Removals to Mexico

Why Move to Mexico?

Mexico conjures up wild images of piñata smashing, sizzling Spanish fiestas and knocking back shots of tequila to toast some of the finest and fiery cuisine in the world. It is these national symbols which play into the party stereotype that sees flocks of tourists descend upon the shores of the popular beach resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen each year. Yet while it is certainly true that Mexicans know how to host a good party, this perhaps overlooks some of the most interesting aspects of expat life in Mexico.

Identified as one of the six cradles of civilisation, Mexico is home to many Mesoamerican cultures which is reflected in its diverse and awe-inspiring architecture, including ancient Aztec ruins and its thriving music and arts scene. A predominately Catholic society, Mexicans still practice many historic traditions, the most notable of which include Día de Muertos, or the ‘Day of the Dead’ where families dress up and host festivals of music and food to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed.

In addition to strong notions of family, the relaxed ‘hará mañana’ (will do tomorrow) attitude towards life attracts thousands of expats each year looking to retire on their pension funds and see out their days in the glorious Mexican sunshine. Concentrated communities continue to form in various Mexican towns, including expats from the US and Canada. One things for sure, you will never be short of things to see and do. From the stunning crystal blue waters of the Baja California coastline to the tropical rainforests of Lacandon, via the thriving Mexican metropolises of Mexico City and Guadalajara, the Mexican landscape is diverse and encapsulating in equal measure.

Mexico is also emerging as a newly industrialised country and is projected to be the world’s fifth largest economy by 2050. Many North American businesses and employees are now transcending borders to trade with Mexico as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement. As with other developing economies, crime and violence can be an issue, especially in the large cities, but media depictions can be misleading with crime much less of an issue in the beach side retirement settlements and holiday resorts that expats are drawn to.

General Information

Moving to Mexico is a thrilling opportunity, but also one that requires dedication, plenty of organisation and time to research. For some helpful tips and information on settling into life in Mexico, visit some of the many expat forums online:

www.expatexchange.com/mexico/mexicoblogs.htm
mexiconewsdaily.com/news/new-website-launches-for-expats
www.expatsinmexico.com

Travel

Getting around Mexico by road today is easier and safer than has ever been. Mexico has developed and extensive transportation network to meet the needs of a growing economy. Public transport is affordable and very efficient and the bus network has received sizeable investment over the last few years. Its railway system is equally as good and covers over 19,000 miles.

A new high-speed rail link has been proposed by the Secretary of Communications and Transport, although this is in its infancy. There are also many domestic airports in Mexico and since the country is large, this is often the best way to travel long distances.

If you are going to be driving you will find the driving etiquette to be significantly different from that of the UK. Most of the road signs are in Spanish. If you haven’t driven in Mexico before, and especially if you are not very fluent in Spanish, stick to the toll roads, however, you need to make sure you have plenty of cash with you because many toll booths do not accept cards.

Healthcare

The standard of healthcare in Mexico is good, reasonably priced and is improving steadily. Its medical infrastructure is highly rated for the most part and is usually excellent in major cities. Most expat residents in Mexico, including those with pre-existing conditions, don’t feel the need for private health insurance, as lower costs in the private sector make it unnecessary.

For some expats, private health insurance is still a popular option to offset delays and to guarantee treatment. You will need to ensure that your package covers the cost of emergency evacuation and repatriation to your home country. Do your research thoroughly before you arrive to find out which healthcare option and provider has the best combination of benefits and premiums for you. Some of the major companies offering plans in the country are GNP Mexico, Monterrey, Royal and Sun Alliance, MetLife and DVK.