If you’ve been sliding into my DMs asking how we actually made the move to Mexico happen, this one’s for you. Since sharing our vida in México, I’ve been flooded with messages from mamás who are dreaming about the same thing – more family time, a lower cost of living, a slower pace, and a deeper connection to their roots. And I get it. I was you not that long ago.
Here’s what I want you to know: this is possible. But it requires more than a Pinterest board and a dream. It took our family five months from decision to touchdown, and that felt fast! Some families take two years. What makes the difference? Doing these three things before you start packing boxes.
1. Check Your Legal Status Before You Spiral
I know, the paperwork sounds overwhelming. But this is the first step because without it, nothing else matters. If you can’t legally live in the country you’re moving to, you can’t build a life there.
For many of us with Mexican roots, dual citizenship might already be within reach through our parents or lineage, and it is an absolute game-changer. If your parents were born in Mexico and you haven’t claimed your birthright citizenship yet, that is your starting point. For others, temporary or permanent residency is the path. Either way, figure this out first.
Yes, it’s a lot of paperwork. Yes, it takes commitment. But once you get through it, you will feel the weight lift because suddenly, the move becomes real. It’s no longer “maybe one day.” It’s “we’re actually doing this.” I talk about this entire process in my How to Get Dual Citizenship digital products.
2. Run the Numbers — Don’t Romanticize the Move
This is the step where a lot of people get stuck, and I think it’s because the conversation about money feels scary. But hear me out: the numbers can actually inspire you, not just scare you. Because when you compare what you’re spending in the US right now to what life can look like in Mexico, you might realize that your current income goes a lot further than you think.
For us, it’s been three income streams that make it work: my husband Alex’s fully remote job, my freelance and contract work, and the rental income from the multifamily investment property we bought in Chicago three years ago. That last one? It covers our rent here. That kind of intentional financial setup doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with understanding your numbers.
Write down every monthly expense you have right now – rent, car, insurance, childcare, debt, groceries, all of it. Then research what those same expenses would look like in the city you’re considering moving to. This cost-of-living comparison tool will help you do exactly that. This isn’t about escaping your current life. It’s about building a new one on solid ground.
3. Get Clear on Your ‘Why’
This is the one people skip and it’s the one that matters most long-term. Moving countries magnifies who you are. If you don’t have clarity on why you’re making this move, relocation will feel chaotic. You’ll still feel lost even when you’re finally there.
Is it to raise bilingual, bicultural kids? To slow down and stop hustling on someone else’s timeline? To reconnect with family and your roots? To gain financial freedom? To be present for your kids’ early years? For me, it was all of the above, but especially that last one. I didn’t want to be stuck in a one-bedroom apartment missing out on my kids’ first years because I was drowning in the US grind.
So I want you to sit down and finish this sentence: I want to move to Mexico (or wherever you’re dreaming of) because ___. Write it down. Talk it through. And if you need community while you’re figuring it out, my free Discord group is open to anyone reclaiming their roots, whether you’re planning the move or already living it.
You Have More Options Than You Think
I never imagined I’d be the person telling you this. A move back to Mexico was never in my plan. But sometimes life nudges you, and for us, after over a year of trying to figure out our lives in the US, Mexico ended up being the best decision we ever made. We originally said one year. Now we’re thinking through the kids’ primary school years. Life here just fits.
Legal clarity. Financial clarity. Emotional clarity. Get those three things in order, mami, and the rest will follow. And if you want personalized support mapping out your own roadmap, I’m offering 1-on-1 Move to Mexico consultations because I want to make this real for you!
Show Notes
In thIn this solo episode, I’m breaking down the three action steps I wish I had before we made the move to Mexico – the same ones that helped our family go from dreaming about life in Mexico to actually living it. Whether you’re thinking about moving abroad for a year or permanently, this episode is your reality check and your permission slip all in one.
What You’ll Hear:
- Why immigration paperwork is the very first thing you need to tackle before anything else
- How to honestly compare your current cost of living to your potential expenses abroad
- Why moving countries magnifies who you are, and what happens when you don’t have emotional clarity before you go
- Resources to Help You Get Started
Resources Mentioned:
- How to Get Dual Citizenship digital products
- Moving to Mexico Discord Community
- 1-on-1 Move to Mexico Consultation
- Living in Mexico Series with my husband
- Cost of Living Comparison Website
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.
