Escape to Mexico

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. The town cemetery on Day of the Dead. Photo by Planet Jose.

Given the current US political situation, and its ongoing economic problems, many of my friends talk about leaving the country. Europeans and those from other countries face similar problems. In this article, I'll discuss why Mexico is an ideal relocation destination.

Introduction

When I left the US, in 2003, it was not to escape. I lived in a place that had five colleges nestled in a mountain/ farming valley, providing both nature and culture--an ideal location. It's called the Pioneer Valley, and is two hours west of Boston.

I'd met a guy at an annual folk festival where I worked who told me that he was from the US, but lived part-time in Mexico. He invited me, and after my third visit to Mexico, when it was time to come home, I was crying. I did not want to leave. This was the impetus for me to prepare, and then leave the US. 

The many fiestas were a unique experience for me. I realized that they were the glue that held together families and communities. Unlike the materialistic focus in the US, families and communities take priority in Mexico.

Let's take a look at why Mexico is a preferred relocation destination, and how Tepoztlán, a Pueblo Magico, near Mexico City where I live, has a special charm. And I will discuss how I might help you to decide to come visit to explore for yourself what it's like.

Why Mexico?

Before enumerating the reasons why one might want to move to Mexico, here are interviews from a few expat friends telling you their personal reasons:

Reasons why US expats prefer Mexico for relocation:

1. Proximity to US family and loved ones                                                  

2. Affordable without sacrificing quality of life                                            

3. Healthcare with excellent quality and lower prices                                

4. Many alternative healthcare options not as easily available elsewhere   

5. Mexican food and culture    

6. Beautiful and varied natural areas with warmer climate  

7. A more relaxed, simpler and fulfilling lifestyle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

       

Here is an excellent site comparing quality of life issues of any two cities in the world. It includes cost of living and property prices, too. I recommend you use it to help determine your relocation choices.

Of course, like any other life decision, you can find downsides about living in Mexico. At the beginning of this blog, I tell about a cultural difference that has bothered me. There are earthquakes, and I live twenty miles from an active volcano. The media portray Mexico as a very violent country, but I have not experienced this. Considering the amount of violent crime in Chicago and other major US cities, and the numerous mass killings, among other violence in the US, Mexico is much safer. One needs to research this to find how border cities and some other areas are more violent. And as anywhere in the world, follow common sense--do not to flaunt money, cameras, or jewelry, and stay off of highways at night.

Tepoztlán is Unique

There are favorite destinations for US expats who have relocated in Mexico: Mexico City, San Miguel Allende, Lake Chapala, Cancun, and others. To me these areas represent places in Mexico where people have immigrated to locations most like the US. Lower income Mexicans serve the expat community, and many have been forced to leave due to gentrification: higher rental and other living costs. Very little of the original Mexican culture remains.

The only small city I know of in Mexico that has somewhat the same vibe as Tepoztlán is San Cristóbal de las Casas in the state of Chiapas. It is much colder there and more isolated than is Tepoztlán.

Here is what a woman visiting from the UK has to say about Tepoztlán:

There is a very tangible magical quality that most visitors sense immediately. The small city (population 25,000) lies in a valley between parallel mountain ranges with very odd shapes like temples, columns, and flying-saucer landing pads.

 These provide a mystical quality, especially during the rainy season when misty clouds descend, shrouding the mountains in filmy garments. The mountains, produced by a secondary volcanic deposit, contain quartz and igneous conglomerates, a rare combination that undoubtedly produce unusual phenomena. I've used my compass to detect a magnetic anomaly. Tepoztlán is considered one of the top UFO sighting areas in Mexico.

As Uli says in the video above, there are many possibilities to meet people--the locals, other Mexicans who are visiting or live in Tepoztlán, or expats. Since the city has very few corporate businesses, this provides a distinct charm, with many booths filling the main streets on weekends, for the day-tripping tourists from Mexico City and Cuernavaca to enjoy, besides a climb to the Tepoztéco pyramid, or other nature venues.

As I mentioned earlier, fiestas, the glue for community, were my initial draw to come here. There are several types: for families, barrio fiestas, religious events, and state holidays. Here is a potpourri of local festivals in the center of town:

Here is a blog about a music festival of mixed expats and Mexicans for raining funds to initiate a musician's union.

As you might expect, there are numerous places for shopping, besides the street booth. For example, there is the newly opened Mercado (market), alternative weekly farmers' markets, a monthly trading market (no fiat currency allowed). And international restaurants and cafes are abundant. With all of this are world-class music performances at two auditoriums and at many nightclub/restaurants.

For me, one of the outstanding features in Tepoztlán is the abundance of nearby nature trails and spots.

Come Visit

If you are considering leaving the US, and perhaps moving to Mexico, it is best to make an exploratory visit first. Come to Tepoztlán to stay for a week to a month or more where we will plan an itinerary to meet your needs and guide you. This is a stress-free way to find out if it is the place for you. Our site is mexicolivingexperience.com, and here is the "tours" page outlining what we offer and how to book with us. 

We start the visit process with a half-hour phone consultation. This helps you decide if Mexico is for you, and if so, we can create a Tepoztlán itinerary together. Please send us an email telling us of your plans and why you are considering relocating in Mexico. We will arrange a day and time to call you.

You may do abundant research and seek legal counsel. But there is nothing like having a local, trusted, knowledgeable person to fill in the gaps and provide the psychological comfort to answer the little questions, connect you with resources and genuinely care for your well-being. I am grateful to Don, whose support opened the door to Mexico for me. Were it not for him, I may not have come. ---Jason Ross

See you soon!