Latest Modification Date: 1/2/24
Mexico City may be the most popular expat destination, but the country has much more to offer than a huge, concrete jungle with millions of busy people. Most Mexican urban sites and towns offer an affordable cost of living compared to the United States or Canada, which is why foreigners from around the world decide to stay
According to the latest statistics, Ciudad de México, commonly known as CDMX, has an average of 22.28 million inhabitants, making it the second largest city in Latin America only behind Sao Paolo, Brazil.
While Mexico City offers a great social and cultural experience, living in a busy, complex, fast-moving megapolitan isn’t for everyone. The good news is, that it’s such a big and diverse country with many options for expats to settle in. From smaller cities to natural wonders or more traditional towns, these are a few different places to consider living.
If you are looking for something quieter, Mérida, Yucatán may be the ideal traditional colonial but modern-style town with over 2 million inhabitants. It's not only the safest city in Mexico but Mérida is also filled with natural wonders such as nearby cenotes to dive into or beautiful beaches, rich in history with Chichen Itzá and historical sites.
Even if Monterrey can get extremely hot with dry temperatures in the summer, it is the third-largest city in Mexico. If you are looking to work on your professional career, Monterrey is an important business and economic hub where many big global companies settle. Leasing price ranges may vary depending on the area but may be compared to CDMX. Also, Monterrey offers a quality education as there are many universities and a good healthcare system.
With over 5 million inhabitants, Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and is also a hot spot for expats. It has an urban/suburban affordable style that offers job opportunities and meets different needs: a vibrant nightlife, or quieter family-oriented areas. Chapala Lake is also a few hours away from Guadalajara City and is a popular spot for American and Canadian retirees.
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, has a lovely historic street layout and is filled with wonderful colonial-era architecture, with a lively arts scene and cultural spaces. It’s been a long-time foreigner favorite and while the town has become more populated, it's mostly safe. It is also considered a gastronomic hub, filled with plazas, churches, and remarkable sites.
In only a two-hour drive from CDMX, you can get to Queretaro, which is a much more budget-friendly version of Mexico City. It is also an excellent option for business-oriented expats but has many attractive assets such as mild weather, plazas, a pedestrian-friendly historic center, churches, museums, healthcare, universities, and more.
The southern Riviera Maya in Tulum offers a bohemian vibe for those seeking adventures or a relaxed place. The town is located side-by-side with the Caribbean Sea and is only about two hours away from Cancún. A big advantage is that you don’t really need a car to commute since you can get around walking, on a scooter, or biking.
The tropical climate makes it feel like an endless vacation, which is why many Expats return time after time and will maybe eventually buy an apartment or house in Tulum, where you can surf, dive, snorkel the reef, visit the cenotes or ancient Mayan ruins. }
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, is another top expat destination, and while it might be a bit pricier because it’s also a tourist location, ex-pats, and retirees will find a relaxed paradise with nearby beaches.
Leaving your own country and the life you know behind is hard enough, so if you are looking for an effortless transition to your new beginning Xpats is here to help! Check out the options we have to help you out regarding work and visa permits in Mexico.
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Popular places to live in Mexico (other than CDMX)
November 21, 2023
Jean G. Fowler
Popular places to live in Mexico (other than CDMX)
November 21, 2023
Jean G. Fowler
Mexico City may be the most popular expat destination, but the country has much more to offer than a huge, concrete jungle with millions of busy people. Most Mexican urban sites and towns offer an affordable cost of living compared to the United States or Canada, which is why foreigners from around the world decide to stay
According to the latest statistics, Ciudad de México, commonly known as CDMX, has an average of 22.28 million inhabitants, making it the second largest city in Latin America only behind Sao Paolo, Brazil.
While Mexico City offers a great social and cultural experience, living in a busy, complex, fast-moving megapolitan isn’t for everyone. The good news is, that it’s such a big and diverse country with many options for expats to settle in. From smaller cities to natural wonders or more traditional towns, these are a few different places to consider living.
If you are looking for something quieter, Mérida, Yucatán may be the ideal traditional colonial but modern-style town with over 2 million inhabitants. It's not only the safest city in Mexico but Mérida is also filled with natural wonders such as nearby cenotes to dive into or beautiful beaches, rich in history with Chichen Itzá and historical sites.
Even if Monterrey can get extremely hot with dry temperatures in the summer, it is the third-largest city in Mexico. If you are looking to work on your professional career, Monterrey is an important business and economic hub where many big global companies settle. Leasing price ranges may vary depending on the area but may be compared to CDMX. Also, Monterrey offers a quality education as there are many universities and a good healthcare system.
Latest Modification Date: 1/2/24
With over 5 million inhabitants, Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and is also a hot spot for expats. It has an urban/suburban affordable style that offers job opportunities and meets different needs: a vibrant nightlife, or quieter family-oriented areas. Chapala Lake is also a few hours away from Guadalajara City and is a popular spot for American and Canadian retirees.
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, has a lovely historic street layout and is filled with wonderful colonial-era architecture, with a lively arts scene and cultural spaces. It’s been a long-time foreigner favorite and while the town has become more populated, it's mostly safe. It is also considered a gastronomic hub, filled with plazas, churches, and remarkable sites.
In only a two-hour drive from CDMX, you can get to Queretaro, which is a much more budget-friendly version of Mexico City. It is also an excellent option for business-oriented expats but has many attractive assets such as mild weather, plazas, a pedestrian-friendly historic center, churches, museums, healthcare, universities, and more.
The southern Riviera Maya in Tulum offers a bohemian vibe for those seeking adventures or a relaxed place. The town is located side-by-side with the Caribbean Sea and is only about two hours away from Cancún. A big advantage is that you don’t really need a car to commute since you can get around walking, on a scooter, or biking.
The tropical climate makes it feel like an endless vacation, which is why many Expats return time after time and will maybe eventually buy an apartment or house in Tulum, where you can surf, dive, snorkel the reef, visit the cenotes or ancient Mayan ruins. }
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, is another top expat destination, and while it might be a bit pricier because it’s also a tourist location, ex-pats, and retirees will find a relaxed paradise with nearby beaches.
Leaving your own country and the life you know behind is hard enough, so if you are looking for an effortless transition to your new beginning Xpats is here to help! Check out the options we have to help you out regarding work and visa permits in Mexico.
