How are the experiences to live in a big city like Mexico City or in a retirement state like Florida?

It has been a couple weeks since I got my green card and moved to the United States of America. 

My husband and I chose to move to Florida, the state where his residence is. It feels kind of a game-changer for us because for the past 4 years we have been living in the largest city of North America, Mexico City. Both places are completely different and I would like to share with you guys from my perspective.

Fred Howard Park Beach in Florida, USA.

Florida has a great deal more old people residents than Mexico City that has tons of young people living in such a massive dense populated city. 

I could say Florida is considerably laid back more than Mexico City that most people want everything going fast. 

For the past 4 years, I lived in Mexico City, I have been spoiled by public transportation, so I didn’t drive and nothing was as comparable as in Florida, wherever I go, I need to go by car, just like most cities in the US. It has forced me to learn how to drive and independently have my own car. 

A minibus nearby Mexico Park.

I have known that a lot of people migrate to Mexico City by the motivation to look for opportunities. It's far more contrast than in Florida, where the motivation of moving is because its tax regulation is good for retirement, which makes this state fulfilled by mostly 55+ communities. There is no income tax and the state also does not tax retirement income Social Security benefits. It also has no estate and inheritance taxes and the property tax also reasonable, which is good for retirees. I've met several people, old people, they live in the north part of the country such as New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, and others for 5 months in a year during summer, but then when it's cold up in the north, they are moving to Florida, we called them snowbirds.

A neighborhood that is inhabited by 55+ communities.

The ambiance of Florida is also a lot less noisy, everything is so much quieter than in Mexico City, and spaces in Florida from one house to another nowhere near as dense as Mexico City. These make Florida significantly more liveable for old people than in Mexico City. In my experience, my sleep in Florida is so much better than when I slept in Mexico City.

About the activities that both places have, I still prefer Mexico City whatsoever. The city has more fun things to do than in Florida, besides that Mexico is significantly less expensive than Florida, so Mexico City is still a paradise for me as a young adult to have a great time. 

Zocalo, Mexico City before the pandemic.

Although both places are completely the opposite, I’m glad that I’ve lived here and there and I have a comparison so that I have more choices.  I’m looking forward to experiencing more about Florida.