Things I Wish I Knew Before Relocating to Mexico
Expats often tell me they wish they'd known more about visas, healthcare options like IMSS, renting before buying, and how much Spanish and community matter; I learned that being flexible and learning local norms makes your new life smoother, and I want to help you avoid surprises so your move to Mexico feels like a fresh, joyful chapter.
About eight years before I made the move, my parents had already settled in La Paz, this gorgeous, peaceful city on the Sea of Cortez. Since then, between conversations with their network of friends and my own experience helping hundreds of people relocate to Baja California Sur, I’ve noticed the same key topics come up again and again.
Key Takeaways:
Compare healthcare options — IMSS offers affordable public coverage with basic care and limitations, while private insurance is costlier and harder to obtain as you age; plan for emergencies and out-of-pocket costs.
Rent for 6–12 months before buying so you can explore different regions, lifestyles, and the local real-estate market; selling property in Mexico can be difficult.
Learn Spanish and engage with locals to avoid the expat bubble, adapt to cultural differences (laid-back pace, strong family ties, bureaucracy), and make the most of your extra free time.
Unlocking Affordable Healthcare: The IMSS Advantage
My parents signed up for IMSS shortly after moving because the annual premium for someone in their 70s is roughly USD 760 (about MXN 15,300) — a fraction of private premiums that often start at USD 1,000–1,800 if you have no pre-existing conditions. IMSS gives you a reliable safety net for primary care, specialist referrals, inpatient stays and basic meds, which is why many expats use it as their baseline coverage while keeping private pay-as-you-go options for faster service.
Enrollment requires your residency paperwork, passport and a visit to the local IMSS office to complete the voluntary insurance registration and make the payment (you’ll get a receipt to pay at a bank). Expect variability: metropolitan IMSS clinics tend to be better equipped than rural ones, and wait times or appointment lead times can stretch from days to weeks depending on demand.
Understanding the Basics of IMSS
Coverage includes general practitioner visits, referrals to specialists, hospitalization, surgeries and a formulary of medications dispensed through IMSS pharmacies; dental and some elective procedures are limited or unavailable. If you’ve paid into the Mexican system before (via employment), options like Modalidad 40 let you continue contribution-based benefits, while new residents enroll under the voluntary modality that requires annual renewal.
Pre-existing conditions may affect eligibility or trigger waiting periods, and catastrophic care can still lead to out-of-pocket expenses for certain treatments or brand-name drugs. I advise checking the nearest IMSS clinic’s service level and asking expat neighbors about typical wait times and referrals in your town — that practical intel often matters more than the brochure descriptions.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Public vs. Private Care
Choosing between IMSS and private care often comes down to balancing predictable low annual costs against speed and comfort. I use IMSS for routine and emergency safety-net coverage, then pay privately for specialist visits or diagnostics when I need faster access or higher-end facilities; many retirees I know do the same to manage costs while avoiding long waits.
Pros vs Cons: IMSS (Public) vs Private Healthcare
Public (IMSS) — Pros Private — Cons Low annual premium (example: ~USD 760 for someone in their 60s) Higher premiums (typically USD 1,000–1,800+ if accepted, rises with age) Includes hospitalization, surgeries, specialist referrals and basic meds Pre-existing conditions can make private coverage unaffordable or unavailable Nationwide network as a safety net, useful in emergencies Out-of-pocket costs for private care can be high for major procedures Predictable yearly cost for budgeting retirement Limited coverage for elective or cosmetic procedures Low or no-cost meds at IMSS pharmacies for covered drugs Private care often charges for diagnostics and branded medications Accessible in many cities and towns where private facilities are scarce Smaller towns may lack high-quality private specialists or equipment Good option if you can’t get U.S. Medicare or affordable private plans Private hospitals offer shorter waits and more comfortable facilities Annual renewal simplifies long-term budgeting Insurance limits and age caps (often difficult to get after 70) Can be combined with pay-as-you-go private services for flexibility Language or billing differences can complicate claims if insurer is foreign
Many expats adopt a hybrid strategy: keep IMSS as the affordable backbone and pay privately when speed, convenience or advanced diagnostics matter — for example, using IMSS for ER stabilization and private clinics for outpatient follow-up and elective diagnostics like MRIs or colonoscopies. If you’re near major cities (Guadalajara, Mexico City, Mérida), private options are plentiful and competitively priced; in smaller towns, IMSS often becomes the practical default.
The Smart Approach to Home Buying in Mexico
I always tell clients that buying a home here should feel like the final step, not the first. Rent for a few months, get to know utility reliability and how the neighborhood behaves in both high and low season. Make sure you use a licenced real estate agent who is also a member of AMPI (Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios / Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals). A good agent will help you engage a local real estate attorney and a trusted notario early, and factor in bank-trust (fideicomiso) fees if you’re looking inside restricted zones near coasts or borders.
Plan for transaction timelines and costs: resale in some towns can take 3–4 months, and closing expenses (notario, appraisal, transfer taxes) typically add a few percent to the sale price. I recommend creating a checklist of must-haves — proximity to hospitals, internet speeds, flood history — before you even start making offers, so negotiations are based on real lived experience rather than a weekend visit.
I highly recommend you download our FREE Mexican Relocation Kit - this includes both of our Amazon published books (The Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Mexico and The Ultimate Guide to Buying Your Dream Home in Mexico), our La Paz: The Pearl of Baja guide, and even gives you our free on-demand webinar about moving to Mexico. You can get it all HERE.
Exploring Different Locales: A Journey of Discovery
Make a point to visit places in both high season (November–April) and the rainy season (June–October) — the contrast can be dramatic: beach towns swell with tourists and services in winter, while roads and services can slow during summer storms. Check elevation too: living at 2,200m in San Miguel or Mexico City gives crisp, cool air year-round, whereas coastal towns bring humidity and hurricanes risk; that difference affects everything from energy bills to the type of plant life you can maintain in your garden.
Assess infrastructure before you commit: many mid-size cities now offer fiber internet at 50–200 Mbps, whereas rural pueblos might only have intermittent 4G with speeds under 20 Mbps. I always drive the route to the nearest international airport and hospital at different times of day, test cell reception inside likely homes, and talk to at least three neighbors about outages, water pressure, and local bylaws — those conversations reveal habits and hidden costs that listings hide.
Bring a simple checklist on each trip: test showers and water pressure, ask about seasonal flooding, request recent utility bills, confirm trash and recycling schedules, and observe noise levels on weeknights versus weekends; I caught hidden HOA restrictions this way that would have limited my ability to rent a spare room or run a small business from home.
Consider La Paz, Baja California Sur: Moving to La Paz means trading stress for sunshine. With a warm, dry climate that delivers more than 300 days of blue skies each year, you can enjoy the outdoors year-round without the extremes of humidity or cold. The cost of living is a fraction of what most pay in the U.S. or Canada, from housing to healthcare, giving your money more reach and your lifestyle more freedom. Utilities like water, electricity, and internet are reliable and affordable, making it easy to settle into a comfortable, modern home while enjoying the natural beauty and relaxed pace of life by the Sea of Cortez.
Embracing Unstructured Time: Finding Balance in a Slower Pace
I carved out a weekly framework within the first month of moving to Mexico so my days didn’t dissolve into long, unplanned stretches - the pandemic was starting, so my options were limited...but I am so happy that I was in Mexico for those long several years! I scheduled three structured activities—one Spanish class online (about MXN 200–400 per session), a fitness activity, and one day trip or market visit—which usually added up to roughly 8–10 hours of planned engagement each week. That level of routine gave me enough anchor to feel productive while leaving afternoons free for naps, reading, or spontaneous beach hopping.
Gaps in the week are where new habits form, so now I treat downtime like another resource to manage: I block Saturday mornings for a favorite breakfast spot, leave Sunday afternoons totally unplanned, and of course my weekdays are full helping people find their dream home in La Paz. Doing this has kept me energized—I still relax a lot, but I don’t lose days to boredom, and you’ll find the same balance keeps you social, healthy, and curious.
Cultivating Friendships and Building a Support Network
I found friendships by showing up consistently: the local pickleball group that meets a couple times a week, and a volunteer shift at an animal shelter (about 4 hours the last Sunday of every month). Joining a community Facebook groups and attending neighborhood fiestas helped me meet 5–10 new people each month during my first three months, and those casual acquaintances turned into an incredibly varied social group.
Deeper bonds grew from simple reciprocity—hosting a dinner or offering to house-sit for neighbors. I keep a short list of trusted names for plumbers, dentists, and translators; building that list took time but now saves me stress and money and allows me to help my clients and newcomers to La Paz. You’ll want at least a handful of local contacts who can help in emergencies and share the inside scoop on everything from pharmacy hours to the best street tacos or ice cream sandwiches in town.
Helping Animals. Helping People.
Baja Dogs Sterilizations is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that brings free pet sterilization services to underserved communities in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. We are passionate about our goal of working with local communities to reduce the overpopulation of abandoned street dogs through our pet sterilization campaigns. We recognize that we are all part of a community, and by bringing these services to local neighborhoods, we aim to help improve the lives of both the families and their pets.
Our mission: to be a positive force for change. Helping animals. Helping people. Won't you join us? Click here or the photo above to visit bajadogssterilizations.org.
Discovering Business Opportunities and New Leisure Activities
Opportunities often appear where a need meets low overhead. I’ve seen fellow expats launch English tutoring groups (8–12 students per term), small B&Bs that leverage spare rooms, mobile pet grooming, and pop-up food stalls at weekend mercados. Starting costs can be modest—many side businesses begin with an initial outlay of MXN 10,000–50,000 for equipment and marketing—and social media plus local expat groups are excellent places to test demand before you invest more.
For a low-risk pilot, I recommend these actions: post a short offer in two local Facebook groups, run a 4-week trial with a reduced price, track bookings and feedback, then formalize operations if demand holds. Many small businesses use Mercado Libre and Airbnb to expand reach once they have consistent bookings, and at that point registering properly with SAT and the municipio made growth straightforward rather than a hassle down the line. Note that if you have a business, even if that's putting a room or a casita on Airbnb, you're required to pay taxes on the income.
Navigating Cultural Nuances: A Guide to Mexican Life
Adapting to the Mañana Mentality
I learned quickly that time here runs on a different schedule: social gatherings, small-business appointments, and even some service calls commonly start 15–45 minutes after the listed time, and municipal offices often close for a one- to two-hour lunch break. I now book government or medical appointments in the early morning (9:00–10:00 a.m.) when lines are shorter and staff tend to be more punctual, and I always call the day before to confirm—this simple step has saved me hours of waiting.
I build extra buffer into my plans: allow an additional two hours for paperwork-heavy errands and plan deliveries or contractors on non-urgent days. When timeliness matters - such as bureaucratic processes such as establishing utility accounts, etc —I hire a local facilitator or ask a bilingual friend to expedite the process; their local knowledge and relationships can shave days off what would otherwise be weeks of back-and-forth...and can cost much less than my time is worth as a business owner.
Engaging with Family-Centric and Vibrant Communities
I’ve been invited to family gatherings that include three generations, impromptu neighborhood fiestas, and weekday evening markets where the whole block socializes; these events are where friendships form fastest. Showing up with a small gift—pan dulce, fruit, or a bottle of wine—goes a long way, and using a few Spanish phrases like “mucho gusto” or “gracias por la invitación” signals respect and effort on your part.
I found local involvement accelerates integration: volunteering at a school event, joining a walking group, or attending parish activities introduces you to neighbors and their networks far quicker than relying solely on expat circles. In a mid-sized beach town where I lived, volunteering at the community library twice a month led to three close friends and invitations to family barbecues within six weeks.
Respect for elders and family roles matters: address older people with Señor/Señora or Don/Doña plus their first name in many regions, accept offers of food or drink even if you’re shy, and adapt to noise and late-night celebrations rather than fight them. If you want deeper ties, learn neighborhood routines—market days, weekly soccer matches, or the plaza’s Friday night music—and show up consistently; consistency beats perfect language skills every time.
The Language Barrier: Why Spanish Matters More Than You Think
I learned quickly that Spanish doesn’t just smooth small interactions — it saves time and money on the big ones. Dealing with paperwork, bank appointments, or a notario when buying property almost always happens in Spanish; having a working vocabulary of about 500–800 words cut my wait times and misunderstandings dramatically. In practice I found that mastering common verbs, numbers, date expressions, and key bureaucratic words (número de póliza, cita, comprobante, firma) handled the majority of routine tasks.
English will get you through restaurants and many tourist services, but outside those zones you’ll hit walls: hospital triage, municipal offices, and local contractors rarely switch to English.
Overcoming Frustrations in Daily Communication
Short phrase-lists and a few strategies go a long way. I keep a crib sheet of roughly 40 practical phrases — ask for a receipt, request the bill, and say “I don’t understand” — and use Google Translate for markets or taxis, if needed.
Nonverbal tools help too: photos, screenshots of routes, and showing the exact item you want at a tienda usually end the conversation faster than fumbling for words. Making an effort to learn Spanish and use it (even if you don't feel confident) cuts frustration in day-to-day life — landlords, contractors, and even neighbors appreciate the effort and often meet you halfway.
Making Language Learning Fun and Effortless
Learning doesn’t need to feel like homework; I learned most quickly by turning daily life into practice. Watching Mexican TV shows or movies (with English subtitles) exposed me to natural phrases and regional slang, and working as a realtor forced me to use vocabulary tied to locations, technical vocabulary, numbers, and measurements. Combining short daily practice (15 minutes) with one 60-minute conversation a week gives me steady, measurable progress.
Digital tools and social options keep it enjoyable: I use Duolingo for vocabulary drills; local meetups and volunteer gigs provide real-world practice. After about nine months of this mixed routine I reached comfortable conversational levels for shopping, doctor visits, and social events — enough to handle most situations without a translator.
Attempting regular conversations and mercado runs where I force myself to order, bargain, and ask questions has been fun and great practice. Costs are low, progress is visible, and the social payoff—new friends and greater independence—is immediate.
Final Words
Summing up, I want you to take a practical, curious approach: rent for a few months before buying if you're not familiar with the town, get clear about healthcare options (weigh IMSS versus private plans), and invest time in learning Spanish so your daily life and interactions with doctors, landlords, and officials go more smoothly. I also encourage you to explore different regions, build a local circle of friends, and be patient with cultural differences and local bureaucracy.
When you do that, I’ve seen expats thrive—finding hobbies, small business opportunities, and deep friendships that make the move worth it. Keep an open mind and plan ahead, and you’ll likely discover a richer, more adventurous chapter in your life in Mexico.
FAQ
Q: What healthcare options do expats have when retiring in Mexico?
A: Expats can choose between private health insurance, IMSS (public healthcare for residents), paying out of pocket, or a mix. Private insurance offers higher-quality care and faster service but can cost from about USD 1,000–1,800 per year for a healthy person and rises with age and pre-existing conditions; coverage becomes difficult to obtain after about age 70. IMSS is available to residents for a nominal annual premium (for someone in their 60s the premium is roughly USD 760 or MXN 15,300) and is a much cheaper option, but care is basic, wait times can be long, facilities are more limited, and some pre-existing conditions may disqualify you. Many expats supplement IMSS or self-pay for specific services. If you cannot access U.S. Medicare, review private and IMSS options carefully to avoid catastrophic costs in an emergency.
Q: Should I rent or buy a home when I first move to Mexico?
A: Rent for a few months before buying. Mexico is large and diverse; a place that feels right on a short visit may not suit daily life. Renting lets you explore neighborhoods, test climate and amenities, and avoid getting locked into a property that is hard to sell. The market for resale can be slow, so take time to find the right location and property type. Mexico offers rentals across budgets and many resources and videos explain key questions to ask landlords and how to find rentals.
Q: How will living in Mexico affect my daily routine and social life?
A: Many expats find they have far more free time than expected. That can be liberating but also lead to boredom if you do not plan activities. Popular ways to stay engaged include local clubs (pickleball, dancing), volunteering (animal welfare, beach cleanups), classes, travel, and starting small businesses or online ventures serving other expats and locals. Building friendships is important for practical support during emergencies and for social well-being; language classes and community events are good places to meet people.
Q: What cultural differences should I expect and how should I adapt?
A: Mexican culture tends to be more laid back about schedules (the so-called mañana approach), very family-oriented, and socially vibrant and loud. Expect later social start times, slower bureaucratic processes, and strong emphasis on family networks. Patience is crucial for dealing with government offices and residency paperwork; many expats hire reputable local service providers to navigate visas and documentation. Accepting cultural norms, learning polite local behavior, and hiring trusted professionals will reduce frustration.
Q: How different are regions of Mexico and how do I choose where to retire?
A: Regions vary dramatically in climate, cost of living, culture, food, infrastructure, and safety. Moving from Mexico City to a coastal town can feel like moving to another country. Consider factors such as proximity to medical facilities, climate preferences (beach, mountain, desert), cost of living, local expat presence, and transportation. Visit several regions and spend extended time in candidate towns before deciding. Use guides and vetted contacts to narrow options.
Q: Do I need to learn Spanish to live comfortably in Mexico?
A: Not fluently...but a little effort goes a long way —Spanish will make everyday life much easier outside tourist areas. While English is common in popular expat destinations, Spanish helps with government procedures, landlord communications, medical visits, local shopping, and deeper social integration. Locals are generally patient and helpful with learners. Treat language study as a project during your extra free time and include basic Mexican slang to improve rapport.
Q: How can I avoid staying isolated in the expat bubble and experience authentic Mexico?
A: Make an effort to get to know Mexicans and accept invitations to local events, parties, and family gatherings. Volunteering, local classes, markets, neighborhood activities, and learning Spanish accelerate authentic connections. Limit time spent only in expat enclaves and explore towns beyond major tourist centers like Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta to see different regional lifestyles. Integration brings richer cultural experiences and practical support networks.
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