Overcoming The Fear of Moving to Mexico

If you’re considering moving to Mexico, you should know a few things before you make the leap. From cultural differences to visa requirements, here’s everything you need to know about living in Mexico.

Here Are Some Steps

As retirement approaches or remote work becomes more common, many people consider moving to Mexico for a new adventure. The prospect of comfortable living for less money, better year-round weather, and living near a beach may have you thinking about packing your bags. However, feeling scared of such a big life change is normal.

Overcoming the fear requires taking action. Here are some tips to help you take the final steps to a new life in Mexico:

Research Mexico

Be prepared for the realities of living in Mexico. While the country is beautiful and has friendly locals, you should prepare for bureaucratic differences and big lifestyle changes. Research the country and specific regions you are interested in. The COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide provides helpful information to get started.

But our Mexico Relocation Guide is only a piece of the puzzle. You will surely use it for a lot of things. However, it is still a good idea for you to research the country. One way to get started is to use Google Maps and get familiar with the country and its geography.

Where are some of the main cities located? What is their topography? What’s the size? What is the weather like there? Even a small amount of knowledge will help you get excited about your future home!

Visit First Before You Move to Mexico

The unknown is a big factor when moving to a foreign country. Consider taking a trip to Mexico to visit several towns to find the perfect place to relocate to. Finding a town with the most things on your wish list is key.

Consider what you want from your next home, such as city culture or immersion in nature. And if you need help, we have a variety of recommended private relocation tours around Mexico that show you what it’s like to live in a specific town or city and provide important details about living in Mexico.

You may be interested in reading: Where Should You Live in Mexico? Quick and Helpful Guide.

Mexican Bureaucracy

Turning your fantasy into reality will require dealing with the bureaucracy of moving to Mexico. This can be a source of fear, but if you’ve done the hard work of selling your home and figuring out residency requirements, it’s easier to focus on the positives of your new life.

Dealing with red tape doesn’t have to increase your stress levels. Especially if you come prepared with the expectation that things will take longer and everyone has a learning curve, don’t stress!

Learn The Language

Mexico is a Spanish-speaking country, so learning the language is important to help you integrate and feel more comfortable in your new home.

You’ll have an easier time doing things without constantly needing others to translate for you, giving you a sense of independence.

Connect With The Community

Connecting with the locals and other expats can help ease the transition and help you feel more at home. Plus, there are a lot of other benefits of creating a community. If you need some of those tips, check out this post.

Moving to a new country can be scary, but taking these steps can help alleviate your fears and make your move to Mexico a smooth transition to a new adventure.

Cost of Living in Mexico

One of the biggest draws for expats moving to Mexico is the affordable cost of living. Here are some estimates for common expenses:

• Rent: A one-bedroom apartment in a city center can cost around $400-$800 USD or $550-$1100 CAD per month.
• Food: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost around $5-$10 USD, while a week’s worth of groceries can cost around $50-$80 USD or $68-$110 CAD.
• Transportation: A one-way ticket on public transportation costs around $0.50-$1, while a monthly pass costs around $20-$30.

Cultural Differences in Mexico

Mexico has a rich and vibrant culture that differs from the United States or Canada. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Family is important: In Mexico, family ties are strong, and multi-generational households are common.
• Punctuality is flexible: In Mexican culture, time is viewed as fluid, so punctuality may not be as important as in other cultures.
• Religion is significant: Mexico is predominantly Catholic, and religion plays an important role in daily life. There are a lot of religious festivals and events weekly.

Visa Requirements for Moving to Mexico

Before moving to Mexico, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate visa. Here are some options in a nutshell:

• Tourist visa: You can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days.
• Temporary Resident visa: You can stay in Mexico for up to four years.
• Permanent Resident visa: This allows you to stay in Mexico indefinitely.

Healthcare in Mexico

Mexico has both public and private healthcare options. Here’s what you need to know:

• Public healthcare: Available to everyone, but the quality varies.
• Private healthcare: High-quality care is available at a fraction of the cost in the United States.
• Medical tourism: Many people come to Mexico specifically for medical procedures, as the cost is often significantly lower than in their home country.

Safety in Mexico

Safety is a concern for many people considering a move to Mexico. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Research your destination: Some areas of Mexico are safer than others, so research before choosing a location. Most people reading this blog don’t usually travel or live in any of the “dangerous zones.” However, it is a good idea for you to know which ones we don’t recommend. And these are:
  • Matamoros, Tamaulipas
  • Reynosa, Tamaulipas
  • Culiacan, Sinaloa
  • Zamora, Michoacan
  • Uruspan, Michoacan
  • Celaya, Guanajuato
  • Ecatepec, Estado de Mexico
  • Ciudad Obregon, Sonora
  • Tijuana, Baja California
  • Juarez, Chihuahua
  • Zacatecas, Zacatecas
• Take precautions: Use common sense safety precautions such as not walking alone at night and not flashing expensive items in public.
• Learn Spanish: Knowing the language can help you better navigate potentially dangerous situations.

How Can We Help You Move to Mexico?

Moving to Mexico can be an exciting and rewarding experience. By understanding the cost of living, cultural differences, visa requirements, healthcare options, and safety concerns, you’ll be well-prepared for your new life in Mexico.

But even when you have the best intention to research everything on your own, you may get stuck at some point in your process because a lot of the information online about moving to Mexico is either outdated or completely wrong.

That’s why we created the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide. It has heaps of information to help you move to Mexico and settle in without making newbie mistakes.

We’ve helped thousands of people move to Mexico the right way. But don’t just take it from me; check out our reviews.