Mexico: The Most Preferred Destination for Americans and Canadian Expats

Are you considering retiring to Mexico someday? Do you plan to make Mexico your getaway haven? If you are, you are not alone. Mexico is a popular choice for vacations and retirement among millions of Americans and Canadians. Here ITTO gives you a list of the top reasons why it is such an appealing destination:

• Mexico is a beautiful place. Literally. You only need to check the vast landscape of colonial cities and prestigious beaches to realize how breathtaking and scenic the country is.

• Mexico is affordable. With the cost of living being a fraction of what it is in the USA and Canada, more and more people wish to settle in Mexico post-retirement.

• Mexican community life is awesome. Apart from a wonderful climate and natural ambiance, what makes Mexico so appealing is its people, culture, and sense of belonging. You will want to live in Mexico because you are made to feel safe and at home here.

In other words, whether you wish to live here temporarily or forever, Mexico is one of the most welcoming, worry-free, and affordable places to live in North America. However, like with any new place, a little in-depth research is necessary before making an investment decision here. If you are considering buying real estate, watch this video put together by tefl.com.mx for more information. We have tried our best to provide insights that could save you from making common investment mistakes.

Read on to discover more, especially if you are a global citizen.

For instance, What You Need to Move from the USA to Mexico

Living in Mexico requires you to apply for residency at the Mexican Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The US has several Consulates and Embassies so finding one close to you should not be difficult. The application process is very easy to complete on your own as most of it is done online. The process requires you to:

• Submit an application form online and in print

• Take an appointment with the embassy or consulate to bring in all necessary documentation

• Completing a few necessary immigration formalities

You can apply for a permanent or a temporary permit of residence. For the permanent permit, you need to go through the application process only once and the permit remains valid lifelong. If you are applying for a temporary residence you will be given a permit that is valid for four years. You can choose to renew this later or convert it to a permanent one later. This process of renewal or conversion can be done in the Mexican shores too. Once you are issued a permit, you can choose to travel or stay in Mexico for any duration of time as long as your permit is valid.

For both types of permits the most common documents required include proof of your home country citizenship, marriage certification (if you are applying with your spouse), and income disclosures.

What Awaits You when You Move from the USA to Mexico

If you are apprehensive about what actual living in Mexico can look like, don’t worry. Life in Mexico is vibrant and can be as adventurous and exciting or calm and uneventful as you would like it to be. Here are some things you can expect to look forward to:

A Welcoming Expat Community: As a US citizen, you will not be landing on unfamiliar terrain if you choose to move to Mexico post-retirement or even create a vacation home here. The already existing ex-pat community has put in place so many clubs, community activities, and associations that you can be a part of, you will find friends and family in a home away from home soon! The ex-pat community contributes significantly to everyday life in Mexico and is as much a part of its integral population as natives. Feel free to reach out to them whenever you need them, they will undoubtedly help you settle in soon! A primary sample is the Riviera Lake Chapala Community, the largest expat community in Latin-America

A Wholesome Cultural Experience: While globalization makes much of daily living similar to life in other parts of North America, You will get to understand and embrace several facets of unique new cultures here. Some of the fascinating and distinctively native experiences here will include:

• Mexican holidays and traditional celebrations. There is always something or the other to look forward to in every season of the year.

• Music, dance, and performances. Do not be surprised if you walk into colorful performances on the streets. The live and let live vibe here is infectious and is sure to make you shake a leg too.

• Local cuisine. Every tribe and locality has its distinctive food. The sheer range of gastronomic delight is sure to pleasantly surprise you. Whether it’s street food, or fine dining sea-fare, Tacos, or Tortas, Mexico has plenty to satisfy vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian palettes.

Of course, the proximity to its neighbors means that the food and culture you are used to in the USA is also freely available here. Commercially, most food chains that have set shop in the US are also present in Mexico so are shopping brands for clothing, lifestyle, and other necessities. That makes sure that your transition to life across the borders is far from alienating.

Friendly Local Communities: Just like the ex-pats, most local communities here open arms in welcome to tourists and new settlers with love and acceptance. They are accommodating of you and will go the extra mile to make you feel at home while you get to learn more about their language, traditions. food, etiquettes, and way of life first hand.

Easy Access to Most Modern Amenities: If it is the infrastructural setup you are more concerned about, you have nothing to worry about. Most locations in Mexico are well connected with state-of-the-art highways and railways. All modern conveniences like cellphone service, fiber optic cable and satellite TV, high-speed broadband, and internet are available. In addition, you can get enrolled in several clubs, community activities, and events of your preference. Only some extremely remote localities face some issues of connectivity.

Affordable Living Costs and Health Care: Lifestyles determine the cost of living and it is true that if you wish to live extravagantly you will need a fortune. That said, an average lifestyle in Mexico can easily be led with total expenses under $1000 per month. Real estate here costs much lower than in most places in the USA. The cost of food, transportation, and entertainment is likewise much lower too. Most importantly, healthcare services here are not very expensive. Some government-run healthcare systems like INSABI offer free services to locals and resident aliens alike. Even privatized medical care costs are much lower than it does in the USA while providing world-class service with modern equipment in place!

Great Places to Explore: The country of Mexico is larger than the state of Texas. Not only is Mexico home to several vibrant tribes and communities, but it is also geographically an explorer’s haven. From beaches to deserts, mountains to jungles, Mexico is home to a wide range of terrains. Experience different climates and landscapes. If you are a nature lover, the country has amazing natural preserves and you will be thrilled to see the flora and fauna in different localities. If you are a history or architecture buff, you will enjoy visiting the well-preserved buildings in cities, towns, and villages from various times in the past. There is something for everyone in Mexico and there is always something new to discover.

Life is Mexico is rich and exciting. You will have very little to worry about if you choose to make Mexico your second home!

More and more people from America and Canada have chosen to migrate to Mexico post-retirement in the last century.

For a better understanding of the trend, feel free to re-group the listing on the basis of scores. The table clearly highlights how millions of American and Canadian ex-pats are presently embracing Mexico as their living base. Many among them only spend part of the year here to enjoy this souther country seasonally.

Check this table to understand this recent trend:

*Thank you for reading.

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