Vacationing is lovely, but moving to a new country can be intimidating. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. Naturally, choosing somewhere nearby makes a lot of sense, but Canada is cold, plus your money won’t go as far, so what about Mexico? We all know there are sunny beaches and good food. However, you have probably also heard some alarming stories as well. When you’re considering moving to a new country, there’s a lot to look at before you can decide whether it’s a good idea. Fortunately, there is a plethora of information available to help you make your decision. Moreover, I have lived in both countries, so I’ll give you some insight you can’t get from pages of statistics and news stories. Mexico is a delightful place to be, and though it’s a big decision, living there can be a wonderful experience.
Is moving to Mexico a good idea? Moving to Mexico is a great idea. You’ll find the lifestyle there is slower and often more enjoyable. The people are amicable, and the culture is rich with history and significance. Additionally, it’s an excellent way to escape the internet heavy, always-on-your-phone American routine.
Top Ten Reasons to Move to Mexico
Narrowing down a top ten list of reasons why moving to Mexico is a good idea wasn’t easy. However, I managed to compress years of experience into these few vital examples of why you should consider Mexico if you plan to move out of the US. Everything here is something you can look forward to as a future permanent resident or citizen.
- Contemporary Meets History- Mexico is a country steeped in tradition. From the holidays to the food and architecture, there is a real sense of connection to the past. However, that doesn’t mean Mexico is behind the times. You will find modern conveniences like the internet, delivery of food, and excellent cellular service in most areas.
- Cost of Living- Renting, owning property, and daily needs like food and drink are significantly less expensive in Mexico. For example, a new car is almost thirty percent less than here in the USA
. - Diversity- Mexico is a vast place with incredibly diverse geography and people. Although it’s not quite the melting pot you find in the US, there are people of all colors and ethnic backgrounds. You will discover beaches, deserts, forests, rainforests, and mountains, not to mention islands and a few volcanoes if you look.
- The Food- No list of reasons to move to Mexico is complete without mentioning how genuinely outstanding the food is everywhere. You’ll find regional delights, and in the north, more familiar Tex-Mex dishes you see in the US. Moreover, you can get almost any type of food you find here if you know where to shop. So you don’t have to miss out on that canned chicken soup or worry that you won’t find a decent Chinese restaurant.
- Environmentally Forward Thinking- Mexico’s Environmental Initiatives are a thing of beauty. Not only is the country reducing its carbon footprint and seeking sustainable solutions, but the government is working hard to restore deforested areas and make all its cities greener.
- Work to Live- People in Mexico are family and enjoyment oriented. Rather than living to work and make money, they focus on working so they can enjoy their lives. Families spend quality time together, not watching TV, but taking walks, playing games, and enjoying meals with a vibrant conversation.
- Proximity to the US- If you moved somewhere like Australia or Palau, it might be years before you could easily visit friends and family back home. However, when you move to Mexico, it’s a short plane, bus, or road trip to have a reunion.
- Excellent Healthcare- Medical tourism is a massive part of why people visit every year. Hospitals in Mexico are clean, modern, and well-staffed. Plus, they cost a fraction of what you’d pay in the US if you have to pay out of pocket at all. If you become a citizen, healthcare is extremely affordable with low or no copays for most doctor visits.
- Slower Pace- One thing that is both wonderful and occasionally frustrating is the pace of life in Mexico. Timeframes are often more of a suggestion or rough estimate and should be taken lightly. A laidback attitude and willingness to adopt the local custom of siestas at mid-day and later nights with dinner around eight is advisable.
- The People- I cannot say enough kind things about the people in Mexico. You will find an open, helpful, and friendly attitude everywhere you go. It’s more common for neighbors to know one another and be on good terms. Additionally, you will probably find that you get invited to more get-togethers than you would in the US, just because you’ve met the people on your street.
Once you’ve decided to move to Mexico, there are many different regions to choose from. Fortunately, finding real estate in Mexico is easy. Check out San Miguel de Allende for a superb bohemian ex-pat haven, or any of the more than a hundred other Pueblos Majicos
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What You Need to Know Before You Move to Mexico
Moving to Mexico is lovely, but there are some things you should know before you move. Some of these make useful tips for moving to a new country, and others are specific to Mexico. However, all of these things are vital.
First, get familiar with the area where you plan to move. It’s a good idea to vacation in your prospective new city. Moreover, take an extended vacation. Americans can stay up to a hundred and eighty days with their passport as a ‘visit’ so take advantage of that.
Plan to stay a month or more and rent an apartment. By making a long term visit, you will learn more about the people, environment, benefits, and challenges of your new home than you ever could from reading about it or spending the weekend.
Moving to a new country doesn’t mean you no longer pay taxes where you have citizenship. As a US citizen, you will still need to file regardless of where you live in the world. Although there are many incentives for opening a business and other types of employment, you have to understand how they work before you arrive. Make sure you know what your tax duties will be.
Expect things to feel strange. Uprooting your life to move from one US city to another can be very different, but adopting a whole new country is even more of an adjustment. An excellent example of this is the schedule. Most places in Mexico, people, including children, stay up later and make a lot more noise than they do in US cities.
Dinner in Mexico may not even start until eight at night. Families will go out for walks after dark, and weekend revels will certainly go late into the evening. Because the middle of the day is so hot, there’s not much going on at that time. You may even have trouble finding open businesses during what you consider lunchtime.
Plan to spend time learning to speak Spanish. Even in heavily trafficked ex-pat areas, you still need to know how to communicate in the local language. Although immersion is a superb way to learn, you should take some classes before you move.
Finally, be ready for two seemingly opposing feelings. You will almost certainly experience some homesickness and frustration. Alternatively, you can fall in love with Mexico very easily. These two opposite emotions can even happen simultaneously.
Once you’ve checked out the areas you like best and found the right town or city for you, it’s time to choose a house. You’ll find a huge variety of available real estate once you know where you want to live. Moreover, you’ll be surprised by how many ex-pats flock to Mexico each year.
How Much Money Do You Need to Move to Mexico
Whether you’re retiring, going it alone, or moving your whole family, moving to Mexico is a beautiful way to live. A single person can live very comfortably in Mexico City for a thousand dollars a month. Moreover, you can buy a home for a fraction of the cost you’d pay in the USA, or opt for a much larger home at the same price you originally intended.
Property is easy to find in Mexico, and US citizens are welcome to buy land and homes. Although there are some restrictions near the ocean and borders, you can still own land there through Fidecomiso, or trust. Either way, your descendants can inherit your property. Plus, you have all the right to use the home or land as you see fit.
You can rent a furnished two-bedroom home for less than eight hundred dollars a month. Meanwhile, the average utility bill comes out around seventy-five dollars, including electricity, water, and gas. Your phone, internet, and cable TV bills average around sixty-five dollars for all three. A meal out often costs less than five dollars per person, including the drink. Finally, you could easily feed one to two people for around two hundred and fifty dollars a month if you cook at home.
It’s not hard to see how far your dollars could stretch in Mexico. Especially for those who are retiring or who work online, an American lower budget will afford you an upper-middle-class life. However, skilled workers will also find plenty of work in numerous fields if they speak Spanish and have a resident card.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Mexico is a huge step, but one you will ultimately benefit from. Leaving behind your American expectations and throwing yourself into a whole new lifestyle is both difficult and rewarding. Should you move to Mexico, you’ll find the people, culture, food, and lifestyle strange at first, but soon enough, it will seem like the most sensible thing in the world to live a laid back life.
Make sure you do your homework on whatever part of Mexico you plan to move to so you’ll have an easier time. Spend a while vacationing in the area and rent a place for at least a month to see what daily life is like. Finally, choose a good neighborhood to buy a home.
Life in Mexico is full of unexpected delights and unique adjustments. However, for those who want to change their lives, there’s nowhere more beautiful and welcoming.