There’s nothing like a good, solid Plan B.
Nothing will prepare you better for whatever happens in the world, whether it’s a natural disaster, civil unrest, or even a war.
A well-designed Plan B can enable you to pick up almost where you left off at a place of your choosing.
But there’s one crucial element of a Plan B that many people only realized they had overlooked when the pandemic hit: A Plan B location is of very limited value if you can’t get there.
An estimated 1.5 million Americans and a half-million Canadians live in Mexico, making it the most-popular destination for North American expats in the world.
There are a few reasons for this… They’re a culturally familiar neighbor…
You can drive there… It’s affordable… There are lots of English-speaking expats and service providers… Health care is excellent but, should you choose, you can return easily to use Medicare in the U.S.—you’ll appreciatethis one if you are nearing (or over) age 65.
Mexico also offers one of the easiest residencies available. The process is simple, straightforward, and fast.
My friend Lee Harrison, a Mexico resident, shares his firsthand experience:
“All it took to get my residency visa was a single consular visit, where I was helped by an English-speaking agent. And even better, they accepted my English-language documents at the consulate with no translations.
“I also didn’t need apostille certifications of my income, social security, or banking information… although if a couple applies as a family unit (my wife and I applied as separate individuals) they will require that you apostille your marriage or birth certificate.
“Best of all, there’s no lawyer required… although if you do not speak English or Spanish, you’ll need to bring a translator.”
Mexico is large, broad, and diverse, with hundreds of good living options. Whatever your preference for climate, you’ll find it in Mexico. Throughout the mountains, you’ll discover beautiful colonial cities like San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, Oaxaca, or Guanajuato… places that enjoy mild climates without extreme heat or cold.
But Mexico also offers thousands of miles of beautiful beaches, from temperate to tropical, on both its Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Places like Tulum and Playa del Carmen… Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta… and Los Cabos and Ensenada, all continue to be popular with expats.
The Mexican government is a stable democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches functioning in a similar way to those in the U.S. It’s a civil law country, so you can forget the threats (and expense) of protecting yourself from frivolous lawsuits or personal injury lawyers.
The country’s banking system is convenient, with no discrimination against American citizens. As a business base, Mexico is a unique haven, thanks to its
easy geographic access to the U.S. and its easy access to U.S. markets.
Best of all, Mexico is simply a great place to live. It will be a valuable stop in your quest for international diversification.
Stay diversified,
Lief Simon
Editor, Simon Letter
