According to International Living, Mexico is ranked within the top five expat havens to move overseas.
If the 160% surge seen today in searches for terms like “move overseas” and “expats overseas” is any indication—Americans are looking in ever-greater numbers for other, better-living options beyond the U.S. borders.
In the wake of the presidential election results, the trend already underway of retirees going overseas for better-value living, more affordable healthcare, and warmer weather appears to be poised to accelerate.
Already the Social Security Administration sends 660,528 payments overseas… and anecdotally, according to the editors of International Living, the number of U.S. retirees receiving Social Security benefits abroad is likely higher than that, as many simply continue to bank in the States while living outside the country.
While Canada seems to top the list of target destinations for many potential escapees—in fact, that nation’s immigration website reportedly crashed on election night—the editors at International Living recommend havens where the climate is milder and the cost of living lower.
Below are three of their most popular overseas retirement haven picks… plus two more still flying below the radar screen, for now anyway…
Mexico
Image: internationalliving.com
As many as a million U.S. and Canadian citizens already call Mexico their home, with more joining them all the time. In terms of numbers, Mexico is the most popular expat destination for North Americans in the world. This should come as no surprise—Mexico has a lot to recommend it.
Stately Spanish colonial cities in Mexico are steeped in tradition, and soaring baroque church spires overlook gracious squares. Here you can dine in elegant cafés, and browse upscale shops on the very spots where the heroes of the Revolution declared independence from Spain and forged a new country.
For all these reasons, and many more, Mexico is one of the world’s top destinations for those dreaming of a relaxed and romantic new life abroad. America’s closest southern neighbor consistently makes International Living’s list of the best countries to live in.
Many expats choose to live in Mexico’s Colonial Highlands. Three popular towns in the region are San Miguel de Allende, Querétaro, and Guanajuato. Each have a colonial centro histórico—UNESCO World Heritage sites—where grand colonial homes have been converted to hip restaurants, chic boutiques, hotels…or sometimes just tiny mom-and-pop corner stores or simple eateries where you can get a meal for a couple of dollars. And, of course, many of the colonials have also been renovated to become homes.
In San Miguel de Allende you’ll enjoy a comfortable climate, rich cultural life, charming historic architecture, and low costs. Guanajuato and Santiago de Querétaro (usually called simply Querétaro) are off the radar but quite livable. Mexico is a big country, with colonial villages and towns all over. But this trio is clustered three to four hours by car or bus northwest of Mexico City, and you can travel from one to the other easily in about an hour ($5 to $7 for a first-class bus ticket).
Source: https://internationalliving.com/
