The Mistakes That Actually Derail a Mexico Move

Aug 20

4 min read

Updated: Aug 29

I have a full step-by-step guide to the moving process itself. This post covers different ground: the specific mistakes I see derail or badly complicate moves, drawn from actually watching hundreds of them happen, some smoothly and some not.

Most of these mistakes are exactly what the 180-Day Action System is built to prevent, a structured sequence instead of guesswork. And if you're not sure where you'd go wrong, a Mexico Reality Check session will surface it before it costs you.

Mistake: Not Starting the Visa Process Early Enough

Temporary and permanent residency visas require an in-person consulate appointment before you travel, and popular consulates in the US routinely book weeks out. Starting this process the month before your planned move is the single most common way people delay their own timeline by months.

Mistake: Underestimating Document Prep Time

An FBI background check alone can take 6 to 12 weeks to arrive by mail, and it needs to be apostilled afterward. People who leave this until the end consistently end up either delaying their move or traveling without documents they'll need shortly after arrival.

Mistake: Renting Long-Term Before a Scouting Trip

Signing a year-long lease sight unseen, based on photos and a city's reputation, is how people end up stuck in a neighborhood or building that doesn't actually suit them. A short scouting trip before committing long-term saves far more money and stress than it costs.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you buy or book through them, MyMexicoMove.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We recommend only services that are relevant to your Mexico move.

On a scouting trip I would rather book a few short stays in different neighborhoods than commit to one place. You can compare short stays on Booking.com and test the commute, the noise and the walk to a market before you think about a lease.

Mistake: Not Opening a Mexican Bank Account Early

Relying entirely on a US card for months means paying foreign transaction fees on every purchase and struggling with services that expect a local account. Getting CURP and RFC set up, then opening a Mexican account, should happen in your first few weeks, not whenever it becomes convenient.

Mistake: Assuming Your US Insurance or Medicare Covers You

Medicare does not provide coverage in Mexico, full stop, and most US private insurance either doesn't cover you here or provides only limited emergency coverage. Arriving without a real health coverage plan is one of the more consequential mistakes on this list.

Mistake: Shipping Too Much (or Too Little)

Full household shipping is expensive and often not worth it given what's available to buy locally; furniture and appliances are readily available here. On the flip side, some specialty items (certain electronics, specific medications, particular hobby equipment) are genuinely hard to find or overpriced here and are worth bringing. Think carefully rather than defaulting to either extreme.

Mistake: Not Budgeting for the Adjustment Period

The first three to six months typically cost more than steady-state life here: temporary housing while you find something permanent, replacing small household items, and the inevitable mistakes (a wrong SIM plan, an overpriced first apartment) that get corrected once you know the terrain. Build a buffer into your first-year budget rather than assuming month-one costs represent your ongoing baseline.

Mistake: Skipping Spanish Prep Entirely

Arriving with zero Spanish is survivable but makes literally everything, banking, healthcare, making friends, harder than it needs to be. Even a few months of consistent study before you arrive changes your first six months here substantially.

A few months of steady study before you arrive changes your first six months. If you want a structured audio course for the commute or the walk, Pimsleur offers a Spanish program that works well for daily listening practice.

The Pattern Behind All of These

Almost every mistake on this list comes from treating the move as a single event rather than a process with real lead times. The people who have the smoothest transitions are the ones who started document prep, financial setup, and language learning months before their actual move date, not the ones who researched the most or spent the most money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest mistake people make when moving to Mexico?

Treating the move as one event instead of a process with lead times. Starting the visa process late is the most common cause of months of delay. Begin documents, finances and Spanish study months before your move date.

How long does an FBI background check take for a Mexico move?

It can take 6 to 12 weeks by mail and then needs an apostille. Which documents you actually need varies by consulate, so confirm your consulate's current list before ordering anything.

Should I ship my furniture when moving to Mexico?

Often it is not worth the cost, because furniture and appliances are easy to buy locally. Consider bringing hard to find items such as certain electronics or hobby gear, and check customs rules before you ship.

How much extra should I budget for my first months in Mexico?

Plan for the first three to six months to cost more than steady life. Temporary housing, replacing small household items and early mistakes like a wrong SIM plan or overpriced first apartment all add up, so build in a buffer.

Does Medicare or my US insurance cover me in Mexico?

Medicare does not cover you in Mexico, and most US private plans give no coverage or limited emergency coverage. Arrange real health coverage before you arrive, and confirm exactly what any policy pays for abroad.

Keep reading: What Actually Changes When You Move to Mexico and Moving to Mexico from Canada.