MOVING TO MEXICO | 5 Things I Wish I'd Known
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- MOVING TO MEXICO | 5 Things I Wish I’d Known // If you’re moving to Mexico as an American, then watch this video for 5 things that shocked me as an expat in Mexico. Since moving to Mexico in Oct. 2017, I’ve gotten used to living in Mexico, but when I was first figuring out how to live in Mexico, not everything came easy. Wondering “Should I move to Mexico”? Before you decide on moving to Mexico from the US (or wherever else), watch this video about expat living in Mexico.
#movingtomexico #movingtomexicoasanamerican #livinginmexico #backpackingbrunette
Get my tips for how to find an apartment in Mexico plus a helpful renting in Spanish cheat sheet!
Download the FREE Move to Mexico Quickstart Guide (PDF) // freebies.backpa...
Mexico Apartment Tour & Cost of Living (video) // • How Much Does it Cost ...
Best Place to Live in MEXICO as an EXPAT // • Best Place to Live in ...
An Expat's Guide for Life in QUERETARO, MEXICO // backpackingbru...
Follow me for snippets of my daily life in Mexico // / alexnotemily
• MOVING TO MEXICO | 5 T...
Thanks for watching! Are you thinking about moving to Mexico? Which of these things surprised you the most? Leave a comment & let me know!
The time it takes to get internet installed. Was it any better with Telmex? They are the biggest provider so I would imagine so.
@@mariobruyere9169 worlds better with Telmex! Installation only took about 10 days.
@@alex-wittman Thought so too. Whenever I'm in Mexico I use Telcel. Best and most stable coverage.
@@mariobruyere9169 I have AT&T and am happy with it in Querétaro, but I've heard very good things about Telcel 🤓🇲🇽
Hadn't thought of internet visavis the city center. Makes sense. And in that historical environment I wouldn't consider satellite unless a dish could be mounted on the roof of the building...unseen.
Thank you for your tips… Keep up the good work you’re really well put together and organized… Once people catch on you will be very very popular… And your city is very interesting
Thanks for watching & taking the time to leave such a nice comment, Mike! I'm glad you found the tips helpful. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about moving to Mexico!
Just when I think I know just about everything there is to know about Mexico (since I've been visiting/living in Mexico for many years), this channel continues to surprise, amaze and delight me!!
Thanks, Bria! Your comment made my day!
Loved watching this. Subscribed! I’m moving to San Juan Del Rio once I hit my Financial Independence number to be with my family (currently in Washington DC). Happy to see that people are making videos of Queretaro and not the inflated tourism/retirement hot spots. Will be following you along!
Hi, Julio! Thanks so much for subscribing! I've lived in Querétaro for almost three years now & absolutely love it. I'd never even visited before moving here but really feel like I hit the jackpot. Best wishes to you as you work toward your goal & thank you again for following 🤗
Great video! I'm Australian and rents get raised here every year so that didn't surprise me at all. Getting a fiador will be interesting so i'll look for your blog on the work around :) . So happy i found you x
Happy to have you here! Thanks for watching!
Excellent video Alex 👏🏼👏🏼 I lived in Mexico City in 2018 and was looking to live there again and the guarantor situation ended up being an obstacle for me especially since rents are much higher in CDMX and using Airbnb is not practical long term. As an FYI, in CDMX a fiador is also referred to as “un aval.” Great content! Keep it coming 😁
Thanks for watching & it makes me so happy to hear that you're finding my content helpful as you prepare for you own move to Mexico. Also, I appreciate the note about a "fiador" being an "aval" in CDMX. Knowing those regional differences are really helpful!
Love all the practical advice! The fiador requirement is interesting
Thanks for watching! I had no idea about the fiador requirement before moving to Mexico. I'm so happy it all worked out & my aunt agreed to sign for us. Other expats I've known have had to come up with more creative workarounds.
@@alex-wittman The landlords are just protecting themselves. It has happened that foreigners lease the place, don't pay the rent and leave without saying anything and paying. When landlords come around to ask for the rent they find nobody is there! I know this because my aunty just to rent to some foreigners and left without paying. I hope this helps the reason for the guarantor. Best regards!
@@ricardo_cn where I live in Mexico, requiring a fiador is common practice for both foreigners & Mexican citizens alike. I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your aunt, Ricardo. That's very unfortunate. I understand why landlords require a fiador & was just pointing it out so people in the U.S. would be prepared since it's not common practice there. Thanks for watching, Ricardo!
I want to move back to my country Mexico after 30 years living in Texas that's why I love your video and also because I want to live in Queretaro. Thank you for your information.
Thanks for watching, Susana! I hope you will love Querétaro as much as I do 💕🇲🇽
Hola! Alex, thanks for the great information on Queretaro.
Thanks for watching, Stephanie!
I truly enjoy your videos. I subscribe to International Living and Living and Investing Overseas, but your day-to-day experience dealing with practical matters, best tips, are invaluable. I've been exploring Mexico (and by this I mean not the resort towns) on a steady basis for the past five years. Querétaro is one of the city's that I most enjoyed, even though my first night there (would you believe it?) was the one of the devastating Tromba in 2017, shortly after the September 19 earthquake in Puebla. I'm planning to move in 2023 when I take early retirement. I'd like to live in CDMX for a couple of years, but Querétaro, Guanajuato and Puebla are all good options.
Thanks for watching & taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment, Mario 🤓 I'm so glad that you're finding my videos helpful! Wow, if that scary experience didn't deter your love for Querétaro, I'm not sure anything will. Wishing you the best with your future plans to move to Mexico & I hope you will continue to consider me a resource as you prepare 🇲🇽
@@alex-wittman I was in CDMX for the Fiestas Patrias and left for SMA on September 18, 26 hours before the earthquake (talk about my guardian angel watching over me). In Querétaro I rented a condo in Altos del Marqués.
Rent being adjusted for “cost of living” is normal in major US cities too.
Thanks for sharing that, Mary! Maybe people moving from a big US city will be prepared for their rent to go up, but in case they aren't coming from a big city (or weren't renting before), I included this point so the won't be surprised.
However, generally speaking, salaries/wages in the USA have not kept up with rising prices for everything- healthcare, food, education, housing - for the past 30+ years, sadly
@@sunnyla2835 extraordinarily sadly. It's all just the squashing of the working people for these absurdly monolithic megapolis corporations now...who are left to be unfettered and roguishly run for the sake of kajillions of dollars!
And people here (in the US) wonder why I want to GTFO of the ever more blatantly in-your-face corrupt USA. I know MX is/has always been corrupt...so I don't kid myself about any of that anyway. It's hard to explain...especially when I am so tired at the moment. It's hard to grasp for a lot of ppl, but my home country now makes me feel embarrassed. 100% Embarrassed to be an American...something I never could I have ever imagined myself saying, ever.
But the cult of Scump has taken hold here and I am shocked and ashamed. He IS America's Hitler. Or Twitler as I used to call him b4 he got banned from the platform...far little, too late. They all just care about making money - endless abounds of it - no matter the impact on human minds, souls, character and on society over all. Ad clicks are WAY more important than the effects of all these conspirators, anti-vaxxers, Q-Anon, Trumpeter zealots and their never ending lies...And all US Media just plays into his evil, greaseball hands. Dear god...what a pathetic cuntry we have become. An no, that was NOT a typo! :-(
I don’t know how you functioned without internet for so long! Great information👍🏼
It was really stressful! Even once it was installed, I'd wake up every morning wondering if it would work 😅 thanks for watching!
Love your content! Keep it coming : )
Thanks for watching! Looking forward to the day you come to Mexico 🇲🇽💕
So glad I found you! Thanks for the resource ☺️
Hi, Johanna! So glad to have you here! Please feel free to reach out with any questions you have about moving to Mexico 🤓
Great Video! very informative & to the point!! :) - regarding the WIFI its good to know that you included how long to approximately wait for the company to install WIFI/& Which is a better option (if available in the states you decide to live) What is easy/Fast here in the USA - Might be challenging for a country like Mexico or Central/South America. Here in the USA we are used to Fast connections/services from one day to the next... Other countries don't have that.. & those situations is where we need to adapt...thank you again for your great video!
Hi, Iris! Thanks for watching! While we did have problems with our internet when we first moved to Mexico (Megacable is the worst), we've since switched providers and are now very happy with Telmex. Our internet is super fast and very reliable...the download speed is 150 mbps. But, service like ours isn't available everywhere in Mexico & we even had to wait a time in Queretaro to get it. Internet is definitely something people should consider when deciding WHERE to live in Mexico, especially people who work online.
@@alex-wittman I totally agree with you- this is something to keep in mind if someone is contemplating leaving to Mexico/other country, find out the companies that provide internet/cable etc. that way you will try to connect as soon as possible (soon as possible in that country's time of course)...! :)
@@irisavila6643 it's also a good idea to have a backup plan! If I had it to do over again, I think I would have purchased a hot-spot to use until our internet was set up. That would have taken a lot of the stress off 😅
@@alex-wittman - thank you for your advise! can you elaborate what type of "hotspot device" can you purchase & is it easy to "connect to be able to get wifi/internet?
@@irisavila6643 I was considering purchasing a Skyroam Wifi Hotspot. I will probably look into it again when I'm back to traveling a lot.
Interesting!! I didn’t know any of these! I usually book an Airbnb for a couple months but these are good to know for long-term 👌🏼 thanks the info 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Hey, Courtney! I'm so glad you found the video helpful :) Airbnbs are great for short-term long term stays (lol). Since Queretaro isn't a major expat city (for now), it's tough to find leases for anything less than one year. Mexico is great for digital nomads if you're looking for a place to go once it's safe to travel again!
@@alex-wittman u
Loved the vid!!!
Thanks for watching! So grateful I had you by my side to navigate these challenges!
This is a very unusual vlog, as are most of this young lady's videos. 100% useful information! Kind of a shock, but I'm getting used to it.
I'm glad you're finding my videos useful, Patrick!
Thank you! I'm glad that the couple driving the orange car and Laska introduced you to us. I've downloaded your guide and will review as post Covid we are planning on retiring in Mexico. Have you worked with or heard of Mexlaw? Gracias
Welcome, Ian! I hope you find the Move to Mexico Quickstart Guide helpful. As for Mexlaw, I think I've read some blog posts by them.
Alex, as a foreigner getting a fiador is virtually impossible for me. Considering that negotiating paying the rent ahead of time and getting furniture are all major roadblocks (especially if you are just beginning to learn Spanish). I just checked out the current offerings on AirBnb and found decent offerings for approximately 100 USD higher than a good price for a normal unfurnished rental. For that extra little bit you get furnishings, no hassle with a fiador AND no worries about getting ripped off sneaky tricks (like no repaying a deposit). Why is long term renting through airbnb no a more popular option? (it still seems cheap)
Have you seen my latest video? Tips for finding a long term rental on Airbnb! 🤓
@@alex-wittman Thanks, I just watched it. Seems like a no brainer...furnishing, no hassle payment, no fiador, wifi etc etc etc. If you were a local and knew your way around you could almost certainly save money but, a long term Airbnb still looks like tremendous bang for the buck for a newcomer.
@@nternalPractice it's a great option & one I highly recommend looking into especially if you're not sure how long you will stay in Querétaro 🤓
Telmex is better than megacable, megacable has a multiple problems in the service.
I couldn't agree more, Mary! I am so happy that we made the switch to Telmex! 😊
I live in Texas and my rent has gone up every year here but this is my last lease here and Mexico for a minimum of 6 months is next.
Hitting the road! I love it, John!
Great tips!!
Thanks for watching & I'm glad you found the video helpful! I know just how overwhelming moving abroad can be, so I hope giving people a heads up on these things will head off some stress!
As an American, I was considering retiring in Mexico until I watched this video. Now, it seems very challenging in many ways. Language, currency issues, culture issues, and now Fiador issue!
Hi, thanks for watching! The purpose of this video wasn't to deter anyone from moving to Mexico. Rather, I wanted to share some of the things I learned over the course of my own move to Mexico so other people interested in making Mexico their home could make a plan & not be surprised in the same way I was. Lots of expats find ways to work around the fiador issue. For a fee, there are companies that will sign on as your fiador. Other expats have found success paying more for a security deposit. Moving to Mexico is the most rewarding thing I've ever done, and if it's your dream to do the same, there is definitely a way to make it work.
You can give a deposit like in the US instead of fiador. They will ask most of the time for a deposit+ Rent
@@esperanzavenegas6440 Thanks for sharing your experience, Esperanza!
@L Dixon....good grief!!! The audacity of some people !
Hola, nos viviendo en japon. The rent is usually NOT paid in cash, but rather by bank transfer via ATM. We actually pay our mortgage by bank transfer. It can become complicated when the parking fee is in one bank, the car loan in another bank and the mortage in a 3rd. You end up having 3 cards and having to go to each bank once a month just to manage your affairs. Withdraw cash from the bank, walk over to the 2nd bank and put the cash in the machine and so on. Lots of little papers at the end of the month to keep track of. Property values and tweaks on apartments can make purchasing here a minefield so I wouldn't recommend it for most people.
We do use cash for groceries, gasoline, topping off our train cards etc. People in conservative areas like ours still prefer cash. In Tokyo however it really isn't so necessary. All vending machines and public transit accept coins and notes no matter where you are in country.
Found you via eternal expat
Wow, so interesting to hear about how things are done in Japan! I have yet to visit Asia but have always wanted to go to Tokyo. As far as living in Mexico, even though there are tricky things about renting an apartment, it still seems a whole lot simpler than buying property. That being said, I've never owned property anywhere & would probably feel overwhelmed at the prospect of buying something even in my home country 😅Maybe someday!
Moving to Mexico
If you do not have a guarantor. You can also pay a deposit. Through an attorney or surety bond company. I don't know if it's still being done. But posting bail in the 90s. when I lived in Mexico. It was normal. even to find a good job in Mexico. The companies required a temporary bond. That it guaranteed that the future employee was responsible with the company's teams or with the service to people. If the employee failed a customer. there was money on deposit. To pay a damage. Here in the USA. it's called insured and bonded
I think we have to update several alternatives that are available to rent or move in Mexico. as they scare future travelers.
Here in the USA. it is more difficult to rent in several states. In colorado and new mexico. You have to fill out an application and they will ask you for a credit record. criminal record and state identification. contract for one year. You also have to pay a deposit. If you fail at this. you have to present your visa or passport. Also you cannot pay in cash. For all that. It is easier to rent in Mexico.
But there is something worse. In colorado and illinois. The thousand dollar departments. They were full of roaches and bed bugs. They delivered it clean and fumigated. But a month. The eggs hidden in the carpet and mattresses from these terrible insects. were born
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm really interested to look into alternatives for having a guarantor since, as you said, it's a significant roadblock for people wanting to move to Mexico. Renting in the U.S. certainly has its challenges too. When I read that line about roaches and bed bugs, I actually shivered!
Here in the states rent goes up every year as well so idk why you acting like it’s a big surprise..unless you never rented before lmao
Hi, Angel! I've rented both in the U.S. & in Spain, and each year my rent actually went down for resigning the lease. Interesting to hear that your rent goes up every year. Does your landlord say they are adjusting for inflation?
Rent price changes depends on your location, it's not normal in most places in the US to see rent go up every year. You must be living in a big city, lol...or a city with a huge increase in population.
In Toronto where I live, the rent goes up 2% every year for properties that were built before the 90's. For recent properties, the landlords can increase the rent as much as they want (something recent courtesy of our Conservative provincial government). Finding affordable housing in Toronto is one of the city's biggest challenges.
Thanks for the tips Alex. Im also an online teacher. But where Im currently at in a very rural SE Asian country, the dsl internet is very fast and affordable. Plus we only waited 1 DAY for connection. There are pros n cons to where I live and Mexico. In fact, our cost of living is lower here. But the culture, xenophobia, rigid visa/expensive regulations and rampant corruption here are driving many foreigners away.
There is good and bad about every place, but often, it's tough to know how a location will vibe with your lifestyle until you're actually there.
Hi I dont see the guide you mentioned about moving to Mexico
freebies.backpackingbrunette.com/movetomexicoguide
I'm just confused on your surprise on the rent inflation. I mean that's literally the norm in the states (not sure if you're an American or not), but it's not surprising whatsoever, that rent in Mexíco would increase at the end of the lease. As long as it's not increasing EXPONENTIALLY (1st year $650, 2nd year $1100) like practically every where in the U.S., then it's not surprising at all. I've never rented anywhere in the U.S. where my rent stayed the same every year & never increased.... Anyways...
Thanks for watching & sharing your experience! Since posting this video, a lot of people have shared that an annual rent increase is normal where they live. I'd previously rented in Indianapolis (US) & Madrid (Spain), and the rent did not increase annually for me in either of those cities. Idk if it was a landlord thing or what, that was just my experience. Actually, in the latter (Madrid), my rent went DOWN each year (about 10 euros) as a little thank for being a good tenant. Hopefully, that explains why I was surprised 🤓 The majority of videos on my channel focus on my own personal experiences.
Forgive my tech ignorance, but I can never seem to find the links in description...much like IG where ppl consistently say, "link in bio". I know I can find these things...just need a little guidance on how to click on the obvious! Lol
Next video: how to get around the fiador requirement (if you are not lucky enough to have family in Mexico).
In case you don't want to wait for a video about it, I suggest a few different workarounds in my Move to Mexico Quickstart Guide. It's 25 pages of helpful info & totally free :) if you're interested, the link is in the video description! I'm really happy you shared an idea for a future video 😊
@@alex-wittman I was just reading it! Maybe yet another idea -- how to use the pila (huhhuhhu). I'll give you yet more ideas. And I will give you another idea for your next visa run.
@@boink800 oooo an idea for a trip, I'm into it!
Hi, I have a question.. if a U.S citizen is married to a Mexican citizen, and the U.S citizen wants to achieve MX citizenship, they must first live (have residency) in Mexico for 2 years before applying for MX citizenship. Now, my question is, is there something that needs to be done to prove that they've been living in Mexico for 2 years? Also, would you go about this process in this order?
1. Apply for Temporary Residency @ Mexico Consulate in U.S.
2. Fly to Mexico and move into a home; live for 2 years.
3. Apply for MX Resident / Citizenship
Upon getting married, you immediately qualify for temporary residency. You don't need to apply at the consulate. Since you're married to a Mexican citizen, you can skip the consulate and go straight to INM with your marriage certificate (it must have an apostilla). After two years, you can become a permanent resident. From there, the path to citizenship isn't quite as straightforward. I would suggest getting in touch with an immigration lawyer to help you navigate the process.
Have you ever rented in the States ???? It’s the same When renewing your lease it goes up
Hi, Miguel! I was just talking about this with some friends in Mexico who are also from the US. They'd previously lived in Portland and experienced their rent going up annually. However, where I rented in Indianapolis, our rent actually went down each year as an incentive to be a repeat tenant. The same goes for Madrid--my rent went down each year about the same amount there that it now goes up in Mexico. It seems like this varies from place to place which is why I included it in my video.
How did you get big furniture items into your apartment from the stores?
I organized delivery. If the store doesn't offer it, someone always knows someone with a truck!
Hi Alex, any tips on finding a temporary apartment on AirB&B ? I checked today for March and there were very slim pickings . Something nice like yours or even a studio or room with access to a kitchen but nothing. Thank you 😊
Hi, Deborah! Did you ever manage to find an Airbnb in Queretaro? I looked the other day & thought there was a good selection, but I know it can be tricky to find something for a long stay. You might have to move around a bit, but that can be kind of fun so you can get to know different parts of the center! Not ideal, I know, but it would be an adventure!
Hi Alex , I haven’t yet but only because I don’t have exact dates . We’re in the process of getting our paperwork together for the consulate here so we can apply for residency. I’m having a problem finding a location to do our fingerprints because of COVID ! Hopefully I’ll figure it out. I do have a question for you though. There is a town I’m interested in not far from Querétaro called Tequisquiapan. Have you ever been there ? Thanks Alex 😊
@@deborahquinette4569 I went there for Valentine's Day our first year in Queretaro! It's a charming place & fairly popular with expats.
Great 😊 I will check it out for sure !!! Thanks Alex 😊
So, where exactly in which town do you live in Mexico??
I live in a city in central Mexico called Queretaro.
......Unfurnished places....you just throw a sleeping bag down, and start gradually accumulating stuff a little at a time....Pretty soon, it's all there....
So true, Lonnie! After ordering a new sofa in November, I'm actually at the point where I need to get rid of some furniture 😅 Stuff accumulates so quickly!
How can I become an English teacher? Looking to move to Mexico from the United States by next month.
Check out this blog post for my thoughts on one of the biggest online ESL companies: backpackingbrunette.com/is-vipkid-worth-it/
@@alex-wittman Awesome thank you!
I live in Oklahoma and my boyfriend wants us to move to Ciudad Juárez and work at El Paso since he says we will be basically very financial stable in Mexico by getting US dollars instead of pesos. I honestly don’t know what to do. Its hard to just leave everything here. My parents and siblings live here. My son barely started pre-K and I’m pregnant. Can you please give me some advice?
Hi, Yesenia! I understand why you're hesitant to leave Oklahoma behind. It's not easy to start over in a new place. Your boyfriend is correct that you will likely be more financially stable in Mexico, but it's important to factor in the emotional cost. It's difficult to put a price on family and community. If you haven't already, I suggest talking to a couples counselor to help you two work through this & figure out what is best. If your insurance plan doesn't cover one, you can find affordable options online for a phone appointment. It could be valuable to have an objective third person weigh in since I'm sure the topic is a very emotional one. As someone who has moved to a new country with her partner multiple times, I will tell you this: in order for your move to Mexico to be successful, you need to both be on board. Otherwise, the stress of moving & being in another country will drive you apart. Good luck & sending positive vibes your way.
Question about the Charles Schwab account please. Don't you need a US address for that account or you risk them finding out and closing your account? How do you deal with that? Thanks very much! Very informative channel.
Hi, good question! I use the address of a close family member in the U.S. I know that isn't an option for everyone, so I suggest looking into an expat postal service. I'm not sure if you could use one for your CS account, but it's worth looking into. I hope that helps & thanks for watching!
@@alex-wittman Thank you. Appreciate the reply.
Could you do videos in Spanish ??
Hi, thanks for watching! Since a lot of my content is about moving to Mexico from the US, I think those videos are better in English. But, I am open to doing a video in Spanish and will keep that in mind for the future!
Do I need a ‘fiador’ if am a temporary resident of Mexico?
Yes, landlords even require fiadors for Mexican citizens.
What if rent goes up too high? Will you move ?
Thanks for watching, Yvette! We will definitely be keeping an eye on this, but as of now, we don't have any plans to move. Of course, if it went up by A LOT, we'd probably feel differently.
Hi Alex - do you know of any good apartments available right now in Qro by chance?
Hi, Chris! I don't have any specifics for you, but I can say that I've never seen so many "for rent" signs in the city center. It seems like a good time to move to Querétaro & find something in the center.
10000 pesos your paying 4,800 to live in mexico just curious thanks
Hi, Dawn! I'm happy to answer you're question but am not exactly sure what you mean...are you referring to me splitting the rent with my partner?
Why you choose that city? Cheaper than Mexico city and San muguel? What about Playa del Carmen, i heard many Americans move there but i dont know if that true or not:) thank you
Since Querétaro isn't a major expat/retiree destination, it is more affordable to live here than San Miguel. It is about three hours or so away from Mexico City, which I like because it is easy to go there but I'm not actually living in such a big city... Querétaro only has about 1 million people living here 😜🇲🇽 Lots of expats like Playa del Carmen, but that's a whole different part of the country 🤓
@@alex-wittman thank you:))
If you get Mexican citizenship but don’t own property, do you still have to get a fiador?
It could depend on the landlord, but my neighbor, who has the same landlord as me & is a Mexican citizen, is still required to have a fiador. Hope that helps, Jani!
Mamacita😍😍
Thanks for watching!
Hola con el nuevo gobierno de #AMLO la conexion de Internet va a mejorar. :)
Espero que sí!