Moving to Mexico Top 10 Reasons to Move to Mexico

The great resignation has coincided with a great migration. Across the United States, Americans are leaving big cities for cheaper alternatives in suburbs and rural areas. In California alone, 360,000 people have left the state, according to CNBC, to find more affordable homes in Texas and Arizona. This trend is only accelerating as remote work is becoming common.

Suppose you are one of those people looking outside your home city. If you’re in California looking East, consider looking south… of the border. Mexico offers many amenities for people used to big city life and the serenity you would get from a rural home. Today, I want to tell you about all the things I love about Mexico and things I think you will like too.

Close to Home

For most Americans, leaving the country is a huge decision, probably because you won’t see your family very often. Some of my friends only see their family once a year, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen any friends who moved east.

I’m from San Diego, so when the idea of moving to Texas started to creep up, I had to contend with how far I would be from my family. In Ensenada, I am only a 45-minute drive away from my family in downtown San Diego.

Getting over the border isn’t a headache either. Usually, I just take the footbridge across but taking a car is quick and easy, primarily if you use Ready Lanes, which can help get you across in minutes.

Also, living in the same time zone as California has its benefits. I have to be on a computer at 9 AM PST for the first call of the day, and if I lived in Texas, that would mean waking up at 7 AM every day. That doesn’t sound fun to me.

Cost of Living

A couple of years ago, I was living in North Park in San Diego, and my roommate and I were paying $1500 a piece for a small apartment. Now I’m living in a gated community by the ocean, by myself, and I’m only paying $750 a month.

Not only has my rent been halved, but my cost of living has gone down considerably more. The American dollar is worth about 19-20 pesos, so grocery shopping and going out cost almost nothing.

Quality of life

As I said earlier, my community is on the beach in Ensenada. I live in Plaza at Bajamar, a lovely little community of ex-pats like myself. The community is also by a couple of golf courses and vineyards.

It’s like time moves a little slower down here. I don’t know how else to explain it. In San Diego, I had to be on a constant grind just to make ends meet, and down here, all of that stress has dissipated in the Mexican sand.

Healthcare

Now I probably don’t have to tell you that health insurance in America is expensive. I had health insurance through my job, but it still cost me about $300 a month. I pay around $600 yearly for insurance through IMSS, one of Mexico’s healthcare providers.

As a working Mexican citizen, you would automatically be enrolled in IMSS, but I had to register myself as an ex-pat. It wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t made easy either. Luckily I had a friend who spoke Spanish to help me along with all the paperwork. But if you are just looking to pay out of pocket for a few things, the cost is meager.

Climate

Mexico has a wide variety of climates, much like the United States. It has tropical areas down south by Playa del Carmen and Tulum. It has desert areas and plains, but it also has snow-capped mountains. Even in Baja, California, a range of mountains get snow. The San Pedro Mártir mountain is a beautiful campground and is only a short drive away.

Ensenada is about as close to San Diego’s climate as you can get. Its proximity to the ocean keeps it from getting too hot, but it stays warm through the winter.

Food

As San Diegans, we have been spoiled with good Mexican food. A lot of people take it for granted until they leave San Diego. Take a drive and see how many Mexican food places you find that arent named Taco Bell.

Mexico has one of the most extraordinary food scenes next to America.  I can smell the taco shops cooking fresh tortillas every morning and the carne asada as I type this. If you wanted to eat out every night, I wouldn’t blame you, and as I said earlier, you can afford it down here.

The produce is also about as fresh as you can find it. In fact, 77% of all American produce comes from Mexico, so get it fresh.

Drinks

Mexico is known for its Tequila and Mezcal, which I love, and wish I could drink it every night, but did you know Mexico also produces wine?

Ensenada is home to the Valle de Guadalupe and some of Mexico’s best wines. Known as the Napa Valley of Baja California, this area produces a wide variety of wines, from Cabernet to Pinot Gris.

Culture

Mexican culture seems to be intertwined with American culture. But one of the most significant differences is they have a strong blend of indigenous and Spanish customs that have influenced not only, their food but their culture at large.

An indigenous pride parade passes through Ensenada about every other week. Their Independence Day celebration is a blast, and Cinco de Mayo is a ton of fun too.

Ex-pat Communities

If you can’t speak Spanish well, don’t worry, I don’t either. I live in a community full of American and Canadian ex-pats. Most of them are permanent residents or retirees, but we also go plenty of kids coming down on the weekends to party. Not only that but since Ensenada is a tourist hub and is so close to the border, just about everyone here speaks English.

Real estate

As the real estate market in the US prices people out from buying a home, Mexico keeps costs low. Whether you are looking for a new home or a second home, Mexico is a cheap option for anyone looking outside of California, and I could not recommend it enough.

Getting a residency visa is easy and if you are interested in living in my community or like it, visit here for more information.