Starting an expat business in Mexico - just do it

If you are reading this post, you are either already living/working in Mexico or you are seriously thinking about it.  So what is holding you back? 

YOUR PEER GROUP

You wake up excited.  You have got a great business idea that will allow you to live comfortably on the beach in Mexico (with lots of hard work of course!).  The idea is almost bursting out of you...then you tell your closest friends.  "Are you SURE about that?"  "But what about your job?"  "It sounds nice, but who knows if it will work."  "You don't even speak Spanish!"  "Mexico!  Are you crazy?  They are killing everyone!"   All of the sudden, you feel deflated and start to doubt your idea.  Sometimes the people you believe to be your biggest supporters turn into your biggest critics.  They don't necessarily do it to discourage you - they just don't get it.  Do not let your peer group discourage you.  If you are truly passionate about an idea, delve into it with laser sharp focus.

YOUR LACK OF SPANISH

This is not an excuse.  I know very successful business people who have seen an opportunity in the Mexican market and jumped on it, without speaking the language.  You SHOULD learn the language, not because it is a requirement, but because it will enrich your life and give you opportunities that you otherwise might not have.  There are Spanish schools, books on tape, podcasts, conversation meetups, etc. 

YOUR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW

Foreign law seems scary because we are dealing with the unknown.  When you think about it, how well do you really know the law in your home country?  We all like to think we do, but when it comes down to it, unless you have studied the laws it is most likely that your knowledge is cursory.  There is a reason that lawyers and business advisors exists - use them!!!

YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT ONCE "X, Y, Z" HAPPENS

I've been guilty of this many times in many areas of my life, until I really drilled this phrase into my brain "There is never a right time."  I know it sounds extreme, and you may argue till your blue in the face about how you just are waiting for X to happen and then you'll be ready.  Have you ever thought about what would occur if X happened and you still weren't ready?  Jumping in* is hard, but it is the best way to get started.

*Jump in after you have done some research - jumping in blind could shoot your anxiety levels through the roof and be totally counterproductive!

How many expats live in Mexico?

If you are looking for official numbers on expats in Mexico, make sure you look at a number of sources.

How many expats really live in Mexico?

It is difficult to say, because there are many expats flying "under the radar" that are living and working in Mexico on tourist visas.  There are also a number of foreigners that own property in Mexico, but do not live in the country full time.  It is expected that 5 million Americans will call Mexico home by 2025 as people look for low cost areas to retire migrate to Mexico

1.  Americans (Mexico has the largest population of Americans abroad) - estimated anywhere from 200,000 (highly unlikely!) to around 2 million
2.  Canadians - 1.4 million
3.  Spaniards - around 700,000
 
After the financial crisis of 2004 in Argentina, Mexico saw huge numbers of Argentineans flock to Mexico City.  In fact, there are now areas of the city where most of the waiters/models are from Argentina.
 
Now, a funny video about "illegal immigration" to Mexico:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-november-30-2009/american-refugees-seek-health-care-in-mexico

The Cost of Living in Mexico for Expats: Keeping it real

The cost of living in Mexico for expats is a topic that has been covered on a number of websites, but today I'm going to give you my two cents and keep it real.

People often ask "How much money do I need to live comfortably in Mexico?" and my answer is always "It depends."  It depends because "comfortable" is so subjective.  Is it important that you have someone to cook for you 7 days a week or are you fine cooking for yourself (and your family if that's the case)?  Do you want to live in a secure building in a nice area with other expats and Mexicans or do you want to live in a place where you are the only expat for miles and you can interact with the locals?

Many people have the misconception that Mexico is cheap.  While it is less expensive in many aspects, it is by no means cheap. 

MORE EXPENSIVE IN MEXICO:

Electronics
Cell phone service
Land line service (Thanks Telmex! Mexico has the highest phone rates in the world behind Iraq)
Clothing* (yes, you can find cheap clothing at the tianguis (farmer's market type setup) but I'm talking about walking into a store and buying something)
Gasoline
Magazines in English (expect to pay over $6 USD)

LESS EXPENSIVE IN MEXICO:

Produce
Most restaurants
Medical services (doctor, dentist, etc)
Taxis/public transportation
Haircuts (at MOST places)
Utilities (gas, water, electricity)
Maid service
Drivers (you can hire someone to drive you around so you don't have to deal with traffic)

COMPARABLE:

Rents in big cities (ie, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey)

Resources for Foreigners Moving to Mexico

Moving in general can be overwhelming, but when you are moving to another country, the stress level goes through the roof.  Which neighborhood should you live in?  If you have kids, where should you put them in school?  Are there any churches nearby with services in your native language?  Which hospital should you go to if anything bad should happen?  The questions are endless.  If you don't have time to explore your new city on a visit, your best bet are online resources.  Below I have compiled a list of the best resources for living in Mexico (in no particular order):



Solutions Abroad

Solutions Abroad is one of the most comprehensive resources for foreigners living in Mexico.  On the website, you can find everything from cost of living information to recommendations for cross-cultural coaching programs.

Escape Artist

Escape Artist has a compilation of articles and resources for those thinking about moving to Mexico (and other countries).  One of the great things about Escape Artist is that the articles are actually written by people who live and work in Mexico.  The articles cover even the most remote beach cities, and not just the big metro areas like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Expat Women

If you are a woman, single or married, planning a move to Mexico then ExpatWomen.com is a must.  Not only does the site provide valuable information on relocation, it also provides tips on how to deal with homesickness and culture shock.  In addition, you can read success stories of other women who have been successful in creating a business abroad.


These are just a few of the many sites that provide valuable resources for foreigners moving to Mexico.  If you are being moved by a company, then you will probably have a relocation company take care of all of the details for you and won't have to worry about much.  I highly recommend doing as much research as possible before your move so that you are more well prepared for the changes that you will experience.