Life in Mexico: Moving from Canada to Mexico as a Digital Nomad
Mexico is known for a lot of things, both good and bad. Tacos, wrestling, mariachi bands, hot weather, beaches, kidnappings, drugs, etc. Whenever I tell people I live in Mexico, I feel like one or more of these images pop into their mind (usually beginning with the bad). Truthfully, life in Mexico for this digital nomad has been pretty peaceful. I’ve had my ups and downs and moving from Canada to Mexico was not the smoothest transition, but I am grateful to call this beautiful country my home.
>> Watch this Instagram Reel for a glimpse of My Life in Mexico! <<
Enjoying digital nomad life posing in front of a cathedral on a road-trip to Campeche City, Mexico
Why did I move to Mexico?
“So why did you move to Mexico?” is usually the first question people ask. Most expect me to reply with the typical: it’s cheap, the food, and/or the climate. It’s true that I love Mexican cuisine and, in Puerto Escondido (where I first lived), the climate is perfect for this heat-loving nomad. As well, the lower cost of living was obviously appealing at the time. That is until COVID-19 hit, and prices skyrocketed because of digital nomads and increasing gentrification. Regardless, my decision to move to Mexico was more complex than what most people assume. Truthfully, my overall view of Mexico was fairly optimistic because the information I had received throughout my childhood from family members and friends was mostly positive.
Admiring a beautiful and pristine beach in Huatulco, Oaxaca after moving from Canada to Mexico
Why I decided on moving to Mexico instead of a ‘safer’ country
It is no secret that Mexico has a daunting reputation for violence (especially against women), drugs, kidnappings, and dangerous insects/animals, among other things. When growing up in Canada I was constantly exposed to the less-than-favorable news coverage and popular opinion regarding Mexico. However, I also lived vicariously through family and family friends who travelled to and/or lived in Mexico. I remember my uncle’s tales of him driving with friends through Mexico in a camper van, starring in western movies along the way. My parents would go to Mexico nearly ever year, renting a car and driving through different states exploring. In other words, we weren’t exactly the media-fuelled, Mexico-fearing, resort-bound family that you often encounter in Canadian culture. So when it came time to move, I had more knowledge and less fear about Mexico than I did of most other countries.
>> Take a look at these top 8 safety tips to stay safe while traveling alone <<
Moving to another country, especially Mexico, requires a ‘je ne sais quoi’. But it also requires common sense and planning. If you’re thinking of making the move or traveling to Mexico, don’t make the #1 mistake I see all the time - leaving yourself unprotected in an emergency.
After living in Mexico since 2019, one thing I have learned is emergencies pop up unexpectedly - especially here! Despite what you hear about how “cheap” Mexico is, I can assure you that emergencies are not cheap and inflation is rising just as rapidly here as anywhere else.
Getting insurance doesn’t have to be painful. Find out your options today for tourist auto, resident auto, travel, health, boat liability, or homeowner/condo insurance and contact me for any questions or assistance.
Perks of being a digital nomad in Mexico can include a short, scenic walk to the beach (La Punta, Puerto Escondido 2019)
Why did I move from Canada to Mexico at all?
Now you might be wondering why I moved in the first place. What was wrong with Canada?
Here’s the thing… After graduating from university I broke off my engagement, sold my possessions, packed up a suitcase, and took my first solo trip to the island of Kauai (Hawaii). A bad accident in Kauai sent me straight back to Canada with broken bones, a broken heart, homeless, jobless, and a hopeless mess. During my long recovery and battle with depression, I lived with my parents. Eventually I found an amazing apartment which I was later evicted from, sending me straight back to the blowup mattress on my parent’s living room floor. Toronto was facing a housing crisis at the time, and finding any sort of accommodation was impossible.
Enjoying a beautiful sunny afternoon the day before my accident on the island of Kauai, Hawaii
In my mind, there were only two options: (1) move further away to a smaller city or (2) relocate to a different country so I could make the most of a bad situation, and at least explore the world a little in this time of uncertainty. Since I had already uprooted my whole life and had a taste of paradise when traveling to Hawaii alone on a recent solo surf trip, I wasn’t really interested in Option 1. Plus I had always dreamed of becoming a good surfer, and I felt this was my opportunity to move somewhere I could improve my surfing. So one night when my family was sleeping I booked a one-way ticket to Puerto Escondido, Mexico and told them the exciting news the next morning.
Going to the local market is my favorite part of daily life in Mexico
Digital nomad life in Mexico
When the time came to move I luckily already had a successful and lucrative online teaching career, so it didn’t really matter if I stayed in Canada or not in terms of supporting myself financially. I had been teaching using two separate English-learning platforms for quite some time and was enjoying earning cash from the comfort of home. The best part about this type of work is you only need a computer, stable internet connection, and headset to teach from anywhere in the world. The “stable internet part” would become the real challenge in Mexico, but I had plenty of backup solutions to keep me earning money teaching while traveling. Since then, I’ve signed on with other teaching companies and still teach from time to time when I need extra cash.
Me on my apartment balcony in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca Mexico with the first surfboard I ever purchased
So that pretty much sums up how and why I ended up moving from Canada to Mexico as a digital nomad. But like I said, the transition to life in Mexico was far from smooth (i.e., language barriers, dengue fever, zika virus, and yet another broken heart). Be sure to check back for new posts to learn more about my life and crazy adventures in Mexico. I will be posting new content every week on Tuesdays (and more frequently when possible)!
Have you always dreamed of traveling and working as a digital nomad?
Pin this to your digital nomad inspiration board and refer back to it whenever you need motivation. Remember, dreams really can become your reality. You need to believe in yourself and stop letting other people talk you out of following your dreams!
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
