When we moved to Mexico nearly 3 years ago, we had no idea what we were doing, how long we would stay, or even which city would be the best for our family. We settled on Ensenada in Baja California. There are so many places to retire to in Mexico, it’ll be difficult to pick just one! Retiring to Mexico feels like the American dream to us: it’s affordable, the healthcare is excellent, and the people are friendly. Are you dreaming of a retirement filled with warm weather, delicious food, and a low cost of living? Mexico offers a wealth of affordable cities perfect for stretching your dollars. From charming colonial towns to bustling cities, Mexico has something for every retiree.
1. Mérida
Nestled in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is a colonial gem that offers a high quality of life at a fraction of the cost. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and thriving expat community, Mérida has become a top destination for retirees. There is a growing community of Black expats in Mérida as well.
2. San Miguel de Allende
Also known as SMA, San Miguel de Allende is a very popular area for American retirees. Renowned for its colorful architecture, vibrant arts scene, and friendly locals, San Miguel de Allende is a true gem in central Mexico. This charming colonial city offers a low cost of living, excellent healthcare facilities, and a thriving expat community. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural offerings, enjoy the year-round mild climate, and eat all the enchiladas mineras (miner’s enchiladas) and pacholas you can handle.
3. Oaxaca
Nestled in the mountains of southern Mexico, Oaxaca is a culturally rich city that offers a unique blend of indigenous traditions and colonial architecture. Many migrants from Oaxaca come to Baja California during the growing season to earn more money. Nearly 30,000 Oaxacans speak their own native dialect called Triqui that is passed down from generation to generation verbally, not written on paper. With its affordable cost of living, excellent healthcare options, and vibrant arts scene, Oaxaca has become a popular retirement destination. Enjoy Oaxaca’s mole, nieve, and enfrijoladas; explore ancient ruins, and soak up the warm, welcoming atmosphere. There’s always something interesting happening in Oaxaca.
4. Playa del Carmen
If you’re dreaming of a beachside retirement, Playa del Carmen is an excellent choice. I have several friends who travel here often, and while it’s not the most affordable place in Mexico, it’s still a lower cost of living than many areas in the United States – and the weather can’t be beat. This lively coastal town on the Riviera Maya offers a perfect balance of modern amenities and a laid-back Caribbean vibe. Enjoy the warm turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and a thriving expat community. Here, you’ll experience a slower, more laid back lifestyle. Remember, healthcare in Mexico works a little differently. You can have private insurance, or you can pay cash out of pocket. For example, we pay $50 USD to see a specialist. With virtually no waiting time for many specialties, you can often get seen the same week or even the same day.
5. Puebla
An affordable retirement option with a unique charm, Puebla is a colonial city rich in history and culture. You can wander through the colorful streets, take in the stunning architecture, and indulge in Puebla’s infamous Mole Poblano and Chiles en Nogada (Mexican Flag Dish) With its low cost of living, excellent healthcare facilities, and friendly locals, Puebla is a hidden gem for retirees. It’s worth noting that most cities in Mexico don’t have loads of handicap-accessible options; sidewalks are often barely walkable unless you live in a built-up community.
6. Querétaro
Located in central Mexico, Querétaro is a charming colonial city that offers a high quality of life at an affordable cost. A few popular YouTube channels focusing on this city has made it even more desirable for expats from the U.S. With its well-preserved historic center, vibrant arts scene, and excellent healthcare facilities, Querétaro is a popular destination for retirees.
7. Tijuana
While often overlooked, Tijuana is an affordable and vibrant city located just across the border from San Diego, California. With its low cost of living, excellent healthcare facilities, and proximity to the United States, Tijuana offers a unique retirement experience. You can easily take advantage of the easy access to both countries if you live in Tijuana. However, the time to cross the border both by car and by foot can be several hours, depending on the time of day and day of the week. If you have a vehicle, it’s often best to cross in Otay or Tecate. We’ve never waited more than 2 hours at either border, even when busy. At the San Ysidro border in Tijuana, though, we’ve waited upwards of 5 hours!
8. Ensenada
Ensenada is where we landed when we moved to Mexico. Well, about 40 minutes south, near LaBufadora. Situated on the Pacific coast of Baja California, Ensenada is a charming seaside town that offers an affordable option for retirement with a laid back vibe. There are many small towns near Ensenada that offer quality of life at an affordable price. Enjoy the fresh seafood, beautiful beaches, and a thriving expat community. With its low cost of living and proximity to the United States, Ensenada is an excellent choice for retirees seeking a coastal lifestyle without the high prices of coastal cities like San Diego, California. The weather in Ensenada is perfect; think San Diego weather year round. The city isn’t very walkable, so you’ll want a car (even though driving in Mexico can take some getting used to) if you move to Ensenada. However, the healthcare can’t be beat. Hospital Vel Mar has English-speaking doctors and top-notch surgeons.
9. Guanajuato
Nestled in the mountains of central Mexico, Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and affordable living. Wander through the picturesque alleyways, enjoy live music performances, and savor the delicious local cuisine. There are tunnels that go throughout the entire city, so if you’re able to walk or ride a scooter, that’s how you can get around. Downtown is very walkable, but can be pretty noisy at night. The buildings and houses are all very colorful!
10. Cuernavaca
Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Cuernavaca is a beautiful city located just south of Mexico City. With its mild climate, lush greenery, and affordable cost of living, Cuernavaca offers a peaceful retirement option for foreigners. You can sit back and relax, and enjoy Cuernavaca’s rich history, beautiful parks, and excellent healthcare facilities..
11. Mazatlán
If you’re dreaming of a beachside retirement, Mazatlán is an excellent choice. This vibrant coastal city on the Pacific coast offers a perfect blend of modern amenities and a rich cultural heritage. Mazatlán offers warm sandy beaches, delicious seafood, and a thriving expat community.
12. Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes, a charming city in central Mexico, offers an affordable retirement option with a high quality of life. With its well-preserved colonial architecture, excellent healthcare facilities, and vibrant cultural scene, Aguascalientes is a hidden gem for foreign retirees. Mexico offers a wealth of affordable retirement destinations, each with its unique charm and appeal. Whether you’re seeking a colonial town, a coastal paradise, or a vibrant city, there’s a place for every retiree in this beautiful country. Many of the cities on this list have large expat communities and English-speaking populations. Getting by with Spanglish is mostly doable, but learning español is ideal. Yes, duolingo counts!
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Sadie has been writing for over 15 years, teaching other people how to make money online. She's got plenty of real-world experience in disaster preparedness, and has traveled through the US, Mexico, and India.