Visa & Residency
Q:Do I need a visa to live in Mexico?
US citizens can stay 180 days visa-free with a tourist permit (FMM). For residency, apply for temporary or permanent resident visa.
Q:What's the easiest residency path?
Temporary resident visa — requires $2,600/month income or $43K in savings. Can convert to permanent after 4 years.
Q:How long to citizenship?
5 years of continuous residency (or 2 years if married to Mexican citizen).
Cost of Living
Q:How much do I need to live comfortably?
$1,500-2,500/month depending on city. Mexico City: $2,000+. Lake Chapala: $1,500.
Q:Is Mexico expensive?
30-50% cheaper than US overall. Tourist areas are pricier.
Q:How much is rent?
Mexico City: $600-1,200/1BR. Lake Chapala: $400-700/1BR. Mérida: $500-900/1BR.
Healthcare
Q:Is healthcare good?
Excellent — ranked 2nd in Latin America. Private care is affordable (50-70% cheaper than US).
Q:Do I need health insurance?
Required for residency. Private insurance: $50-150/month.
Q:Can I use Medicare?
No. You'll need private insurance or pay out of pocket.
Taxes
Q:Do I pay Mexican taxes?
Only on Mexican-sourced income. Foreign income is tax-free if you're a temporary resident.
Q:Do I pay US taxes?
Yes — US citizens pay worldwide. Use foreign income exclusion.