The U.S. Department of State estimates that around 9 million Americans live abroad — which could be for any number of reasons, including work, family, or simply a personal attachment to another place. The term "expat" broadly refers to this group of people who have made a new life for themselves outside of their home country. While their reasons for moving are all different, there are a few things that make living in a new country a lot easier, attracting worldly wanderers. For example, in Argentina,
there's a surprisingly easy process for obtaining citizenship that makes it a popular expat destination. But something that might trump the citizenship process for ease of moving is simply proximity to the homeland. It's no surprise, then, that Mexico has the most U.S. expats of all — just under 800,000, according to the World Population Review.
It makes sense that Mexico and Canada would be the top two destinations for American expats, given that both border the country. But Mexico earns the favor of American wayfarers by far. Mexico has more than double the number of U.S. expats than Canada, hosting over 26% of those expats worldwide. So what makes it one of the best countries in the world for American expats to escape to, aside from just its proximity? A blend of affordable living, beautiful settings, favorable visa options, and well-established expat communities all make it an attractive choice. For some, Mexico offers an appealing cultural alternative to the American lifestyle. Shannon, a retired expat librarian living in Mexico, tells Expats Blog, "I've actually come to find that I feel more 'at home' and comfortable with the slower pace and less materialistic life here."
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What To Know About Living Abroad In Mexico
If you plan on living in Mexico, the country offers two types of resident visas, making it easier for those who aren't sure if they'll be there for more than a few years. The temporary resident visa grants you residency for up to four years, and the only requirement to obtain the visa is that you can prove you have enough income to sustain yourself in the country. After four years, you can apply for the permanent residency visa, which is a similarly straightforward process.
There are tons of great regions of Mexico that are safe and welcoming to expats. Many of the safest destinations in Mexico are in the Yucatán Peninsula. If you're looking for a busy city renowned for nightlife and shopping, Cancún and Playa del Carmen are both solid options in this region. For something quieter, look into the small town of Valladolid, known as Mexico's magical "pink city" with unbeatable cuisine, or Huatulco, a coastal town with a strong expat community. The area with the highest density of expats, though, is around Lake Chapala, with around 20,000 expats, according to International Living.
One disadvantage of Mexico for native English speakers is the potential language barrier. In expat hotspots, it might not be such an issue, but you'll want to pick up some Spanish for living in rural areas and communicating with government offices. The climate can also be a potential drawback come August and September, when it's much hotter and has more insects than what many people from the U.S. are used to. But if you're open to adaptation and embrace the slower-paced culture, then Mexico can be an enriching place to move to.
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