How To Move To Mexico – Perfecto
Here is a 2024 Update of the original “How To Move To Mexico – Perfecto” post, written when I achieved my 2016 goal of moving from Portland, Oregon, to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This was written after I sold my advertising agency – a rather good decision. FYI = For you ad agency people – here is how to sell your advertising agency.
I live in San Miguel de Allende, a town Condé Nast Traveller named – get this – “Best Small City in the World” five times – not bad (OK, a bit of an overstatement, but I’ll take it). SMA is in the middle of the country (high desert) and is known for its culture, old-world colonial architecture, music, art, gourmet & street food, roof bars, and wonderful people. Plus, it has two international airports, each about 90 minutes away. The world-class Mexico City and its two airports are about four hours away by luxury bus or private van.
WOW: Hello Google
To date, the original blog post has been read over 13,000 times. In the seven days from November 2 through 8, 2024 alone, it had 2,800 visits because it is on page one of Google’s search page for people interested in moving. Based on this activity, there is no question that a few (a few 🙂 )Americans are thinking about moving to Mexico—and beyond. People do wonder how to make a move to live in Mexico. It’s not that hard. Some info follows.
Interesting side note. My advertising agency business consultancy is based here. In the past couple of years, three of my clients have decided to move to Mexico full-time or buy a second part-time home. Let me know if you are interested. I’ll turn you into the right people who can make that happen.
How To Move To Mexico
Why move to Mexico? Nine reasons.
- Mexico is a beautiful and diverse country – from mountains to beaches to serious city living and pyramids.
- The cost of living is 50% of, say, Chicago.
- You can get a permanent resident visa in Mexico. This isn’t possible in most other countries. Try being a full-time American expat in Australia.
- We are in the right time zone (vs. Bali or Portugal.)
- Easy flights to the USA and beyond.
- The weather (especially in San Miguel) is a wow. The best I have ever lived in
- Remote work — works here. Solid Internet solutions.
- The people are very warm, and the culture is rich.
- LOL – Mexicans are willing to elect a woman President.
Oh. Is it safe? Pleeeease. Read this from Newsweek:
According to data from the U.S. State Department, between January 2022 and June 2022, there were 115 deaths of U.S. citizens, of which 25 were homicides. The largest number of deaths in the time period was as a result of vehicle accidents, with unspecified accidents also accounting for 25.
25! Note that there were over 25,000,000 American visitors to Mexico in 2022. Do the math on your odds of being targeted.
Yeah, you’ll read about crime in specific Mexican states, and yes, it is a major issue. That said, it is essential to note that the cartel people kill each other. They are fueled by America’s drug love and need to sell weapons. The really bad guys do not want to kill foreigners. Bad for business.
Podcast anyone???
For you audio types, I had Google’s brand new NotebookLM AI tool make a podcast from this page. I put it at the bottom of this post.
The Move To Mexico – It Was a Rather Good Idea
My wife and I are now seven-plus years in and live here full-time. Six years ago, we built a house across from the neighborhood church in the Guadalupe neighborhood, which is well-known for its murals. Well, that was our old house—we sold it for a nice profit. We now live in a very modern house up the hill with a fantastic view. It is a ten-minute walk to Centro.
I am maintaining my global advertising agency consultancy (it helps that I can work digitally from any location); I recently finished a multi-year global photography project, which I started when I arrived in Mexico. After shooting in San Miguel de Allende, I photographed communities in L.A. and Selma and worked across India. I’ll be heading to Vietnam in 2025.
I published my second business book last year… “How To Build A Kick-Ass Advertising Agency.”
Back to Mexico…
I am convinced that my wife and I made the right move. San Miguel de Allende is endearing, culturally rich, and visually stimulating. The people are lovely and even welcome gringos like me. As I’ve mentioned, Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveller have named our town the best city in the world. Yes, it deserves its “best,” but one does have to kinda wonder who paid off the magazines for us to get signaled out.
By the way, check out my two-year San Miguel de Allende portrait photography series, La Gente. Please pass it on, especially to Americans.
Demographics: In the past few years, due to the growth of remote work, we’ve seen the gringo population get younger. The work-from-home shift has made moving and living in Mexico more accessible for 30 – 40-year-olds, and we are seeing more young families come down. We have decent bilingual schools.
NOTE: We did not move for political reasons. That said, living somewhere where most people smile daily and are not addicted to FOX, MNNBC, Google News, or Twitter is a ‘good thing’. LOL, sure, we have news and social media addicts here. But, at least we do not have to see red political hats when we go to the tienda to buy a mango.
Ah, a Map. The arrow points to San Miguel de Allende.
——————————————————————————————————-
My Original 2016 Blog Post About the Why and How To Move To Mexico
Why Mexico? And – How To Move To Mexico
This post explains why I moved to Mexico, where, and how, and provides some details should you want to follow me.
The move has been a two-year process for my wife and me to decide to make the move and then choose where to live. We selected San Miguel de Allende (for its culture and high-altitude weather) over Puerto Vallarta (too beachy); Baja (too close to California); the Yucatan (way too humid); Oaxaca (a close second); Mexico City (too big); or Lake Chapala (boring – though near Guadalajara).
I like moving to new places and do so about every 7 years. The upside is living an adventure and having to creatively deal with unknowns. The downside is leaving friends behind. But, some visit and Zoom plus Facetime keeps everyone face-to-face.
In addition to pure wanderlust, there are other factors that seem to make me move around. Here is a new one. I recently read the Wall Street Journal article, Nature or Nurture? What Makes You an Expat? Is a lust for travel, adventure and new surroundings built into your DNA? The article covers the idea that moving and living in a foreign country might be, partially, a function of your DNA. My kids are in their twenties, and they now live in Buenos Aires and Budapest. Is the Levitan DNA responsible? Who knows. But, this is an interesting concept to digest.
OK, so why am I moving to Mexico?
I grew up in New York City, went to college in Boston and San Francisco, and then moved back to New York, to Minneapolis, to New Jersey when we had kids, to London, and back. And 16 years ago, my family split from the post-9/11 New York metro to go to Bend and then Portland, Oregon. Was it our moving-on genes? Wanderlust? Career building? I think all of the above.
Why Mexico?
We love Mexico and Mexicans. And, I can run my consultancy from anywhere, so why not head south?
We are not alone. Mexico has the highest number of American expats. The actual numbers are a bit flaky but the U.S. government estimates the number at over 1.5 million. These include people working in Mexico, folks just hanging out, Mexican Americans, and many American retirees.
But, hey, this blog post is about me.
My reasons to move to Mexico…
- Numero uno: Adventure (life is short.) See David Bowie for inspiration. ‘”Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strange) Turn and face the strange. Ch-ch-Changes”
- Our new home is San Miguel de Allende a town in the middle of the country. That’s one of its most famous scenes in the picture. SMA is one of the coolest towns in the world (yes, the world.)
- If you don’t mind skipping heat and humidity, San Miguel de Allende’s weather is perfect (high desert at over 6,000 feet.) See the map at the bottom for its location.
- The people in San Miguel are always smiling. OK, an overstatement but kinda true.
- It’s safe. Please stop the silly ‘gringo’ question… “Is it safe?” Get this: most of Mexico is safer than New Orleans and Detroit. And, you know that if Americans stopped doing tons of coke, meth, and fentanyl, we’d help to solve the cartel problem. The key is that you don’t go hang out where the bad guys do business because that is where the crime is.
- Mexican culture combines indigenous and Spanish influences. There are endless street, art and music festivals, and a very vibrant art scene.
- The cost of living is about 60% or less than living in the USA. In our first ‘test’ year, we are renting a fully furnished 4-bedroom house with 3 days of housekeeper service and a gardener for $1,500 per month (this is considered on the higher end). At over 18 pesos per dollar, the dollar is as high as it has been in years.
- San Miguel has the second-best restaurant scene in the country after Mexico City (OK, Oaxaca, too). It has become a major weekend destination for Mexico City residents.
- Surrounding towns deliver sweet day trips to visit hot springs, local ice cream meccas, and university towns. And… truly exciting things like Queretaro’s Costco, the largest shopping mall in Latin America and Shake Shack.
- I can easily fly nonstop to L.A., Dallas, and Houston out of two local airports and internationally from Mexico City.
- Getting a long-term visa is easy. Try living long-term in the U.K. or France or Thailand. Not going to happen.
- I avoid CNN and FOX and MSNBC.
- Oh, and I can work from anywhere I have a laptop and WIFI. Plus, my town is conveniently in the central time zone.
Have you considered living in Mexico?
A recent research study I did testing Google Consumer Research focused on where Americans want to retire. My findings show that 13% (13%!) of Americans between 45 and 65 “have considered retiring in Mexico”. By the way, you do use easy-to-use-super fast Google Research in your business development program, right?
Who will thrive in Mexico?
You do not have to be a trailblazer. But, if you wish, you can be. There is a lot of Mexico to explore that is way past the unusual tourist hot spots. One of the first questions I get asked when I say that I am moving to Mexico is… “West or east coast?” Believe me, for most people, 3 + weeks of just sand and beers get boring. Surfers and divers are excluded.
My Key Mexico Lifestyle Facts
Some info if you are in the 13% that have considered moving to Mexico.
Where do Americans live?
Mexico is a large country with many lifestyle options.
You have a few choices to consider. Do you want a gorgeous beach? Check. A sophisticated city? Check. Colonial towns? Check. Hundreds of years of history and pyramids? Check. Jungle, check. Established expat communities? Check. Places where you can get completely lost? Check.
The mix includes:
Huge cities like Mexico City with a total population of over 20 million; Guadalajara at 1.5 million and southern Oaxaca with 3.8 million. Smaller inland cities include San Miguel de Allende, Puebla, and Cuernavaca. Note that central Mexico is booming and is where your car might have been built. Booming Queretaro, one hour south, has a population of over 1.5 million.
A beach lifestyle in west coast beach towns, including Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo, and Zihuatanejo, or Yucatan towns, including Playa del Carmen, Merida, Cancun, and Tulum.
Traditional expat enclaves that deliver lots of gringo-related services include the small towns in Baja, Oaxaca, Lake Chapala and the high-culture of San Miguel de Allende.
The Big Negative
Mexico’s biggest negative is the fear of crime. The image of rampant crime is fueled virtually daily by USA press. When people announce that they are moving to Mexico they are often asked, “is it safe?”
Unfortunately, it is difficult to escape the fact that Mexico is living through an organized crime war that is fueled by America’s insatiable love of drugs and need to sell guns. Because of this, there are areas of the country that have become no-go zones. Gang violence continues in border states and central and the southern states of Guerrero, Michoacán, and the State of Mexico.
Good news, most areas, including my town, are not as dangerous as New Orleans. Most violence is gang-to-gang. I advise you to visit The U.S. Department of State to learn about the risk of traveling to certain places in Mexico.
That said… it is time to take a breath of reality. The vast majority of Mexican crime victims are unfortunately Mexican citizens (especially drug-related killings), not foreigners. It has been said that you have a greater chance of being hit by lightning than being murdered in Mexico. In fact, for comparison, the murder rate in the somewhat nasty border town of Nuevo Laredo is 34.92 vs. 39.61 in New Orleans.
Leading expat cities like Chapala, Los Cabos, Merida, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende just might be safer than your own hometown.
To stay safe, like anywhere, you need to be conscious. Just like in America, be smart and alert wherever you travel. Displays of wealth, walking in the wrong part of town at the wrong time, and driving down lonely roads at night should be avoided.
The Basics
Location: Mexico covers an area of 761,600 square miles. It is bordered by the United States on the north; The Pacific Ocean on the west; Guatemala and Belize to the south and The Gulf of Mexico to the east.
Travel: There are dozens of one and two-stop flights per day to most American cities. The drive between Mexico City and the Texas border takes 12 hours.
Climate: It is a heck of a lot nicer all over Mexico than it is in Fargo! Mexico’s generally drier climate varies from the coasts to the mountains. It includes tropical environments, warm beaches, high humidity-free deserts, and mountain towns where the daily temperature can range from highs of 80 to lows of 50 — my town.
Visas: Mexico offers a range of visas, and the application process is easy. Mexico welcomes Americans. I went to the local Mexican consulate and, after two visits, got a four-year resident visa. Study the Visa rules – they have a habit of changing.
Cost-of-Living vs. U.S.A.: Two words: less expensive. Consumer prices, including housing, are 139% higher in the United States than in Mexico.
Population: 126 million
Median Age: 27.7 (U.S. 38)
Life Expectancy: 77 (U.S. 79)
Government: Mexico is a democratic federal republic. It is stable (if a bit corrupt due to the effect of cartel-generated billions.)
Currency: The Peso.
GDP Per capita: $10,361 in 2014 (it has grown 16% since 2010.) Mexico is on a positive growth trajectory.
Language: Over 90% Spanish. English is spoken in major cities and tourist destinations. It is said that San Miguel de Allende is the toughest town to learn English. Why? Because so many SMA citizens speak English.
Primary Religion: Roman Catholic.
Food and Drink: Generally familiar to Americans. Regional specialties will be surprising when you get way past Tex-Mex.
WIFI: Average connection speed varies by location. However, it is generally acceptable at 4.1 (M/bits) vs. 6.0 for the U.S.A.
Phones: Mexico has a very well-developed phone system and prices are decreasing. You can get by virtually anywhere using 3rd Generation (“3G”), 4th Generation (“4G”) and LTE (Long Term Evolution) cellular services. Your American phone will work there. But, watch out for international roaming fees.
Cars: I just bought a low-mileage 2012 Toyota RAV 4 with some local help. There are some complications and hoops to jump through if you want to bring down your American-plated car.
Infrastructure: Mexico is a first-world country. But, can at times seem like a second-world country. However, toll roads are well maintained and inter-city travel is easy via air and a comprehensive bus system that includes relatively low-cost ‘luxury buses’ that shame our northern bus systems.
Healthcare: Healthcare in Mexico is inexpensive. High-quality well-trained doctor visits can cost as low as $5 to $20 per visit. Major city hospitals provide excellent service. Many Americans already head south to Mexico City and Guadalajara for affordable elective surgery and dental procedures (my Portland dentist has Harvard colleagues that practice in Mexico City). Although Americans can sign up for the national healthcare system (IMSS), most Americans opt for international-based insurance and/or just pay out of pocket. Medicare is not accepted in Mexico.
Real Estate: Americans can buy and own property in the interior of Mexico. However, we cannot own property outright within the ‘restricted zone’, which are lands within 64 miles from an international border and 32 miles from the coastline. In this case, you will need to use a bank trust called a fideicomiso. This sounds more complicated than it is. However, you should seek out professional assistance, and proceed with patience.
The Test Year. Lots of people arrive in San Miguel de Allende and are so blown away by the beauty and pace that they rush to buy a house. We are not. We’re doing a “Test Year.” If we really dig living there and the much lower cost of owning a house and real estate taxes, then who knows.
The test years helps you get the lay of the land and lifestyle. Renting long-term can eliminate some of the vagaries of ownership including any difficulties associated with how and when to sell your property.
Since this is a test and not a full-on commited move, we put most of our household possessions in an Oregon storrage unit. Downsizing to shrink our 25 years of collected possessions was “interesting”. Major thanks to The Salvation Army, The Disabiled Americans, Habitat For Humanity and, of course, Craigslist and eBay.
Working: I can work from anywhere I have a laptop and WIFI. Many expats are in Mexico care of their corporation. Some are down for the surfing and diving. Retired Americans own businesses like B&B’s, bars, rental real estate, shops and art galleries. To do that, you will need a Residency Visa. Note that if you earn money in Mexico you will need to pay Mexican and American taxes, although a large portion of your Mexican earnings will be excluded by the IRS. Talk with Mexican and U.S. accountants before you open up for business. Many Americans also run Internet-based services that are billed in the U.S.A. that will not require filing in Mexico.
Taxes: Non-residents are taxed on their Mexican income only. Residents are taxed on income earned abroad.f
Cannabis: Personal possession of up to 5 grams of marijuana (3 joints or so) is legal. It is not legal to buy, sell, share, or grow marijuana. This might be the only major cultural issue confronting an Oregonian who is used to buying weed at his local marijuana shop.
Homosexuality / LGBT: Legal.
Abortion: Abortion is prohibited except in the case of danger to the mother. Abortion rules are lightening up.
The Visa Thing: Visas are always a major expat issue. However, Mexico welcomes Americans and has three types of visas.
- Tourist Visa / Visitante / FMM: You will need an up-to-date passport and a FMM “Forma Migratoria Multiple” to stay in Mexico for 180 days or less. This form is provided free of charge by your airline or at point of entry.
- Temporary Resident Visa / Visa de Residente Temporal: The Temporary Resident Visa, is for people who want to live in Mexico for more than 6 months and up to 4 years. This visa also provides non-immigrant temporary residency status. Bottom line is that you can live in Mexico for up to 4 years. A Temporary Resident Visa cannot be issued in Mexico. You will have to return to the U.S. to obtain this visa. After 4 years, four you must apply for a Permanent Resident Visa if you want to stay in Mexico.
- Permanent Resident Visa / Visa de Resident Permanente: The Permanent Resident Visa allows people to obtain permanent residency status. To apply, you must meet these requirements: Have 4 years of prior Temporary Resident status. Retirees must be able to show sufficient monthly income or assets from investments or a pension.
The Bottom Line / La Línea de Fondo – About How To Move To Mexico
Mexico represents one of the most straightforward expat moves. It is a quick flight away; your dollar will stretch twice as far (many Americans can live on their Social Security check alone); you already know what a taco is (no, I don’t mean Taco Bell); English is spoken in major cities and tourist zones and Mexicans are very friendly and welcoming.
If you want to just be a mega-Gringo – that’s OK. You can choose to hang out with lots of other Americans and Canadians in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. The downside of this is that you will miss one of the key reasons to live in Mexico – the indigenous culture.
Oh, last point. Mexicans like to party. Colorful festivals run all year long. If you think you’ve experienced the wide range of tequilas and mescal…. think again.
Really want to move???
A few people have asked me if I know an expert real estate broker in San Miguel de Allende. Jeff has helped me sell and buy a house. He is a local bilingual American with a law degree (helpful.) –> jeff@krgsanmiguel.com // www.krgsanmiguel.com – If you want, mention my name.
Oh: The Artificial Intelligence Generated (as in I did not record this) Move To Mexico Podcast.
I want to move to Mexico because Trump was elected president and I can’t live in a country that has elected someone so evil.
I agree with the above comment. I can not live in a country full of hate, racism and all the other isms. I’m alone, I was widowed several years back and I’m childless. I have little family in the US now. I want to live a more relaxed lifestyle without the stress and hatred of the MAGA group. I’m interested in the area’s south of California.
After this disappointing election, I am strongly considering a move from the US. I am applying for a passport, and will be getting my ducks in a row in the event things go south here.
Trump winning is making me look into moving to Mexico also. Can’t live in a country where Trump is going to be a dictator.
Wow. So many people here for the same reason as I am! Cabo is a great and safe place to live. I will be heading there soon as well. I’m glad to see I can stay for 4 years. Wish you all the best and if you make it to Cabo let me know and we can celebrate a welcoming new culture and lifestyle!
Thanks! It’s Canada or Mexico for me. Since the orange blunder and the traitorous rebukes are in complete control of the country, I need to leave asap. As a 70 yr old gay man my life is in danger and my freedom as well. Justice in the US is nonexistent for wealthy famous…and SCOTUS is now a sad joke. I’ve got 10-15 yrs left and I will be at peace and contentment again. I’m not going to live in this garbage hole of a country anymore! It will soon collapse under the weight of its greed. Mexico here i come.
I am with all the others who commented here. I cannot live under another Trump administration. I’m a retired woman who just wants to live my remaining years in peace. All I need is a place that’s safe, clean, insect-free and has good wifi, a washer/dryer, and air conditioning.
Here for the same reason as everyone else it seems. I’m a young, single woman and the U.S. ain’t for me anymore I’m currently a Florida girl with a passport looking to move to Mexico. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!
Looking to move since Trump was elected. I, like others mentioned on here, want to live in peace not hate.
I in the same situation as all above. Interested in details areas other than Cabo that are ExPat centered.
E Oakley
Wow. All these comments from 1 day after the election. I see I am not alone in leaving because of a fraudulent election.
I am 72 years old and after this election I am embrassed to be an American. Going to to Mazatlan on Nov 26th to look for an apartment. In two years Mexico is going to be just like the movie Casa Blanca, with the refugees being Americans. I am usually correct in my predictions.
I feel encouraged by the number of Americans I see here post election. I cannot continue to live in a country where my mere existence puts a target on my back. I no longer want to be in survival mode. I want to live in peace. My only resistance right now is my 10 year old autistic son and how the move will impact him and what kind of resources we would or wouldn’t be able to access.
My parents are retired and already live in Lake Chapala. We’ve been considering the move for a while, but since Trump was elected recently, I’m giving it more thought. Hopefully, Lake Chapala isn’t quite as boring as the author claims it to be. 😉
Oops!
“Language: Over 90% Spanish. English is spoken in major cities and tourist destinations. It is said that San Miguel de Allende is the toughest town to learn
***English.***
Why? Because so many SMA citizens speak English.”
Wow these comments. See y’all in Mexico
I need to leave the US immediately. The Weimar Republic has met it’s end, and we all know what happens next. I just hope Mexico continues to be more generous and welcoming than it’s neighbors to the north have ever been.
Wow…so many like minded people. Can you bring your pets to Mexico?
I see that I am not the only one checking in to living in Mexico! I also looked into Canada, much more expensive however…
I want to move to the Mexico or Canada, but I have a kid in college.
Sad! to live in USA with DRAMP MAGA!
My husband and I are not yet able to retire. My husband is a semi truck driver. Can we live and drive our truck in Mexico?
I am reeling from the shocking election outcome and need to start researching how to move to Mexico. I’ve been traveling down there since 1991 and now that I’m retired I need to learn better Spanish and consider renting down there for six months. Kamala did not lose this election America did.
Agree with all of you! So afraid of living in US for the next 4 or more years. Was also looking at Costa Rica. I think Central America and Mexico are going to have an influx of Americans! It seems like it’s the only place we can be calm and not worried about the government coming after us.
Thank you for your informative and thoughtful exposition of life in SMA.
I’ve come to Mexico many times, often just wandering by myself for a week or so. I found Tulum that way, before it had sidewalks, and Punta Allen, and Zipolite in Oax. I love the food, the culture, the people and the fact that such a large and complex society is smack on our border and we know so little about it. What’s wrong with us? Whatever it is, it is amply on display in the comments posted here about our recent elections last week. It seems I can’t go anywhere without running into this.
Now retired, I have been getting my life in order to move to Mexico–first for several months and then, possibly, for good. SMA is high on my list of places to check out (never been).
While I have seen many wonderful areas, including two different week-long stays in the city of Oaxaca, and being recently underwhelmed by how its cuisine has been coopted by the whole Michelin-starred, over-arching silliness of commercial food/fame culture, I have not decided where I should live. While I think I’d feel better about this venture if I had an American community nearby, as in Chalapa or SMA, one of the reasons I’d like to leave the States is to get away from the very kind of pretentious piety and unexamined morality expressed here by those who say they are coming to Mexico because of our election results. Talk about inability to take life as it comes–a very Mexican trait we can all benefit from learning. Imagine coming to Mexico only to find myself a victim of American cancel culture!
Anyway, from the point of view of the sheer effort of the undertaking, all that traveling around and looking at things anew through the eyes of a retired guy, I am not sure how to go about my search. And it’s such a big and diverse country. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Joe Bruno
Wilton CT
Funny, now its gonna be immigration reversed. Most latinoamerican people want to come to the states looking for the lost American Dream and now a lot Americans want to leave the country looking for the Mexican Dream!!!
Seriously thinking about moving there. Going to be doing a lot of research. Like others, I’m embarrassed to be here since trump will be potus. This country might never come back together and the hate is too much.
Like others, I am extremely embarrassed to be an American now with Trump in charge again and I do not feel safe living here anymore. Friends and family have accused me of running instead of fighting and I see moving to Mexico as a new, way of life where I will be able to thrive. I am surrounded by so much masochism and bigotry, I feel suffocated.
I want to move to Mexico as well as the rest of the above commenters. Since Trump was elected the dictatorship will be in play. This will be a permanent move in another country. How long does it take to get granted permanent residency in Mexico? I have been to Mexico several times, and feels like home. Now that the US is in peril I need to get out.
Wonderful article, thank you. I echo every sentiment voiced here. I’m afraid and tired of the acrimony. I’ve fantasized about living in San Miguel for a long time and America’s slide may just do the trick.
Wow who let the Karen’s out of the closet. Sounds like a bunch of little pansies whining because life isn’t going the way they want. This country would be a million times better without any of you in it.
Also thinking about moving south from USA or Portugal. Just afraid of all the retribution Trump plans on doing and deportation that will destroy our economy. I’m retired and looking for an apartment in a city that’s relatively safe and warm and rent isn’t expensive. Lots to do and research b4 it can happen.
It’s awesome to see so many like-minded United States citizens wanting to move South of the border for very similar reasons! I’m excited to start planning my next move and I believe Puerto Vallarta has everything I’m looking for. I look forward to a more relaxed lifestyle and hopefully living off in my social security.
I’m with you sister see you soon. ❤️
This is absolutely crazy, I’m here just like everyone else because of Trump! I do not want to be here in the US anymore. This orange monster is going to destroy this country & i don’t want to be here to see it. Ill watch from Mexico. With DT tariffs the price of everything is going to sky rocket. He is pushing for a trade war already & gonna F everything up even more! God help the US . I’m 65 & I do not need this in my life at all, Just want to live in peace. Gonna do my research & get my ducks in a row! My 3 doggos are heading to Mexico!
Donna murphy says the above comment⬆️
Donna murphy says the above comment⬆️
I see all my like minded people are wanting to go for the same reason. I’m very nervous about these next 4 years with what he’s planning on doing. I can’t believe we’ve come to this.
Hahah i voted for Trump and im proud of it..im considering moving to mexico because of the lower cost of living
Wow, we all leaving because of one Monster who was elected who only ran to keep his fat azz out of jail!!! I’ve made up my mind today 1/14/2025 that leaving the USA is the best for my mind, and soul,and we’ll being. Love ya America but BYE
Well, I do agree with all the comments above due to the election of Orange Hitler but that is only one of the reasons I would like to move to Mexico. My main reason is that my wife of 22 years is from Peru and hates the U.S. for various reasons, we live in Massachusetts which is pretty much a red hat free zone but she hates the winter and doesn’t drive, so is bored most of the time. She grew up in Lima which is huge, (pop 12,000,000), so is used to walking out the door, grabbing a taxi and going anywhere she wants. I have lived in Lima for several years, Peru is a very nice country but can be expensive in some things and is a REAL PITA to go anywhere from except S America (which is very nice). I have been entertaining this idea for several years now and we just talked and may do it next year. I’m starting to research it now.
This was a great article. I use to vacation every Spring in PV. I am now 67, obviously retired, and met a latino in the states who has brought me back to life.
Since the white supremacist Trump has taken over….I fear for my partner, even though he has lived in US for 24 years, has a house, a job, and pays his taxes. He speaks, reads, and writes fluent Spanish, English, and French. Truly an amazing person. But thats not good enough for the new government. He obviously wants to stay because he will not be able to find work in Mexico for what he makes here. But if Trump gets his way, he will be gone. I almost think we could both make it on my pension and SS alone.
We have a lot of figuring out what to do.
This is an outstanding article. I have been contemplating relocating for the same reasons mentioned in other comments. I am so tired of the hate, racism, and the lack humanity being displayed by people. God is not pleased with the human race. Electing an antichrist revealed how sad we are as a nation.
After my BF gets his passport, we’ll be looking at places outside of the US to move to. I cannot live in a country that has a convicted felon and rapist as the president.
Mexico is a great option as it’s close to the US.
Soy nacionalidad mexicana.. bcs.. en los barriles la paz México siempre serán bienvenidos… Playas hermosas y lugar tranquilo .. hay más americanos que nacionales
Are there other single women, with or without, children , looking to do this move? A support system to navigate together would be helpful. Perhaps even to share the initial visits, steps and costs? Would have to come up with vetting system, of course. I’m close to retirement, financially secure, and don’t think USA is the answer for any chance at a peaceful life.
Is it not possible to reply to comments? Sorry if I’m missing an obvious step.
Bye bye
I am glad other people agree that Trump is inappropriate, I hope forward thinking sentiments of love and peace are going to take over life someday, they should have already but I got raptured into this nightmare experience, I hope God protects goodness in all corners of the universe and that evil will die. I don’t know the politics of Mexico but Trump is embarrassing.
As I watch the dismantling of my country, I am really beginning to doubt if I can stay. We tried to warn people. I’m too old to have all this stress! Gray winters don’t help either. I need sand, sunshine and safety. Can I bring my dog and cat?
I’ve been politically active all my life. I’m 74 and see that activism isn’t enough. I no longer recognize our government. I’m see that authoritarianism is on the rise. Hatred and racism are destroying us. I love Mexico and the people and culture. I know several individuals who live in or visit SMA. I’m going to plan a trip there soon. And I hope I can bring my cat if and when I move there.
Wow, like minded people! I’m amazed. If we all move to SMA we would have a small expat community. I was looking for a Spanish language immersion school and it didn’t take long to find one. Then I found all of you! I have always found people from Mexico to be kind. I don’t want to live around mean people anymore. Let them all live in the US. Hopefully we will meet up some day.