Mexico is home to a diverse range of stunning locations, including beach resorts, historic Mayan settlements, and huge urban areas, and the country offers residents a wide variety of options for where to settle down.
Mexico is the best place to go on vacation because it has a delectable food, mouthwatering beaches that stretch for hundreds of miles, a fascinating culture, and traditions that are rooted in thousands of years of history. But our neighbour to the south is also becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads and expats, thanks to its low cost of living and health care, pleasant weather, moderately priced homes and low property taxes, and secure economy. In the year 2022, a record amount of people from the United States moved to Mexico, with Mexico City being the most popular location.
Continue reading for a list of eight of the best and most friendly places in Mexico to relocate to in terms of safety, economic prospects, and the abundance of recreational activities that are available.
The city of Mexico
The nation's capital is a vibrant metropolis that is strongly entrenched in the present while being rich in history and culture. Despite a drop of four places in the economic competitiveness index for 2022, the city was still ranked fifth in the Urban Competitiveness Index for 2022, which was compiled by the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO). According to Mexico Sotheby's International Realty, the percentage of real estate transactions in Mexico City that involved buyers from outside the country was approximately forty percent in 2022 and is expected to rise to sixty percent this year.
Check out the Lomas de Chapultepec and Jardins del Pedrail areas of Mexico City if you are interested in moving to a more affluent part of the city. These areas are home to the city's commercial and political elite, and the prices of homes in these areas are typically in the millions of pesos. According to Daniel Sánchez of Mexico Sotheby's International Realty, the areas of Coyocan and San ngel are preferred by expats due to the presence of colonial-style homes and a thriving arts scene. The Roma and Conesa neighborhoods are also highly sought after by expats due to the fact that they are popular among families and young professionals.
Puebla
Puebla's historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that entices visitors with churches from the 16th and 17th centuries and colonial structures covered in azulejos tiles. Puebla is located at the foot of one of Mexico's highest volcanoes about two hours southeast of Mexico City. In addition to being one of the top 15 most competitive cities in Mexico, the greater metropolitan area of Puebla is also one of only three cities in the country to allocate more than 10 percent of its federal budget to the improvement of public transportation.
"The luxury real estate market in Puebla has been growing in recent years, attracting buyers with its unique blend of traditional and modern features," Sánchez shared, noting that some of the most popular neighborhoods include La Paz and La Caada, as well as gated communities such as Las Fuentes, Campestral del Bosque, La Concepción, the Golf Club, and the Country Club. "The luxury real estate market in Puebla has been growing in recent years, attracting buyers with
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In addition, he stated that "the city's closeness to Mexico City as well as its booming cultural scene also make it a desirable option for those searching for a second home or investment property."
Riviera Maya
There is no need to provide an introduction for this section of the Yucatan Peninsula's coastline that spans 100 miles and features white sand. Millions of people from the United States choose to spend their vacations along the Riviera Maya, which begins south of Puerto Morelos and continues all the way to Sian Ka'an, which is located south of Tulum. It should come as no surprise that this picture-perfect region that is rich in Mayan history and culture is also a desirable location for expats to call home. Playa del Carmen is famous for its nightlife, all-inclusive resorts, and picture-perfect beaches; Tulum, on the other hand, is recognised for its hip, wellness-focused atmosphere and outstanding restaurant scene. Both of these cities are wonderful possibilities for anyone who are thinking of relocating.
According to Lissette Torres, a broker at Riviera Maya Sotheby's International Realty, one of the most significant distinctions between Playa del Carmen and Tulum is that in Playa, the real estate offers and home prices are given by [the properties'] proximity to the sea, since there is access to the beach practically throughout the city. This is one of the primary differences between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. "Access to the beach in Tulum is virtually solely controlled by the city's posh boutique hotels, with only a handful of coastal homes remaining. Playa del Carmen also provides an easygoing and natural way of life, but it does so in the context of a city that is somewhat more developed than Tulum, with paved streets and access to all public amenities."
Mérida
The capital of Yucatán is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in all of Mexico. Merida was occupied by the Spanish around the middle of the 16th century, yet the city retains a significant amount of Mayan culture. In point of fact, the stones from demolished Mayan homes were used in the construction of several of the colonial buildings there. Residents not only take pleasure in the city's vibrant architecture, but also in its close vicinity to the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, which are located less than an hour away from the city.
The retail industry is the most important contributor to the local economy in Merida, which makes it one of the most competitive local economies among Mexico's main cities. In addition, there is a sizeable Indigenous population in the city, and it is estimated that approximately 8% of the overall population is able to communicate in an Indigenous language.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
The list of reasons to relocate to San Miguel de Allende is seemingly never-ending: amazing cuisine, a vibrant art scene, an affordable cost of living, stunning architecture, a diverse and active foreign population, and weather that seems like spring all year round. But time is of the essence if you want to make this lovely hilltop city your home and purchase property here because the real estate market is on fire. If you want to make it your home, you need to act quickly.
According to Larry Stebbins, of Agave Sotheby's International Realty, "2022 was our most successful year in our 10 years of existence." This information was provided to Travel & Leisure. "The market is evolving quickly, and we are witnessing a shift in its demographic makeup as younger, more educated, and more mobile working families relocate to San Miguel," In addition, Stebbins mentioned that condos and smaller residences begin at a price point of $250,000, while luxury properties can cost up to $4 million.
Puerto Vallarta
This lively city on Mexico's Pacific Coast is seeing a great surge in interest, as evidenced by the fact that in 2022, a record number of travelers arrived in Puerto Vallarta. People come from all over the world to enjoy the warm Mexican weather, as well as the local culture and vibrant nightlife. Those who choose to make this place their permanent residence not only take advantage of its near-perfect weather throughout the year but also of its affordable housing options, easy access to quality medical care, and numerous lucrative employment prospects.
A broker with Puerto Vallarta Sotheby's International Realty named Darlene M. Carucci shared that "according to MLS data, since 2017, the total number of recorded property transactions has doubled, and the value of an average two-bedroom condo has increased by over 25 percent, from $275,000 to $346,000." She went on to say that although sales had slowed down towards the close of the year before, the main reason for this was due to a lack of available properties for sale rather than a desire from buyers.
Monterrey
Monterrey is recognized as the "industrial capital" of Mexico due to its significant role in the country's economy. As a result of its close proximity to the United States, several businesses have chosen to locate their operations there in order to take advantage of the easy access to the market in the United States.
"Because of this, Monterrey is able to entice people from all over the world who are looking for employment that pay better and offer a greater quality of life to move there. Additionally, we have one of the best educational environments in Latin America, with three top universities such as the University of Monterrey, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, and the Monterrey Institute of Technology, which makes it the city in Mexico with the highest percentage of English-speaking individuals. In addition, we have one of the best educational environments in Latin America "The explanation was provided by Alex Roma, a luxury property specialist working for Monterrey Sotheby's International Realty.
On the other hand, there is time for both work and leisure. As a result of the city's location within the majestic Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, it has become a mecca for people who enjoy being outside.
Los Cabos
Expats will find Los Cabos to be an ideal place to settle down because it is both one of the safest towns in Mexico and one of the most economically competitive cities. Many individuals who move here are attracted, of course, by the varied topography of the area, which features expansive stretches of sandy beaches, breathtaking views of the desert, and the stunning Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, which is a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve, right on its doorstep.
"El Tezal, which is located near Cabo San Lucas, is the community that I enjoy living in the most. El Tezal is a wonderful neighborhoods for a variety of reasons, including its close proximity to the central business district, its widespread availability of sought bay views, and the presence of a sufficient number of services that one does not "need" to go downtown. It should not come as a surprise that this region is teeming with new developments and opportunities "T+L spoke with a broker from Mexico Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International named Alex Hug Essen.