How to Actually Use This Site: A Reading Guide by Relocation Stage

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (Amazon Associates, Travelpayouts, and similar partners). If you make a purchase or booking through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full policy:https://www.mymexicomove.com/post/affiliate-disclosure