Cost of Living in Queretaro
| | | |

Cost of Living in Queretaro

***Updated January 2025*** One of the most frequent questions I get as an expat living in Mexico is: “What’s the cost of living?” Well, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.   Mexico is a large country with a variety of living conditions depending on where you choose to live. That said, the cost of living in…

Getting our Permanent Visa to Live in Mexico
| | |

How to Get Your Temporary or Permanent Residency Visa for Mexico

**This post has been updated with 2025 financial requirements for residency from the Mexican government on getting both temporary and permanent visas.**   Mexico has one of the easiest residency requirements which makes it attractive to retirees and remote workers.  Securing legal residency allows individuals to stay in Mexico indefinitely and access healthcare and bank…

How Long Can I Store an Open Bottle of Wine?
| | | |

How Long Can I Store an Open Bottle of Wine?

Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner or cozying up on the couch for movie night, the situation always calls for wine. That perfect pop of the cork, the shiny liquid flowing into a glass, and the moment it’s savored in your mouth can make any occasion just that much more special. But as the night wears on…

How to Renew Your Passport While Living in Mexico
| |

How to Renew Your Passport While Living in Mexico

  As an American living in Mexico, I’m more aware of my passport’s expiration date than my Driver’s License expiration date. I needed my passport to apply for residency (both temporary and permanent), open a bank account, do any type of banking, rent and buy a house, and, more than once, buy furniture (I have…

What’s the Best Internet in Mexico And What to Avoid
| |

What’s the Best Internet in Mexico And What to Avoid

When people ask, “What’s the best internet in Mexico?” I know they have no idea what to expect. We were the same way. Americans (and many other nationalities) are used to having choices when it comes to their internet service. And in some cities and neighborhoods in Mexico, you might have a few internet services…

The Best Books on Expat Life and Travel Abroad
| | | |

The Best Books on Expat Life and Travel Abroad

We don’t regret moving to a new country, but living abroad isn’t all rainbows and butterflies every day. In the beginning, we struggled with the language, setting up internet and cable, getting lost countless times with Google Maps, and experiencing a car accident three days after buying a car. Most of the stories you hear…

So You Want to be an Expat? How to Choose the Perfect Country for Your Lifestyle
| |

So You Want to be an Expat? How to Choose the Perfect Country for Your Lifestyle

Have you ever dreamed of living in a villa overlooking the Mediterranean? Or an off-the-grid ecolodge in the jungles of Costa Rica?  Strolling through the vineyards of Tuscany? Or maybe a high-rise apartment in Bangkok with the best Asian food just steps away…The perfect country is out there for you, but which one? It’s surprising…

Christmas in San Miguel de Allende
| | | | |

Christmas in San Miguel de Allende

Christmas in Mexico is a festive and joyous occasion. Celebrations typically combine religious traditions with family gatherings, cultural customs, and a lot of noise. Though department stores start selling Christmas decorations as early as September, most towns will not start decorating in earnest until the second week of December. With mild temperatures, colorful architecture, and…

Best Times for Shopping Discounts in Mexico
| | |

Best Times for Shopping Discounts in Mexico

Our moms teach us from an early age never to pay full price for anything. This life lesson extends from prom dresses to Black Friday deals. It’s also true if you live abroad. Mexico is known for its low cost of living and inexpensive food prices, but at certain times of the year, price tags…