Thinking about moving to Mexico? You might be asking yourself: What is the process for considering a move, or even should I move to Mexico with a family? Our experience relocating from Canada to Tulum may give you a realistic view of the excitement, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
Why We Chose Tulum
Choosing a place to move wasn’t easy. We considered nearly every continent in the world, but Tulum stood out for a few reasons:
- Tulum is known for its laid-back, hippie vibes, which suits us well.
- We wanted a location that allowed us to travel back to Canada easily in case of an emergency. Affordable flights for the whole family were a must.
- while tulum boasts some of the worlds most beautiful beaches, the people of Tulum made the decision feel right. Locals and expats alike welcomed us, showing sincere warmth.
Even though Tulum is sometimes criticized as “not real Mexico,” we’ve found it to have a culture and community we truly appreciate.
Concerns & Fears Before the Move
Relocating always comes with nerves. For me, it was tarantulas. they are my worst fear. I was so scared I avoided even googling them! some Locals assured me there were none (which wasn’t even slightly true), but honestly, we rarely see them, and my fear has mostly subsided.
For the kids, the move was exciting. Their young ages made it easier to adjust, and their enthusiasm helped me feel confident about the transition.
Research & Planning
Where we found help:
- Facebook groups in Tulum were incredibly useful. here, we found Large expat communities that shared tips. At times this communicty could also be intimidating. while most encouraged our move, some indicated that they needed a decade to plan, and so must we. they didn’t realize that I’ve learned to roll with the punches, which made it easier to move with less rigid planning.
Visiting beforehand:
- morgan and i did a quick 3-day trip to Tulum to view rental options in person. Pictures online can be misleading — homes may look bigger or fresher in photos than they are in reality. Some even smelled of mold! Seeing them in person was essential to finding the right fit.this also helped to mitigate the risk of scammers.
Finding Rentals:
- Facebook was our primary tool for finding rentals. Tips we learned:
- Don’t post your budget publicly — it can lead to inflated prices for locals and vacationers.
- Be prepared for skeptics; people may assure you that you will never find something in your budget, hoping that you’ll agree to outlandish prices.
- We found a nice 2-bedroom apartment in Aldea Zama slightly above our budget. Some claimed Aldea Zama had fewer tarantulas due to construction. while i don’t know if that is true or not, i have seen more since moving away from aldea zama.
Budgeting & Preparing for the Move
- Saving: We saved for over a year to ensure that we had enough savings, just in case. I adjusted my career to work from home, switching from an autobody estimator to a remote role in digital marketing.
- Schooling: We initially planned to homeschool, but it didn’t work for the kids or for me. They missed friends, and I missed my sanity.
- Packing: For the first trip, we brought four suitcases with clothes, books, board games, and our small dog. Later, we made a second trip with our SUV for larger household items and our big dog.
- Apartment: Our rental was furnished, so aside from odds and ends, we didn’t need to buy much.
Preparing the kids:
- We created a calendar countdown and watched YouTube videos about Mexico. While helpful, nothing beats the actual experience.
Language & Communication
- We arrived with almost no Spanish. While it’s possible to live here without it, not knowing the language can make forming friendships more difficult.
- Learning Spanish improves integration, communication with locals, and overall confidence. I still continue learning, and it has been rewarding to see progress over time.
- but, Google translate continues to be a lifesaver when my spanish fails me!
Tips for Families Considering the Move
Based on our experience, here are some takeaways for anyone questioning whether they should move to Mexico?
- Research neighborhoods and rentals in advance, but plan for an in-person visit if possible. Consider things like how accessible the location is by road and whether the area is more prone to power outages.
- Engage with local expat communities online — they’re invaluable for advice and support. In addition to facebook groups, there are also many whatsapp groups geared towards different demographics.
- Be prepared for surprises — from quirky local differences to occasional wildlife. Simple things that are nothing more than a friendly tune in canada the US are quite offensive in mexico.
- Learn some Spanish before arriving; even basic knowledge helps a lot. At the very least, get your taco order in Spanish figured out. you’ll thank me later!
- Budget carefully for housing, schooling, and unexpected costs.
- Stay flexible and patient — a willingness to adapt and accept this wonderful culture makes the move smoother and more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Mexico is possible with proper planning, patience, and flexibility. For us, Tulum offered a combination of beauty, accessibility, and community that made the move worthwhile. Whether you’re just curious about how to move to Mexico or actively planning your relocation, embracing the adventure and learning along the way makes the process rewarding.