Gallup’s 2019 research shows Mexico ranking 134th out of 142 countries on their law and order index. 31% of New Mexico respondents use a security system at home, versus 24% nationwide. Belize's Caye Marine Reserve. See the full list of New Mexico’s 20 safest cities of 2020. Whatever the reason, many Americans simply want out and are looking for places where they can move out of the U.S. We answer the question; is Mexico safe in 2020? Mexico has nearly 6,000 miles of coastline, much of it beautiful beach. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a82b87f4eb2f50ca29c0e6b07e0c6e31" );document.getElementById("hd1bc83c43").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We wanted, however, to scratch below the surface on this question, so we asked a follow-up question: “If you answered yes, why do you believe your city is safer than most Mexican cities.” The answers fell into four main buckets: size of community, tourist versus non-tourist cities, cities with large expat populations and the absence of cartel activity. These are the results of their latest survey: The results of our Expats In Mexico Survey 2020 on personal safety tell a tale much different from the global media portrayal of a country wracked by daily violence. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Donations under $8K to Trump ‘election defense’ instead go to president, RNC. But search a little beyond those obvious spots, and you’ll find a gem that fits your budget. The objective of the study was to find out how the 1.2 million expats currently living in Mexico feel about their own personal safety. This is not a guarantee. The U.S. ranks 44th in the study and Canada 24th. Click on the state image below to check out the safest cities for each state. For instance, in a mountain town like Atenas, which is a about an hour outside San Jose and an hour from the beach, a single person can live the good life on $1,518 a month, which includes $25 a week for a fridge worth of groceries. Where To Move: In most parts of Portugal, you’ll find great weather year-round. Seven cities (35%) beat the national violent crime rate (3.7), and 95% did better than the state violent crime rate (8.6). Reconsider travel due to crime. Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico and about the 100th largest city in the USA. Year-over-year, violent crime increased across the state (last year’s rate was 7.8), but property crime went down (last year’s rate was 39.1). 6. After that, if you can provide proof of long-term renting or other documents showing why you are staying in the country, you can be granted a 60-day or a 90-day permit. If there was a list of ‘hot’ countries where expats, and Digital Nomads are relocating to – Mexico would likely be at the top of that list! That’s not surprising. I’m a travel and lifestyle authority and a content strategist who works with brands to create powerful storytelling. making the biggest jump—nine spots from 16 to 7. . “Even with a fluctuating exchange rate, [a couple can have] a comfortable, although not extravagant, lifestyle for about $2,500 a month,” says Tricia Pimental, International Living’s Portugal correspondent. Some Americans move here full-time and some just come to escape the winter. They seem to understand best that country-wide data cannot be equally applied to all regions or localities of the country. Reports of experience with violent crime rose from 12% to 14% this year, and reports of experience with property crime jumped from 25% to 33%. Plus, it’s cheap and it has a tranquilo (calm) lifestyle with a healthy, stress-free approach to living. Home to the capital of San Jose, the Central Valley is where about two-thirds of Costa Rica’s population lives; it is known for its “eternal spring” climate. The Cost: A couple can live well on $1,500 to $2,000 a month, depending on where you live—and it’s even lower if you’re single. Further proof of Mexico’s personal safety issues comes from data provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental economic organization with 40 members, including Mexico. A couple can live in Mexico for as little as $1,500 a month, depending on the location—including rent and healthcare. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Stevens says the editors chose these countries because they offer a low cost of living, have easy-to-meet visa requirements and are also friendly, safe and welcoming to expats. Plus, its colonial centro is a UNESCO World Heritage site. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past six. Throughout my career, I have appeared regularly on television, including Good Morning America and NBC Today. Three cities had fewer than two violent crime incidents per 1,000: elow the state property crime rate (34.2) and six cities performed better than the national property crime rate (22.0): Learn how we identified the safest cities on our, Best Home Security Systems for Pet-Owners, Everything You Need to Know About Home Security, How Much Does a Home Security System Cost, How to Keep Your Smart Home Safe from Hacking. than many others in the US—despite higher crime rates. Expats In Mexico – The Expat Guide to Living in Mexico – is an online magazine designed for both expats currently living in Mexico and aspiring expats who are planning to move to this beautiful country. Prime areas like Lisbon—one of the world’s oldest cities—the beachy Algarve region and Porto (Portugal’s second largest city) are more expensive. The two top law enforcement agencies are municipal police (22 percent), followed by federal police (21 percent). 13 of the Safest Cities in Mexico for Travelers to Visit | SmarterTravel New Mexico’s 20 safest cities of 2020 are the best places in the Land of Enchantment to put your worries aside and enjoy safe communities. Our 2020 State of Safety report showed that 42% of New Mexico respondents feel high or very high concern about their safety every day. The balance of the responses was widely dispersed and included expats from every corner of Mexico, from large city to village, from north to south and east to west.