Digital Nomad Life in Mexico

"Go to a restaurant and talk to the people at the table beside you - talk to a anyone. It is natural and almost expected here in PV. Something I would never do in my original home of Vancouver," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"If you are working here, start with work colleagues. An organization called MEXPAT also hosts monthly events for expats here," explained one person living in Mexico City, Mexico.

"Generally the expats are retired and their lives revolve around golf, tennis, bridge, socializing, walking or swimming in the ocean, reading, and whatever else they feel like. We have quite a few artists and others willing to share their knowledge. There are charities and animal welfare groups always looking for help," said one expat who made the move to Manzanillo.

"Saltillo is a small city/large town, so it's relatively quiet here. People here seem more respectful of their neighbors than in other areas of Mexico. For example, in general people don't blare their music from their homes or use their car horns as doorbells. People work hard and enjoy their families. While social stratification runs the gamut here, in general people are friendly and laid-back. While soccer is still a huge pastime, baseball appears to be just as popular, if not more popular, than soccer. Saltillo's professional baseball team won the 2009 national championship, and I always hear my neighbor kids hitting a ball around. Saltillenses are good runners, too. Every June, the city hosts a half-marathon, and throughout the year there are a variety of 5K and 10K races. Saltillo also boasts a plethora of good public parks--great for picnics, enjoying some green spaces, or playgrounds for kids," explained one foreigner living in Saltillo, Mexico.

"Expats and digital nomads living in Mexico often find that life there is full of opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration. Mexico's mild climate, friendly locals and vibrant cities make it a desirable place for many expats and digital nomads looking to settle down in a new country. The country also offers a variety of activities and locations for expats, ranging from its stunning beaches, old-world colonial cities, and incredible nature preserves. Expats and digital nomads in Mexico enjoy a low cost of living, and they are able to find affordable housing, transportation, and food. Although learning the local language can be challenging due to the lack of English-speaking facilities and programs, the country is known for its welcoming culture and its legal system that aids expats in obtaining visas and permanency. Overall, Mexico is an ideal destination for expats and digital nomads, who can enjoy the warm weather, low cost of living, and vibrant culture while continuing their work abroad," said one in 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 person in Ajijic .

"Be aware, be safe. Learn the language and adapt. Don't expect the same efficient service you get in the US. Enjoy it," said one expat who made the move to Mexico City.

"They are family oriented, like inviting you places to do fun activities and they like to celebrate dates with a lot of joy. Also the laid back lifestyle compared to big cities in the states. I also love to see the traditions being kept up and honored. And I like seeing my son speak Spanish beautifully. I like everything. The architecture, the art, the music, the dancing and the literature and the people telling me their life stories," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

"The people. We also loved alambres carbon, the markets, the aguas and tortillas. Music was wonderful," explained one foreigner living in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"Most people that we have met have been very friendly. Some going out of their way to help us, Merida is a very historical city and very rich in Mayan and Mexican culture. We have not had any time yet to check out all the history and culture, but are really looking forward to finding all about it," said one in Merida.

"The language is fun to learn, the food is great, a lot of people I've met are really special and I've made some friends, although it hasn't been easy. They are a close-knit culture with their families and don't accept gringas very willingly, but I'm okay. There are astoundingly beautiful places that I could never see the like in the States," explained one expat in Guadalajara.

"Expats in Mexico often appreciate the hospitality of the locals and the warmth of their culture. They often find that Mexicans are very friendly and kind, making it easy to become part of the culture quickly. Additionally, expats in Mexico often enjoy the colorful, vibrant festivals that take place throughout the year and appreciate the abundance of delicious Mexican cuisine. The culture of Mexico is also rich in history, art, and traditions, offering plenty of opportunities for expats to explore and discover," explained one person living in Mexico.

"Being kidnapped multiple times by the police, having a friend killed by the same police. Unable to find any police agency willing to help in 5 years. Finally did discover some honest people but it was almost impossible and dangerous to process," said one person in Coastal Oaxaca.

"I hate the slowness of the bureaucracy. I don't like the bank fees and exhorbitant fees associated with Mexican banks and US foreign banks in Mexico. I don't like the need to negotiate with others not used to fixed prices because it means I got to figure out what the reasonable price for an item is and then negotiate down. I never liked shopping much so it is not fun to do that for me. But I love buying artistic things that bring me joy to look at it at home. I don't like men ignoring me and asking my husband the question or giving my husband the answer. It is impolite," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

"I think language is the main challenge. Originally, we were going to move to Playa del Carmen where many of the Mexicans speak English as it is a tourist town. We changed plans and moved to Merida and have found that the majority of Mexicans do not speak English, so it is definitely a challenge daily!," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"The constant sound of explosives going off IS awful. Not just fireworks but M-80s at 5 am on a Sunday. There is a competition between the Colonia's and their Churches when it comes to fireworks, firecrackers, and mostly M-80's which are NOT firecrackers but sound more like a bomb detonating. This is not just a Mexico thing. San Miguel is way worse than Oaxaca City, Mexico City, Merida, etc. for blowing stuff up," said one expat in San Miguel de Allende.

"Here it is: Lived in northern Virginia about 5 mins from Washington, DC, so I was able to use the office downtown DC near Georgetown. My appointment/process took about 15-20 mins before they smiled at me and said that I was going to live in Mexico. I submitted the required payroll statements, which showed them being directly deposited into my bank account. I was still working (I think this might have been an advantage...not sure) These statements listed my 401K, as well. I did not point that out to them and they didn't ask. I didn't need to use my pension info, nor did I bring it with me. I didn't apply for Social Security until 6 months after arrival, so it was not used as income. They didn't ask for bank statements and I didn't volunteer. In addition, there was no need in Puerto Vallarta for me to submit financials again... I only listed what my current sources of income were. Keep in mind that this was over 5 years ago and I did it all myself. I just took the time to read and digest online what I needed to do, period," explained one person living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

"We used our recommended attorney, which was a great move. We applied at the Mexican consulate in Seattle which took four hours ... We brought proof of income, passports and that was it. Our attorney had suggested that we apply for one permanent (for me) and one temporary visa for my wife... This allowed us to bring the car down under her name. It also sped the shipment of household goods using her temp visa. The cost of the attorney (minimal) was well worth the price.. He had the local connections that moved the paper along. When we arrived in Ajijic we immediately started the local paperwork for our visas. After being finger printed and filling out a couple of forms, we had our visas in 10 days," said one expat in Ajijic.

"If you plan to stay in Mexico for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a Mexican residency visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may be allowed to enter the country on a tourist visa for a certain period of time and then apply for a residency visa from within Mexico. To obtain a residency visa, you will need to provide various documents, such as proof of address, a valid passport, two recent passport-sized photos, and a medical certificate. It is also recommended to obtain a registered Mexican address. Once your residency visa application is approved, you will need to renew it periodically in order to maintain your residency status," remarked one member in Mexico.

"To bring your car in and spend more than 180 days you need an FM3 visa. No, it is very easy and the process can be started with the Mexican consulates up north," explained one expat living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"You should put getting an appointment at a Mexican Consulate to apply for a visa at the top of your research list. You need to find out if you can legally move and live in Mexico before — or while— you research on where. There is a ton of information on the topic on YouTube and through a simple Google search. 1. Which Mexican Consulate you choose within your home country. Some require that you apply in the area where you live; some don't. 2. Do you have all of the required documents when you go to your appointment? 3. Do you qualify for a "retirement visa?"4, Are you able to travel to Mexico to complete the process AFTER you receive your visa? I suggest you turn to YouTube where there are multiple videos made by people that have already completed the visa process. The videos have tips and hints to guide you through the process," said one person in 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," said one expat in Puerto Penasco.

"I said a word in Puerto Rican Spanish that is very commonly used to mean 'to take', and it means to have sex in Mexican Spanish. It made people laugh. But I turned it around and told them but you guys say this word for the meaning of insect and that is a sexual word in Puerto Rico. They would laugh. You got to realize words mean different things in different societies and not to take yourself too seriously," remarked one member in Merida.

"Sure, I tried out new words I thought I had learned and made a fool of myself, but I just laughed with everyone else and it was fine. Also, I fell twice in the street 'cause the streets are so broken and uneven and felt silly, but a nice lady helped me, very kind," explained one expat living in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"Be sure to have travel insurance... helps to speak Spanish to communicate more freely with the caregivers, however someone there will speak English," explained one digital nomad living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

"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," said one member in Mexico.

"Medical care is readily available in our area and we have a very nice private hospital called Hospitan. Another private hospital - not as well equipped - CostaMed. The doctors all speak English and as we have Global Health insurance, we have the option to choose any hospital or doctor we wish. Private hospitals are really the only way to go if you expect the type of facilities and services that you would receive in the United States. As Playa Del Carmen is a smaller community, many times you will need to go to Cancun for specific needs. They have several private hospitals - Galenia, a larger Hospitan. If you have a chronic medical condition you might want to check with either hospital to make sure that the resources you will need are available," explained one expat in Playa Del Carmen.

"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," remarked one global nomad in Tijuana.

"Working class Mexicans live in Mazatlán too so there are some cheap accommodations available provided you are OK with such locations and lifestyle, none of which have an ocean view," said one digital nomad in Mazatlan.

"I've never experienced any racism by Mexicans towards white people. But I've seen PLENTY of racist white people treating Mexicans poorly. Maybe try treating them with a little respect and courtesy. In my experience, Mexican people are warm and kind and good. If you go to Mexico and get mad at the locals for not speaking English, you should GO HOME," commented a person living in Merida, Mexico.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Mexico, as well as the warm climate and friendly people. They also enjoy the vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and the wide variety of activities available. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy to be challenging. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation and infrastructure can be a source of frustration," explained one digital nomad living in Mexico.