A new chapter starts here
Find your place
in
A beach town, a lively city, or somewhere in between. Explore the places and practical steps that make a move feel possible.
Somewhere that feels like you
Four very different ways to call Mexico home.
City lifeMexico City
Mexico City (CDMX)
From $2,800 / month for a couple
City lifeMérida
Yucatán
From $2,000 / month for a couple
Culture & communitySan Miguel de Allende
Guanajuato
From $2,500 / month for a couple
Coastal livingPuerto Vallarta
Jalisco
From $2,500 / month for a couple
Monthly budgets are estimates, including rent. Your neighborhood and lifestyle make a difference.
Get the everyday details right
Useful reads for the life you're planning.
Start where you are
Every move is different. Pick the guide that matches yours.
Retiring
Retire in Mexico
Which residency fits a pension, Medicare abroad, Social Security in pesos and INAPAM discounts.
Working remotely
Live and work remotely
Visitor limits, the employer letters consulates ask for, and tax residency.
Moving with family
Move with kids
Residency for spouses and children, school enrollment and the SAM travel form.
Staying for good
Permanent residency
Seven routes in the Migration Law, 2026 costs and the road to citizenship.
Buying a home
Buy property
Fideicomisos, notaries, closing costs and the red flags to walk away from.
Applying
Compare consulates
Official 2026 income and savings figures, fees and booking rules side by side.
Latest updates
New guides and the rule, fee and consulate changes we're tracking.
- Temporary residency guide rebuiltWhat Article 52-VII of the Migration Law allows, five consulates' 2026 figures side by side, a timeline from application to card, costs and worked examples.
- Household goods: what the Customs Law saysTemporary residents import used belongings for the length of their residency (Article 106-IV); permanent residents bring them in tax-free (Article 61-VII).
- Consulate pages: comparisons and worked examplesEach consulate profile now ranks its requirements against the others, with step-by-step booking and common reasons applications fall short.
- Moving checklist and residency calculator explainedA full timeline, the deadlines that can't slip, documents to carry, and how the 2026 UMA thresholds are calculated.
- All 12 city guides expandedNew sections on life and culture, weather by season, getting around, safety, day trips and who each city suits, plus a sample monthly budget.
- Buying property: fideicomiso rules from the Foreign Investment LawRestricted-zone trusts for up to 50 years, direct ownership elsewhere, the notary's role, closing steps and red flags.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move to Mexico in 2026?
To qualify for temporary residency you typically need about $4,432 per month in income or roughly $74,687 in savings (MX$1,344,373). To live, a couple needs around $2,000–$3,000 per month in most mid-size cities, plus $5,000–$10,000 for moving and setup costs.
Can a US citizen just move to Mexico?
US citizens can visit Mexico visa-free as tourists for up to 180 days (the officer decides the exact length). To live there legally long-term, you need temporary or permanent residency obtained through a Mexican consulate.
How long does it take to relocate to Mexico?
Plan for 3–6 months: 2–8 weeks to get a consulate appointment, often same-day approval at the appointment, then 30 days after entry to start your INM process and 2–6 weeks to receive the card.