Moving to Mexico

"Since realtors are not regulated here in Mexico one should hire an attorney just to be on the safe side... We did and it was worth every peso... Cheap insurance. Do your due diligence on line and stay for a month or more... If one has not lived abroad and in similar locales there might be a bit of a culture shock... How I explain this in simple terms: 'If in the morning you have water for your shower.... It is a good day.' and 'If the water is hot... It is GREAT DAY!' Living here is an adventure... One needs to be flexible, have a sense of humor, and accept the fact that things here move at a different pace. The Mexican people are warm and friendly, the expats are willing to help get you settled, and the weather is outstanding... What is not to like?," remarked one expat in Ajijic , Mexico.

"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," said one expat in Puerto Vallarta.

"If possible come to the city before you move and spend a week focused on looking for a house or apartment. Puebla is a big city and neighborhoods vary. Ask the locals at Starbucks, the hip restaurants or at a local bar in the nice hotels for advice on the better/safer places to live. They are very well informed and friendly. The nicer places to live do require a lease, so come prepared with a proof of employment or job offer letter, a bank statement (you can get a Mexican account after you can present a lease), passport, visa and best of all if you have a local reference that is trusted above all. You will need a lease to begin internet, phone and electric service. Hot water and cooking gas comes in the form of gas. Yes GAS only! Your neighbors can help you with the number of the company that services your neighborhood," remarked one expat who made the move to Puebla.

"Franvan, Versalles is reasonably priced. Las Gaviotas is reasonably priced. Vallarta Villas (gated condos) maybe comparable with Fluvial pricing. 5 Diciembre (There are some newer gated condo properties in some of this area. Most of Centro/downtown and the Romantic Zone will have electricity and water/flooding problems during the rainy season. Fluvial, a residential area has both homes & condos for rent & sale with some being newer (all electricity underground, including internet/phone with Telmex). The Marina area will have more condos than homes for rent and you'll pay more than all of the above most of the time," 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.

"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," remarked one expat in Ajijic , Mexico.

"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," remarked one expat who made the move to Tijuana.

"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.

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

"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 who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"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)," remarked one expat in Comalcalco, Mexico.

"Thank god the company pays for it. The cost for an apartment is anywhere from $1,800 usd to over $5,000 usd. We are currently paying $3,800 per month utilities included," said one expat in Mexico City.

"Expenses here are FAR lower than the USA even though Real Estate here has gone up in price. Still very affordable. I live in So. Rosarito close to Puerto Nuevo. My house is on a Hillside above the ocean with spectacular Views of the Ocean and coastline. I have a 3 bedroom house, 3 baths home with huge view patio and enclosed parking for 3 cars. This for a fraction of the cost of an ocean view home in California. If you are looking to rent, Ocean view and ocean front places are low price and vary from area to area. Many American colonies here have 24/7 guards and security. Rents vary from about 400 USD to well under 2000 USD. Depending on size and area, Everything from small apartments to huge view homes are available," remarked one expat who made the move to Rosarito.

"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," explained one expat living in Ajijic , Mexico.

"We are paying $12,000 pesos/month, which is about $625 USD which is less than we paid in a mobile home community in Florida. Our TV/Internet/Home phone is approx. $70/mo. We have not gotten the electric or water bills yet, but we have been told that electric is about the same as the US and water is cheap. Trash pickup is about $3/mo," said one expat in Merida.

"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," replied a member 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," commented one expat who made the move to Manzanillo.

"I wish I had brought modern a/c units with dehumidifiers built in, but electricity is outrageously priced and on a tier system," said one expat who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"You should bring clothing and accessories that are suitable for Mexico's warm climate, such as light and breathable fabrics and sunglasses. Make sure to bring any necessary documents, such as passports and visas, to present at the Mexico border. It is also wise to include some items for basic living in your new home, such as bed linen, kitchenware, towels, and cleaning supplies. Don't forget to pack important medicines and toiletries. Consider bringing some books, music, and other items that remind you of home to help you feel more comfortable and at ease in the new environment. Lastly, be sure to check local laws and customs in order to pack appropriately and avoid any surprises," explained one expat living in 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 in Manzanillo.

"We used a facilitator for our permanent residency cards. She charged us $200. US for both. Best deal ever and quick. La Paz consulate," explained one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"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," explained one expat living in Puebla, Mexico.

"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," commented one expat who made the move to Puerto Penasco.

"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," remarked one expat in Mexico City, 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.

"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.

"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," explained one expat living in Mexico.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Playa del Carmen.

"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," wrote one expat living in Mexico.

"Although I have met people having care for serious conditions, my experience has only been dental. People I know who had the same procedure done just across the border in San Diego had side effects I did not experience with my Mexican dentist," commented one expat who moved to Tijuana.

"Be sure to have travel insurance... helps to speak Spanish to communicate more freely with the caregivers, however someone there will speak English," said one expat.

"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," wrote 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.