How to Move to Mexico: A Complete Guide for 2025

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Making the decision on how to move to Mexico isn’t just about changing your address – it’s about making lifestyle design a priority that increases quality of life over the conventional North American rush. As a Canadian who made this move 15 years ago and now helps others do the same, I can tell you that Mexico offers an opportunity to fundamentally reshape how you live.

 

Why Choose Mexico’s Emerging Destinations

Before you learn how to move to Mexico, it’s crucial to figure out where to move. While Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta are well-known, savvy expatriates are discovering Mexico’s emerging coastal gems. At Bayside Real Estate, we’ve carefully selected markets like the Oaxaca Coast (Huatulco and Puerto Escondido), Mazatlán, and Yucatan state based on three critical factors: lifestyle quality, investment potential, and economic development.

These destinations offer the perfect blend of authentic Mexican culture and modern amenities, without the overdevelopment of more traditional tourist zones. Whether you’re drawn to Huatulco’s pristine bays and master-planned community, Puerto Escondido’s world-class surfing and outdoor living, Mazatlán’s cosmopolitan lifestyle and historic charm, or Yucatan’s natural and cultural richness, each location provides a unique avenue to design your ideal lifestyle.

 

How to Move to Mexico: Understanding Visas and Residency

Your journey begins with understanding Mexico’s visa requirements. If you’re planning how to move to Mexico permanently or for a good chunk of time (over 6 months), you’ll want to pursue temporary residency. This is a 2-step process which requires obtaining a visa in your home country or another country outside of Mexico (and definitely not in Mexico.) You will typically apply for a visa that will grant you temporary residency after entering Mexico. You will apply for the visa at a consulate.

This typically requires:

– Proof of financial solvency

– Clean criminal record

– Valid passport

– Completed application forms

I recommend starting the visa application process at least three months before your planned move.

Read our article, How To Know Which Mexican Visa is Right for You. This article will give you all of the information about types of residency and types of permits. It is also full of other useful links regarding the application process both for the visa in your home country and for the application process once you arrive in Mexico. Reminder: It’s a 2-step process.

 

Financial Considerations for Your Move to Mexico

Living costs in Mexico can be 50-70% lower than in the U.S., but this affordability varies widely depending on which services and goods we’re talking about, the destination you choose, the local lifestyle, your lifestyle needs, and global travel trends.

Proper planning is essential. Consider:

– Remote work opportunities

– Retirement income

– Investment returns

– Business ventures

Remember to maintain U.S. banking relationships while establishing Mexican accounts. Many of our clients successfully work remotely or run online businesses while enjoying Mexico’s lower cost of living.

Housing: The Case for Buying

While renting offers flexibility, buying property in Mexico can be a smart investment, especially in emerging markets. Unlike the U.S., Mexico is predominantly a cash market with limited mortgage options. This creates unique opportunities for buyers with capital, as property values in our selected markets have shown consistent appreciation.

Key considerations when purchasing:

– Work with a reputable real estate company

– Understand fideicomiso (bank trust) requirements

– Research areas thoroughly

– Consider future development plans

– What qualities of a home are nonnegotiable for you and your happiness

 

Healthcare: Quality and Affordability

When planning how to move to Mexico, one pleasant surprise you’ll discover is the healthcare system. Private healthcare is excellent, significantly more affordable than in the U.S., and significantly quicker to access than in Canada. While insurance isn’t always necessary, options include:

– International health insurance

– Mexican private insurance

– Public insurance (IMSS) for established permanent residents

It can be much more affordable to see specialists, do dental work, contract in-home care and run tests in Mexico. When a lot of the time in the States and Canada, we are at the whim of insurance companies and healthcare systems, in Mexico, things are much more straightforward. You can generally directly contract the care you need and it is affordable.

We have several articles about healthcare in Mexico. Read them to know more.

Effective and Affordable Healthcare in Mexico

How To: Health Insurance for Expats in Mexico

How To: Private Health Insurance Coverage in Mexico

Practical Moving Tips

You may want to bring your things along. You may want to store your things and you’re your home. You may opt for furnishing your new place with traditional Mexican crafts and objects from local designers and artists. There are lots of local stores and online stores you can use to furnish your new home with everything from basics to appliances.

Read our article here about an example of online shopping in Huatulco:

A How To Guide for Online Shopping in Mexico: Home Furnishings

If you are shipping your possessions, this requires careful planning:

– Choose a reputable international moving company

– Obtain necessary customs documentation

– Consider shipping versus buying new

 

Moving with Family

Mexico offers fantastic opportunities for families:

– Bilingual education options

– Cultural immersion

– Safe, family-friendly communities

– U.S.-accredited schools

– Year-round outdoor activities

If you’re considering moving your family to the Oaxaca Coast, read this article.

10 Reasons Why Moving Your Family to the Oaxaca Coast is an Excellent Idea

Read these articles if you’d like to know more about one family’s journey from Canada to Mexico.

Lifestyle Design in Huatulco: One Family’s Life-changing Story

How To Achieve Work-Life Balance in Mexico: The Leon Family’s Story

 

Transportation Choices

Vehicle options include:

– Temporarily importing your U.S. vehicle

– Purchasing a Mexican vehicle

– Using public transportation

– Combining multiple options

Read this article to know about the rules around importing your vehicle temporarily or permanently to Mexico.

How To Import a Car to Mexico  

Read this article to know more about the rules of importing your car permanently.

How To Permanently Import Your Vehicle to Mexico

How to Move to Mexico: Building Your New Life

Creating a fulfilling life in Mexico goes beyond the logistics of how to move to Mexico. It’s about building connections and embracing the culture:

 

Meeting People

Since a lot of life happens outdoors, we are easily drawn to meet people in Mexico. To make meeting people easier, there are a lot of things you can do to expand your social circle:

– Join expat groups and local clubs

– Attend community events

– Take Spanish classes

– Participate in local festivals

– Volunteer in your community

Know that expats and even locals live in the same destination because of their similar interests in lifestyle and activities. Here are some articles about why we love each of the destinations we work with.

Why People Love Living in Puerto Escondido

Why Huatulco is One of the Best Places to Retire in the World

Why We Love Mazatlán

The Top 9 Reasons Why We Love the Yucatan

The Mexican lifestyle offers an exciting blend of fresh, high-quality food, warm and welcoming communities, and a year-round sunny climate. You’ll experience rich cultural experiences and a slower, more intentional way of living that prioritizes human connection over the constant rush. Making this lifestyle your reality requires thoughtful preparation and building the right support network. Begin by exploring potential locations firsthand – there’s no substitute for experiencing a place in person. While planning your visits, immerse yourself in online communities and connect with local real estate experts who understand both the market and the expat experience. Take time to build relationships and connections before your move, and start learning basic Spanish – even simple phrases will help you feel more at home in your new community. Remember, moving to Mexico isn’t just a change of address; it’s an opportunity to embrace a way of life that many find deeply satisfying and enriching.

Once you’re ready to move forward, you can learn a lot about the home buying process on our Mexico Living blog. We cover useful topics like how to buy a car in Mexico, how to open a bank account, how to find a doctor, how to get your Mexican driver’s license and of course, we cover all of the aspects of buying a home or investing in property in Mexico.

Get started reading here: How To Buy a Condo in Mexico

Remember, moving to Mexico isn’t just about finding a new home – it’s about designing the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. Our emerging markets offer the perfect balance of opportunity, authenticity, and growth potential. If you’ve made the decision to move to Mexico, our agents will be happy to talk with you and understand your needs. Our agents know what you’re going through. They’ve also gone through the process of moving to Mexico and will be helpful guides in your property purchase in Mexico.

Get in touch today!