Moving to Mexico – eBook Review

Moving to a new country or even city may seem like a hectic job yet it is one of the most important decisions in the lives of many. Moving abroad requires you to consider a variety of factors as your future life is dependent on it. It is important to assess a country, its culture, economic position, social perspective, political situation, and other associated factors as well to make the right decision.

One of the most popular countries where people are moving in large numbers is Mexico. Despite the fact that it is one of the war-torn countries, and has had various ups and downs in its economic position over the past few years, there has been a significant improvement in the country’s status in the last few years.

The book “Moving to Mexico” provides a detailed evaluation of important aspects to consider when moving to Mexico. No matter if you are moving for a job or for a complete relocation with family, this book acts as the essential guideline needed for any Non-Mexican. It provides various facts and figures regarding the country which would be important for any foreigner. Reading this book will help you avoid those difficulties that others usually face when moving to Mexico.

Keep in mind that due to the shared border between Mexico and America, there is a mass scale of illegal immigration and movement across the border. While most Americans have a good idea of this issue, one still needs to read a book like this to have more information about the country itself.

Introduction – Mexico

source: Alex Covarrubias, 9 April 2006. Based on the arms by Juan Gabino., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Over the past few years, Mexico has not gained much reputation and the main reason for this is due to the media such as news, movies, and various forms of social media advertisements and publications which show that Mexico has one of the highest crime rates. The media has given a perception that Mexico is all about drugs, violence, rape, gang wars, and various other high-scale crimes. One of the reasons for this is American involvement in Mexico.

However, Mexico is not exactly what the media has shown it to be. With an increase in legal practices and law policies, Mexico is becoming one of the rapidly developing nations of the world. Therefore, moving to Mexico is not an entirely bad idea. This eBook contains the answers to all the possible misconceptions that you might be having about Mexico.

The author begins by explaining the interaction between foreigners and the Mexican locals. He has highlighted the fact that over 1.2 million foreigners have been living in Mexico, as of 2020. This highlights the fact that Mexico isn’t as dangerous as it has been perceived by many. The author has discussed the few barriers that may be residing between the foreigners and locals such as language issues, and the high level of cultural traditions in Mexico. However, these issues resolve over time as Mexico is emerging as one of the most hospitable countries.

According to the 2020 National Census, there are 1,212,252 foreign-born people currently residing in Mexico 2 . A majority of people are from neighboring countries like the US and Guatemala.

(eBook Excerpt)

This eBook has provided a realistic and neutral aspect to Mexico by highlighting the good and the bad, both. By showing you both sides of the picture, it would help you make the most appropriate decision for moving to Mexico. You will learn a lot about settling in, the possible problems, the education, living standards, and various other aspects too. In a nutshell, this book is a complete guide to living in Mexico.

Chapter 1 – Reasons to Move to Mexico

The author begins the book with a charming list of reasons as to why someone should be moving to Mexico. The reasons provide a motive for the new movers to think positively about their move and evaluate the main benefits which they are going to get from their stay in Mexico. This chapter clears out many of the doubts that you may have heard about Mexico.

The main reasons highlighted in the chapter include

• Affordable Cost of Living
• Scenic Beauty
• Historically and Culturally Significant Country
• Affordable and Quality Healthcare Services
• Good Option for People Planning to Retire

The first chapter provides some comparisons as well between Mexico and other countries such as the USA to help the readers understand the benefits precisely. It is considered a great place for expats who no longer intend to work and are planning to retire soon. However, this does not mean that job holders won’t have any good prospects in Mexico. It is a consistently developing economy that has boosted the country to create more employment opportunities.

Chapter 2 – Immigration and Visa Policies

When traveling abroad, many people are aware of the country’s lifestyle and living standards but they often forget the first step which is to evaluate the extent of immigration and visa policies. The author discusses these policies in quite detail in the second chapter of the book.

The detailed guide to visa and immigration policies highlights several aspects such as the different types of visas. You can get the right one as per your requirements. The two main categories include the Temporary Visa and the Permanent Visa both of which have their distinct requirements.

The best part about this chapter is that it provides a proper guide according to the different types of countries as well. You can easily check the procedure from your country and then go along with it. In a nutshell, after reading this chapter, much of your queries related to visa policies shall be cleared out.

Chapter 3 – Work & Stay

Staying in Mexico is not just about having a break from life, rather, you can live a pretty decent life with an occupation as well. Chapter 3 of the eBook is mainly about the different types of working prospects and opportunities one could find in Mexico. It initially highlights the most important industries that are growing in Mexico. You can check something related to your field and proceed accordingly.

The author has provided detailed information and analysis on the different cities in Mexico and how much is the average income as well as spending in these areas. Since this book is written for outsiders, all the values have been mentioned in the US$. This chapter provides insights about 5 of the top cities in Mexico which include

• Mexico City
• Guadalajara
• Oaxaca
• Puebla
• Cancun

The author also discusses some of the top firms operating in Mexico such as Pemex and Cemex which have mass scale employment opportunities. Despite the fact that Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in Mexico, the author emphasizes learning the English language and getting certified.

…teacher. It is highly recommended that you get a TESOL/TESL/TEFL certificate 12. You can do any of these courses from your home country or Mexico. The chances are that your training institute will hire you after you finish your course.

(eBook Excerpt)

Therefore, anybody who is looking for job prospects or business opportunities would find this chapter quite useful prior to moving to Mexico. It also helps you know how much you can save in the country while working.

Chapter 4 – Studies in Mexico

If you are young and are planning to continue your studies in Mexico and then settle over here, you will find Chapter 4 quite useful. Unlike the myth, Mexico has quite a large number of educational institutes and facilities for locals as well as foreigners. Many of the Mexican universities are considered to be among the top universities in the world. The author has even provided statistics for Mexican education facilities.

Mexico has seen a staggering increase in the number of international students in the past couple of decades. The stats went up from 2 million to more than 4 million.

(EBook Excerpt)

Overall, the Mexican education system ranks among the best in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings. 63 Mexican universities were featured in the QS Latin America University Rankings of 2019, coming second to Brazil!

(EBook Excerpt)

From the various facts and figures, it is quite clear that Mexico is one of the best places for foreign students. Besides, the author has also explained the concept of partying during studies as going to parties is one of the most important aspects of Mexico.

The author has provided insights about the following universities in this chapter

• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
• Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)
• Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)
• Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM)
• Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA)

Chapter 5 – Settling in

One of the most important factors to consider when relocating abroad is the income prospects and settlement. Chapter 5 of this eBook has great detail on the Mexican Tax system so that foreigners are aware of the amount that they will have to pay when moving to Mexico. This is also one of the longest chapters of the book and has authentic statistics on the Mexican tax system.

Besides, this chapter also contains a section for accommodation where the Mexican accommodation system has been explained by the author. There are several housing facilities offered in Mexico which include Condos, houses, apartments, and countryside properties as well. The writer has also provided the readers with specific tips regarding accommodation in Mexico so that they make the best decision as per their requirements. One of the extracts from this chapter is given below.

Pro tip: Never sign a rental contract without seeing the site first. Insist on checking every nook and corner of the house before renting it. You don’t want to deal with rat infestation and leakages during your stay.

(Ebook Excerpt)

One of the best things about this chapter is the fact that it also tells you about the spots in Mexico where you shouldn’t buy property for several reasons. As a result, it helps you in buying a property that appreciates over time.

Chapter 6 – Law and Order

Law and Order are important aspects to consider when moving to Mexico, specifically, because the role of mainstream media has portrayed Mexico as a country where there is limited law and order practice. This chapter provides details on how law and order are managed in Mexico. It begins with Marriage Law and policies that are associated with it. Moreover, this chapter even has guidelines on the marriage process in Mexico along with the child support issue. Besides, you can also adopt a child in Mexico. The detailed process for the adoption of a child is also provided in this chapter along with the strict rules that have to be followed to qualify for adopting a child.

In the later part of this chapter, the author has discussed criminal law and how seriously it is taken as an offense within Mexico. The government is quite supportive to counter the problem of discrimination in crime. It also provides help to the arrested citizens who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Before moving to Mexico, one should keep in mind that they will be treated the same way a local would.

Chapter 7 – Everyday Life and in Mexico

After you are done reading the basics of living in Mexico, this chapter moves forward to discuss everyday life in Mexico. It discusses the aspect of communication by providing insights on the usage of the internet and how you can get a stable connection. Mainly, there are three different ways to do so which include

• Buying a Prepaid SIM Card
• Buying a Local SIM Card
• Renting or Buying a Portable Wi-Fi

Besides, the author has also mentioned a few of the best internet service providers in Mexico. He has also added information about various kinds of cellular networks available in Mexico.

This chapter also provides unique information about the transportation facilities in Mexico including public transport and personal driving. You will find yourself aware of the various laws associated with transportation after reading this chapter.

Chapter 8 – What to Expect From Mexico?

The last chapter of this book provides an overview of what to expect from Mexico in the long term. The short-term goals of foreigners are usually to settle down, get a job, or enroll in a university but in the long term, living the cultural and social life of a country is what matters the most. Chapter 8 of this eBook is about the overall life including the shopping experience, party, travel and tourism, and other associated facilities as well.

The author has also provided some of the best “Pro-tips” throughout this chapter so that people who are planning to move to Mexico have a good time out there. One of the best things about this chapter is that the writer has cleared out various misconceptions that are usually related to Mexico.

The climate of Mexico is discussed in the eBook.

The maximum temperature in Mexico may get as high as 95°F and as low as 50°C.

(Ebook Excerpt)

Furthermore, the author has talked about the languages that are spoken in Mexico. The cultural aspect of food is also discussed as Mexico is one of the countries in the world which is famous for its cuisines. The writer concludes this chapter by highlighting the fact that every person who is planning to move to Mexico should be having a strong driving force behind it.

Conclusion

On the whole, the book provides a good amount of detail on Mexico by highlighting the good and the bad. It answers many of the questions that immigrants or travelers would be having on their stay in Mexico. Seeing the numbers, one can evaluate whether Mexico is going to be a good choice for them or not.