Why More U.S. Citizens Are Choosing Mexico
In recent years, Mexico has become one of the most popular destinations for U.S. citizens seeking a new life abroad. Some are weary of the exorbitant cost of living in major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and New York. Others feel weighed down by the cultural hostility and political divisiveness that has become part of daily American life.
Whether relocating to Mexico full-time for retirement, work opportunities, or the desire for a cultural reset, Americans are increasingly drawn to Mexico’s small towns, major cities, and everything in between. Places like Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, and Lake Chapala attract thousands of new residents each year, each bringing their own story.
For some, the appeal lies in the lower cost of living, access to quality health care, or the ease of traveling back to the United States. Others are inspired by Mexico’s cultural attractions, colonial architecture, and vibrant local communities. Digital nomads on tourist visas, retirees seeking permanent residency, and families enrolling children in international schools all find unique opportunities here.
In this interview, we sit down with Gwen and Stanley, American expats who left behind the hustle of San Francisco for the relaxed pace of Puerto Vallarta. They share the ups and downs of their journey — from navigating visas and bank accounts to embracing cultural differences and furniture shopping adventures in Guadalajara. Their reflections highlight not just the challenges of moving to a foreign country, but also the joy of finding a new home and community.
At the start of the interview, Gwendolyn recalls a nightmare trip to Tijuana in the 1980s that left her with a lasting misperception about Mexico, causing her to overlook it as a retirement destination. But once she discovered Puerto Vallarta and other vibrant towns along the Mexican coast, she realized how unnecessary her delay in moving here had been.
“We should have moved at least ten years sooner,” Gwen warns, hoping others learn from her experience.
Why Mexico? From Childhood Dreams to Puerto Vallarta
For Stanley, moving to Mexico was a lifelong dream. Born in Trinidad, he always imagined returning to the tropics, somewhere between Cancer and Capricorn, where palm trees and rivers could shape daily life. “I wanted to live by a river, have a little vegetable garden, fish on the beach, and relax in a hammock,” he shared.
Initially, the couple researched Mérida in Yucatán, drawn to its colonial architecture and cultural richness. But while they loved its charm, Stanley longed to be closer to the ocean. Their search expanded to Playa del Carmen, where turquoise Caribbean waters and white sand beaches enchanted them.
Still, it was Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, that captured Gwen’s heart.
“We spent more time here than anywhere else,” Gwen explains. “This place just really spoke to me. I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
While Stanley wasn’t immediately convinced — preferring the Caribbean vibe of the Yucatán — he ultimately agreed. Puerto Vallarta offered more than beaches: a thriving expat community, proximity to California where they had family members, and an international airport with easy access to the United States.
Adjusting to Life Abroad: Cultural Differences and Community
One of the biggest challenges for U.S. citizens moving to a different country is adjusting to cultural differences. For Gwen, learning to adapt to Mexico’s timelines was essential. “I would have saved myself a lot of stress if I had realized that things don’t move here on the same timeframe as the United States,” she admitted. “If they say one month, add two or three.” From ordering custom furniture to handling paperwork with local government, patience proved to be an important lesson.
At the same time, both Gwen and Stanley were struck by the warmth of Mexican culture.
"I think also for us, and for me particularly," Gwen says, "Everyone that we have met, and I'm talking about the people that live here in our building, but also the Mexican people in general have been absolutely so wonderful. So nice. It's, it's just been a really good experience.”
Originally, Gwen had pictured their retirement home as a single-family house with a yard and plenty of space. But instead, they found a great deal at D’Toscana, a pre-construction development in Nuevo Vallarta, where they purchased a spacious two-bedroom condo with a large terrace (shown in the video interview). Looking back, they agree that choosing a condo community helped ease their transition. “Being here at D’Toscana has been the best decision for us, because the people we’ve met in this building have really helped us settle in and feel at home,” Gwen says, emphasizing how much community has mattered in adapting to their new life abroad.
New residents often struggle with the logistics of setting up utilities, learning about comprobante de domicilio (proof of address), or even understanding public transport routes. But Gwen and Stanley’s neighbors have offered guidance and friendship. They celebrate holidays together, recounting watching fireworks from the rooftop on New Year’s Eve, and share dinners and cocktails regularly.
Furniture Shopping when Purchasing Preconstruction
Stanley pointed out another tip for new buyers: Avoid paying developers for pricey upgrades when purchasing property, indicating you will save a lot of money if you receive the condo more bare-bones and hire someone local to help you do the upgrades yourself. “If I knew I could get craftsmen here to do the work later at local prices, I would have saved a lot of money,” he said.
That lesson carried over into one of Gwen and Stanley’s biggest adventures — furnishing their new condo. Without a car, they relied on Uber and buses to get around, even taking the bus all the way to Guadalajara, with stops in Tlaquepaque and Tonalá, in search of unique furniture and décor pieces – a trip that they highly recommend to furniture shoppers.
“As I like to say,” Gwen smiles, “Tlaquepaque is my jam!”
And the road trip was worth it, they say, as it allowed them to source high-quality pieces made of solid woods like parota and amapa, often at far lower prices than they would have paid locally in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. “Any furniture you buy here usually comes from Guadalajara anyway,” Stanley explains. “Going directly gives you more choices and better deals.”
This process of sourcing each piece over time — rather than buying pre-packaged sets — gave their home a deeply personal feel. “We spent a year picking individual things,” Gwen said. “It was more work, but it let us create our vision.”
What They Miss — and What They Don’t
Leaving behind the U.S. brought mixed emotions. Gwen initially missed her family members and California wines, but after spending two months back in the States for surgery, she was eager to return to Mexico. “I could not wait to get back,” she admitted. “The stress and hustle of American cities was something I didn’t miss at all.”
“I have a few friends that I would like to sit down and have a belly laugh with, but other than that, I miss nothing,” Stanley reflects.
Instead, they have found joy in the slower pace of Mexico, where life revolves less around schedules and more around connection. The cost of living is another huge benefit, from convenience stores to private hospitals, they feel daily life in Puerto Vallarta offers both affordability and comfort.
Advice for Future Expats: Why Now Is the Best Time
Perhaps their most powerful message is directed at Americans still considering the move. “If it’s something — and tell anybody — if it’s something that you’re considering, absolutely push the button and do it….And sooner rather than later,” Gwen says, encouraging people to stop stalling like she feels she did.
Stanley echoed this sentiment: “I’d like to go back to the money. If you think you have enough money, take the step. If you don’t think you have enough money, you can get a job online and take the step”
Stanley encourages people to leverage PV’s current stage of growth to make money, citing the fact that they’ve seen their condo’s value in Nuevo Vallarta increase by 30% in just one year, with projections of another 30% rise in the next two years. Real estate, combined with lifestyle benefits, makes Mexico an attractive option for U.S. citizens.
For those hesitant, their advice is clear: don’t wait for the “perfect” time. Whether you’re exploring, applying for permanent residency, or simply planning a scouting trip, Mexico is full of opportunities for new residents.
