Moving to Mexico?

Located on the border of the United States of America, Mexico is a very popular place for American and Canadian expats to settle. It’s the most populous Spanish-speaking state in the world and is known for its rich history and culture, some of which has been celebrated throughout the world. It’s ranked seventh in the world for number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country and is an emerging global power, being involved in large international organisations such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. Making such a large decision is not to be taken lightly, so we have some points that you might consider useful in your preparation.

Please note that this article offers recommendations. It does not constitute as legal advice. If you are planning to move to Mexico, please seek professional legal assistance.

Learn about the Culture

Mexico has such a colourful culture and its history plays a fundamental part in a lot of its festivals and customs so do your research and learn as much as you can from locals and friends who have been there before. There are even online chat forums that you can utilise to gain insight into what things you might need to know in terms of communicating with locals and finding out what you can say without unwittingly offending them. You can also learn about the cultural celebrations such as Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead, one of the most well known and widely celebrated Mexican holidays in the world. Neighbouring countries such as the USA have spread its traditions all across the world and it has made it a worldwide celebration for people whose family members and friends who have died. Food is laid down and prayers are given to help guide them through their spiritual journey. This is accompanied by marigolds, known as the Flower of the Dead, and calaveras, beautifully and colourfully decorated skulls made of sugar.

Storing your Things Away Before and After your Move

When moving across the country, you might have to put your furniture into storage for a few weeks before moving out. This will save you time in the long run since all you’ll have to do is get the removalists to pack up your storage and ship it to your new address. You will have to be very organised since you don’t want your furniture to end up coming a few weeks after the date you intended them to be at your new home. Ideally, you’ll also be in Mexico, whether it be in a hotel close to your new residence or within the house itself so that you can check that everything you put into storage made it safely. It makes sense to put your furniture into storage in Mexico before arriving so that it’s safe for when you arrive to unpackage them and arrange them in your new home.

Healthcare

Healthcare is a very important thing to have when you’re planning on moving to any country. Since healthcare is privatised in Mexico, it can get very expensive if you have an accident and don’t have private healthcare. Hospital fees can cost thousands of dollars and since the national language in Mexico is Spanish, you might find it hard to find an English-speaking doctor to communicate with. Whilst they are uncommon, you can be recommended to the best English-speaking hospitals in your area and specialists if you have a specific medical issue that needs to be taken care of.

Speaking Spanish

The national language is Spanish in Mexico so learning the language would be a huge asset to you if you’re planning on living in the country long-term. While there are those who speak English and there are establishments in the larger cities that have English literature and devices, you will certainly get the most out of Mexico if you speak the national language. There are apps such as Duolingo that help you with the main topics like commonly asked questions, household appliances, basics and adjectives. The app Babbel actually allows you to converse with native Spanish speakers so that you can get used to communicating with locals and pick up on local lingos. If you want some face-to-face tutoring, there are many people who advertise their services on many sites such as Craigslist who are willing to provide in-person lessons as well as online tutorials via Skype or video chatting.

Make an Effort to Socialise

If you’ve moved with a friend or partner, this might not be as difficult as you might think. If you’ve made the move alone, it might be a bit intimidating to go out by yourself and talk to strangers. However, this is one of the best ways to make new friends and immerse yourself into the culture. Attend local events in your area, make an effort to share your stories with the locals, maybe even travel across the country and see your new home. If you’re having trouble with finding or making new friends, one idea that might make things easier for you is to befriend your workmates. Since you’re working with them on a daily basis, it’s not hard to start talking to them about more personalised things apart from work talk, and then going out together after work ends.

There are so many things to be thinking about and factored into choosing to move to Mexico, including storing your things away safely and familiarising yourself with the local and cultural lifestyle. If you’re thinking about moving away long-term, Spacer can help you with storing away your life for however long you want before you move. There are thousands of spaces to choose from so, whether you want one close to the airport or within your local area, you can find the right space for you.