Moving to Mexico

I have had quite a few people send me emails asking for information about moving to Mexico.  I don't mind answering questions but I thought it might be better to make up a web page and share my experiences. 

If you are planning on living here, you should get a visa.  There are two an FM-2 and a FM-3.  You can get one at a Mexican Counsel near your house.  You will have to check the phone book for the nearest one.  Or you can enter Mexico on a tourist visa and then apply for one when you are already here.  But I think its easier to apply for one in the US as you have better access to information they require.  Letters from your bank etc. 

When you are ready to move there are two ways to arrive.  By Air or Car.  If you fly down you can pay excess baggage, or you can bring a friend and use their baggage allowance to bring additional items.  Check with the airline for the charges for excess baggage.  Note.  Do not change airlines in Mexico or you will have to pay additional baggage charges.   

If you drive, with an FM-2 or 3 you are allowed to keep an American registered car.   You must still renew this permit every year but its much cheaper then buying a Mexican cars. 

Money

The best place to exchange money is at a bank in the boarder town where you cross the boarder.  Or at a bank in Mexico.  Exchange houses or small casas de Combio are all over Mexico.  But beware in some areas of the country, especially tourist areas the rates drop considerably on the weekends when the banks are closed, so its best to get enough cash on Friday to last you the weekend. 

Most people living or visiting in Mexico keep most of their money in the US.  They use ATM or Cash cards to take out living expenses as they need the money.  This lets you have access to your money without worrying about devaluations, or other currency exchange problems.  Note that different banks give different rates.  You might want to talk to a few banks and find out how they handle withdrawals in Mexican Pesos.  With the advent of Internet banking it is getting easier and easier to manage your money from down here.  Note that some cards will work in some ATM's and not in others.  Find out which Banks ATM's like your card. 

Most of the larger grocery stores, some gas stations and all banks have an ATM machine.  Mexicans do not like carrying large amounts of money and tend to withdraw a bit at a time as they need it.

For information on Driving to Mexico click here.

Things to bring 

Most things you want and need can be found here if you look around a bit, we have Wal-Mart's, Sam's Club, and Costco's.  Some things just can't be found.

Here is a short list

Large shoe sizes... If you were a large shoe size (12 and up) bring lots of shoes down with you.
Nintendo and Sony game consoles are very expensive down here
If you like English TV bring a Direct TV or Dish net Control box down with you, You don't need the entire dish, just the little arm that fits into the middle.  (You have to buy a bigger dish down here anyway).

Cars,  while we can buy Volkswagen beetles (the original ones) and Renaults, and other cars not available in the US we also pay 25% tax on cars so they are very expensive.