Quintana Roo is a state in southeastern Mexico, part of the Yucatán Peninsula. The cities that many people know about in this state include: Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Merida, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Although these are not precise numbers in 2022 it was reported that close to 13% of all moves from the USA to Mexico were to the state of Quintana Roo. The U. S. State Department estimates that approximately 1.6 million United States citizens live in Mexico.
I have the directions to Playa del Carmen on my phone, it is one of my favorite places. When I asked a few friends about moving to the area, I was referred to Felipe Barganier and was surprised to learn that his number was local to Atlanta. Felipe Barganier joins us today to speak about the increasing number of African Americans who are relocating to Mexico. Felipe Barganier, welcome to The Local Take.
I asked Barganier to tell us about himself and how he came to know the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. He spoke about his career in business which took him to many places, including China. He enjoyed living in other places. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he moved to Playa del Carmen. He shares that many people say “you don’t choose Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen chooses you.”
Although he considered other places, he says that the energy and peace of the area allowed him to feel his level of stress decrease. Regardless of their economic status, the people in the region are happy. The cost of living is lower than in the USA, and most people survive on between $600 - $800 USD. I asked him what people needed to know if they were considering a move to Mexico. He explains that you cannot come with an “American” mindset. You also need to get a temporary residence VISA, which is approved by each state. They will want to know that you can support yourself economically, for most, this means working remotely. Barganier also shares the rules concerning owning property. Only a few folks have moved back to the USA, and often only if they couldn’t gain economic traction or if their jobs required them to move back to the US.
Barganier also speaks about the food being healthier with fewer preservatives than the same brands found in the USA. His young son is flourishing with more friends and is bilingual. You can keep up with Barganier on Instagram.