Want to Retire in Mexico? Important Things to Consider in 2024

Where do you hope to retire in Mexico?

I've been living in Mexico for 3 years now and absolutely love it. Sure, the cost of living is lower but what I love most is the friendliness of the people. I would never want to live without that again

There are so many points made here. I feel compelled to add 2 cents on some. As a member of several Facebook expat groups, it amazes me how many people join and say how they are moving to (name your city) but they have never been there and are looking for expats to layout a plan for them. You really need to spend some time in several different cities. Mexico is VERY diverse in geography; all well covered in this video. Don't say to yourself, "I like Puerto Vallarta, so I will like Merida". A lot of expats leave after three to six years. It just wears on you. It requires a certain mindset or rare personality type. Don't put all your eggs in a Mexican basket believing you will be there the rest of your life. Leave yourself and out. I'd skip the whole visa thing for at least a year. You don't need it for day to day. I'm not encouraging breaking the law. You get six months with a tourist visa. Go back to the USA for a day and cross the border again. Mexico is extremely lienent on immigration. If you qualify for a visa, they are anxious to give you one, but it cost money that you don't need to spend, just to travel around for even a couple of years while you decide if this is for you. Until you get a license or buy a house, you don't need a Temp or Perm visa. Also, they are in themselves different. Temp gives you very little benefit. If you qualify for Perm, get Perm. Cost: Mexico has just went through a time of high inflation and strengthen Peso (2021-2024). It negates the "significant" difference between the US and other countries even with US inflation counted. A nice home can cost the same as in the USA. Rents too, if you plan to live in a popular expat community. Food too, tamales are now twice what they were, pre-2021. A dinner plate is 200 Pesos ($12), when it used to be 110 ($5-$6). Rents that were $400USD are now $1000USD. Climate: the only area with consistent climate is central Mexico; Mexico City and Guadalajara. Southern beaches and Yucatan are unbearibly humid in the summer. Baja is not humid but said to be unbearably hot in the summer. People who otherwise consider themselves to "live" there leave during the summer. Bureaucary: What is said is Mexico is consistently inconsistent. People will even tell you to go to a certain Mexican consulate, in the US, to get better qualification standings. Be prepared to be patient. Accesibility: Consider that there are FEW consistent sidewalks. People generally own the sidewalk in front of their house. This is through all countries south of the US border. There can be a beautiful Portuguese tiles followed by no sidewalk or a sidewalk with a motorcycle ramp built across it. To say "Mexico isn't for everyone" is a huge understatement. Mexico is for but a few with pioneer stock in them. Consider that seriously. Your expat community will be primarily people with a certain mindset. Do you fit in with people who love the water and boats? Do you fit in with cowboys? Do you prefer a Hippie lifestyle? Expats are an eclectic group. You may find you don't fit in, just as you may not fit in if suddenly relocated to the Deep South, or North Dakota. For those few who do fit, Mexico is a great place. Be prepared to shift your mindset. There may be some PTSD the first year or two. It isn't all about sitting on the beach. That gets old, real fast.

“Proximity to North America”, Mexico is in North America. The correct term is, Mexico’s Proximity to other North American Countries. Great video and information of how to navigate and live comfortably in Mexico.

Move to Mexico because you love Mexico not because it's more affordable. I love living here with my family. But too many people are coming here and complaining it's not like home.

Fun fact: One of my cousin's got her Mexican drivers license BEFORE she even knew how to drive. Our other uncle told her, "you should of gotten your pilots license too." 😂

consider the noise especially at night

Omg Gabrielle Smith is helping me with my temporary residency. It’s such a small world!!

Good info. I hear Merida is going up in cost dramatically and people advise looking outside the city. The residency requirements are going up in January and some consulates are already upped the amount to reflect it.

Biggest issue is healthcare. You need insurance. Paying cash isn't feasible for major issues.

Good things to consider!!! Thank you!

Can you get an AC fixed that is blowing warm. How efficient and when?

Excellent video. Thank you so much for specifically speaking to .those of us who are at retirement age and need to know as much as possible how to navigate such a move, hoping to move to the coast, Mazatlan or any of the nice, Quiet coastal towns:) ALSO, will my Medicare insurance be sufficient? Thanks for your response.

Overall an excellent website, very clear and concise. Security was very briefly mentioned, but if I had foreseen the growth of organized crime and growing impunity before I moved to Mexico 27 years ago, I think I would have chosen Uruguay or Portugal instead of Mexico. Twenty to thirty percent of the national territory is estimated to now be under the direct control or substantial control of cartels and organized crime, according to reputable sources like Forbes. Unfortunately they are growing in power, the possibility to counter cartels might have been 15 years ago. If you are retiring you might want to consider the almost inevitable continued growth of crime and the infiltration of crime into government and civil society. Otherwise the future is behind the walls of gated communities, don’t go out at night, and don’t ever become old and frail. There are many destinations in the U.S. that now compare favorably with the cost of living in Mexico, with security, better infrastructure, and less impunity. And yes, numbers of people who have been here for 20 years or longer are sadly leaving this country and the people they have come to love. Times change.

Beaches are too hot! Prices in Patzcuaro, where I live, are very low. Very safe. Best climate! Have been here 10 years, will never move back!

I’m 74, retired with about $2000 a month in SSI and pension. We have a house in Carambuche Baja Sur, so no rent or expenses except food. My passport was just renewed in December 2023. I plan on being at the house by January 2024. I understand a temporary residence visa requirement is your passport must be valid for 6 months before you apply. Since my last visit to Mexico was in 2010 I don’t qualify for the program of a passport stamp in 2011 until present. I don’t meet the $3200 monthly income requirement for temporary visa. I’m guessing I’ll have to get tourist visas and leave and return every 180 days. Any thoughts? Thanks Duane

I love how videos are only taken after trash has been removed. Culturally, this is a difficult thing for some Americans (i.e. US Americans). Having grown up in "Make America Beautiful" 1960s and 70s, it is difficult to comprehend a nation of people who think nothing of throwing down anything and everything they don't want to carry ten feet to a garbage can. There are few exceptions but be prepared for a cultural shift. Believing you can pick up the trash and make a difference is false. It is like it spawns from the earth.

What part of Mexico do you live in?

What tax to file with the IRS if you’re already a senior elder work-free and retired? 🤔

I’m watching this video in a little bit. I’ve heard that Merida is a nice spot to retire.