12 Best Reasons to Move to Mexico in 2025 – And What to Consider

Palm-tree beaches, cenotes, picturesque mountain villages: There are many reasons why Mexico is attractive to many tourists. And some would like to stay forever. But is everything “sunshine all day long” in Mexico? Let’s take a closer look at possible reasons why you might want to move here, and what you should consider so you don’t wake up one day and regret your decision. I’ve been living in Mexico for over 2 years, and I’ve met many expats from the US and all over the world, so I want to help you make a decision.

Reasons to Move to Mexico

1. Escape Political Uncertainties

Ok, let’s face the elephant in the room: Many US voters were disappointed after the outcome of the last election with Trump being reelected, and some fear the worst. Whether that’s justified or not is not the point of this post. I want you not to act out of fear, but really make a well-thought-through decision. So instead of packing your things and running away, first come to a state of mind where you can think clearly.

And then consider the following points: Mexico – as any other country – has its own political landscape and issues that come along with it. There was also a change in government recently – Claudia Sheinbaum is now the new president after AMLO – and she’s part of the former government and party and thus political stability is likely. Still, if the political landscape is your reason for leaving your home country, first inform yourself about the political situation in Mexico.

2. Lower Cost of Living

In the past years, the cost of living worldwide has increased significantly. From groceries to affordable housing, everything seems to know just one direction: Up. Especially those with a low income find it hard to make it through the month.

While Mexico is cheaper in many ways, it’s mainly Mexican groceries and products that are cheaper. If you have culinary preferences, for example, or prefer established brands and quality, you will still have to pay more even here in Mexico. As a German, for example, I miss the European-style chocolate and sweets, and I pay easily 4 times what I would pay in Germany. Of course, if you stick to local foods and produce, you’ll pay less than at home.
Also, do your research where you want to move to: Some expat hubs can be pretty pricy, and especially renting or buying a house can be higher than you’d expect. Of course, if you are flexible and can live in Mexican neighborhoods, you’ll be fine – but if you prefer to live in the city center, or in a modern stylish apartment or house, you might be surprised that prices can be pretty high. And don’t forget the “gringo tax” – many will charge you a higher price for being foreign.

3. Affordable Health Care

What should be a basic right for every human being can be a pretty expensive issue. And while the cost of health care goes up every year, the services covered seem to get constantly less. Buying medicine or paying for treatments in Mexico can be surprisingly cheap, and many come here thinking they don’t even need health insurance as it seems so affordable and they take care of their health.

However, you should consider the following: While many things are cheaper regarding health care, costs can still be higher when you need emergency surgery or have an accident. So I strongly suggest getting health insurance in some form. Be it international health insurance (which is usually pretty expensive), Mexican health insurance (which can be pretty affordable), or the public health care system IMSS (very affordable, but with long wait times and varying quality depending on the city and hospital). Please don’t be the person that thinks they’ll always stay healthy just because they’re young or do sports regularly. An accident can happen to anyone, and can lead to pretty high hospital bills.

4. Better Climate

Depending on where you’re living now, the climate in Mexico might look really attractive. And the good thing is that this country is so diverse and has so many various climate zones that there’s something for everyone: Beaches, mountains, deserts, and jungles.

What you should consider is thinking about what climate really suits you long-term: While Mérida is a very attractive and safe city just 30 minutes from the beach in Yucatán, the weather can get really humid and hot. Many expats who euphorically buy a house there decide to move away after they experience their first tough summer.

5. Proximity to the US

I have to admit that this is one of the things for which I envy US citizens: You can easily fly or drive home to visit family and friends with little hassle. For me as a German, it takes an expensive 12-hour flight which is why it’s not feasible to go home very often. The good thing is that the infrastructure in Mexico is really good, there are many options for flights to the US and worldwide.

One thing to consider is how often you want to fly abroad to make a good decision on where to move to in Mexico. While major cities and Mexico City offer great infrastructure, rural areas might feel more isolated. So if you want to fly home regularly, make sure you can reach the nearest airport easily.

6. Colorful Traditions and Culture

Mexicans love to celebrate and enjoy time with their friends and family. And there always seems to be something going on, from public holidays and festivities to art and music events and the celebrations in families of birthdays, quinceañeras (15th-birthday parties), and more. You’ll see colorful street decorations with “papel picado” (pecked paper), flowers, and decorations.

When you decide to live in Mexico, you should consider immersing yourself in the culture and learning about the various festivities and how and why they are celebrated. For example, the Day of the Dead festivities offer a great chance to gain a different perspective on how to handle death and the loss of loved ones. However, you’ll also have to be prepared that especially in more rural areas, streets get blocked off without further notice to erect a tent for celebrations. And let’s not forget that churches love their fireworks at times when you might want to sleep or have your peace and quiet.

7. Delicious Food

From tacos to tamales and the thick and rich „moles“ (pronounced MO-les) sauces: If you’re a foodie, there’ll be lots to discover and savor. Every region also has its unique take on the classical Mexican dishes, and seasonal foods just wait to be discovered.

Consider your personal dietary restrictions, if there are any. For example, if you’re vegan or celiac, keep that in mind before making a decision on moving to Mexico. What I found hard is to find certified organic food, or vegetarian dishes that are heavy on vegetables (except for a salad). Of course, if you come to Mexico to live here, you’ll probably cook yourself quite a bit.

8. Friendly and Polite People

Mexicans are known to be very open and welcoming people. Whether you need help getting around, or trying to get along with basic Spanish, they’re usually happy to help out. Manners seam to be still important, and in public transport, you still come across the occasional man offering his seat to a female passenger.

Consider that as respectful and polite as Mexicans are, they (rightfully so) demand to be treated alike. In one of the expat groups that I attend from time to time, one person was pretty rude to a waiter because he didn’t understand English. The result was that the whole group got banned from that restaurant as the manager stood up for his waiter saying that you can’t treat his personnel like that. So keep that in mind and treat people with the same respect that they show you, and adapt to the local culture.

9. Slower Pace of Life

One of the things I noticed immediately when coming to Mexico was that people just seemed to be more relaxed and patient. Maybe it has to do with the slower pace of life you can find in many places. Where waiters and vendors in other countries often seem very busy or even hectic, Mexicans seem to be calmer.

So if you go into a restaurant or cafe, it might take a while before you get your food or the bill. If you are a busy person who likes to multitask and live a fast-paced life, you might first not understand why some things just take longer. However, just remember that every culture is different, and plan ahead for the extra time you might need for some things to get done.

10. Beautiful Nature

The Mexican landscape is very diverse. From deserts to beaches, forested mountains to lush jungles—it seems that Mexico has it all. In many places, you find astonishing stone formations, waterfalls, grottos, cenotes, and much more. Be it Bacalar’s lagoon of 7 colors, or the Valley of Piled Stones near Zacatlán: Mexico has lots to offer.

However, nature also shows her tougher side sometimes: Extreme phenomena like hurricanes, draughts, earthquakes, or volcano eruptions can cause some disruption in everyday life. The volcano Popocatépetl near Puebla, for example, has been quite active in the past couple of years. Its frequent ashes can cause flight delays and respiratory problems for sensitive people, and when there’s lots of ash in the air, you’ll see people wearing their face masks when going outside. However, this happens only during a short period of the year, so don’t let this stop you from visiting the area, but if you have serious lung issues, you might want to move to a different place further away from the volcano.

11. Easy Visa Options

Compared to other countries, the hurdle to getting a visa for a long-term stay over 180 days is relatively easy. If you don’t come here on a work visa, you can apply for a temporary or permanent residency proving a stable financial situation, either through savings or a steady income. And if you’ve been to Mexico in the past years, you can apply through the regularization program where you don’t have to prove finances at all (this program might end soon, however).

Before coming to Mexico, inform yourself about the requirements and the steps you need to take to apply for a visa. You normally have to apply for it in your home country, and sometimes certain consulates are more helpful than others. Best inform yourself through expat groups on social media to ask for their experiences as conditions can change. And of course on the consulate’s web page for the specific requirements.

12. Strong Expat Communities

Be it Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende: All throughout Mexico you can find strong expat communities. And we all know that it’s usually easier to speak your mother tongue and connect with like-minded fellow country people. Especially as you can learn from their experiences as an expat in Mexico, be it which administrative processes you need to follow or where to find the food you miss from your home country.

However, if you come to Mexico to live here, I strongly recommend integrating into the Mexican community as well. Don’t be that expat who after 5 years doesn’t even know basic Spanish, lives just inside the expat bubble, and gets upset by the way things go in Mexico. If you come to live here, embrace the culture by learning the language and customs, and be open and try to make friends with Mexicans. It will help you feel integrated and accepted, and really make Mexico your new home.

Final Considerations

Before I let you go, remember that living in a foreign country is easier when you integrate yourself by learning the language and engaging with the locals. Although you can get along with English in many expat communities and typical tourist destinations, knowing Spanish will take your experience to a whole new level. Also, before deciding to leave your home country, make sure you are financially in good hands and know where your money will come from for at least the first 6 months, if not long-term. If you keep an open mind and open heart and embrace your Mexican experience, Mexico will pay it back to you ten-fold.

Read Next:

• Basic Spanish Language Guide for Your Next Vacation in Mexico – 70+ Useful Phrases
• Driving in Mexico: How to Prepare and Stay Safe
• 11 Useful Apps for Traveling to Mexico
• Celebrating Day of the Dead in Puebla 2024 – 13 Things to Do
• Best Things to Do in Bacalar