Contact 
Account 
Living in Mexico can be amazing if you know the right way to get things done and who to trust. It is possible to have a smooth and easy transition when relocating to Mexico if you get guidance from a reliable company like Mexico Relocation Guide.
We have the experience you can trust and need when relocating to Mexico to help you avoid costly mistakes. We’ve helped thousands of people have a smooth, hassle-free transition.
Some people try to move to Mexico on their own and “just figure things out” without buying the Complete Mexico Relocation Guide. Some can accomplish their goal, and won’t have any costly mistakes in Mexico. But many of those people experience constant frustrations and very expensive mistakes that could have been avoided!
Here are just a few examples:
The COSTLY Immigration Facilitator
Last week, a guy called me to recommend an immigration facilitator he worked with to get a temporary residency. He said he did not buy the Online Mexico Relocation Guide because he was getting all the information he needed for free on Facebook and thought I’d like to have the attorney’s contact.
He was charged $1,500 USD for his temporary residency in Mexico! And that didn’t even include the immigration fees. I told him he paid too much! He could have gotten his Mexican visa for a lot less using our recommended immigration facilitators!
That’s a costly mistake that could have been avoided if he bought the Online Mexico Relocation Guide for $495
More shocking prices…
Rentals That Are Hyper-Inflated
Just today, I was surfing the internet and ran across a one-bedroom rental that stuck out like a sore thumb because it was advertised for $1000 bucks a week or USD $3500 a month. We know the property in San Miguel de Allende, the location, and the amenities nearby. It should be rented for $1,000 USD a MONTH! not a week.
Sadly, someone who does not know the market will pay that ridiculous price without ever seeing the house. It infuriates me when I see ads like this.
There’s a saying in Mexico — Don’t Leave Your Brains at the Border!
Sadly, it’s mostly expats who will take advantage of new expats. It’s not usually a Mexican!
For this reason, our customers use our list of vetted realtors in the online guide. They know the market, and they know the fair prices. Price gouging isn’t a part of their game, so you can rest assured they will help you find something that is reasonable- assuming you are asking for something reasonable.
The Misleading Rental Listing
One couple rented a house without seeing it first.
The online pictures looked great. The landlord insisted on getting a first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit. When they arrived at the house, it looked nothing like the pictures.
Big surprise right?
Then to make matters worse, they did not realize that the house had a serious mold problem. It was right next to a bar with loud music until the wee hours of the morning. They moved out after a few weeks and their entire security deposit.
Not to mention, they also have the stress now of finding another place right away that will take their 2 dogs. In the meantime, they had to rent a place on Airbnb for 2 weeks, they found another rental that suited their needs. But because this is high season in Puerto Vallarta, the Airbnb prices are high!
This could have been avoided by not renting something sight unseen! Luckily they found another place that wasn’t hyper-inflated in price and was as advertised.
Buying BEFORE Spending Any Time Here
Recently, a couple moved to Ajijic and bought a house right away.
They moved into a high-end gated community, did a huge pool remodel right away, and have spent about $750k USD on this house. Now, after a year they want to sell because they decided they want to be close to their kids back in the States.
But guess what? The market for buyers wanting a $750k USD house is very thin.
After months of having their house on the market, they’re starting to realize that selling isn’t as easy as buying. The housing market in Mexico is completely different than the housing market in the States. To say they are frustrated is an understatement. They want to leave, but they have all their money tied to this home!
Unfortunately, I see this costly mistake happen more often than any other! And this is probably one of the costliest!
Had they spent at least a year in Mexico BEFORE buying that home, they would have saved themselves the hassle they’re in now. After all, the rental market in Ajijic is VERY active and there is a constant flow of rentals in all sizes and budgets.
We advise everyone to RENT for at least 6 months. A year is better.
Only Going to Expat Gatherings
If you only hang out with other foreigners who hang out in the touristy spots or only go to gringo meetups chances are you won’t see any savings. Embracing the local culture in Mexico can be a great way to save money and experience the true essence of the country. This can include participating in local festivals, learning the language, and trying street food.
Having said this, it is also important to keep in mind that your first year in Mexico will likely be your most expensive.
You won’t know the area as well as the future you will. You won’t know about all the grocery deals, you’ll spend more time and effort getting to know your backyard, you won’t know all the local eateries, and those kinds of things. You’ll also spend the most on groceries, cleaning supplies, furniture, rental deposits, and such.
And I hear this ALL the time from our viewers- they started to see the real savings after their first 6 months – year.
Here are some tips to help you integrate into local society
Moral of The Story
I get emails every week from someone who made a costly mistake asking me how they can get their money back.
These are just a few of many expensive mistakes that could have been avoided IF these people did their due diligence. But even then, you may not know what questions you need to ask.
That’s why we created the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide. We researched all the costly mistakes that newcomers make and made an easy-to-follow guide that helps you avoid these mistakes.
You don’t know what you don’t know about moving to and living in Mexico. Mistakes can be expensive!
The Complete Mexico Relocation Guide is not an expense, and it’s a wise investment in your future in Mexico. Plus, you get invited to our private Facebook community where you can continue to ask your questions after becoming a customer. In our private community, we have a mix of newcomers, people who have lived in Mexico for over a year, and people who have been in Mexico for over 10 years. It’s very insightful.
We want to help you avoid costly mistakes so you have a smooth easy move to Mexico. See the details for our COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide – and how we can help you avoid expensive mistakes.
I want to hear from YOU
What are some costly mistakes you have had to learn the hard way after moving to Mexico? If you want to help someone avoid the same mistake, leave a comment below.
Mariana, Thank you for this great post and for your ongoing efforts for the community. I have to say, judging from my mother’s experience living as a retiree in Ajijic, she is very often taken advantage of by locals. They see her as an ATM machine. “Gringo pricing” is a thing! I visited her and I really have to say that I see this culture here. To me, what’s going on is to me is a natural result of difference in currencies and the stifling inflation that is happening everywhere.
Ajijic is a gringo-touristic town, so eventhough for foreigners it seems like a bargain to live there, for many locals it is very expensive.
What ends up happening is the locals start to see the foreigners as walking bank accounts because many times the foreigners go to the most expensive restaurants in town, or shop only at the expensive boutique grocery stores, or rent the most expensive rentals. Not all of them, but many of them do. Otherwise, those businesses wouldn’t exist.
If your mom wants to have a more authentic experience I would recommend not being in Ajijic. Otherwise, Ajijic comes with its pros and cons. As do other touristic towns like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, etc.
What also helps to avoid being gringo taxed is learning the language, learning the price of things outside the gringo towns, and being better integrated so she can defend herself from anyone who may see her as someone with more money than themselves.
This is very true. I got permanent residence with no problem. I have been coming to Mexico for over 40 years. I would not consider living in a tourist town. I do not hang around with gringos. I am planning to eventually stay here full-time. To me it seems gringos move here with the idea of living on a beach somewhere with mariachi playing in the background. They do not come here because they love the language, common folk, the lifestyle of this country. When one comes to Mexico one must adapt, to style flex. Just as in any culture there are pluses and minuses. In the US many people coming from other countries experience culture shock as well as discrimination and unrealistic expectations. This seems to be a universal human experience
Some adapt very well. Some did not anticipate the differences they would have to adapt to.
Isn’t that sad? Why move to another country if one doesn’t want to learn about its own uniqueness. I really hope I can move there when I retire. Good luck!
Mariana: I think you have a fantastic product in your Relocation Guide – Te felicita! We are looking to vacation/tour extensively in Mexico during 2024. Many years ago I lived in Cuernavaca and studied at what was then called “CIDOC”, returned to the Univ of WA and sucessfully challenged/passed the University’s Spanish 101 and 102 coursework without having to sit in a classroom listening to a boring Gringo/Gringa maestra – Whew! 🙂 CIDOC intensive/comprehensive coursework included reading, writing and vocalization; my maesto there was Sr. Edmundo Sandoval – a wonderful man. My Espanol is rusty now – especially with verb conjugation – but my wife and I intend to avoid the touristy Gringo areas and enjoy our time with the real, work a day Mexican people. I’m thinking Mexico’s “off season” is between April and September; I would know IF I’d already purchased your Guide which we do intend to do when we see another wonderful $ale! Muchas Gracias para su tiempo/esfuerzo….RW “Guillermo” Butterick, Lewiston, Idaho
Thanks Marianna, this was a relevant video…I’ve experienced much of this in our travels to Mexico. And it was a nice change! While traveling we are often looking for Open Spaces/ parks and Farmers Markets for organic produce and local crafts, And alternative medicines such as herbal tinctures.
We’re enjoying your Relocation guide as we begin our search on where to live in Mexico.