more details about climate, seasons and weather in Mexico.

Plenty of choices for location types

Mexico offers retirees choices in the types of places they can live in; from coastal locations that offer winter warmth, to mountain towns at elevation that offer year-round temperate climates.

Some places are more urbanized, others offer a countryside idyll surrounded by nature.  ‘Remote’ places popular with foreign residents tend to be within an hour’s drive of a large town or city that offer services and amenities retirees often seek, including healthcare services and major stores.

Our articles about discovering places to live in Mexico offer practical insights that can help you to consider the various locations on offer and discover potential places to live in Mexico so you can narrow your short-list according to your situation and considered lifestyle needs.

Fresh, locally produced food and drinks

Mexico’s shops and markets provide you with an abundant assortment of fresh food, especially visible at the vibrant, fragrant, local open-air markets here.

The year-round availability of delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, accompanied by a parade of colorful drinks and beverages made using them, makes Mexico one of the most attractive countries to be in if you enjoy good wholesome food that is also affordable.

Mexperience helps you to discover food and drink in Mexico as part of of your retirement research and planning.

Ample range of local products and amenities

Retirees coming to Mexico, especially those from the US and Canada, are likely to feel at home when it comes to obtaining many of the products, services, and amenities they have become accustomed to in their home country.

Mexico’s retail markets are extensive and well-developed; and there’s a large and growing selection of online shopping choices too.

Many products and brands foreign retirees are accustomed to seeing back home will be available in Mexico, either at one of the many supermarkets, through specialist retailers, or through online shopping options.

There are still some exceptions, for example, black tea, and alternatives for smokers are conspicuously absent; but Mexico today offers more choice and variety than it ever has before, and the range and selection of products and amenities continues to improve each year.

Local leisure amenities, including cafés, bistros, restaurants, gymnasiums, event centers, cinemas, theme parks, national parks and reserves, campsites, etc. are plentiful and readily accessible.

Affordable living costs

Retirees have different cost structures compared to people moving to Mexico who are of working age and perhaps with children to raise; for examples:

• they have no school fees to pay or children to ferry around and take on school trips;
• most have no mortgages and may also have no other substantial debts to service; and
• they might also be able to live in Mexico without a car, which can save costs.

However, retirees have costs to consider and budget for in other areas that younger people might not have, perhaps healthcare costs being the major expense, and other assistance services, including home help and specialist care services that might have to be considered and duly funded.

Accessible transportation and communications

Most retirees travel within in Mexico to explore the country, as well as take trips to travel back to their home country to see family and friends (or they might receive visits in Mexico).

Some people retiring to Mexico might do so part time, spending only part of the year in Mexico, perhaps to overwinter here.

It’s for these reasons that good transport links, including decent roads and access to international airports, becomes important.

Mexico offers a well-developed and reliable transportation infrastructure that enable you to travel and be near other people who are close in your life, as well as excellent communications networks that enable you to keep touch at a distance, affordably.

Ample choices in accommodations

Retirees coming to Mexico who want to rent will find an ample choice of property types to choose from; our article about the practicalities of renting a home is worth reading to get local insights about that. (See link below.)

A wider selection of property types is available to retirees seeking a home to buy; and engaging the services of local real estate agent is an effective way search and buy a home here.

The links to the articles below help you to consider your accommodation choices when you’re thinking about retirement in Mexico.

World-class health and wellbeing services

Healthcare services and the availability of medicines is often near the top of retirees’ needs and concerns when they plan a move to Mexico.

All of Mexico’s popular retirement destinations are well served by doctors, dentists, opticians as well as a range of clinical and hospital services, including emergency care and specialized medical professionals and services.

Thriving retirement communities

In addition to the ample variety of types of locations on offer, the more popular locations to live in Mexico offer thriving and well-established retirement communities that help newcomers and long-time residents to get involved in local groups, societies, and events.  This is especially helpful when you are endeavoring to settle properly into Mexico, long term.

Safety, and economic stability

Although media reports about security matters have put-off some people from visiting or retiring to Mexico, foreign residents of all life stages report that they feel safe in Mexico, and that the reality they live here every day is characterized by regular routines and being part of strong local communities where people look out for each other and work together to resolve issues if problems arise.

Retirees also enjoy stable lifestyles here, too—as the macroeconomics of the country are well-managed, markets work well, and there is a wide and regular availability of goods and services available, including increasing ranges of goods available through online companies that specialize in offering less common and imported products.

Warm, welcoming culture and language

Although English is widely spoken across Mexico, especially in the most popular retiree enclaves and tourist towns, learning or improving your Spanish language skills will help you enormously as you settle into your retirement in Mexico because it will give you deeper access to the local culture and enable you to integrate in ways that those who don’t speak Spanish cannot.

Mexico’s rich culture and its canny ability to assimilate foreign things without losing its own identity, offers retirees the opportunity of experiencing unusual celebrations and traditions which are nonetheless familiar.

Retirees get a front-row seat to all this culture and the events that surround it, and while others may dream of visiting Mexico in-season to experience these events, they are part of everyday life here for retirees in Mexico.  It’s an enormous, and often overlooked, benefit of living here.

Further research and resources

Mexperience offers you a comprehensive online resource of information and local knowledge to help you discover Mexico, explore choices, find opportunities and plan a new life in Mexico.

• Articles about lifestyle planning in Mexico
• Latest articles about retirement in Mexico
• Discovering potential places to live in Mexico
• Cultivating your home life in Mexico
• A regular Mexico Newsletter you can subscribe to for free

This series of articles introduces you to a curated list of locations throughout Mexico that foreign residents consider to live, work or retire in Mexico.

Emerging places to live in Mexico

This article in the series introduces you to ’emerging’ locations in Mexico that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of foreign residents present there.

Guanajuato

Guanajuato is the capital city of the state of Guanajuato, and one of the most picturesque and well-preserved of Mexico’s historical colonial cities.

Situated about 50 miles (90-minute drive) east of the popular enclave of San Miguel de Allende, this city is currently experiencing an influx of foreign investment and, with that, interest from foreign residents seeking potential places to live and retire in Mexico. The nearest airport serving Guanajuato is situated in the city of León, about an hour’s drive west.

Guanajuato is a mountain city, with steep and sometimes narrow roads and alleyways; its history and culture make this one of the most attractive-looking places in Mexico to live, although you’ll need to feel confident negotiating its steep topography.

The city is also a popular tourist destination and experiences a high influx of visitors at weekends, and during holidays.

Mérida

Mérida is the capital city of the state of Yucatán, and quickly becoming one of the more popular destinations for foreign residents to live and retire in Mexico.

November through March in Mérida is pleasantly warm; although spring and summer temperatures soar to highs of 105-115F (40-45C) making this one of the hottest cities in Mexico. Notwithstanding the spring and summer heat, this city has experienced an enormous influx of foreign residents and is on the cusp of becoming ‘popular.’ (Some say that if it were not for the tremendously hot climate here between April and October, it would be the most sought-after place to live in Mexico.)

Mérida offers a lot to residents, who are attracted to its authentic Yucatecan culture and cuisine, its picturesque streets and neighborhoods, the wide array of local services and amenities available here, and its excellent transport links including modern roads and direct connections by air to the Mexico City and the USA.

It’s also close to many of the historically important ancient Maya cities (archaeology sites) and offers residents ready access to breathtaking natural environments—and plenty of leisure opportunities, including outdoor adventure, swimming in natural cenotes, nearby coasts, and a collection of beautifully restored haciendas converted into fine restaurants or hotels.

Mérida is among the most remarkable and culturally rich provincial cities you’ll find anywhere in Mexico and is likely to continue to attract and draw-in foreign residents who can cope with the summer heat or decide to overwinter here

Morelia and Pátzcuaro

Morelia and Pátzcuaro have been tucked away in the forested mountains of the state of Michoacán for years; but more recently these two places —Morelia, one of Mexico’s most elegant colonial cities; and Pátzcuaro, a charming and ancient highland town with strong indigenous roots— have been catching the eyes of a new generation of foreign visitors, as well as foreigners seeking unusual places to live or retire in Mexico.

Direct flights from the USA to Morelia have helped to make this area more accessible, and there is also a modern tolled highway between Morelia and Mexico City that enables drivers to traverse this mountainous route in just under four hours.

You can continue to drive across the mountains southwest from here and arrive in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, on shores of the Pacific Ocean, in less than four hours—offering a refreshing change from mountain life, and a repair away to instant warmth that can be especially agreeable during the coldest weeks of the winter.

Morelia and Pátzcuaro are two places worth exploring if you’re attracted to mountains, lakes, forests, and an authentic fusion of indigenous and colonial Mexico—and also value ready access to the coastal plains of the Pacific.

Mazatlán

Mazatlán, the northern-most ocean facing city on the ‘Mexican Riviera,’ has long been a favorite vacation spot for Mexican families.

The location’s key attractions include a cooler climate than other beach locations further south, ready access to excellent services and local amenities, and one of the best ‘value for money’ options on Mexico’s Pacific coast. In recent years, significant real estate developments have begun to emerge as foreign residents have flocked to Mazatlán for living, working, retirement and second-home investments.

The port city’s excellent air/road connections and proximity to the USA, coupled with affordable living and an agreeable coastal climate are making Mazatlán an increasingly attractive option for people who want ocean-side living without the ultra-commercialization associated with beachside locations more widely populated by foreign residents.

Like Mérida, Mazatlán has become better known among foreign residents and those seeking places to live in Mexico that offer good local infrastructure and services along with some existing foreign resident communities and without the higher concentration of foreign residents now prevalent in the most popular locations.

Substantial investments in infrastructure and services, including ports, roads, and other economic initiatives, are funneling considerable sums of capital into this region, and this coastal city appears likely to become one of the more popular coastal locations for foreign residents in years ahead.

Manzanillo

The port town of Manzanillo is situated on the Pacific coast about a four-hour drive from Guadalajara and a five-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta.

This authentic Mexican resort town has two principal areas: the resort bays either side of the Santiago peninsula, and the busy commercial area downtown, on the southside. Although Manzanillo is a busy and important working port town on Mexico’s west coast (it’s also host to an important Mexican naval base), it still retains a tranquil, laid-back atmosphere with an authentic Mexican feel.

Manzanillo is not well-known by foreigners seeking a place to live or retire in Mexico, although it does attract foreigners seeking a location that that doesn’t have a high concentration of existing foreign residents, and which offers a genuine Mexican flavor, style and feel.

It’s also one of the best value coastal locations anywhere in Mexico, offering a lower cost of living than popular resorts, and property prices that have not soared as they have in the most popular places like Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and the Rivera Maya.

Oaxaca City

Oaxaca city, capital of the state of Oaxaca, is sometimes termed as ‘the soul of Mexico.’  This is one Mexico’s most alluring and culturally rich cities; featuring a beautiful historic district, an international airport, and a modern tolled highway that connects you to Mexico City by road within six hours.

Nearby are important archaeological sites including Monte Albán and Mitla; and the nearby town of Santa Maria del Tule is home to Mexico’s oldest living tree. This highland colonial city offers a year-round temperate climate, ready access to modern services and amenities, and a moderate influx of foreign residents who love living here and being part of the local community.

Oaxaca state also borders the Pacific; the resort town of Huatulco is about a five-hour drive south, and Puerto Escondido an eight-hour drive south-southwest; both roads cross heavy mountainous terrain.

Querétaro and Tequisquiapan

Querétaro, northwest of Mexico City, is a thriving colonial city within easy reach of the capital by road. The center is beautiful and kept pristine. In recent years, some Mexicans seeking to vacate Mexico City have moved to find a new home and lifestyle in Querétaro.

The region is undergoing a period of significant investment, and the commercial and industrial growth is creating new jobs and new prosperity in the region. Querétaro is the southern gateway to Mexico’s central highland region (“El Bajio”) and has also become one of the country’s top wine producing centers.

Nearby, Tequisquiapan is a picturesque colonial town with character and charm that has been popular for decades as place to go for weekend get-aways, as well as a popular provincial town in the region for Mexican families to have homes in the countryside; it has the potential to become more popular among foreign residents, too.

Querétaro is a place to consider if you want to be away from, but within relatively easy reach of, Mexico City and you’re seeking a location with good infrastructure and amenities within an attractive colonial setting.

Tepoztlán

Nearby the colonial city of Cuernavaca is Tepoztlán, an ancient highland town situated in a valley surrounded by copper-toned mountain cliffs and outcrops.

The town has long been a draw for well-heeled Mexican and foreign residents, and today remains something of an exclusive enclave that combines all the attractions of a country idyll with the convenience of being close to Cuernavaca (the capital city of Morelos) and also within easy reach of Mexico City by road.

Tepoztlán is one of the most unique places in Mexico’s colonial highlands: foreign residents are attracted to the natural beauty of the area, as well as the peace, tranquility, and sanguine atmosphere to be found here.

Most people who visit Tepoztlán remark on its tranquil serenity, and some speak glowingly about its mystic allure, the prevalence of its ‘New Age’ culture, the mystery of the UFOs that are often sighted here, and how this ‘sacred valley’ compels them to return, time and again.

This is one of Mexico’s more expensive colonial enclaves to buy home in; the rental market tends to have limited choices and renters also pay a premium to live here. The town has a small but well-established community of foreign residents who organize a wide array of cultural, artistic, and trade initiatives locally. The café/bistro, La Sombra del Sabino, is a key focal and meeting point.

Discover more places to live in Mexico

Connect to the other articles in this series and discover more places to live in Mexico:

• Discover popular locations to live in Mexico: includes locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.
• Discover underexplored locations to live in Mexico: features places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.