Your Complete Guide to Moving to Mexico
Relocate to Mexico and Find Your Dream Home
Everything you need to know — from the moment you consider the move to the day you hold your keys. Curated by licensed Mexican, American, and Canadian real estate professionals based in Baja California Sur.
AMPI MEMBER BROKERAGE
LICENSED BROKERAGE
FULL MLS ACCESS - EVERY PROPERTY IN BCS
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR SPECIALISTS
EDUCATION-FIRST APPROACH
Step 01: Why Move to Mexico?
Millions of Americans and Canadians are reconsidering the cost of living back home. Mexico offers a compelling alternative - without giving up quality, safety, or connection
Cost of Living
Stretch Your Dollar Further
Most expats find they live significantly better in Mexico for 40-60% of what life costs in the US or Canada - including quality dining, healthcare, and housing.
World-class healthcare at a fraction of US costs
Property taxes often under $500 USD/year
No state income tax on foreign-source income in most cases
Fresh, local food markets year-round
Climate & Lifestyle
365 Days of Sun & Sea
Trade grey winters for outdoor living. Baja California Sur averages over 350 sunny days annually, with the Sea of Cortez on one side and the Pacific on the other.
World-class sport fishing, diving, and whale watching
Thriving expat communities with familiar amenities
Boutique restaurants, art galleries, and cultural festivals
Proximity - direct flights from major US & Canadian cities
Community & Safety
Welcoming, Connected & Surprisingly Safe
The expat communities of Baja California Sur - particularly La Paz, La Ventana, Todos Santos, and San Jose del Cabo - are tight-knit, vibrant, and well-established.
La Paz ranked among safest cities in Mexico
Active English-speaking expat groups and associations
Strong local arts and culinary scenes
Bilingual schools and international-standard medical care
Investment Potential
Property Values Are Rising - Act Now
BCS real estate is in an early appreciation cycle. Buyers entering today are capturing value before infrastructure buildout, direct flight expansion, and remote-worker demand push prices higher.
Short-term rental demand outpacing inventory
Pre-construction opportunities with strong ROI potential
Foreigners can legally own titled property via fideicomiso
Low holding costs and strong USD purchasing power.
Step 02: What Do I need to Do to Move to Mexico?
Moving to Mexico is more straightforward than most people expect - when you have the right guidance. Here's the practical roadmap, in order.
Using a good facilitator can the be the difference between frustration and success. We highly recommend Blanca Corral Consulting Group @ +52 612 108 5532
Immigration
Choose Your Visa Path
Mexico offers two primary legal residency options for North Americans. Most retirees and remote workers qualify quickly based on income or savings - the process is simpler than you think.
Temporary Resident (Residente Temporal) - Valid 1 year, renewable up to 4 years. Required income: approximately $2,100 USD/month or equivalent savings. *be sure to check the updated requirements at your closest Mexican Consultate.
Permanent Resident (Residente Permanente) - No renewal needed. Typically applied for after 4 years temporary, or immediately if retired with qualifying pension/income.
Apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country to start the process.
Once in Mexico, complete the process at INM (Immigration) in Baja California Sur.
Buying Property in BCS
The Foreigner's Buying Process
Foreigners can legally own property in the restricted zone (within 50km of the coast) through a bank trust called a fideicomiso - a well-established, fully legal structure protecting your ownership rights.
Search for property with a licensed AMPI/MLS agent
Make an offer and sign a purchase agreement (promissory contract)
Engage a closing attorney/Mexican notario publico for title search and closing
Your attorney/notario will set up fideicomiso through a Mexican bank (approx $500 USD/yr fee)
Close typically within 60-90 days
Budget 4-6% of the purchase price for closing costs.
Finances
Setting Up Your Money in Mexico
Banking and currency management are straightforward once you know the system. You don't NEED to have a Mexican bank account to buy property, but it makes life in Mexico much easier in relation to paying utilities, etc.
Open a Mexican bank account with your residency card
Use Wise or similar for international transfers
Most major purchases are USD-accepted in BCS
Practical Logistics when Moving to Mexico
What to Ship, What to Leave
Bringing belongings into Mexico is possible under a menaje de casa (household goods) permit tied to your immigration status.
Vehicles: if you have Temporary Residency, no TIP is required to bring your vehicle to BCS.
Pets: vet health certificate required at border
Electronics and furniture import: duty-free under residency program
Most expats find it less expensive to sell and rebuy locally
"The process felt overwhelming until we had the right people in our corner. Dream Baja Realty walked us through every step - from visa questions to closing on our La Paz condo."
- Mark & Susan T., California to La Paz 2025
Step 03: Where Should You Move to in Mexico?
Mexico is vast. The right destination depends on your lifestyle, budget, and goals. Here's our honest, agent's-eye guide - and why Baja California Sur consistently rises to the top.
Baja California Sur - Our Recommendation
The Right Peninsula at the Right Time
Baja California Sur checks boxes that other destinations can't. It's close enough to fly home to the USA or Canada in 4 hours or less, safe enough that expats feel at ease, and growing fast enough that buyers today are still getting in early.
Baja California Sur Properties...just a taste
Baja California Sur Investment Properties for Sale
The Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Mexico
Updated & Expanded - Including La Paz, Baja California Sur Real Estate Law
Dream Baja Realty
Calle Delfines 135
entre Mangle y Oceano Pacifico,
Col. Esperanza I, La Paz, 23090 Mexico
Limitation of Liability: Dream Baja Realty, is a real estate company that offers third party real estate, therefore all information published on this site, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be verified with one of our advisers in order to confirm whether the advertised properties are subject to lease, sale, change or withdrawal. Dream Baja Realty will not be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and in no case be considered as misleading advertising or bad faith. Dream Baja Realty is a proud member of MLS BCS. Please enjoy this website advertising all brokerage members MLS listings for public review.
The offered price is in DOLLARS (US Currency) and in accordance with article 8 of the monetary law, the final price for recordation purposes will be converted into PESOS resulting from the official exchange rate on the date payment is due. Prices shown in DOLLARS can be converted into PESOS by accessing the following link and performing the corresponding arithmetic multiplication per the current exchange rate. https://www.banxico.org.mx/tipcamb/main.do?page=tip&idioma=en