The decision has been made and now it’s time to begin preparing for your move to Mexico. One moment you can’t wait to start a new life experience and the next, you’re wondering if you are fully prepared to make such a move. This is not like any other move. You will have to have a pinpoint plan. With the right preparation, this can be a fairly easy task. Here are some helpful suggestions that will make your moving and transition just a little easier.
Have your finances in order before moving
Probably one of the most important factors in moving to a foreign country is having your finances in order. Keeping a banking institution stateside, especially if you receive government checks or have other income being deposited on a periodic timeframe. Make sure you set up online banking so you can pay any creditors or other obligations you might have nationally or internationally. As long as you have an internet connection, you can do all your banking at will.
You are allowed to bring in up to $10,000 USD without having to claim it at Mexico’s customs. Having cash isn’t a bad idea, but do not advertise having a small fortune while traveling. Your first mission is to immediately find a local bank and make a deposit. When looking for a bank in Mexico, make sure there will be no problems transferring funds from the United States/Canada and there are no international exchange rate fees.
Always having a small amount of cash-on-hand – a couple of hundred dollars in Pesos is a good idea. Even though credit cards are widely excepted pretty much everywhere you go in Mexico, having pesos can assure that you will always be able to pay for your merchandise or services if there is ever a problem.
Making arrangements with shippers and/or storage companies
If you are shipping any household items like boxes and/or furniture, making pre-arrangements and confirming dates and prices before moving would be highly recommended. Always use a “Brand name†mover and check references before committing to the work order. If you decide to have a storage unit for items you don’t want to ship for any reason, make sure you arrange for someone to have access to your unit(s) and/or is on the storage lease.
Bringing the needed essentials with you
You would be surprised what you can fit into a full-size suitcase. When you get to your new home, you will need the basic essentials to live until the rest of your items arrive. Depending on your ship dates, it could take up to 90 plus days for delivery. If you are planning to purchase all your household goods in Mexico, you will find that some of the items readily available in the US are not always so easily found here. Things like kitchen utensils, certain spices and believe it or not, coffee filters can be in short supply. There aren’t a lot of choices when it comes to personal items like lotions, soaps, and toiletries. If you need specific or hard to find items, make sure you take an ample supply with you.
Know your new area ahead of time
It is always a good idea to know the area where you will be moving in and its surroundings. This will help you save time and money by knowing where you can get groceries, medical offices or supplies, and other important facilities. This is not to detour you from exploring your new neighborhood, but it would be nice to understand the Geographic’s of the area. Getting lost within the first couple of days/weeks adds to the stress of moving.
Having a place to stay while finding a permanent residence
There are several ways to select a place to live or stay while finding your ideal residence. If you haven’t had the chance to recently visit your selected destination, searching the internet and corresponding via email or texting is one way to do it. Another way is to utilize a real estate agent or property management company. Either way, you should arrange to have a temporary place – at least for 30 days to stay. This way you can make sure the place(s) you are looking at are actually what they appear to be online. Not every picture tells all!
Verify what is needed to open utility accounts
Taking into consideration that you will be renting when you first arrive in Mexico, finding out how to open utility accounts like electric and cable/internet ahead of time can eliminate unforeseen problems. It would be great if your landlord will allow you to use his established accounts but if not, you need to make sure that you meet all the necessary qualifications. You might want to check with a personal friend or professional contact who would consider sponsoring you when opening a new account(s). This is an important step to your relocation.
Summary
It will be so exciting to start a new chapter in your life. Like any great author would do when planning to write a new novel and that is to have an outline. Not saying that ‘winging it’ is a bad thing, but preparing for the necessities can make your move much easier. If you could follow all or some of the given suggestions, you will be just fine. Exploring a different horizon brings a variety of opportunities. You can see new places, meet new people, and enjoy your new life as it was meant to be.
And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate… we make it happen!
