When I tell people we moved our family to Mexico, the first question is always: “But… how do you make money?”
I get it. It’s the biggest question holding so many people back from making a move abroad. The fear of financial instability. The uncertainty of leaving a stable paycheck. The worry that you won’t be able to maintain your lifestyle.
But here’s what I’ve learned after making this move: there are so many more ways to earn income than the traditional 9-to-5 we’ve been conditioned to believe is our only option.
The Traditional Route: Remote Work from the US
Let me start with my husband Alex’s situation because it’s probably the most common scenario people ask about. He works a traditional remote job for a US-based company, earning US dollars while living in Mexico.
But here’s the thing – it wasn’t as simple as just packing up and leaving.
Before we moved, I encouraged Alex to have a conversation with his boss. We needed to know if working from Mexico was even a possibility. What happened next surprised us both.
On a Teams call, Alex started to bring up the topic of potentially working from abroad. His boss cut him off, called him privately, and said: “Do what you gotta do. I don’t wanna know. Just do your work.”
That was our green light.
Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat this – Alex is still living that “American dream” of clocking in and clocking out. He’s working the same 9-to-5 grind, just in a different country. And yes, there’s always that underlying thought: what if IT decides to do a sweep and discovers where he’s actually located?
That’s where technology comes in. Alex took steps to protect himself – VPNs, travel routers, and being strategic about his digital footprint. Is it foolproof? No. But it’s worked for us for the past year.
The reality is, Alex has to return to the US office about once a quarter. It’s not terrible, and we’ve made it work by timing trips around family events. But it’s something to consider if you’re thinking about this route.
The Freelance and Contract Work Path
My situation is different. I’ve built my income through freelance and contract work that allows me complete flexibility.
I’m blessed to have a strong network of people who care about me and vice versa. Through those connections, I secured a freelance position with an HR firm where I help with marketing and project management. The hours aren’t consistent – they’re project-based – but it’s income, and it gives me the flexibility to handle school drop-offs, pickups, and everything else that happens during Alex’s work hours.
Right now, I’m also working a temporary contract job for a US institution that runs through March. What I love most is that I pick my own hours. As long as the work gets done, I can structure my day however I need to.
There are so many platforms for finding this type of work: FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, RemoteJobs.io, Indeed, Fiverr, Upwork. The opportunities are there if you’re willing to look for them.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Creating Your Own Business
Here’s something that blew my mind when we moved here: you can create virtually anything in Mexico without the gatekeeping we experience in the US.
A local woman told me something I’ll never forget: “It doesn’t matter what kind of business you want to create – it’s so doable here in Mexico.”
In Chicago, opening a business requires countless licenses, permits, and protocols. It takes forever and costs a fortune. Here? You can literally set up a taco stand on a street corner without needing a dozen permits. (Obviously, there are regulations for food and alcohol, but they’re nowhere near as constraining as in the US.)
Get this: a friend told me that plumbers here make more money than doctors. Her husband is an orthopedic surgeon, and she said there’s a plumber in their area who makes absolute bank.
But it gets better – the Mexican government actually provides assistance for starting businesses. If you submit a business plan and proposal, they can provide funding for everything from POS systems to furniture to supplies. In the US, you’re drowning in bank loan applications and proving income and employment history. Here, they actually want to help you succeed.
The Passive Income Game-Changer
I have to be transparent about something that’s made a huge difference for us: we own a three-unit building in Chicago.
This passive income from our rental property has been a game-changer. Whatever’s left over after the mortgage gets paid essentially covers our housing costs here in Mexico.
If moving abroad is your goal, think creatively about income streams. Can you rent out your current home instead of selling it? Can you invest in property that generates passive income? Can you create digital products that sell while you sleep?
Real estate, side hustles, consulting, tutoring, social media content creation – these are all viable options. The sky truly is the limit.
What Does It Actually Cost to Live Here?
Alex often asks me if earning US dollars really makes a difference in our quality of life here. The answer? Absolutely yes.
Yes, some things are expensive here – groceries at HEB and Walmart, gas in certain areas. But overall, the dollar goes much further.
Housing is significantly cheaper. You can find a beautiful two or three-bedroom place for 8,000 pesos, which is around $500-600 USD. That’s doable for many people.
But here’s the key question Alex always comes back to: What type of lifestyle do you want?
If your goal is to buy Ferraris and live in mansions, you’re going to need that US salary. But then you’re stuck living the American way – the constant grind – just in a different location.
If you want a more laid-back lifestyle with flexibility and freedom, finding work in Mexico might be your better option. Everything here feels more relaxed. The pace is different. The expectations are different.
For us, we chose to live in an area close to everything, which means higher costs. We’re now realizing we need to make adjustments – shopping at el mercado instead of American grocery stores, sacrificing some of the US products we’re used to buying.
It’s all about choices and trade-offs.
The Dual Citizenship Advantage
One thing that gives us peace of mind is that we’re both dual citizens. If Alex decides to quit his job tomorrow, León is a booming city in the automotive industry – that’s his background. He could find work here easily.
I could find an administrative or education position without much trouble. Being dual citizens means we’re not restricted or fearful about employment because we have options in both countries.
(By the way, if you’re interested in learning how to get dual citizenship in Mexico, I’m hosting a free 30-minute masterclass on Thursday, November 13th at 7 PM Central. I’ll show you how to navigate the process, even if it’s your parents or grandparents who are from Mexico.)
My Advice: Don’t Limit Yourself
I think our biggest obstacle as children of immigrants is that we’ve witnessed the limitations our families have experienced. That scarcity mindset gets passed down.
But what if we shifted to a mindset of abundance?
I’m not saying you need to make a certain amount of money to be successful. I’m saying there are ways to work around obstacles. There are loopholes. There are opportunities if you’re willing to think creatively and use your imagination.
Can you sell your belongings to fund your move? (We made a lot of money through Facebook Marketplace and garage sales.) Can you rent out your house instead of selling it? Can you freelance in your field while building something new?
Alex said something in our conversation that really stuck with me: “It’s always better to know what is instead of what could have been.”
Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing more. If you have the capacity, if you’re healthy, if you have decent savings – just do it.
We’re not experts. We’re figuring this out as we go. But that’s what being human is all about – we learn through experience. We evolve. We adapt.
And so far? It’s working for us.
The move is possible. The income is achievable. The life you’re dreaming of? It’s more accessible than you think.
Show Notes
This has been the #1 question flooding my DMs and emails: “How did you find work to move to Mexico?”
In this episode of the “Living in Mexico” series, I’m finally answering your biggest question! I sit down with my husband to share our real, unfiltered experience navigating employment while living abroad. From his remote job to my freelance work, passive income streams, and the realities of working internationally, we’re breaking down exactly how we make it work financially in Mexico.
If you’ve been dreaming of making the move but feel stuck because of your job situation, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Hear:
- How to maintain a remote job while living in Mexico, all while earning dolares
- How to create income stream strategies
- The importance of deciding what type of lifestyle you want
- Why starting a business in Mexico is easier than in the US
- Our biggest piece of advice for overcoming fear
Resources Mentioned:
- Remote job websites: FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, RemoteJobs.io, Indeed, Fiverr, Upwork
- Listen to our previous ‘Living in Mexico’ series episodes
- FREE Masterclass: How to Get Dual Citizenship in Mexico – Thursday, November 13th at 7:00 PM Central (REGISTER HERE)
About Jessica Cuevas
Jessica is the founder and creator of Viva la Mami, LLC a community centered around Latina motherhood. Jessica created this platform after not finding empowering stories about experiences of Latina moms. She realized that there was a lack of representation in this space and felt there was a need for mamis to share their stories and to learn more about the nuances about motherhood through a cultural lens.
Viva la Mami’s mission is to empower the modern Latina mom to redefine the meaning of madrehood through education, story-telling, and cultural relevance all while bringing comunidad together.
