On the move

Puerto Vallarta

LGBTQ Americans explore moving to Mexico amid post-election fears

CAROLINE SAVOIE | Contributing Writer

Following the U.S. presidential election, many LGBTQ Americans have been grappling with concerns about their future, with many even considering leaving the U.S. for safer and more inclusive destinations. And Mexico, particularly Puerto Vallarta, has emerged as a favored option for those seeking a new home.

With affordable living, vibrant LGBTQ communities, and proximity to the U.S., it’s becoming a serious consideration for many.

“The fear is palpable”
Lance Blann, a Dallas-based Realtor, said he has seen an unprecedented rise in inquiries about moving to Mexico. Known for his TikToks about navigating tricky real estate transactions in both the U.S. and Mexico, Blann said he has seen a dramatic increase in LGBTQ people reaching out to him about moving south of the border since the election.
“It’s crazy, the number of people that are contacting me wanting to know how to get residency in Mexico,” Blann said. “I don’t think people are overreacting to be scared. You can hear the fear in their voices. It’s palpable.”

Blann said he has been helping people explore real estate opportunities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s top LGBTQ destination. He said Puerto Vallarta has a reputation as a safe haven for LGBTQ people, attracting expats from all over the world.

“Puerto Vallarta, alongside Palm Springs, is one of the safest places in North America for the LGBTQ community,” Blann said. “It’s not like Cancun or Playa del Carmen. You feel safe from the cartels here, for the most part, and the community is strong.”

Blann’s social media presence has made him the go-to Realtor for LGBTQ individuals considering making the move. His TikToks offer practical advice on everything from obtaining dual citizenship to buying property in Mexico, and his expertise has led to a surge in inquiries since the election.

“People are scared about the next four years, and it’s not just retirees; it’s people in their 40s who feel alarmed,” Blann said.

Larry Cook, a gay man who retired to Puerto Vallarta in May 2024, said he is living proof that a move to Mexico can be life-changing. Cook and his husband bought a condo in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica in 2021.

“I never thought I’d retire here. I always imagined Greece,” Cook said. “But after visiting Puerto Vallarta several times, I never wanted to leave.”

Cook said he is now building a home in the up-and-coming Fluvial neighborhood, just three miles from Zona Romantica.

“It’s got a residential feel, but you’re still close to the action,” he said. “Puerto Vallarta is a true community, not just a tourist destination.”

Cook pointed to the city’s affordable healthcare and low cost of living as major benefits.
Cook’s experience echoes what many LGBTQ expats discover: Mexico offers not only affordability but a sense of safety as well.

“I feel safer here than I did in Oak Lawn at night,” Cook said, referring to Dallas’s Gayborhood.

For Bob McCranie, a Dallas-based Realtor who created FleeRedStates.com, the current wave of LGBTQ Americans exploring a move to Mexico isn’t surprising. He said he has spent years helping LGBTQ individuals and families relocate through his real estate network, and he’s seen interest skyrocket in the wake of political shifts in the U.S. He said website traffic went sky high on Election Night.

“Queer migration has been a constant conversation among my friends for the last three to five years,” McCranie said. “But election years always drive it up. This time, we’ve seen a flood of inquiries.”

McCranie’s FleeRedStates.com connects LGBTQ people with Realtors across the country who understand the unique concerns of queer clients. The website features an interactive map that allows users to see pertinent information regarding state government and LGBTQ protections

“When I first started [the website], people told me I was fear-mongering,” McCranie said.

“But the things I’ve been talking about are happening. Parents of trans children, same-sex couples — they’re all worried about their safety and rights.”

McCranie said he is also part of the LGBTQ Real Estate Alliance, an organization supporting LGBTQ individuals in finding homes and navigating the housing market.

“When you’re moving, you need someone who understands your family’s needs,” McCranie said. “That’s even more important when moving abroad.”

McCranie said that while some feel compelled to stay and fight for their rights, others are deciding that leaving the U.S. is the only way to feel truly safe.

“I’m scared that the rights we fought for will be reversed and swing back even harder against us,” he said. “I used to tell people that Dallas or Austin would always be safe for LGBTQ people. Now, I can’t say that with confidence anymore.”

Mexico as a sanctuary
Puerto Vallarta has long been a beacon for LGBTQ travelers, but it’s now becoming a permanent home for many. Blann notes that Mexico legalized same-sex marriage in 2022 nationwide, with the state of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located, leading the way as early as 2016.

“This city is a safe haven, even for LGBTQ Mexicans,” Blann said.

Beyond legal protections, Cook said the sense of community is what draws people to Puerto Vallarta.

The city is home to about 80,000 expats and offers a vibrant, diverse community for people of all ages and backgrounds. Cook said there are plans for a new community center for LGBTQ youth and seniors, providing much-needed services that Cook said he took for granted in the U.S.

“It’s a place where you can truly be yourself,” Cook said. “There’s a community here for every age and background.”

Affordable and accessible healthcare
Cook said he was surprised to find that healthcare in Mexico is on par or better than what he was used to in the States.

“Healthcare here is excellent, better than what I was getting in the U.S.,” Cook said. “Doctors own their own businesses, and you can just walk in without an appointment. I’ve had visits where they spent an hour with me, and I only paid $35, including two prescriptions.”

Cook, who once paid $4,500 for surgery for his dog in Dallas, said he was astonished when the same procedure in Puerto Vallarta cost just $850.

Property taxes are also remarkably low. In 2023, Cook said he paid only $75 in taxes for his condo in Puerto Vallarta, compared to the $8,000 he used to pay in Dallas.

Navigating the move
McCranie stresses the importance of working with real estate agents who understand the unique challenges LGBTQ individuals may face when moving abroad. He said that, in his own experience, agents have introduced him and his partner as “brothers” to avoid potential discrimination, or listed one partner as a tenant on an insurance policy.

For those concerned about safety, McCranie said that understanding local laws and communities is crucial.

Blann, Cook and McCranie all agree that while moving to Mexico can be life-changing, it’s not a decision to make lightly. Cook advises spending at least six months in Puerto Vallarta on a tourist visa before making the move permanent.

“Explore the neighborhoods, figure out what terrain and weather you’re comfortable with,” Cook said.

Cook said that moving to Mexico isn’t just about escaping political instability in the U.S. it’s about finding a new home.

“Don’t move here just because of Trump,” Cook said. “Make sure you want the lifestyle Puerto Vallarta offers. It’s not enough to just want to leave the U.S.; you need to want to live in Mexico.”

Planning the move
Jamie, 72, and her wife Carrie, 77, said they have been considering relocating to Puerto Vallarta since Trump won the election in 2016. The two, who have been together for 10 years and married for two, have known Cook and his husband Clint since they lived in Dallas.

Jamie and Carrie said they have been talking about moving for a while, especially since their friends made the jump.

“We visited Portugal a while back, but it just didn’t feel right,” Carrie said. “We’ve been thinking about moving since Trump won in 2016. It’s not just about escaping; it’s about finding a place where we can live without constantly being afraid of policies that will take away our rights.”

Carrie said she was active in marching and protesting for LGBTQ rights in the 1970s. But, she said, the energy to continue the fight just isn’t there anymore.

“When the gay community started pushing back and fighting for protection, we were there.

But now, we’re just tired,” Carrie said.

Having heard Larry and Clint rave about Puerto Vallarta, Jamie and Carrie said they are seriously considering the move.

“They talk about it in such positive, glowing terms,” Jamie said. “We even had dinner with Clint and Lance, and it was all good things. We’re planning to go for 10 days in February to check it out ourselves.”

The couple, who have two dogs, said they are especially drawn to the good vet care and healthcare in Puerto Vallarta.

“We’ve heard that many of the doctors there were trained in the U.S. or Canada, and the healthcare system sounds really good,” Carrie said.

Jamie said they would get a six-month rental like Cook suggested, mainly to experience the country’s rainy season. Then, she said, the couple would make a permanent decision.

Jamie said that she always pictured herself living out of the country when she was younger, but family obligations kept her in the U.S.

“Now, my family understands my concerns about the political climate, and they’re supportive,” she said.

Jamie, who has a background in wildlife rehabilitation, said she is excited to continue that passion in Puerto Vallarta.

“It was important to find a place where I don’t have to give up the things I love,” she said.

“There’s a place for everything there — open markets, food, flower markets. It feels like the right place.”

A final decision
Jamie said that the potential erosion of LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. weighs heavily on her mind.

“I think it’s possible that gay marriage could be overturned,” she said. “If that happens, it’s just one more sign that things are eroding,” she said. “When I saw us winning our rights, I always knew the pendulum could swing back.

“I knew that at any time, those rights could go away.”
Despite the emotional ties to Dallas, Jamie said she’s ready to let the future guide her decisions.

“We’ll see what happens after January and after our trips to PV,” she said. “I’m so grateful that my lifetime has been blessed. Now it’s time to look at my options.” said he is planning an informational seminar to address the flood of inquiries he’s received from people, like Jamie and Carrie, considering the move.

“People are scared about Project 2025, about the future of LGBTQ rights in the U.S.,” Blann said. “But Puerto Vallarta offers a sanctuary, a place where you can feel safe and be part of a community.”