Preparing to Move to Mexico

Filed in archive Latin Travel on February 14, 2008

Anyone into beach combing? If I could live anywhere, I would move to the Caribbean. Wait, I did. How did I end up landlocked again?

OK, never mind that. If you want to go live in Mexico, the Mayan Riviera is it: gorgeous weather (average temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit), great job market, and training wheels for your emerging Spanish proficiency. I lived in Cancun and played in Playa del Carmen (PDC) mostly. Eight years ago PDC was too small for me, but now it's reached a respectable 100,000 inhabitants with all the services and WiFi availability that come with that.

No matter where you want to move though, be ready to do the Mexican line dance... the get in line and wait in line, and come back and get in yet another line dance.

First go to the nearest Mexican consulate and either ask for an FMT tourist visa (if you don't plan on working in Mexico because you telecommute or just have a ton of money) or an FM3 with a work permit (these last for six months at a time and are renewable). If you're thinking, "I don't need no stinkin' permit," reconsider.

Two years ago during one of my happy returns, the very handsome and highly illegal Argentinian guy running the front desk at my hotel was deported on my third day. There are a ton of foreigners in this and other popular areas that attract immigrants, consequently INM (Mexico's immigration agency) isn't turning a blind eye so easily these days.

You'll be asked to bring a ton of documentation and pictures. Make extra copies and go ahead and start working on your patience. It will pay off to get very Zen with Mexican bureaucracy early on.

While you wait, make sure to check cost of living and salaries for the city you're considering. Then plan your route to all the amazing places on your adventure list.