10 Must Knows Relocating to Mexico

Best Property Orientation in Mexico?

Properties with West facing windows become an oven in the afternoons for at least eight months of the year in Mexico, for that reason the house in the photo below has a massive shade cloth on its West Side.

Think like an architect and try to choose a property with a majority of the windows facing North or South.

Water Network Pressure in Mexico

The pressure of the local water network in most Mexican cities is fairly low so any home bigger than 1,300 sq ft / 120 m2 requires an individual pump or a communal one for a condominium to increase the line pressure.

When visiting a potential property go to every water outlet and open it to check the pressure is adequate.

Avoiding the Mosquitoes in Mexico

Rainwater accumulates more in the valleys and the mosquitoes love those puddles for breeding. Hillside properties fare better as the mosquitoes don’t like the wind.

Make sure your property is fitted with bug mesh without any holes on all the windows these are known as “mosquiteros” in Mexico.

Is Air Conditioning Necessary in Mexico?

Yes, definitely if you’re on the coast, in the North of the country in places like Monterrey or in the deep south like Chiapas. You can get away without needing AC in the central part of Mexico if the property has good orientation.

Bear in mind your electricity bill could be very high with AC as you’ll run into the upper charge band for electricity.

Homes Lacking decent Hot Water in Mexico

Get the owner or the realtor to show you that there is hot water at every shower head and all the faucets as a high percentage of homes in Mexico have an old or underrated hot water boiler.

Isn’t Mexico full of Snakes, Scorpions and Venomous Spiders?

Yes there are but they aren’t very common within the city but you may encounter them if your property is close to the city limits or in the countryside.

Choose a Home to Avoid possible Flooding in Mexico

Avoid living in the deepest part of any valley, seek a property on a hillside with its land on a slight incline towards the main street. The rains can be super heavy between the months of May to October.

Can You Drink Tap Water in Mexico?

Avoid drinking tap water when in Mexico but it is okay to brush your teeth or wash food, if your health is compromised in any way I would use purified water for everything.

Is Heating Required in Mexico?

Heating isn’t required unless you live in the far North of Mexico or above 6,500 ft / 2,000 m, homes further South can get slightly chilly in December or January even if it is sunny outside this is due to virtually all Mexican homes having zero insulation and only single glazed windows.

How to Avoid a Damp Home in Mexico

Choose a property to rent or buy during the rainy season, I have lost count of foreigners complaining about their Mexican home leaking or getting damp during the rains.

You won’t be aware of this outside of the rainy season which generally starts in May and finishes in October, the good news is that the rains rarely start before 5 PM.