If you're planning to stay in Mexico long-term, securing rentals through Airbnb likely isn't going to cut it. It's probably time to sign a lease!

You might be inclined to secure a rental online so you have somewhere to land when you arrive to start your new life.

I don't recommend this.

Unless you know your destination very well or have someone who can vet the place for you before you arrive, I think it's too risky to commit to anything in advance. Instead, I'd arrange an Airbnb for a couple of weeks (or even a month!) so you have somewhere to stay when you arrive. Then, focus on finding the perfect place to live once you've got your feet on the ground.

Here are some tips on how to find a long-term rental in Mexico.

Look for SE RENTA signs in neighborhoods you like

This is a very different approach to what you may be used to in the US or Canada, but many landlords in Mexico advertise their rentals through signs on the building. This is exactly how I found my rental in Playa del Carmen, and doing this is a great way to get to know your new city, so don't rule it out!

The signs can be a bit hit or miss because sometimes a landlord will put up a sign that isn't actually for the building you see it on. Or, in some cases, they'll have several different units for rental in different buildings/areas. It can also be challenging because there's no information included about the unit on the sign, so you have no way to gauge whether it's one or two bedrooms, etc. But it's still worth a try, and this is a pretty common way to advertise in less touristy cities or neighborhoods.

You will most likely need to speak Spanish to make this method work.

Facebook Marketplace ads

Facebook Marketplace is a really popular and convenient way to find rentals in your city of choice. I found my rental in Xalapa this way!

There are various filters you can use on Marketplace to exclude rentals that don't meet your specifications. I would caution you against using them, though, as I find this feature to be pretty buggy. My favorite way to peruse Marketplace is by zooming in on my ideal neighborhood on the map and looking through what's available.

Marketplace usually has a mix of listings posted by independent landlords and by leasing agents. It can be a convenient way to connect with leasing agents in your city if you are unsure how to find them.

Work with a local leasing agent

You may have to pay them a commission, but it's worth it to find the right place. I worked with a leasing agent in Playa to tour some places. I didn't end up renting any of them because they weren't quite what I was looking for. However, the process was really great because I learned about some different neighborhoods and got a feel for what was available within my budget.

If you don't speak Spanish, working with an English-speaking leasing agent can take a lot of confusion out of the rental process. However, don't assume that every leasing agent will speak English. In touristy cities and major expat hubs like Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, or Ajijic, you won't have trouble finding an English-speaking leasing agent.

In smaller cities and places with fewer foreigners, such as Xalapa, it's a little harder. Remember, it's not a given that anyone in Mexico will speak English, so have Google Translate handy and memorize some rental-related vocabulary to help you out during your house hunt (I've listed some handy terms a little further down in this article).
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Word of mouth

If you've spent any amount of time in Mexico, you've probably noticed that word-of-mouth is a popular way to find what you need. Don't be shy about asking around about available rentals. Speak to your Airbnb host, the person working at your local tiendita, and anyone else you meet while you're out and about. There's a pretty solid chance that someone knows or has heard of someone with a rental available. At a minimum, they'll probably be able to recommend some of the best neighborhoods to check out, or they'll have seen an ad somewhere that they can point you to.

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Websites with rental listings

There are some websites you can use to search for rentals, too. However, based on what Mexican friends have told me, it's largely higher-priced places that are advertised on these sites. Since landlords have to pay for listings, most don't want to do that for lower-cost rentals. Plus, with the popularity and convenience of Facebook Marketplace, individual landlords probably don't need to advertise much more broadly.

If you use these sites, just know they probably don't offer a full picture of the rental market, price-wise.

• ​Inmuebles24​
• ​Vivanuncios​

I also have a suspicion that these sites are more popular in larger cities. If you're looking to move to Guadalajara, Mexico City, or Queretaro, you'll probably find plenty of enticing listings. But, if you're looking somewhere smaller, like Coatepec or La Manzanilla, you'll likely find very limited listings. If that's the case, don't panic-- again, these sites don't offer a full picture of the rental market.

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Local Facebook Groups

Depending on the size of the city you're moving to, there may even be a dedicated group just for rentals in that city. Local landlords often use these groups to get the word out about their rentals. In the Facebook search bar, input "[City] + rentas" and you'll surely find some options.

Unless your destination is highly touristic, these groups will likely be primarily in Spanish. In touristy areas like the Riviera Maya or Puerto Vallarta, there are rentals groups in English and Spanish. I still recommend perusing the groups that aren't aimed at foreigners, though, as prices will inevitably be lower, and you'll see options in a wider variety of neighborhoods.

If you can't find a group dedicated to rentals, a general Facebook group related to your city will suffice.

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I hope you found this helpful! I'm working on a full blog post about this, which will include rental-related Spanish vocabulary words, what to look for when evaluating your rental options, and lots more tips based on my experiences renting in Mexico. I'll let you know when it is published!

I'll be back in your inbox soon with more Mexico travel tips.

Hasta pronto!

Janine

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