Planning to maneuver to Mexico? Here is my expertise on transferring to the nation I now name residence

Considering of transferring to Mexico? You’re in the suitable place! I’ve been dwelling in Mexico since 2018, and this information will provide you with an perception from my private experiences.

Hello Trisha! I’m certain you get most of these messages on a regular basis however I simply got here throughout your weblog. After making an attempt a number of Google searches, your weblog is precisely what I used to be in search of! I’m a US citizen, single, feminine, and I plan to maneuver to Mexico this winter. Your Mexico blogs have been extremely useful as a result of they’re very detailed and never generic. I like your writing voice! I need to know what are the required steps for my transfer to Mexico? Quite a lot of web sites I see are usually not very direct so I hope you possibly can write a submit about this. Thanks prematurely and I respect you, girlfriend!
– Mindy, USA

Pricey Mindy,

Thanks a lot for the sort phrases! I strive my finest to be detailed however give straightforward to know info on the similar time. I’m glad you might be right here with me on this journey!

To be trustworthy with you, transferring to Mexico was sort of unintentional for me. I used to be simply right here to journey and voila – after a yr, I discovered myself receiving a 4-year Mexico residency visa.

I’ve been dwelling overseas for the final 10 years (Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, Barcelona) however I by no means actually stayed in a single nation for greater than a yr.

Dwelling in Mexico really modified my life and I’m certain it is going to be a special expertise for you, too! Please see my transferring to Mexico information beneath and if there’s something you want, you realize the place to seek out me!

Xx,
Trisha

Are you able to simply transfer to Mexico?

Sure, after all! I don’t see why not! So long as you might be certified for the residency visa (which is a fast and straightforward course of), you possibly can actually transfer to Mexico with out issues. After all, there are a number of issues to do when it comes to logistics however I’ll focus on the way you’re going to handle to maneuver to Mexico on this easy-to-understand step-by-step information to learn on!

Is transferring to Mexico a good suggestion?

ALWAYS! Mexico has probably the most reasonably priced price of dwelling, the Mexican individuals are good and I’ve felt safer dwelling right here than in Europe! For certain, Mexico will get dangerous press when it comes to security however take into consideration all of the 1.5 million People dwelling in Mexico – why do you assume they selected to stay right here if it’s not secure?

Security is available in completely different layers, and the way in which we understand security is all completely different so my recommendation is to return right here and see it for your self! Mexico provides a terrific high quality of life and plenty of People have reported that once they moved right here, their well being has significantly improved.

How a lot cash do you want to comfortably stay in Mexico?

There’s an impression that Mexico is tremendous low cost however like most locations, it actually will depend on the realm. Foreigners often intention to maneuver in standard neighborhoods the place a vacationer would often go however there are numerous low cost choices inside a metropolis in Mexico that you simply need to stay in!

You possibly can simply discover a first rate $350 USD monthly long-term hire however I’ve to inform you that you want to be geared up to find these finest costs. Which means, you’d have to talk Spanish fluently. Sadly, hire costs right here in Mexico change once you’re a gringo (foreigner) so in an American’s thoughts, the most cost effective hire worth in Mexico begins at $600 USD however that’s not the case!

Moreover, the price of dwelling in Mexico will depend on the place you need to stay. You will note a number of generic price of dwelling articles for Mexico on the Web and so they’re not correct. The prices right here differ by space.

What are the disadvantages of transferring to Mexico?

I noticed that when you come from a first-world nation the place all methods are straightforward (like Europe, Australia, US or Canada), you will note a number of disadvantages of transferring to Mexico. Earlier than transferring to Mexico, keep in mind that this isn’t a rustic the place banking is simple. You’ll need to undergo a number of hassles simply with a easy banking day. It will possibly even take your complete day simply doing one transaction.

The Mexicans are additionally a fan of the mañana behavior so if you need one thing repaired, relaxation assured that staff is not going to come on the hour that they mentioned they’d. I wrote about 50+ issues you want to find out about dwelling in Mexico. For those who learn that submit, you can be acquainted on how every thing works right here – from banking to grocery buying, to paying payments and so on.

Can I transfer to Mexico with pupil loans within the US?

Sure, you possibly can. However you want to perceive that transferring to a different nation doesn’t exempt you from paying your pupil loans within the US. It received’t simply magically disappear since you left the US. You’ll nonetheless incur rates of interest and your overdue funds will nonetheless be there. I do not need pupil loans within the US however most of my mates who stay right here do.

In keeping with them, it doesn’t matter in the event that they stay in Mexico. So long as they’re paying their pupil loans again residence within the US, then there received’t be an issue. When making use of for a resident visa in Mexico, they received’t actually ask if in case you have pupil loans or not. Principally, Mexico doesn’t care about this topic so long as you full the necessities for visa utility.

Do I must nonetheless pay taxes within the US if I transfer to Mexico?

Like your pupil loans, there isn’t a escape route. In keeping with the US legal guidelines, regardless of the place you might be dwelling on this planet, you want to file a US Federal tax return. You aren’t exempted from this. I’m not a US citizen however I’ve a US-registered firm so I’m additionally compelled to pay taxes within the US as a non-citizen, even when I’m dwelling in Mexico.

To be trustworthy, that is fairly exhausting to trace however I pay an accountant for expat taxes to do all these for me. This manner, I don’t want to consider it as I’m additionally very dangerous with numbers! I can join you to my expat tax accountant within the US if you’re a digital nomad/expat who lives outdoors of the US. Simply contact me. I swear they’re superior!

Do I want to rent somebody to assist me transfer to Mexico?

Completely not! You possibly can transfer to Mexico all by your self by following the steps beneath. Nonetheless, I do know a number of People and Canadians who don’t need to undergo the trouble and like paying somebody educated for his or her hassle-free transfer to Mexico. For the final 3 years, I’ve helped People and Canadians transfer to Mexico. I’ve assisted them with translations, residency visas, and in search of a spot to stay.

I’m not an company however simply a person however I’m educated about dwelling and transferring to Mexico. If you wish to get a quote on how I may help you progress to Mexico, you possibly can see my personal session web page for more information. Actually, if in case you have the time, I don’t advocate you rent somebody as a result of transferring to Mexico is simple!

However if you need insights and solutions to questions from a fellow expat, let’s chat!

Transferring to Mexico: a step-by-step information 

Step #1: Journey right here first

You received’t probably have the thought of transferring to Mexico when you haven’t visited first. Seeing photographs of Mexico on the Web may be very engaging that the majority of us don’t even assume that touring and dwelling listed here are two various things. We are likely to rush every thing as a result of we need to escape the life we’re at the moment in however actually, transferring to Mexico received’t make sense when you haven’t traveled right here.

By touring to Mexico first, you’re going to get to familiarize your self with the language. You should get a really feel if you’ll survive right here with out talking Spanish, if it’s okay so that you can stay in an space the place there are many People, if the meals received’t harm your abdomen. These are simply among the elements to think about when fascinated about transferring to Mexico and you’ll solely know all these when you come right here first. Who is aware of? You could not like Mexico in any respect.

I extremely doubt that you’ll not prefer it right here however nonetheless, you realize your self greater than I do. Come right here and do an preliminary ocular. There are numerous locations to go to in Mexico and I’m certain you’ll fall in love with one in some unspecified time in the future!

Step #2: Determine the place you need to stay in Mexico

There are a number of nice locations to stay in Mexico however how would you realize which one is for you? How I made a decision the place to stay in Mexico was all as a result of I traveled lots across the nation. My way of life permits me to maneuver as a lot as I can (so long as I’ve WiFi) however there was a degree that I turned drained and simply wished to remain in a single place.

I began staying just a few months within the digital nomad locations in Mexico which have good Web as a result of I received’t have the ability to afford to stay right here if I can’t work. In order that’s the very first thing you want to take into consideration.

Are you Web-dependent? If sure, I hate to interrupt it to you however the dream of dwelling in Mexican seaside cities will probably be very troublesome however I discovered methods to go round it. It actually will depend on what you do. Every city/metropolis in Mexico has a special way of life so verify in with you first. Have an internal dialogue: what sort of way of life would you like once you go to Mexico?

Some elements embrace web connection, grocery outlets, want for a automobile, expat communities, security, climate, transportation, outside actions, and price of dwelling. The nice factor is there’s all the time a spot for each choice of dwelling in Mexico. Seashore cities, mountains, and even the Mexican cities are actually actually nice locations to stay in!

You received’t actually have any concept of what life is like within the place you need to transfer to so be sure to do step 1 or get in contact with me to have a greater concept of what it’s like.

Step #3: Tie free ends at residence

That is what I ask all my shoppers who need to transfer to Mexico: are you fully certain that you will go away your life within the USA or Canada? Otherwise you’re simply going to spend half the yr in Mexico?

In case you are 100% certain about transferring to Mexico, you want to tie free ends at residence as a result of this may also prevent cash. You don’t need to pay 2 rents (until you personal the home). The concept of transferring to Mexico is so that you can have an reasonably priced way of life and lower your expenses on the facet.

If the home is yours, you possibly can signal it up on Airbnb and Vrbo however you continue to want a property supervisor to deal with the bookings. In any other case, you possibly can simply sublet it till you determine to return again. Storage charges are additionally a special story. A few of my mates in New York are paying $400 USD on the facet simply to retailer their belongings they don’t even know if they’re coming again!

Personally, I’d recommend you eliminate all of the belongings that you simply don’t actually need. Maintain one field which you can simply go away with mates or household as a result of that’s what I did. Transferring to Mexico means beginning contemporary so it might be nice when you solely convey what you want. You should buy no matter it’s that you simply want right here anyway. Now we have the identical shops because the US!

I even have shoppers who moved right here along with their furnishings and every thing that they personal which is expensive however that was their determination. The logistics of that is fairly tedious however if you’re 100% certain that you simply need to convey all of your stuff, so be it. Simply be sure to know that there are further prices to move all of your belongings to Mexico however it’s doable.

You additionally must cancel your cellphone payments, fitness center membership, Costco subscriptions, and so on – I do know you could assume that these are just a few {dollars} however when you add all of it up in a yr, that’s nonetheless some huge cash for memberships that you don’t use.

Oh, don’t cancel Amazon Prime as a result of that works in Mexico. Addresses in Mexico are so exhausting to seek out (thanks city planners) so being an Amazon Prime member is de facto handy. They all the time do their finest to seek out your location!

Additionally ensure that your cellphone is unlocked so that it’ll work with a Mexican sim card. Different issues to think about to promote/hire is your automobile. Most individuals simply convey their vehicles to Mexico however that’s an entire lot of one other customs/border crossing shebang to maneuver your automobile from Mexico to the US. Once more, it’s tedious however doable (and additional prices).

You possibly can simply open a Mexican checking account as soon as you might be already right here however when you nonetheless need to use your financial institution, ensure your financial institution at house is knowledgeable that you will journey.

I by no means informed my financial institution that I’ll transfer completely. I simply say journey as a result of I don’t actually know the implications of informing the financial institution that I’m leaving the nation. Banks may block your US card in Mexico in the event that they weren’t knowledgeable of your ‘journey’ so it’s higher to allow them to know earlier than you permit.

There’s an implication that when you transfer to Mexico, you’ll not pay US taxes however I hate to interrupt it to you – that isn’t the case. You continue to must pay taxes as I discussed within the first a part of this text. Be sure you have an accountant that may handle your US taxes for you when you are dwelling in Mexico. I simply employed somebody to recover from with it – I actually can’t be bothered with this since I don’t stay within the US!

Lastly, you may need to do a full-body medical verify (blood stress, x-ray, CT scan, and so on). You possibly can positively do this in Mexico too however if in case you have medical health insurance within the US that may cowl these checks, then do it! Dental care is manner cheaper in Mexico so that you don’t have to fret about that right here.

Step #4: Get your Mexico short-term resident visa at residence

For individuals who are nonetheless undecided in the event that they need to transfer to Mexico full-time, you don’t actually need to use for a Mexican short-term resident visa. Mexico has a beneficiant 6-month visa program for vacationers that matches each American’s arrange of getting part-time properties in each international locations.

You’ll not get busted for renting an condominium right here for six months with a vacationer visa. You’ll solely have an issue when you exceed that keep. 6 months is an effective time, proper? Spend the winters right here then return to the US as a result of summer season in Mexico is insufferable.

Step #5: Get international medical health insurance that covers COVID-19

Your expat insurance coverage in Mexico will rely upon what sort of residency visa you apply for. Since I’m on a digital nomad visa in Mexico, I can nonetheless use my digital nomad insurance coverage which I pay $40 USD a month. There are numerous expat insurance coverage suppliers in Mexico however I haven’t tried them myself so I can’t actually advocate it. Plus, it looks as if they’re worldwide firms that aren’t working inside Mexico. It’s finest when you discover insurance coverage by yourself.

After I acquired my residency visa, I attempted to contact an area expat insurance coverage firm in Mexico and so they informed me that I can solely be insured after a yr of month-to-month funds. I discovered that tremendous annoying and ineffective so I simply caught with my very own insurance coverage.

Step #6: Discover a long-term rental

The most typical mistake that expats do once they transfer to Mexico is shopping for a home first. In my expertise (and as many expat tales right here), folks get too enthusiastic about buying a house in Mexico then, in the long run, they understand they didn’t like the situation, they will’t promote the home simply, the title switch is troublesome, and so on.

I actually don’t encourage you to purchase a home in Mexico until you realize the realm you might be shopping for in. And that, my mates, take time. Mexico has very blurred guidelines in residence shopping for as completely different actual property brokers will inform you in another way. One other factor to think about when shopping for a house is having a trusted realtor which you can rely on if one thing goes improper.

Constructing relationships with the locals can be important when buying a house. When the group is aware of you, you and your house will probably be taken care of.

So one of the best factor to do is to hire first. Lengthy-term rental in Mexico may be very reasonably priced. As I’m at the moment dwelling in several elements of Mexico, I set a $650 USD hire funds, and with that quantity, I all the time get massive homes inaccessible areas.

I have to warn you that as an American who doesn’t know how you can converse Spanish, folks will are likely to put the costs up as a result of they know you’ll pay. For instance, I can get charged $650 USD for a home as a result of I can converse Spanish (to not point out I haggle, too) however white folks might be charged double when you don’t know what the true worth is.

I’ve helped lots of people get the correct worth hire as I supply providers of condominium looking on-site. I can positively aid you with this if you wish to lower your expenses! Lastly, I discourage you to make use of Airbnb once you’re on a funds. Their service charges are too excessive and you’ll lose some huge cash.

One of the simplest ways to look is all the time with locals – you even get a greater home in your funds when you do it like this versus simply counting on what you see on Airbnb.

Step #7: Transport/transferring your issues to Mexico

Mexico’s delivery system is, oh properly… very inefficient. The addresses on Google maps are all incorrect due to the poor city planning in Mexico. Until you might be in a gated group (like me), packages will arrive easily.

In case you are delivery issues to Mexico, you want to discover an deal with that’s dependable. After I was dwelling in Sayulita, I exploit my co-working area deal with to obtain packages.

That co-working area isn’t straightforward to seek out both however the factor is that they obtain a number of packages that the supply guys already know the deal with by coronary heart. In small cities like Sayulita, the identical supply man goes daily. I swear, it’s the identical individual!

You possibly can simply ask your realtor or landlord if you should use their workplace deal with to obtain your packages. Don’t fear, Mexican landlords are tremendous reliable so relaxation assured they may handle your stuff! I additionally advise utilizing premium supply firms that work in each Mexico and worldwide similar to DHL, UPS, and FedEx. This manner, it is going to be straightforward to contact them when you run into any issues.

Most significantly, you want to have a Mexican cellphone quantity since supply guys all the time name once they can’t discover your location. I extremely depend on their calls every time I’m scared {that a} bundle received’t get to my deal with. They all the time name, I swear!

Step #8: Transferring to Mexico with kids or pets

Like in all international locations on this planet, you want to have a allow when touring with kids. However you solely want this allow if each mother and father are usually not getting into Mexico with the kid.

In some instances, mother and father journey individually as a result of one has to handle tying free ends at residence and one needed to arrange in Mexico. In case you are a single father or mother, you positively want a signed allow from the opposite father or mother.

The necessities to fly with pets to Mexico will depend on the airline so after reserving your ticket, ask the airline what paperwork you want to current. Often, they simply ask for proof of rabies photographs and a certificates of excellent well being.

It’s additionally very straightforward to purchase a ticket in your pets. You possibly can even purchase it when you find yourself already checking in (so long as you will have the paperwork) so the necessary factor to do is to guide your ticket first.

Please be aware that medium to large-sized canine should be transported in a crate. You should purchase them too and man, they aren’t low cost! Imagine me, I’m touring with 2 massive canine and it’s all the time a ache to fly them.

Border crossing from the US to Mexico is simpler. You don’t must pay for a ticket however you simply want to finish the paperwork.

Step #9: Be taught Spanish!

Wherever you select to stay in Mexico, there will probably be an enormous expat group principally consisting of Canadians and People. This makes expats not study Spanish however imagine me, with regards to dwelling in Mexico, you want to converse Spanish.

I noticed that regardless that Mexico is a North American nation, English continues to be not very broadly used right here (by locals) and if they will converse English, there’s all the time confusion with the reason (i.e. financial institution tellers).

Restore guys, supply guys, mechanics, and everybody you want to keep a house in Mexico additionally don’t converse English so think about the way you’re going to speak with them properly when you want one thing finished.

My fluency in Spanish isn’t from Mexico however is from backpacking South America for 3.5 years. Most of my Spanish expertise are from touring. I didn’t actually go to a language college nor employed a trainer.

If you wish to rent a trainer, ensure that they’re licensed so that you’ll have a prolific lesson plan that may aid you in studying Spanish. Mexican Spanish can be completely different as it’s in each Spanish-speaking nation.

I can advocate a terrific trainer that may aid you study (on-line) and create a personalized lesson plan that may suit your wants! I even have just a few programs to supply so simply e-mail me.

However please, solely contact me if you’re actually keen to study Spanish, in any other case, it received’t work. Studying a language comes with willingness and when you’re not keen to place in an hour a day into studying, you’ll not be fluent.

Step #8: Put all payments in your title

In Mexico, payments are utilized in many issues like opening a checking account or making use of for residence wifi. That is what we name the comprobante de domicilio and it is likely one of the main necessities for something in Mexico.

It’s very straightforward to switch the payments in your title however you possibly can solely do that if you’re renting long-term or shopping for a house. For brief-term renters, you possibly can nonetheless use a comprobante de domicilio below your landlord’s title. Mexican firms don’t often care.

To alter the electrical energy billing title, you simply must go to the billing workplace known as CFE. Convey your lease copy, passport, and the unique invoice in your landlord’s title. It would take 2 minutes to do that (and possibly 2 hours for falling in line. LOL).

Step #9: Open a checking account in Mexico

It is vitally straightforward to open a checking account in Mexico. It would solely take 2 hours however you want to know which financial institution is one of the best in your banking wants.

I’m utilizing BBVA and Banorte as a result of these two are broadly used within the areas I lived in. BBVA can be one of the best financial institution in Mexico and I like all their providers!

When deciding which financial institution to get an account with, ensure that the financial institution has many branches and ATM machines within the space you reside in.

After I lived in Puerto Vallarta, there are extra Banorte branches however after I moved to La Paz Baja California, BBVA is in every single place. In the long run, I made a decision to maintain each. It actually will depend on the realm you’ll stay in.

You possibly can solely open an account with massive banks in Mexico if in case you have a residency visa. For individuals who are on a vacationer visa, your solely financial institution choice is Intercam.

Step #10: Apply for a post-paid sim card

Shopping for a pay as you go sim card may be very straightforward in Mexico. The very first thing you want to determine is to pick a cellular supplier. I’ve used AT&T up to now however realized how the sign fails in small cities.

Then I moved to a Telcel postpaid. Telcel has the largest protection all around the nation and you can find many Telcel kiosks wherever you select to stay.

For pay as you go sim, I pay $10 USD a month for limitless calls and social media. I made a decision to use for a postpaid sim for $28 USD a month as a result of it doesn’t have limits on knowledge. For my job, that is the plan that makes extra sense.

When making use of for a postpaid plan, you simply must convey your CFE invoice, your passport, and your short-term residency card. Sadly, vacationers can not apply for a postpaid plan in Mexico.

You additionally must have 3 contacts that use Telcel for reference. Often, they may ask for the contacts which have sim playing cards registered within the state you might be in.

You possibly can’t simply give any Mexican quantity for reference. It would take minutes to activate your plan. It’s very easy and Telcel facilities don’t have lengthy strains.

The Telcel sim additionally works within the US. With my $28 USD plan, I may even name US numbers for reasonable. I nonetheless preserve my US sim card although however I switched to a USA pay as you go sim which I pay $15 USD monthly.

Step #11: Purchase a automobile

For those who determined to promote your automobile within the US earlier than transferring to Mexico, shopping for a automobile in Mexico is a little bit bit difficult as banks don’t supply to fund. And in the event that they do, anticipate very high-interest charges – it’s actually insane!

One of the simplest ways to purchase a model new automobile is, sadly, paying all of it in full. This manner, you’re going to get the automobile in your title however that is solely relevant for many who have a everlasting resident visa. Short-term resident visa holders are usually not allowed to have the automobile of their title.

I purchased my automobile at Toyota (model new) and I needed to discover somebody with a everlasting residency visa to place it on their title. My visa is barely short-term however I solely did this as a result of the individual I requested is somebody I belief.

Most foreigners right here purchase second-hand vehicles and that is the extra standard and simpler choice. The one factor is, I’m actually not a fan of shopping for second-hand as a result of the paperwork might be difficult. Stolen vehicles are additionally quite common right here so I didn’t need to threat it.

If you wish to purchase a automobile in Mexico, I can advocate you to my seller who will aid you with every thing together with title transfers for second-hand vehicles. He prices a really small price and he’s my trusted individual with regards to vehicles!

Step #12: Apply for a Mexican driver’s license

Making use of for a driver’s license in Mexico is simple since you don’t even must do it your self. The strains on the land transportation places of work are actually lengthy and never lots of people converse English so that you may must have an area contact to do that for you.

Imagine me, it isn’t exhausting as a result of there’ll all the time be that individual in your space that expats belief with regards to getting a driver’s license – simply ask round! I did mine with my trusted individual in Playa del Carmen with a price and he even acquired me a everlasting driver’s license! All I did was ship a photograph and signature by way of e-mail and I obtained my driver’s license inside 2 days (hassle-free!)

Greatest locations to maneuver to in Mexico

1. Puerto Vallarta

There are supermarkets in every single place, Uber is reasonable, and thoughts you, we now have Costco! Not all Mexican cities have Costco so for People and Canadians who stay right here, this can be a plus. I’ve a automobile however you don’t actually need a automobile in PV as Ubers work right here. There are additionally plenty of expat communities so you possibly can simply make mates right here.

I’ve struggled in mixing with locals right here as all my mates are white however I additionally discovered a group of Mexican ladies (from work) that I continuously see whereas dwelling right here.

👉🏼 Learn subsequent: The true price of dwelling in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2. Sayulita

Sayulita is the most secure space I’ve lived in Mexico. Once more, small cities will make you are feeling safer due to the overfamiliarity. There are many outside actions – individuals are all the time out and about and that’s what makes it so enjoyable! I must warn you that Sayulita isn’t for everybody. Earlier than transferring right here, verify the approach to life first and see if it matches you.

👉🏼 See additionally: Why I moved to Sayulita

3. Mexico Metropolis

Many expats keep away from Mexico Metropolis due to the air high quality and the excessive altitude but when these two primary ‘cons’ don’t actually hassle you, you’ll positively take pleasure in dwelling in Mexico Metropolis as an expat. Residences in Mexico Metropolis are reasonably priced however since I solely need to keep within the Roma and Condesa space, it’s all the time exhausting to seek out hire that’s lower than $650 USD (which is my funds). I all the time over go this funds in Mexico Metropolis!

👉🏼 You may additionally like: The Digital Nomad Information to Mexico Metropolis

4. Merida

Most of my mates who’re dwelling in Merida are households with children. In truth, many individuals say (even the Web) that it’s the most secure place to stay in Mexico. I did really feel secure touring to Merida however I additionally didn’t see the distinction from different Mexican cities with regards to security. Once more, how we quantify security actually will depend on our dwelling wants.

👉🏼 Learn subsequent: The digital nomad information to Merida

5. San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is an expat’s favourite. That is additionally one of many whitest cities I’ve been to in Mexico though you possibly can nonetheless immerse your self with the Mexican tradition. Famously generally known as SMA, this metropolis has a European really feel to it due to the outdated constructions. I additionally felt very secure strolling right here, even within the wee hours of the morning!