Moving to Mexico

"Expats should research the city they plan to move to in order to get an idea of the cost of living, local customs, and the employment opportunities in the area. It is important to make sure all necessary paperwork is in order before moving. Expats may need visas, residence permits and insurance to stay in Mexico. It is wise to research the healthcare system as well, and learn about any necessary inoculations. Learning some Spanish can make for an easier transition as English is not widely spoken outside of highly touristy areas. Additionally, understanding the climate of the area can be helpful in deciding what to bring in terms of clothing and other possessions," commented one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"We used a local realtor for a while but actually ended up renting a house through a private owner. The house was across the street from one of the properties we viewed with the realtor. My husband asked one of his Mexican co-workers who knew the area and she just happened to know the owner," replied a member in Comalcalco.

"I don't believe there is a "typical" home or apartment in Manzanillo. Choices are varied. Houses in the hills offer spectacular views, cool breezes and a variety of architectural plans. The tradeoff with the nice views is the multiple floors (steps). Flat areas close to or on the beaches offer one-level living, but you give up views and sometimes there's flooding in the rainy seasons, depending on location. Condominiums on or near beaches are varied, from "tired" to well maintained. HOA fees are not reasonable (i.e. Vida del Mar for a 2 bedroom averages $400+ per month). Living in a home on the beaches although beautiful, one should consider privacy and security - all beaches are open to the public. Areas around the resorts and hotels are noisy during holidays and weekends (loud music until wee hours of the morning). The variety of choices makes Manzanillo unique - there's something for everyone, just need to explore for a right fit," said one expat who made the move to Manzanillo.

"Our home is a two story, 2 bedroom with around 2800 sq ft. We have a pool and small garden. The house is stand alone in a gated community. The area in which we live is primarily single family and we are about 10 minutes driving time to the center of town," explained one expat living in Ajijic , Mexico.

"The 5 Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta is charming and has many good restaurants. I stay in a 4th floor apartment in the Paramar Hotel, great breakfast, wonderful staff," said one in Puerto Vallarta.

"We have a large home, 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, jacuzzi, sauna, washer dryer fridge stove and completely furnished. Mexican style home with 12 foot ceilings and a huge yars. It is typical of this area. It is much better than what we had in Canada and less expensive. $600 a month," explained one expat who made the move to Lake Chapala.

"We live in a house on the beach. Ex-pats live in condos, houses, on the beach, in the hills, we are spread out depending on our tastes," explained one expat living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"Much lower. We pay our property taxes and water yearly. Our taxes are $699 MX and water is $1000 MX per year. Electricity is expensive in Mexico but still less than the US and is paid every other month. We have our propane tank filled on the off month and runs about $1600 MX for 2 months. Phone and internet is $600 MX per month and that is with unlimited long distanse. We have satelite which comes out of Canada. They have grocery stores that carry US products but it is imported and therefore expensive. Produce, eggs, meat, chicken and fish is amazing and reasonable. You can pay as much as you want or as little as you have for a house and find something to fit your needs," replied a member in Lake Chapala.

"The costs are a little less to about the same as the U.S. (to rent). The locals have realized they can get more for their properties because they are dealing with petroleum companies who are willing to pay. And, I think there was a housing shortage for a while. The house is nice though. We pay about usd $1800.00 for about 3000 sq.ft. You can rent cheaper places but you will generally end up with problems (leaking roof, older appliances)," commented one expat who made the move to Comalcalco.

"Much lower than in Washington state. Taxes are minimal but utilities (electricity) is rather expensive... Based on the former occupant's usage, we opted to install solar. This was a significant amount but with a 3-4 year pay back...We are able to have a maid, gardener and pool guy which we certainly couldn't afford up north... Eating out is inexpensive and about 1/2 of what it would cost NOB. The average cost of housing depends a lot on the area one chooses. The closer to Ajijic center the more expensive. Houses with views (which we have) command a higher price tag... We were looking in the $3-400,000 range and there is a good supply at these prices," remarked one expat in Ajijic , Mexico.

"Right now a condo on the beach with 2-3 bedrooms can be purchsed for as low as about 150,000.00 US dollars. This is a buying opportunity. We also have a beautiful house on the beach with 4 bedrooms for 869,000.00 US dollars. It is the perfect time to take advantage of our low prices," said one expat in Manzanillo.

"Oh, much lower!! We pay $400. (US)/ month for our house. In San Diego, California, the rent for such a place would be about $1500./month. You can rent a 1 bedroom apt. in TJ for as little as $80. (US)/mo. but I don't think too many Americans/Canadians would be happy with the lack of space, amenities and location. There are also lovely places here for $1000./mo. but those renters/owners are considered to be "rich" and could be a target for robbery," remarked one expat who made the move to Tijuana.

"We bought an empty lot and built a house on it. Had to get construction permits, since I was a resident at the time it had to be in my wifes name as she is a citizen," remarked one expat in Apizaco, Mexico.

"Buying a home in Mexico can be a great opportunity to acquire a property in a country where you will undoubtedly find a vibrant culture and beautiful scenery. However, as with any purchase, it is essential to consider a variety of factors before committing to a home. Renting a home in Mexico is also a good option because you can try out an area before making a large investment. Additionally, you may be able to benefit from cost savings associated with renting a home, as the maintenance costs and property taxes are the responsibility of the homeowner. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference, budget, and lifestyle," said one expat in Mexico.

"We purchased a home... Buying is easy but selling is a challenge so they say... Ours went well and we have moved over 20 times in our marriage so buying and selling homes is not new to us... One serious recommendation is to get an attorney to look over the papers and assist in closing. Realtors here run from great to not so and having a knowledgeable third set of eyes makes the process painless," remarked one expat who made the move to Ajijic.

"We bought a condo that we lived in for 9 years, then sold it and built our house. I is a very easy process, as long as you have a good realtor," explained one expat living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"I would of brought the following: My own bed, Pots & Pans, My Tool Box. The items I would of left at home are: My Cell Phone, 2 of the 3 TV's I brought, and my Stereo," said one expat in Mexico City.

"I wish I brought: -high quality linens bedding, sheets, towels, etc. -a set of good quality pots and pans, basic set of kitchen gadgets -a TV and DVD player wish I left at home: You can find anything in this modern city, however the prices are much higher and the quality is not what we are used to in the USA. Don't weigh yourself down with anything but the essentials or the over the weight limit fees at the airport can be expensive. Don't even think of paying to move your belongings by truck unless your job will cover it. There is still a big risk that it will be stolen, so I left my items in storage in the USA where they remain today," remarked one expat who made the move to Puebla.

"I wish I had brought my cat. He is living with my father at the moment. But I do miss him. We aren't sure how long we'll be here, though, and we do know a woman who had a hard time getting her dog in and out so we are holding off bringing him down for now. I also wish I had brought more specialized food items. Spices, tahini, couscous, kalamata olives, marsala wine (just to name a few). I love to cook and haven't been able to find some items down here. And, last, I wish I had brought more guide books in English. We have been traveling everywhere down here and they would have come in handy! We use everything we brought down with us. Including all of our furniture and our two cars so there isn't anything I regret bringing," explained one expat living in Comalcalco, Mexico.

"Because we are on the beach, things of silver or other metals rust. Also art work, if you want to have it for other generations, is difficult to preserve. There are not many things that are not available here, but electronics are expensive, so I would bring computers.(Also they are in the language of your choice)," said one expat in Manzanillo.

"I lived in San Francisco, California area for 50 years, moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2009, then to Tijuana in 2012. I moved to PV with nothing but collected quite a bit of stuff while living there. We rented a moving truck and carted it all to Tijuana. I can get everything I need by crossing the border to the U.S. Take what is important to you (treasured things). If you can afford to buy new/used furniture when you arrive, leave as much as you can in the U.S. Customs is a pain," said one expat who made the move to Tijuana.

"A fellow once told me that if a guy addresses a man's wife as "tú" rather than "usted," it could start a fight. He told me that no matter how long and how well you know a couple, the wife is "usted" to you," remarked one expat in Mexico.

"When you meet someone for the first time, you usually say the formal address of you, which is "usted". Once you know them, saying "usted" is almost an insult! I've done that a few times. Now I call everyone "tu", which is the informal "you", and everyone welcomes it," said one expat in Mexico City.

"Yes, not listening tho the U.S. Embassy advice and leave the country for security reasons. I endured complete financial loss, physical injury and other kidnappings after staying after their advice," remarked one expat who made the move to Coastal Oaxaca.

"First time purchasing toilet paper, I was with a bilingual girlfriend, She couldn't believe her ears. I asked where it was, Now I know it's "Papel para baño" or "papel hygenico", but I originally asked where I could find "papel por culo" (paper for the butt (hole)) my friend freaked out. To this day I am never afraid to try Spanish, plenty of people will correct my errors, I'm OK with that, it's how we learn," explained one expat living in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

"I ordered 1.1 lbs of american cheese, not understanding the difference between a kilo and a pound when we first arrived. We ate cheese for a month," said one expat in Guadalajara.

"There are so many exciting reasons outside of the affordable prices on just about everything. Playa, as it is affectionately called has an international flare and feeling. People from all over the globe share the many adventures and activities on land and sea. The beaches are beautiful. There are numerous items and plentiful stores that are just like the ones in the States," wrote one expat living in Playa del Carmen.

"Oh, my, where do I start? This is my 4th country and I am here to stay! Merida has surpassed my expectations- it is a large city, with many different neighborhoods to choose from, each with their own separate, distinct vibe. Activities are everywhere- every night a park holds a free event. Centro is hopping on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The shopping is first class, many very nice new malls, and restaurants are everywhere, for every price range. Most of all for me is the culture- there are so many fine museums and homes to tour that I have made a list so that I don't forget any. And then there's the cenotes to swim or dive in, found nowhere else but the Yucatan, and the Mayan ruins nearby," commented one expat who moved to Merida.

"The rich culture, colorful landscape, and attractive climate are some of the main reasons that attract expats to move to Mexico. With its affordable cost of living, it is an ideal destination for those looking to experience an exciting and vibrant lifestyle while keeping expenses down. The friendly and welcoming locals are another great reason to live in Mexico, and the country's excellent infrastructure and healthcare system make it a great place to settle. Additionally, Mexico offers a diverse range of activities, from bustling cities to relaxed beach towns, providing visitors plenty of options to explore," said one expat.

"Playa Del Carmen, is just about an 1 and half hour plane ride from Miami. The community is filled with expats and each year that passes, the assimilation process gets easier and easier. This is due to the high US investment in the area. We now have Home Depot, Starbucks, Old Navy, Forever 21, Sephora. So many of the products and services that expats are accustomed to using can now be found in town. This was not the case 11 years ago when we moved there. ," said one expat living in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

" It depends on finances and age. If you're a professional moving to Mexico for business reasons, then you'll no doubt be given a private insurance plan. For those still young, private insurance is cheaper than in the USA but still ultimately unaffordable. Those working for public or private sector employers should automatically be enlisted in the IMSS which is our national system free to the user. Roughy equivalent to the UK's NHS, if you need something major it is excellent. For minor problems you may care to go private. Besides the IMSS, if you're not working you can enroll in the govenment's Seguro Popular system which is probably a bit inferior to the IMSS but again will protect you against major events. Next, I recommend paying monthly to subscribe to a private ambulance/outpatient service such as EMME. The price is reasonable and they come quickly with a fully equipped ambulance and medical team. They also have an outpatient walk-in centre open until late. Most pharmacies have an attached doctor available during work hours (sometimes morning only) and you can get a quick consultation either free or at insignificant cost - very useful if you need an antibiotic because these need a prescription now. ," replied one expat when asked about moving to Monterrey.

"Be sure to have travel insurance... helps to speak Spanish to communicate more freely with the caregivers, however someone there will speak English," stated one expat who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"Medical services in Mexico vary depending on the region. Generally, the country has a wide range of medical facilities, including public and private hospitals, clinics, and medical centers. Many of these facilities offer quality care and modern medical technology. In addition, Mexico has a number of specialized medical centers that provide specialized care for specific conditions. Mexico also has a number of medical tourism destinations, where people from other countries can receive medical care at a lower cost than in their home countries," stated one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"I avoid cut-and-drug as much as possible and take responsibility for the key aspects of health: eating wisely and exercising. If I don't do those things, what can anyone do for me? What I do no t like about the government health program that I joined is that doctors have the same reliance on drugs as in the US. I have not had hospital care, but friends who have report excellent care. I would like to start a movement to ban Coca Cola and other diabetes-inducing "foods." And I would like to see more attention paid to use of traditional medicinal plants, which are widely available in Mexico," remarked one expat in Coatepec.