Wondering where to live in Mexico? In this guide, we’ll talk about the best places to live in Mexico.
But, first, there are a few things to consider before making Mexico your next base.
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While people may have bypassed Mexico in the past for safety concerns, there are some very safe parts of Mexico with large expat communities.
Aside from the warm climate and abundance of sunshine, living costs are low compared to the US and most parts of Europe.
Moreover, the proximity to the states makes Mexico especially popular with American expats and retirees.
Other perks of living in Mexico include good infrastructure for traveling between cities, friendly locals, wholesome food, and stable wifi connection (in the large cities at least).
Read our guide to learn more about the pros and cons of living in Mexico.
So, if you’ve set your sights on moving to the land of guacamole, here are the five best places to live in Mexico that are safe.
Mexico City
Mexico City attracts digital nomads who seek a bustling lifestyle with a heavy sprinkle of culture. The vibrant nightlife is balanced perfectly with the astounding architecture of this old city.
Mexico city is also set up perfectly for those working from their laptop.
There are many high-quality cafes and a growing number of coworking spaces, too, such as CoCo Hub, PÚBLICO, and El 3er Espacio.
Many expats opt to live in the bohemian neighborhoods of La Condesa and Roma.
These areas are full of hipster restaurants, art galleries, and other hang-out spots, providing plenty of opportunities to meet other expats.
The climate here is delightful, averaging mid-70s with some rain and cool evenings. Mexico city is generally safe, providing you take precautions but bear in mind, some areas have high crime rates.
Even so, the city takes safety seriously, and crime rates have fallen in recent years. It now has one of the highest police officer-to-resident ratios in the world.
If busy crowds aren’t your thing, you may find the hustle and bustle a bit much, as up to five million people come and go every day.
Moreover, pollution levels can get pretty high, and renting here is more expensive than in other parts of the country.
Playa Del Carmen
Playa del Carmen was the first area to draw in digital nomads and today is one of the best cities to live in Mexico.
This is because of its pure-white beaches, turquoise seas, relaxed way of life, and abundance of coffee shops and coworking spaces.
When we moved to Mexico for a few months, we had decided to live in Playa del Carmen. You can read our guide to find out what it’s like to be living in Playa del Carmen.
Some popular coworking spots here are Nest, Cowork-in, and Bunker.
Playa del Carmen is a lively place with lots of activities for digital nomads and has an active dive scene. While there is great nightlife, it’s nothing like the mad crowds you’ll find in Cancun.
Because of the large expat community here, Playa del Carmen is one of the few Mexican cities where you can get by with minimal Spanish.
It’s undoubtedly one of the safe cities in Mexico (providing you’re cautious). You’ll have no trouble walking around downtown Playa del Carmen.
The downside is that the cost of living is higher here than in many other cities. However, when you can nab a beach condo with stunning ocean views, the extra charge may be worth it.
Read our guide to learn more about long-term apartments in Playa del Carmen.
Note that in 2021, there have been a few shootings in the Yucatan Peninsula resulting in an increase in military and police officers in the streets.
In December 2021, we saw militaries and police officers regularly at any time of the day, especially around 5th avenue.
Tulum
Tulum used to be one of the safe parts of Mexico with extremely low crime rates. Although, there have been a few shootings in Tulum in 2020-2021 and many expats prefer to stay in Playa Del Carmen instead.
Although Tulum has become the latest digital nomad hotspot. Living here, you’ll enjoy jungle trekking, snorkeling with turtles, and cenote diving to counteract all your screen time.
Tulum is also one of the best places to retire in Mexico because of its nature and outdoorsy living. The town itself is beautiful, with many ancient
Maya archaeological sites. What’s more, there are gorgeous Caribbean beaches and tropical jungles all around.
On top of this, Tulum boasts warm weather all year round, and it’s easy to walk around the main town.
You’ll find plenty of your favorite western eats here, from avocado toast to acai bowls.
There are also many coworking spots like Bucko, CoCo Hub, and Tulum Art Club.
Tulum is not the cheapest place to live in Mexico, and because it’s a touristy place, prices tend to increase further during the tourist season.
That said, there are lots of budget accommodation options including hostels. Staying in an affordable spot will help you while you find a flat where to stay long-term. Take a look at the best hostels in Tulum.
Thinking of moving to Tulum? Read this digital nomad guide in Tulum.
San Miguel De Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a stunning Mexican town full of charm and history.
This historic wonderland is a favorite for American expats and one of the best places to retire in Mexico because of its pleasant spring-like temperatures and friendly locals.
San Miguel de Allende is one of the best places to live in Mexico if you want an authentic cultural experience. This is because the town hosts many cultural events such as parades and art festivals.
Even so, you’ll never feel out of your depth as over 8,000 expats live here.
The town can get pretty crowded with tourists. However, even in high season, you’re bound to find a quiet cafe on the town’s outskirts to catch up on your work.
There are a few coworking spaces dotted around, such as Smartspace Hub and Alpha.
In terms of safety, you’ll have no worries here as it’s perhaps the safest place to live in Mexico and is free from cartel wars and robberies.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a sizable town with many expats who choose to settle here because of its beautiful beaches and excellent year-round weather. If you’re new to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is an ideal place.
This is because it offers many home comforts and amenities for remote workers, such as stable internet connections and coworking spaces like Vallarta and Natureza.
Both retirees seeking laidback living and expats who want to spend their days off relaxing on the beach find Puerto Vallarta one of the best places to live in Mexico.
It’s also one of the cheapest as there is plenty of affordable accommodation and the cost of living is low.
Furthermore, the crime rates are significantly lower than in some US cities like Miami and Las Vegas.
Final Thoughts On The Best Places To Live In Mexico
Mexico is an absolute dream destination; however, we know moving here can seem scary because of the country’s reputation.
However, these five areas are considered safe parts of Mexico and have existing expat communities. Which one of these five best places to live in Mexico will you choose?
If you’re still wondering if it’s safe to live in Mexico in 2022 – you should know that I’ve been asking myself the same thing before moving to Mexico.
That said, after lots of research, I realized there were ways to be more cautious without putting ourselves at risk.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to decrease risks and stay safe while in Mexico:
- As a woman, I don’t take taxis alone – but if I really had to, I’d share my location with someone (make sure to have a Mexico SIM card), or I’d take a photo of the taxi number. That said, we always ask how much the ride will cost before entering the taxi.
- We don’t go out much, so we are decreasing risks, but chances are you may want to party while in Mexico. So make sure to go out with friends and avoid any troubles if you can.
- Carry a copy or a photo of your FMM (Immigration card) and your passport with you at all times. Police officers have started stopping people to ensure they are not illegally in Mexico.
- Trust your gut feelings, and do not go somewhere if you don’t think it’s a good idea. It may seem normal, but sometimes, people under the influence of alcohol can act differently.
- Avoid streets or areas where people offer you drugs. Chances are you may be in a dodgy area.
- Join Facebook groups for digital nomads or expats in Mexico to be aware of the latest news in the city where you live. For example, in a group for digital nomad girls, I found many tips for taxi rides, etc.
That said, we still enjoy our time in Mexico, and if you’re not sure where to live in Mexico, I’d suggest you start with a place like Playa del Carmen or Playa Vallarta.
Once you feel comfortable, go ahead and visit other destinations to pick your new base.
Not sure if Mexico is for you? Read one of the following expat guides:
