Moving to Mexico

"I suggest you begin by renting in the Versalles neighborhood--it is still affordable, well laid-out, and pleasant, and is central enough to give you good access to a variety of amenities and other neighborhoods. The deciding factor in choosing where to live will be whether or not you plan on owning a car. There are some gorgeous areas with spectacular views that you would probably not choose to live in without either your own transportation, a very nearby bus stop, or a willingness to use Ubers/taxis pretty much every time you go anywhere," remarked one expat who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"I would suggest renting in the 5 Diciembre neighborhood. It has excellent food market, Leys, and a short hike to fresh meat and seafood. If you want to try it out, I suggest you first spend a week or more in the exceptionally well run Grand Paramar small hotel on the beach," explained one expat living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

"The move was easy for us because we had help from my husband's company. I would have prefered to live closer to Villahermosa (we are about an hour away) but the commute would have been terrible for my husband. My advice would be to learn as much Spanish as possible!!!! Don't rush into finding a home if you can avoid it. See what is out there. Also if you can get help from locals do so. Mexican people are some of the nicest people on earth. I still stick out like a sore thumb and will probably never master the language but most people are very patient and are eager to learn English themselves," said one expat in Comalcalco.

"Barking dogs and the occasional loud party--often complete with Mariachi band--does make it difficult to find a completely quiet place to live. However, if your goal is TOTAL peace, might I suggest heading for the hills? There are plenty of houses located in isolated areas of Mexico. But you might give up security for the quietness. Personally, I have adjusted to the barking dogs by using a "white noise" machine at night. Otherwise they are now just background noise. The parties? Well...I just stay up until they over, generally around 2 a.m," said one expat who made the move to Rosarito.

"Contact me or someone here about what to bring or not. Choosing a neighborhood and finding a home I would suggest a qualified real estate professional. We have an MLS group in the city. Preferably chose one of those realtors," explained one expat living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"We made a discovery trip here in July. Loved the place and stayed a month... We toured the entire area and eliminated those areas that were a bit far out or did not meet our needs. We sold our home in the states in three days which spurred us to find a home... We have a dog and two cats that made renting a bit of a hassle so we decided to buy. I made another trip in September and we decided on one of the homes we had previewed earlier. It is a smaller gated community (7 homes) and we are quite delighted," said one expat who made the move to Ajijic .

"We rented a 3 BR/3 Bath home. It is very modern and has a small front yard and a beautiful back yard with a pool. It is 2 stories. We also have a terrace overlooking the back yard and a sunny roof top overlooking the front of the house. The house has a large wall around it and an electric gate in the front which is very nice for our 2 dogs and 2 cats. They can go in and out as they please," explained one expat living in Merida, 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 expat in Puerto Vallarta.

"Our "house" is the downstairs of a 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 story house. We have 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, huge living room, dining room and kitchen with gated parking and back yard. It has been converted into 2 separate dwellings. It is in one of the better (upscale) areas of Tijuana. Yes, most expats would want close access to the border and a larger living space than most Mexican homes have," said one expat who made the move to Tijuana.

"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.

"We live in a house on the beach. Many ex-pats live in houses and condos on or close to the beach," said one 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," explained one expat living in Tijuana, Mexico.

"The cost of housing in Mexico varies greatly depending on where you live. In general, the cost of housing in cities is more expensive than in rural areas. The cost of renting an apartment in Mexico can range from relatively affordable to quite expensive, depending on the size and location. On average, housing in Mexico is significantly cheaper than in many other countries, and is particularly affordable in rural areas," said one expat in Mexico.

"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," replied a member in Manzanillo.

"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," commented one expat who made the move to 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 in Ajijic, Mexico.

"My husband and I were told by the shipper that once we have a Merida address that our items will be shipped to our door within a few days. We have been here for almost a month and we have found that our items are still in Miami!! We were also told that our items cannot be sent from Miami until my husband gets his Temporary Resident card (which he applied for, but we have been told that it will take approximately a month to get it). Once he has the card, then they will schedule the items to be sent and it takes 10 days to go across the Gulf of Mexico and then a few days to go through Customs. So at this rate, we will be lucky if we have our items for the New Year and we have been in Mexico since October 27th. Please be warned about this and make sure that you get everything in writing. We did and we are still having issues. We wish we would have all our items that we shipped and have not found anything that we had wished we left yet," remarked one expat in Merida, Mexico.

"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," said one expat in Comalcalco.

"We brought a lot. 9000 lbs. I would bring the things that make me feel good about my home. (personal things, art) In Manzanillo the sea air is hard on good art and metals. So I would think twice about bringing things of huge value that you want to leave in your family. If you love them and just want to enjoy them, bring them. Electronics, like computers, that you want in English you should bring. If you are a gourmet, bring your pots and pans, bring what it is that you love. Everything else leave," remarked one expat who made the move to Manzanillo.

"Thanks to reading this website we brought two vacuums which worked out well. We could have left more of our art work at home. Also my hobby "stuff" in 25 book boxes that are now gracing the wall of our guest bedroom," explained one expat living in Ajijic , Mexico.

"In response to the comment about the absence of quality cosmetics in Mexico, I suggest looking for No. 7 products. I have seen them in the pharmacy in old town and I believe La Comer carries the product as well," said one expat in Puerto Vallarta.

"I was told by a good friend to just throw the words out there. They noticed that I had a tendency to be a lot quieter than usual during table discussions where everyone is engaged and fluent in Spanish. He said "Just like a baby babbles and throws a word incorrectly just do it anyway. We will correct you!". That was a relief! He knew that I was afraid of making mistakes so he told me to do the opposite of what my mind was telling to do. Don't stay silent, just jump in there and graciously accept the friendly help! They love it! And it breaks the ice! It makes sense. As a teacher that's exactly what I encourage.my students to do -- I tell them to just jump into the discussion and I'm there to help as needed," said one expat who made the move to Comitan, CHIAPAS.

"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.

"Yes. I was speaking with a bi-lingual Mexican man and I told him that I was very happy because people here must think I am Mexican. He asked me why I felt that way. I said "Well..everyone freely and openly just start speaking to me in Spanish, so they must think I'm Mexican". He looked at me with a smile and said "That's because they don't know how to speak English" Oh boy, did I feel silly....we had a really good laugh at that one," said one in Tequisquiapan.

"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," explained one expat who made the move to Guadalajara.

"When visiting Mexico, it is important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. Avoid using inappropriate body language, such as making public displays of affection and wearing disrespectful clothing. As most Mexicans are Catholic, it is important to be aware of the days of solemnity when no business is done and loud music and parties are not allowed. It is also important to be mindful when tipping, as excessive tips can be seen as obsequious. Refrain from speaking negatively about the country or its people and it can be seen as offensive. Finally, refrain from taking unauthorized photos of people or buildings," explained one expat living in Mexico.

" I am moving to Rosarito in 2025 when my condo will be completed. Reasons are because I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and my son Lives in Carlsbad,CA. I have my first new grandchild there and it is a one hour drive from his door to Rosarito. I just drove to Carlsbad from Vegas yesterday and it was a little over a five hour drive. My second reason is because I will be 65 next April and will still be able to drive to San Diego and use Medicare for my medical needs. I love Mexico, the Mexican people and Mexican food is in my top three foods to eat. The bonus is where else can you buy a brand new ocean front Condo with lot's of amenities on the West coast for less than a million dollars? I was going to move to Puerto Vallarta which I love but it's a flight to the states every time to visit or use medicare. Plus the summer humidity is intense in Vallarta and it's San Diego like weather in Rosarito," 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.

"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," offered one expat living in Merida.

"Healthcare services in Mexico are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is known as the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and is funded by the government. It provides basic medical services to Mexican citizens and permanent residents, including preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment. The quality of public healthcare in Mexico is generally considered to be good, although there are some areas where it is lacking. Foreign residents do not have access to the public healthcare system, but they can purchase private health insurance to cover medical expenses. Expats in Mexico typically use private healthcare services, although some may opt to use the public system if they are eligible," remarked one expat in 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," commented one expat living in Coatepec.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Mexico.