Making Mexico City my Second Home

Unlike most of my blogs that follow a narrative format, this one is meant to be a practical guide to show that there ARE options for Americans who want to pursue residency close to home.

When I turned 30, I made a promise to myself: this decade would be about doing the things I had always “what if’ed” about. This was the year I would chase my dreams, curiosities, and passions like never before.

I started by expanding from filmmaking to storytelling. This year, I not only launched a blog but also began working on my first five-part photo series and directing a seven-episode fiction podcast. But I didn’t want the leap to stop at creative work. I wanted to take a bold step I’d been considering for years….establishing a life in another country.

So, I did. I secured my residency in Mexico and set up a base in Mexico City. This blog post is about the steps I took, why I chose Mexico as a second home to Chicago. 

Why I Wanted to Pursue Residency Abroad

There are countless reasons I chose to pursue residency abroad, but it boils down to four key motivations:

• Pushing Myself Beyond My Comfort Zone:
  I’ve lived in my hometown my entire life, and as a Virgo and an introvert, I thrive on routine, predictability, and familiarity. But I was the first person in my family to get a passport and travel abroad. My first trip out of the country was to Toronto when I was 27, followed by Montreal, Mexico City, and a month-long stay in London in 2024. The second time I visited mexico city I started to think, what if this wasn’t just a vacation? What if mexico could be an actual base for me? 

• Creative Inspiration:
  As a storyteller, traveling sparks my creativity like nothing else. Meeting new people, exploring unfamiliar places, and immersing myself in different cultures always fuels my next script. I wanted to be in a place that offered that level of creative energy long term.

• Becoming Bilingual:
  Learning a new language has always been a dream of mine. I spent most of my twenties envying bilingual people and knew I wanted to stop putting off this goal. A few months after turning 30, I started taking private Spanish lessons twice a week and have kept up consistently. Living in a Spanish-speaking environment is helping me achieve fluency faster through immersion.

• Future-Proofing My Life:
  As I entered my 30s, I began thinking more about my future self. I want to make decisions now that I’ll thank myself for at 40, 50, and beyond. One of those decisions is having options on where to retire, and for me, that vision has always been outside of the U.S. Once you’re a permanent resident of Mexico, you can live and retire anywhere in the country for the rest of your life.

Why I Chose Mexico City  as my second home

Narrowing down why I chose Mexico City as my second home is tough because there are so many reasons, but here are the top five:

• Residency Process:
  Mexico offers one of the most flexible residency processes. It doesn’t require a minimum number of days spent in the country to maintain it, which was essential since I work for US companies and my career is US based. I needed something flexible enough for me to have a residency that wasn’t restricted to me being in the country full time. The application was straightforward, and I felt confident navigating it.

• Culture and Community:
  I fell in love with Mexico’s warm and welcoming culture on my first visit. The people are incredibly kind, and every trip made me feel more like a local. It was essential to choose a place where I felt embraced.

• Language and Learning:
  Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and being in Mexico City helps me practice and immerse myself daily. Plus, the cognitive benefits of learning a new language are undeniable.There’s even studies that show learning a new language can offset dementia. 

• Proximity to Chicago:
  Despite my love for travel, Chicago will always be home. Mexico City’s location is ideal because it’s just a 3.5-hour flight away and only one hour behind in time. I get the best of both worlds- living abroad without feeling disconnected from home.

• Healthcare and Well-Being:
  Living with celiac disease and endometriosis means prioritizing my health. I noticed a significant difference in my well-being when I visited Mexico for the first time: less inflammation, fewer allergic reactions, and overall better health. The food quality is excellent, and the healthcare is both accessible and affordable.

The Residency Process

Disclaimer: Please note that I’m not a lawyer, and you should consult a legal professional before pursuing residency.

The process of obtaining residency in Mexico is essentially a two-step journey:

PART ONE - Consulate Appointment in the U.S.:
Start by scheduling an appointment at the Mexican consulate in your state (you can call or use WhatsApp). Bring the following documents: a valid passport, a passport photo, $54 in cash, proof of income via your last six pay stubs, and sometimes an offer letter from your job. At the appointment, you’ll be asked questions like why you want residency and whether you’ve been to Mexico before. If all goes well, you’ll receive your visa within 10 days. Sometimes sooner, depending on the consulate where you make the appointment. 

PART TWO - Residency Card in Mexico City:
Once you have your visa, you must travel to Mexico City within six months to apply for your residency card at the immigration office. Upon arrival at the airport, your visa will be stamped, granting you 30 days to make an appointment at the immigration office. Once you’ve crossed through airport customs/immigration, you can officially schedule the residency appointment online with the immigration office. You fill out the necessary forms via their online portal, and print them along with your confirmation. On the day of your appointment, bring all forms, your passport, and the fee (about $300). If approved, you’ll receive your temporary residency card the same day, valid for one year with an option to renew for three more years. After four years, you can apply for permanent residency.

It’s important to note that once you have your residency card, you are free to come and go from the country as you please. However, you do need to come back to the country within 30 days of your residency card expiring so that you can renew it before the expiration date. 

The Steps I Took to make Mexico city feel like a second home

 RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!
Take everything I say with a grain of salt, except for this part…you HAVE to do your research. I can't stress enough how valuable it is to consult an immigration lawyer. Book the consultation (most are free). Each person’s situation is unique, and your eligibility for residency depends on various factors. My journey to residency wasn’t overnight; it took me eight months of planning and preparation.

 LEARN THE LANGUAGE!
It’s crucial to at least learn the basics of the native language wherever you plan to live. I started taking Spanish lessons eight months before arriving in Mexico for my residency. All the residency forms are in Spanish, and without basic language skills, I would have struggled to navigate at least 70% of the process. Plus, it’s important to break away from the mindset that English will be universally understood. Those months of Spanish lessons (through Preply.com) made daily interactions like ordering food, talking to security, and chatting with locals so much easier.

 JOIN LANGUAGE EXCHANGES AND WHATSAPP GROUPS
This is a game-changer. Once I committed to pursuing residency in Mexico, I joined a few WhatsApp and Facebook groups for travelers and expats. These communities helped me build a social circle abroad, making Mexico truly feel like a second home. The WhatsApp groups I’m in have gotten together to go to language exchanges, co-work at coffee shops, go see movies, and brunch!

CONCLUSION

Making Mexico City my second home at 30 was a huge step, both personally and creatively. Establishing a life outside of my hometown has pushed me to embrace change, stay curious, and continue growing as a person and a storyteller. While I still have professional ties to the U.S., having residency abroad in Mexico allows me to explore new perspectives and creative possibilities. I’m grateful to spend a few months of spring and summer here before heading back to Chicago. I’m also grateful that anytime I come to Mexico City, for a quick trip, or an extended stay, I no longer have to navigate lengthy wait times in customs. Anytime I land with my residency card, getting through the airport takes me a matter of minutes. And for the record, if someone tells you that you can’t have it all, don’t listen to them. 😂