Moving to a new country after having spent most of your life in the same place surrounded by your friends and family is not always an easy decision to make. Getting to know a new culture can take some time, so it is always advisable to take this step very cautiously so it doesn’t turn out to be a cultural shock and overall a bad experience. After all one thing is to just visit Mexico for a week or on a short vacation and a completely different thing to pack up all your belongings and move there.

One of the first things you should bear in mind when considering moving to Mexico is the language. While not a necessity, a good grasp of Spanish can come in quite handy when living in Mexico. Learning some of the most common expressions a list of  “modismos” (which could turn out very, very, very long) is always useful.  Although learning Spanish is not a requirement, (there are many Americans and English speakers) it’s best to have some basic conversational skills down to help you find your way around the country.

Where to Live

Before making the decision it’s best to visit Mexico several times before even thinking about moving there. It is always a good idea to stay for an extended period of time so you can experience and get the feel of what it would be like to live in Mexico, that way your move will not result in such a big shock when you make the decision.

In a next entry we will be looking into the legal process behind getting all your paperwork organized.

The picture used on this entry was taken from Flickr, kindly provided by user: Photoscott at http://flickr.com/photos/scottandress/1289720929/sizes/o/

Many people move or retire to Mexico to take things down a notch and relax. The pace of life here is slower and schedules aren’t all that important. Of course, there are many differences between Mexico and the U.S. and Canada; some have their advantages, others disadvantages, but overall it is about embracing the experience. In the United States, Canada and many other countries around the world, it is not very common to hire someone to do laundry, cook, and clean for you on a constant basis (unless you are on the wealthy side). Perhaps you have someone who comes by and cleans your house twice a month.

Many middle and upper class Mexican families have someone that either lives in the house full time to take care of cleaning, laundry, and cooking or spends the day tending to these duties returning to their own home at night. This kind of employee is known as “un empleado de servicio” o “empleado interno.” They are usually considered a part of the family. Maybe you like doing these types of daily chores, but if you don’t, it is a good option that is relatively inexpensive (and a good way to practice your Spanish). You may have much more time on your hands and don’t find a need to have someone help with these tasks, but if you are like me and hate doing laundry and cooking, then this is something to consider.

What can you expect to pay for this type of service?

In Mexico, minimum wage is broken down into 3 different zones – A, B and C, but they are all right around $5 a day depending on the exchange rate. You are going to want to pay more than minimum wage. If you are in a big city, the cost of living is also much higher so you will want to pay accordingly. Wages in Mexico are considerably lower than the United States or Europe and if you can afford it, be generous. Ask around about what other people are paying.

By Patrick Connelly

After 400 years La Paz is finally living up to its name. Originally a center for pearls in pre-Colombian times, the indigenous population was wiped out by smallpox shortly after the arrival of Hernan Cortez in 1535. In their place came adventurers and carpet-baggers, greedily looking for riches under the ocean’s surface. It was a frontier town, nestled against the Sea of Cortez and surrounded by brilliant desert. The rags-to-riches mentality did not stop at the shoreline, however, as pirates plundering the Pacific shipping lanes took refuge in the safety of the harbor. Centuries later, the town’s population exploded as the Baja Peninsula became a haven for those fleeing the violent revolution on the mainland.

Ironically, it took the downfall of the pearl industry in the 1940’s to really stabilize La Paz’s economy. Gone were the vagabond entrepreneurs, tempted by the pink and black pearls, flocking to the town for work. Today, the city of 170,000 is quite, friendly, and…peaceful. In stark contrast from its nearby neighbor, Cabo San Lucas, the pace of life moves to the slow rhythm of the waves. In recent years La Paz has also become a destination for expats and retirees, drawn to the relative seclusion, friendly locals, and inexpensive living costs.

The time is prime for buying or renting property in La Paz. Investors all over the world are realizing the potential for Mexican coastal tourism and seaside property is being snatched up quickly. Long gone are the days of Cancun, Acapulco, and Cabo being the only places in Mexico with foreign interest. While not ignored, La Paz has been able to escape the gringo spotlight up to now, mainly due to the attention its sister city to the south receives. Thus, living expenses are normally quite less than the more tourist cities. Cabo San Lucas real estate is much more popular for expats and is only 150 miles away. Very modern, beautiful rental properties can still be found in the $100,000-$200,000 range in and around the city, dramatically less than similar ones in Cabo. Also, the general cost of living is much less, ranging from $1,500 a month to whatever opulence you desire.

Because of the established infrastructure already in place, tranquil location, white sand beaches, and proximity to other expat and tourist hotspots, investing in La Paz is as close to a surefire bet as you can get. Property appreciation levels are expected to keep increasing over the next decade and Baja continues to be a more attractive place for foreign investors. The city is serviced by good roads and an international airport, as well as access to the ocean. It truly is the next big thing in Mexico, and for the time being incredible value still exists in this city of peace.

Flickr photo by Monalisa