So, you want to live in Mexico – beaches, jungle, mountains, awe-inspiring deserts, mystical underground cave networks, colonial cities, charming lake villages … all those wonderful beauties this country has to offer.
Yet, although there are a few options to combine 2 or 3 of these items, I don’t know of any location that offers it all. Of course, part of living in Mexico is making trips to other places to enjoy some of its rich variety of both culture and landscape, but when it comes right down to finding your new home in Mexico, you’ll have to make a choice.
From traveling throughout Mexico and having talked to dozens upon dozens of expats, I’ve put together a little list of how the landscape and terrain factors help to shape lifestyle.
 Beaches
Beach-lovers don’t need to be convinced about the relaxing lifestyle to be enjoyed. In addition to the simple pleasure of being on beaches, beach locations usually offer:
- nice views
- oceanfront sports (boating, diving, fishing, etc.)
- nice beachfront promenades
- flat terraine (at least along the beach) where you can ride bike
- very warm weather
- tourism & tourist services (hotels, theme parks, etc.)
Examples of locations include Playa del Carmen, los Cabos and Oaxaca.
Jungle
Many of the country’s beachfront area’s are defined by a jungle landscape; these are wonderful for nature-lovers who enjoy seeing a huge variety of wildlife. The jungle also offers extreme sports, not to mention the mystical setting which many people find ideal for a spiritual reconnection.
Mountains
The obvious advantage of mountains is the views – both from below and from above. Owning a condo on the mountainside offers spectacular views of towns, beaches, the ocean, etc., which many prefer even to being directly on the beachfront.
Mountains also offer activities for the adventurous, such as hiking and climbing.
 Hills
Mexico’s central highlands are covered with everything from rolling countryside to rugged hills that likewise offer beautiful views, varied landscape and winding roads. Bike lovers can enjoy these areas as well, since many towns are built on flatter areas, and roads winding through the hills often offer a pleasant ride. Of course, hiking, camping and scenic drives are all very pleasant activities.
The hilly areas in central Mexico also tend to have their countryside speckled with towns and tiny villages; going out to discover random villages is always a pleasant experience!
Lakes
The lakes are mostly located in the hilly central area. Unlike the beachfront, I’ve found that most expats living in the lakefront towns don’t actually do too many waterfront activities; the lake provides beautiful views from home, from the town and from the winding lakefront roads.
That having been said, there are plenty of lakefront activities like sailing, fishing, kayaking, etc. There are even annual yacht competitions in places like Lake Chapala. Other locations include Valle de Bravo near Mexico City and the Lake Patzcuaro near Morelia.
The flat-terrained Yucatan Peninsula also has a couple of lake and lagoon locations such as Bacalar (about 4 hours south of Cancun) and Sabancuy on the other side of the peninsula.
Deserts 
The main lure of deserts is the mysterious beauty of their vast landscapes, rugged plants and lonely rock formations. Yet, at the right time of year temperatures can also be suitable for camping and hiking. Rocky Point, Los Cabos and La Paz, all in the Baja California area, are excellent choices with desert landscapes.
Regardless of your choice of landscapes, in Mexico you will enjoy beautiful nature alongside of a rich culture and modern services.
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Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 16 years. In the summer of 2009, he received the first federally applied Mexico Real Estate Degree and Mexico Professional Real Estate License S.E.P. #5978657. He is the president of Top Mexico Real Estate. Contact him at (512) 879-6546.
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