Expat Community

Expat Community in Mexico

Mexico has one of the largest and most established expat communities in the world, with over 1 million Americans alone plus many more from Canada, Europe, and elsewhere.

Major Expat Hubs

Lake Chapala (Ajijic/Chapala)

• Largest American expat community outside the US
• ~15,000-20,000 expats
• Primarily retirees
• Year-round spring-like climate
• Well-established infrastructure (English-speaking doctors, services)
• Active social scene with clubs, groups, events

San Miguel de Allende

• ~12,000+ expats
• Artists, retirees, creative types
• Beautiful colonial architecture
• Higher-end expat scene
• Regular cultural events, art galleries

Puerto Vallarta

• Mix of retirees and younger expats
• Beach lifestyle
• Active LGBTQ+ community
• Tourism infrastructure means English widely spoken
• Romantic Zone especially popular

Mexico City

• Young professionals and digital nomads
• Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhoods
• International, cosmopolitan feel
• Startup and creative scenes
• Huge variety of experiences

Merida

• Growing expat community
• Mix of retirees and younger families
• Colonial charm, Mayan culture
• Lower cost than beach towns
• Food scene renowned

Finding Community

Facebook Groups:

• Extremely active in Mexico
• Search "[city name] expats" or "expats in [city name]"
• Good for questions, recommendations, events
• Be prepared for some negativity/drama

Meetup.com:

• Regular events in larger cities
• Language exchanges, hiking groups, professional networking

InterNations:

• Expat networking organization
• Regular events and activities
• Good for professional connections

Local Activities:

• Volunteer organizations
• Spanish classes (great way to meet people)
• Sports leagues
• Religious communities
• Art/cooking classes

Expat Types in Mexico

Retirees:

• Largest group
• Often in established communities
• Looking for affordable, comfortable retirement
• Strong social infrastructure

Digital Nomads:

• Younger, mobile
• Concentrated in CDMX, beach towns
• Focused on work-life balance
• Active online communities

Entrepreneurs:

• Starting businesses in Mexico
• Restaurants, real estate, tourism
• Navigating Mexican business culture

Families:

• International schools available in major cities
• Looking for safety, quality of life
• Often in Guadalajara, Merida, Queretaro

Integration vs Bubble

The Expat Bubble:

• Easy to fall into
• English-speaking friends, services, activities
• Comfortable but limiting
• Miss authentic Mexican experience

Integration:

• Learn Spanish seriously
• Make Mexican friends
• Participate in local traditions
• Shop at local markets
• Live in mixed neighborhoods

Balance is key - have expat friends for shared experiences, but don't isolate from Mexican culture.

Cultural Adjustment

What Expats Love:

• Pace of life
• Warmth of Mexican people
• Food culture
• Family emphasis
• Affordable living

What Takes Adjustment:

• Mañana culture (things move slowly)
• Bureaucracy
• Different concepts of time
• Noise levels
• Driving culture