Ian Bronson
Mexican real estate agents love showing Americans around those gorgeous colonial houses. The sales pitch sounds incredible. Lower costs, better weather, simpler living. However, reality checks in when you start tackling healthcare, banking, and basic errands. Here are 10 things you need to know before making the move.
Healthcare Quality Varies
Mexico City’s private hospitals rival Johns Hopkins, complete with Harvard-trained doctors who speak perfect English. However, venture into rural areas and you might have to wait weeks for a cardiologist who understands your symptoms. The only notable trade-off is that heart surgery costs 70% less.
Social Security Stretches
That $1,900 Social Security check turns you into local royalty in charming Merida—think maid service and daily restaurant meals. Try the same budget in trendy Puerto Vallarta and you’re hunting for studio apartments. American expats have driven rent up by 40–60% since 2020.
Internet Speed Matters
If you choose to head to that dreamy mountain village, you are sure to be stuck with a 5 Mbps satellite that can’t handle Zoom meetings. Add monthly 2–8 hour blackouts, and you’ll understand why successful remote workers invest in backup generators and Starlink dishes.
Banking Becomes Bureaucratic
Opening a Mexican bank account feels like applying for citizenship. It takes weeks of paperwork and document hunting. Additionally, banks freeze accounts for transfers exceeding $10,000 without warning, although BBVA and Santander offer English-speaking staff who genuinely understand everyone’s needs.
Property Laws Restrict
Dream of beachfront property? Mexican law prohibits Americans from owning land within 50 kilometers of coastlines. You’ll need a fideicomiso trust, which costs about $500–$1,000 annually and is renewable every 50 years. The upside is that property taxes hover around 0.1–0.3%.
Language Barriers Exist
Only 12% of Mexicans speak conversational English—half the rate of European expat hotspots. Every prescription, legal document, and government form comes exclusively in Spanish. Professional interpreters charge $50 per hour for medical visits, while Mexico’s 60+ indigenous languages mean Spanish becomes essential even in remote communities.
Import Taxes Apply
That iPhone costs 30% more thanks to 16–25% import duties plus 16% VAT on U.S. electronics. Familiar brands like Heinz ketchup and Cheerios cost triple their American prices. Note that if you ship personal belongings worth over $1,000, customs agents will inspect everything.
Climate Myths Mislead
Mexico City sits higher than Denver at 7,350 feet, requiring winter heating despite being south of Miami. Coastal humidity goes beyond 80%, making 85°F feel like stepping into a sauna for half the year. Dry seasons bring dust storms and air quality worse than smoggy Los Angeles.
Transportation Infrastructure Gaps
Similarly, its toll highways rival Germany’s autobahns, but the price for the Mexico City-Cancun drive is $50–80. Colonial city centers ban cars completely, forcing 15-minute walks to parking areas. Small towns might have one bus running twice daily, though Uber operates in 60+ towns.
Cultural Integration Time
Mexican social circles revolve around tight family networks that outsiders often struggle to break into, taking a lot of time to crack. Business deals require months of relationship-building before anyone discusses actual transactions. Additionally, local humor relies on wordplay and cultural references that may not be readily understood.
