Aguascalientes, Mexico

Capital City

An industrial powerhouse with a surprisingly robust Japanese expat community, this central Mexican city has evolved far beyond its hot springs origins into a major automotive manufacturing hub. The presence of two massive Nissan plants and a joint Nissan-Mercedes facility has transformed what was once a modest colonial outpost into a bustling metropolis of 1.3 million people.

While manufacturing dominates the economy, with Texas Instruments and Flextronics also maintaining significant operations here, the city still draws millions to its historic center and the San Marcos Fair - Mexico's largest festival. The old quarter preserves its colonial heritage through four traditional neighborhoods, baroque churches, and thermal springs that gave the city its name. The urban core is remarkably navigable thanks to three concentric beltways, with a growing network of bike paths connecting different sectors.

For expats, particularly those in the automotive and electronics sectors, the city offers solid infrastructure and international connections via daily flights to major U.S. hubs like Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. The elevation of 1,880 meters (6,168 feet) provides a moderate climate despite the semi-arid conditions, though rainfall is mostly limited to summer months between June and September.