How to Actually Use This Site: A Reading Guide by Relocation Stage
Updated: Aug 29
This site has grown past 100 posts at this point, and I hear regularly from people who land here, feel overwhelmed by how much there is, and aren't sure where to actually start. So here's an honest reading guide, organized by where you actually are in the process rather than alphabetically or by category.
Whichever stage you're in, my membership plans give you ongoing access to updated guides and direct support rather than one-off articles.
If You're Still Deciding Whether to Move at All
Start with the honest pros-and-cons pieces rather than the how-to guides. Read the cost of living breakdowns with real numbers, the safety data post (not general impressions, the actual numbers), and the city comparison guide if you have a few candidate cities in mind already. This stage is about testing the idea against reality before you invest energy in logistics.
Start with the readiness quiz and the cost calculator.
Once You've Decided and You're 3 to 6 Months Out
This is when the visa and residency guides matter most: figuring out which visa type fits your situation, understanding the income requirements, and starting the document assembly process, since some documents (like an FBI background check) take weeks to arrive. This is also the right window to book a scouting trip if you haven't already, and to start the banking and money-transfer research so you're not scrambling later.
The 180 day relocation checklist keeps this stage in order.
Your Final 60 to 90 Days Before the Move
The relocation checklist and timeline posts are built specifically for this window. This is when you're handling the practical logistics: what to bring, what to sell or store, canceling US-side subscriptions and accounts, and making sure your visa paperwork and appointment are actually locked in rather than just planned.
Your First 90 Days on the Ground
The first-30-days guide and the 90-day checklist cover this window specifically: getting your CURP and RFC, setting up a local bank account, registering for IMSS if that's part of your plan, and the dozen other administrative tasks that have to happen in a specific order to avoid dead ends. This is also when the city-specific guides become genuinely useful again, now for practical daily life rather than deciding where to live.
The first 90 days checklist covers this stage.
Once You're Settled: Year One and Beyond
This is where posts on taxes, driving, healthcare setup, and the deeper cultural pieces (customs, holidays, food culture) earn their keep. Nobody needs to read the tax guide in their first week here, but by month six it becomes very relevant.
If You Want Direct Help Instead of Reading Everything Yourself
Some people prefer working through this process with direct guidance rather than piecing it together from articles, which is exactly why I offer consulting programs alongside the free content. The site will always stay free and complete on its own; the paid programs exist for people who want a faster, more personalized path through the same process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start on a Mexico relocation site with over 100 posts?
Start with the stage you are in. If you are still deciding, read the cost of living, safety data and city comparison posts. If you are preparing, go to the visa guides and checklists. Skip taxes and driving until you are settled.
Do I need paid help to plan a move to Mexico?
Not necessarily. The free posts are built to stand on their own, and one-on-one sessions exist for people who want a more personal route. Either way, confirm visa, tax and legal requirements with official sources or a qualified professional.
How early should I start on visa and residency paperwork?
Around three to six months before you move. Some documents, such as an FBI background check, take weeks to arrive, so start assembling them early. Confirm the current document list with your Mexican consulate before you order anything.
What paperwork should I finish in my first 90 days in Mexico?
The main tasks are getting your CURP and RFC, opening a local bank account, and registering for IMSS if that is part of your plan. They have to happen in a specific order, so use the 30 and 90 day checklists to avoid dead ends.
When do the tax and driving posts start to matter after moving to Mexico?
Usually after you settle in. Nobody needs the tax guide in their first week, but by month six it becomes very relevant. Because tax rules are personal, confirm your situation with a qualified tax professional.
Next step: If you would rather skip the sorting, start with a free look at how we can work together, or pick a time on Book Online.
For ongoing support, see the membership plans.
The Short Version
Deciding: cost of living, safety data, city comparisons. Preparing: visa guides, scouting trip, banking setup. Final countdown: checklists and timelines. Just arrived: first 30/90 days, CURP/RFC, city-specific logistics. Settled: taxes, driving, healthcare, culture. Start wherever you actually are, not at the beginning of the list.
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