When Is the Best Time to Move or Retire to Mexico?
If you have thought about moving to Mexico, chances are you are getting close to retirement age. You may have thought about where in Mexico you want to live and perhaps what you want to do when you get to Mexico. But have you thought about at what time or age is best to move to Mexico? What are some of the benefits of moving sooner than later to Mexico? What is moving with children like? How is moving to Mexico for people that are not retired yet? We will discuss the challenges as well as tips and opinions for your big move to Mexico.
Who Moves to Mexico?
There are several groups of people that move to Mexico. Here are three main groups that have subcategories.
- Group 1. This group is in their 40’s and might have children. This group has been growing in recent times. International schools and the ability to work online has made these family’s more mobile and made it possible to move to Mexico at a younger age. If this is you, see your section below for tips.
- Group 2. Almost retired. This group is in their mid 50s or approaching 60 years old. You might be thinking about an early retirement or working on something until you want to stop working. If this is you, see your section below.
- Group 3. Retired. You have finished working and now have the ability to move without the necessity of having to work. If this is you, see your section below.
Group 1. The Younger Adults Moving to Mexico
Deciding to move to Mexico at a younger age means you will have a chance to integrate into the culture even more. This can lead to a very satisfying experience living in Mexico. At a younger age you will be meeting other Mexicans at the gym, work, or other aspects of your daily life. You will be a little more accepted into society because you are similar to others in the fact you are working, might have kids.
The Pros of Taking the Leap to Mexico at an Earlier Age
- Fees and requirements for Visas are always changing. Usually, they are getting harder and more expensive to get each year. Doing it sooner than later will make it easier and cheaper.
- You have more time to integrate to the culture.
- If you have younger children, you are giving them a bicultural and bilingual upbringing.
- You will most likely have the energy to start a new business or projects.
The Cons of Moving to Mexico at A Younger Age
- If you have older children around 15-18 and still finishing school, it can be very hard to transition to Mexico and finish. Children around these ages often have a hard time meeting a new circle of friends.
- You have to think about your future and money. What will happen if you lose your job or have a financial burden? Might you have to move back to your home country?
- Getting legal work in Mexico can be difficult. You might find yourself working more and enjoying living in Mexico less.
Group 2. Almost Retired and Thinking of Moving to Mexico
This group is in their 50’s or early 60’s. You might have many trips to Mexico under your belt and are looking to buy a condo to use for trips and rentals while still going back and forth.
Pros of Retiring to Mexico a Little Early
- You really get to be settled and used to the culture.
- You have better health in your 50’s and can travel within Mexico to really get to know the country. This gives you a chance to see many parts and really decide on one area.
- It gives you a chance to “figure out Mexico”. Hence making decisions about buying property, where to live, and job choices easier.
Cons of Moving to Mexico Before Retirement
- Some imaging leaving their home country and setting up a small business in Mexico. They imagine working on the business and retiring in a few years. Many “ideas” do not work in Mexico, and some people do lose their business or worse yet, lose part of their retirement funds.
Group 3. Retirement Age and Ready to Retire to Mexico
This group can be legal retirement age or even past the age of retirement.
Pros of Moving to Mexico when Retired
- At this stage in your life, you are financially set. There is not much you can do to change things. This means you meet the requirements for your visa or not. Not only is it easier to get a visa, but there are also some other perks. For example, you can get the national senior discount card (INAPAM).
- You can select and area of Mexico based on what landscape and temperature you like rather than areas linked to jobs or internet connections. You might like the mountains or a small town for its charm for example.
Cons of Moving at An Older Age to Mexico
- If you have not been visiting or staying for long stays in Mexico, you might run into culture shock. The older we get, the more we get used to our routine. Changing everything can be a lot to think about and some give up on retiring to Mexico all together.
- You do need to think about what you want to do in your later years. Many older people end up moving back to their home countries because they need the physical care. Nursing homes in Mexico are practically nonexistent. This is one of the reasons why people move away from Playa Del Carmen for example.
- The older you get the harder it can seem to learn a new language. Some older expats don’t try too hard to learn Spanish. They have a circle of friends that speak English and are set in their routines. Learning Spanish is also harder when you start to lose hearing. All of this can have an impact on what friends you have and how much you experience life in Mexico.
- You will have limited number of people to choose as friends. There are some 1.6 million Americans living in Mexico and some 80,000 Canadians. This does not mean that you will click with all of them. Some people that retired to Mexico before your arrive will end of leaving in their 70’s as health issues start facing them. Others are just so different in personalities, that they are not the type of friends you want. The older you get the less there are of other foreigners.
- Your partner might not live as long as you. This can be a traumatic event when one partner has to say goodbye to the other. It means the survivor has to go on without the support of the other. This can make living in Mexico difficult.
Remember All the Things You Never Thought About
You might be under 55 now and living life to the fullest. You are not really thinking it is possible one day you won’t be able to walk as well or jump out of bed as fast. The realities of life though, are not going to skip over you. You too will succumb to old age. Some might delay it and others will have a better go at it than others, but everyone needs to think about the final chapters and years. Sorry to go so glim here, but it is a reality that people looking to move to Mexico need to think about.
Getting Old in Another Country Presents Challenges
If you move to Mexico at an earlier age or at retirement, dealing with age in another country is going to be different. Some people are used to universal health care. Others are used to government institutions or support. Much of your home countries assistance is not available when you move out of the country. However, there are some possible options that Mexico affords.
If your goal is the live out your life in Mexico, even when in old age, here are some options Mexico affords.
- The best and easiest options are to plan a little. Adding a casita or having an extra bedroom available affords you to have live in help. Possibly this is in exchange for the room. This means you can have a helper that helps in some way, giving you and your family overseas a little reassurance that you have someone there in case of emergency. This is a mutual beneficial plan that does not costs much and helps when there is not much extra help you need.
- Plan for healthcare in Mexico. For most, this means looking for a fairly comprehensive plan that covers the big things and some routine checkups. Many foreigners living in Mexico pay between $1500-$4500 USD a year on health care. Most plans are considered affordable.
- Get to know your options in Mexico. Mexico can have affordable health care options, but this does not mean it is top shelf. Many medications have generic brands are very affordable in Mexico for example. Simple doctor consultations can be done at local pharmacies for only a few dollars.
Calculating Your Pesos and Years Left
Some might move to Mexico at a younger age. There might not have been a long-term plan, but eventually you will need to face decisions. If you moved to Mexico and are working, you are pretty dependent on your job. Those that have moved to Mexico and found work online know that it can be hard to find something that pays enough and is stable. Having to find work in Mexico can be extremely challenging to people. First, you need to have a visa that approves working in the country. Then you need to adapt to the working conditions of Mexico. This can be harder conditions and less pay than you expect.
What would happen if you lost your job? Do you have enough in your bank account to hold you over? These are things you need to plan for if you move to Mexico before retirement age.
What Age is Best to Move to Mexico?
It is less about age and more about being in the right position financially to move to Mexico. If age and savings were to combine, being in your early 50’s with savings and a plan, this might be the ideal time to make the move. It would be an early retirement from the rat race, but also a move toward satisfying your desire to live in Mexico.
Each person is going to have their own personal circumstances, but the point of this article is to help people find the right moment. If you move too early, it can be fun at first, but you can run into problems later. If you move too late, it can be hard at first to get resettled. A move to another country is a big move and the excitement of it should be tempered with the reality of what comes later in life and to be prepared for it. No one wants to conquer their move, only to have to return to their home country when it is out of necessity.
Further Reading on Retirement in Mexico
- Is Playa Del Carmen Safe to Retire?
- Where Do People Speak English in Mexico?
- What Americans Should Know Before Moving to Playa Del Carmen
- How much money do you need to live in Mexico?
- How to Retire to the Riviera Maya of Mexico: A Complete Guide
- Consider this When Thinking of Moving to Mexico
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