Best places to live in Mexico?

Question

I was hoping someone could give me some information on moving to Mexico. My boy friend and I are young entrepreneurs. We own a Lounge/bar in downtown Toronto. We having been trying to find information about moving to Mexico but its alot harder than I though. We want to be somewhere safe, affordable to buy a home and a business, and to be by the water. If anyone could help us on our search it would be much appreciated

Answer 1

Monterrey, because is close to the states, 3 hours from the border, business are good there, is pretty safe.

Answer 2

Take a vacation to the place you want to consider. Good luck, I bet there will be plenty of red tape. Try the west coast, some  where near Puerto Vallarta

Answer 3

As a Mexican, I would highly recommend Queretaro, it is a fast-growing industrial city, just 2 hours north of Mexico City. Sorry, we do not have beaches here, but we have excellent weather and the most beautiful sunsets, and it is quite a safe city. It is a great place, although a bit expensive, but maybe for you Canadians not so much. Also, San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, with a huge U.S. community.

Answer 4

If you are going to cater to gringos in your business you'd better go to a large tourist town.  My small town on the west coast is empty for 1/2 the year and the gringos here only 4-5 months.

You really need to start visiting and find places you like.   Visit both winter and summer to know the population and climate.

You won't be able to compete with Mexican businesses - because you just don't know how.   Lots of money wasted on ventures here that the local population won't support.

Not that hard to start a business - but it better be right or it's money in the toilet

Answer 5

Mazatlan has many Americans and English is spoken in the business area.  It is beautiful and on the ocean,  Cost of living is very good.  Foreign nationals are not allowed to own property on the water , but you can get a nice house inland.

It is a big tourist area.

I have a relative living there 20 years now.  He thinks it is wonderfull and he prefers it to the USA.  Less tension, hustle and bussel according to him.  he thinks it is a better place to raise his child.  Less crime and open drug s than large north-American cities.

Answer 6

Xalapa,  state capital of Veracruz,  home of University of Veracruz.  Not many Tourists,  beautiful climate, scenery.  Only a short dive to the ocean but without the hot climate of sea level. An undiscovered jewel

Answer 7

Like Sparky said, you got to go to Mexico and drive around and  see what towns you like, first of all.  I'd recommend looking at:

1. Cancun

2. Puerto Vallarta

3. Riviera Maya (the whole coast south of Cancun)

4. San Miguel de Allende

5. Lake Chapala area

Visit these areas and talk to people in restaurants to see if there is a niche demand not being satisfied (like a suchi bar or a lounge that play '60's rock and roll--there's a lot of gringo retirees in number 4 and 5).

See Rolly Brook's website below and click the link that says: Starting a Business in Mexico.  Lots of good info on his website.

Answer 8

What do you want?

The previous answers you got are telling you to move to some touristic area at the beach, but I don't think that is a good idea: mexican beaches can be TOO hot for you, since you are from Canadá. Besides, the most developed areas are not in the beach, those are just lonely spots near to the sea.

Big cities can be risky, in my opinion the best areas to live in México are medium size cities northern to México city (southern México is interesting, but to visit, not to live).

My recommendetions, in this order:

1.-Aguascalientes, Ags. (the city and state with the highest life standard level in México)

2.-León, Gto. (Big industrial city in El Bajio, the highest st. level for a whole region wich includes two states: Querétaro and Guanajuato).

3.- Querétaro, Qro.

4.- San Luis Potosí, SLP.

5.- Torreón, Coah. (this is in the desertic north, it can be too hot in summer, I don't like it, but its economy is strong).

6.- San Miguel de Allende, Gto.

7.- Celaya, Gto.

8.- Irapuato, Gto.

Answer 9

I agree 100% with bagalood.

Answer 10

A lot will depend on what is most important to you. Ocean? Quality of life? Prices? Potential customers? I can answer only about Mazatlan with any authority, but based on my 20 years here, and comments from people coming here from other areas in Mexico.

To get FM-3 status (Resident) you would have to prove enough money available to not HAVE to work here. (About $1200 to $1500 US per month available for the next 12 months.) With FM-3 it is pretty easy to start a business. Just remember that the financial reality's apply here as well as where you are now. If you come down with insufficient capitol, you will soon leave with less. You need to come, spend some time and see what would work, develop a business plan, and have enough money to support yourself for AT LEAST ONE YEAR with nothing coming out of the business. You will NOT be turning a profit from day one. There are businesses here started by Canadians and Americans that are hanging on by a thread. Lack of understanding  and insufficient capitol to live on is the most common reason. Fit in, don't try to change Mexico. You won't.