Thoughts of warm weather and a relaxed hará mañana ('will do tomorrow') attitude make Mexico an attractive destination, particularly for retired expats moving to Mexico to better stretch out their pensions and unfold their sun chairs.

In fact, the nation has seen such a large influx of foreign pensioners in the past that retired communities have sprouted up and down the coasts, some integrating well into the Mexican towns and their cultures, and others resembling small relocated pieces of America.

That being said, Mexico isn't only a recipient of relocated wealth; the robust industry and thriving manufacturing centres found in its large cities call to working expats in Mexico as well. As a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), industry in Mexico is both competitive and prevalent in both the US and Canada, and business and employees often transcend borders.
 
As a developing country, there are a few concerns for expats moving to Mexico. Recent headlines of health scares and violence have overshadowed Mexico's usual international status as a tourist oasis.

The Mexico expats will find, lies somewhere in the middle of these two polarities; expats shouldn't expect the infrastructure and gears of bureaucracy to run as smoothly as in their home countries; yet at the same time, expats can afford a quality of life not attainable at home.

Furthermore, while Mexico often has poor sanitation and infrequent heath crises, the private healthcare is cheap and first-rate, attracting hordes of Americans not content with their own.

Crime and violence in Mexico is rife, particularly in the large cities, but violence is rarely directed at foreigners, and crime is less of a concern in ocean-side retirement communities or resort cities.

All in all, a welcoming government (happy to boost its economy), warm weather, cheap beach-side property and a very favourable exchange rate and cost of living, ensure (at least in part) a luxurious lifestyle for many expats and a dream emigration destination for others.