2021-01-28
With more than a million expats estimated to live here,
Mexico is far and away the most popular destination for North Americans looking
to move abroad. Actually, in terms of numbers, Mexico is the most popular expat destination for North Americans in
the world. And maybe this should come as no surprise, since the country has a
lot to recommend…what does expats love about México?
First, Mexico is a large country. There are places in Mexico
where you can live totally off the grid, or immerse yourself with no foreigners
around you. And, there are also towns where you can live a very similar
lifestyle as the one you had living in the U.S, sometimes without never seeing
a local and never needing Spanish. Most expats seek something between these two
extremes.
In general, though, one of the first reasons Mexico is favorite destination for expats is its lower cost of living. Here you will have a comfortable life at a fraction of what you would pay “back home.” Sometime even as much as 50% below what you’d pay in the rest of North America.
According to a study by Internations, one key factor that makes Mexico an excellent choice por an expat is its friendly attitude towards expats. Actually, Mexico is unbeaten by 63 competitors, ranking first in the Ease of Settling In Index and placing in the top 10 for all of its four subcategories.
These positive results are not really surprising, considering Mexico also comes first for the general friendliness of the population, with 92% rating this factor positively (vs. 68% globally). Considering specific cities in the country, Mexico City does especially well for affordable housing (27% negative ratings vs. 41% globally). And, 63% of expats are satisfied with the cost of living in general (vs. 46% worldwide), with the city placing eighth in the Local Cost of Living Index.
Finally, 77% of expats say
moving abroad has made them happier (vs. 61% globally).Mexico ranks #3 for
personal happiness in general, in spite of ranking #54 for safety and security.
Yes, we have an unrivaled climate, and a noticeably low cost of living.
Unfortunately, this may not be enough for expatriates who hold safety and
security in high regard, for most of Expat parents still fear for their
children’s safety, despite being satisfied with childcare and education.
Expats who move abroad have many challenges to navigate. As an expat, charting your own path in hopes of a better life can be a daunting step that takes courage. But the bonds you form and the experiences you share with other like-minded people, sometimes Mexicans that share your new zip code, will make it all worthwhile.
TAGS: reubicación, expat, relocation