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Mexico · Informational hub
Move to Mexico.
The most-proven path for North Americans seeking a second base: proximity to home, year-round spring climate, world-class healthcare value, and a legal framework built for foreign residents.
Why Mexico
The case isn't exotic. It's practical, and it's been made by hundreds of thousands of North Americans already.
Proximity
2–4 hours from every major US and Canadian gateway city. You stay connected to family, clients, and business without a 14-hour flight.
Year-round spring climate
The central highlands — Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán — sit at 5,000–6,000 ft elevation. 70°F averages. No air conditioning required.
World-class healthcare at a fraction of the cost
IMSS voluntary enrollment starts under $500/year. Private specialists cost $30–60 per visit. Dental and elective procedures run 20–30% of US pricing.
A mature legal framework for foreign residents
Mexico's immigration law, fideicomiso (bank trust) property structure, and Temporary/Permanent Resident visa tracks are decades old and well-tested. Not a frontier experiment.
The largest US expat community outside the US
Over 1.5 million Americans live in Mexico. Guadalajara, Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, and CDMX each have deep, functional expat infrastructure.
The numbers
1.5M+Americans living in Mexico
2–4 hrsFlight to major US cities
~$2,500Comfortable monthly budget (couple, Jalisco)
4 yearsTemporary → Permanent residency path
$30–60Private specialist consultation
Residency pathways
Three tracks. One destination.
Track 01 · Most common
Temporary Resident Visa
The standard entry point. Valid 1–4 years, renewable, and the first step toward permanent residency.
- Proof of income: ~$2,600/mo USD (2026 threshold)
- Apply at Mexican consulate in home country
- Renew annually or every 4 years
- Full work authorization available
Track 02 · Long-term
Permanent Resident Visa
No renewal, no income proof after approval. Granted after 4 years of temporary residency — or directly if you qualify.
- After 4 years of temporary residency
- Direct route: higher income threshold or retirement income
- Unrestricted work rights
- No annual renewal
Track 03 · Full integration
Mexican Citizenship
Available after 5 years of legal residency. Mexico allows dual citizenship — you don't give up your US or Canadian passport.
- 5 years legal residency (2 if married to a Mexican national)
- Spanish language and culture exam
- Mexico permits dual nationality
- Full rights including voting
Explore the full picture
Everything you need to know about Mexico.
Jalisco · Nov 2021
From the founders
We figured this out by doing it.
We arrived in Mexico in November 2021 with no family here, no inherited contacts, and no local Spanish. Five years later we own land, operate businesses, speak the language, and have built the guide we wish had existed when we landed.
The Move to Mexico guide below is the unfiltered version: real costs, the residency rules that actually apply in 2026, the neighborhoods worth considering, and the things that will surprise you.
Free guide
The Move to Mexico Guide.
Residency tracks, real income requirements for 2026, cost-of-living benchmarks, the best places to land, and a plain-English timeline. No funnel, no upsell.
- 2026 income thresholds for Temporary and Permanent residency
- Cost-of-living benchmarks by city and lifestyle
- The best places to land for different priorities
- Common mistakes — and the ones that cost you your visa
Get the guide
We send it immediately. One email, no sequence.
Mexico Relocation — Full Service
Want us to handle it?
The guide tells you how. Mexico Relocation is the done-with-you engagement — sequenced plan, vetted professionals, and us beside you through every step.