Many Americans who are searching for a better quality of life feel that they may not be able to find it in the United States.
Some are considering moving abroad. An August survey by Remitly found that having a better quality of life is the top reason Americans want to expatriate. Other popular motives include pursuing adventure and personal growth, seeking a better lifestyle, and a place to retire.
“Some say it’s because of the high cost of living in the U.S., they’re worried about how they’ll fund retirement, others cite the contentiousness of American politics and policies they disagree with,” said Jennifer Stevens, executive editor at overseas retirement and investment resource International Living. “Others say it’s the violence they see around them – school shootings, ICE raids – these things are giving people the impetus they need to stop thinking about going abroad and, finally, take real action to put a move in motion.”
When asked where they hope to start anew, the surveyed Americans’ top country was Canada. Besides consistently ranking high for quality of life, safety, health care and political stability, the Great White North also offers close proximity to the U.S., making it easy to visit loved ones back home.
Speaking of U.S. neighbors, Mexico is also a beloved place for expats to relocate to because of its low cost of living – where a couple could live on less than $2,300 a month, including housing, according to Stevens – and have access to a myriad of beach communities. The year-round warm weather doesn’t hurt either.
Here’s what to know about moving to Canada and Mexico as an American.
Yes, it’s possible for Americans to move to Canada or Mexico. Both countries offer various paths for residency and citizenship, depending on which requirements you meet.
While you weigh your options about where to move, Stevens also recommends that people visit for at least a month to see what daily life is actually like there. “Just because a spot seems perfect on paper, that doesn’t mean you’ll really like it in person,” she said. “By contrast, there might be a town you have relatively low on your list for one reason or another, but find, once you’re there, that it really speaks to you. So it’s a matter of the head and the wallet – and heart, too.”
One of the easiest ways to move to Canada is through the Express Entry program, which grants permanent residency to candidates based on their age, education, work experience and language skills, according to William Cooper, marketing director at expat insurance provider William Russell. This program costs around $1,525 (that covers the processing and right to permanent residence fee.)
Another route is to get sponsored by an employer or through a work permit, such as the Provincial Nominee Programs, which seek out workers whose skills or labor are needed in specific regions. International students studying abroad can acquire a part-time job to possibly qualify for permanent residency through the Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Here’s some good news: “Mexico is one of the easiest places in the world for Americans to get long-term residency,” said Stevens.
Those who want to stay in Mexico beyond the 180-day tourist visa can apply for the Residente Temporal Program, a one-year visa that’s renewable for up to four years. Requirements include proving you have at least $62,232.50 in investments and bank accounts over the last year and making at least $3,737.95 per month over the last six months, according to the Mexican Consulate in New Orleans website.
“The key is to show you can support yourself without working for a Mexican employer or your own Mexican business,” said Stevens. It’s also a good pathway for citizenship or permanent residency.
If you hope to purchase a beachfront property as a foreigner, you’ll need to pay a one-time fee of around $2,000, plus several hundred dollars in fees, to create a trust with a Mexican corporation or a Real Estate Bank Trust, also known as a fideicomiso, according to Stevens.
Most people think Mexico is a dangerous place, especially given that the U.S. State Department designated it with a Level 2 travel advisory for “homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery” in August. While some areas are riskier than others, especially remote regions, most of the popular tourist and expat areas are relatively safe to go to, USA TODAY previously reported.
As long as people remain smart about following safety precautions, they shouldn’t have any issues. Many expats in the International Living community say they feel safe in Mexico, according to Stevens.
Those who want to move to Canada will need to be patient about their relocation plans. “One of the biggest misconceptions about moving to Canada is that it’s easy to find work right away,” said Cooper. “In reality, Canada’s job market can be highly competitive, particularly for new arrivals.” Some jobs also require a permanent address or Canadian bank account, he added, so you might need to move before you can secure a job.