The Most Common Questions People Ask When Considering a Move to Los Cabos

Most people don’t arrive in Los Cabos planning to rethink their future. They come for a visit, enjoy the architecture, the food, the landscape, and the quality of the residential communities—and somewhere along the way, the conversation changes. What starts as “we love it here” turns into “could this actually work long-term?”

Los Cabos stands out because it isn’t built only for tourism. It has established neighbourhoods, full-service medical care, international schools, and infrastructure that supports people who live here year-round. Add a strong design culture, a serious dining scene, and access to everything from golf to ocean activities, and it becomes easy to understand why so many visitors begin considering ownership or relocation.

This is where many of our clients find themselves: no longer just planning their next trip, but asking practical questions about property, lifestyle, and long-term plans. 

Below are the questions we hear most often from people who are actively exploring what it would look like to make Los Cabos part of their future.

Which area is better: San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas?

This is usually the first real decision people face. Both are part of Los Cabos, but they serve slightly different lifestyles.

San José del Cabo has a historic centre, a well-established arts community, and plenty of residential neighbourhoods designed for full-time living. Many buyers choose San José because it offers a more structured environment while still being close to golf, marina access, farm-to-table restaurants, and master-planned communities.

Cabo San Lucas is a better fit for those who prefer being closer to dining, high-end shopping, the marina, and a more active commercial core. The concentration of restaurants, services, and social venues makes it appealing to people who enjoy having more going on nearby, while still having access to gated residential areas that offer plenty of privacy.

Between the two, the Golden Corridor has become one of the most sought-after options for buyers who want space, ocean views, and a quieter setting without giving up convenience. It offers easy access to both towns and is home to many of the region’s most established communities.

For those who want more distance from urban centres, areas like Todos Santos, El Pescadero, and the East Cape offer a different pace of living. These locations appeal to buyers who prioritize space, lower density, and a stronger focus on surroundings rather than proximity to shops and restaurants.

One of the advantages of Los Cabos is that all of these options exist within the same region. The right choice depends less on what is “best” and more on how you want your daily life structured.

Is Los Cabos practical for full-time living?

A good way to answer this is to look at who already lives here. Los Cabos is home to residents from Canada, the United States, Europe, and across Latin America who have chosen to relocate permanently, not seasonally.

You’ll find families, business owners, retirees, and remote professionals who could have settled in many different places but decided that Los Cabos made sense for the long term. That international mix has shaped the region into something more than a resort market.

Schools, healthcare, professional services, and residential developments are built around a population that lives here year-round. This is one of the reasons the area functions as a complete community rather than a purely seasonal destination.

What is healthcare like in Los Cabos?

Healthcare is one of the most important considerations for anyone thinking about a long-term move, and it is an area where Los Cabos has seen substantial development.

The region is home to modern private hospitals such as H+ Hospital and Saint Luke’s, offering emergency services, advanced imaging, and a wide range of medical specialties. Many physicians are bilingual and have trained in Canada, the United States, or Europe, which gives international residents confidence in the level of care available locally.

Beyond traditional hospitals, Los Cabos has also become known for advanced and preventive medicine. Centres such as Longevity Medical Institute, Stemaid Institute, and The Cabo Stem Cell Center attract patients from abroad who are seeking specialized and regenerative treatments.

Significant investment continues in medical infrastructure. Developments like COLEL at Palmilla and the upcoming CHRISTUS Muguerza Los Cabos Hospital represent a major expansion of healthcare services in the region. CHRISTUS Muguerza is one of Mexico’s most established hospital systems, and its arrival in Los Cabos reflects growing demand for high-level medical care from both residents and international patients.

For routine care, many residents pay out of pocket because pricing is transparent and access is straightforward. For more complex procedures, international health insurance that covers private hospitals in Mexico is commonly used. Some residents also choose to enrol in IMSS, Mexico’s public healthcare system, as an additional layer of long-term coverage.

Overall, healthcare in Los Cabos is modern, professional, and one of the key reasons people feel comfortable establishing long-term roots here.

Is it safe to live in Los Cabos?

Safety is often a concern before people arrive and far less of a concern once they have spent time living here.

Los Cabos is widely regarded as one of the safer regions in Mexico, particularly within established neighbourhoods and master-planned communities. Areas such as Palmilla, Querencia, Pedregal, Cabo del Sol, Club Campestre, and many other Los Cabos neighbourhoods are designed with long-term residents in mind and include structured security and controlled access.

Many clients tell us they feel more comfortable here than they did in larger cities back home. Communities are more contained, daily routines are predictable, and the overall environment is less congested than in many major urban centres.

As anywhere, basic awareness is part of daily life, but overall Los Cabos offers a level of security that supports both full-time living and long-term investment.

How does the cost of living compare to Canada or the United States?

The cost of living in Los Cabos depends largely on personal choices, but for many people, the overall value of what they receive for their spending increases.

Everyday services such as housekeeping, gardening, pool maintenance, and personal services typically cost much less than in Canada or the United States. Dining out is also more accessible, whether at casual local restaurants or higher-end venues.

Groceries are a mix. Local produce, seafood, and staples are very affordable, while imported products and specialty brands can be more expensive. Most residents adjust their shopping habits over time and find that buying locally improves both quality and cost.

Housing spans a wide range, from well-priced condos and homes in established areas to luxury residences in gated communities that compete with top international markets. Property taxes remain significantly lower than in most of North America.

Utilities are generally reasonable, although electricity costs can rise during summer months due to air conditioning use. Water, internet, and basic services are typically affordable and reliable.

For many residents, overall monthly expenses end up similar to or lower than what they paid before, but the quality and range of services and lifestyle options are noticeably better.

Do I need to learn Spanish?

You do not need to be fluent in Spanish to live comfortably in Los Cabos, especially in the main residential and commercial areas.

English is widely spoken throughout the region, particularly in Cabo San Lucas near the marina and Puerto Paraíso, along the Tourist Corridor, and in central and hotel zones of San José del Cabo. Many of the areas where international residents live and work are accustomed to operating in both languages.

Real estate offices, hospitals, private clinics, banks, restaurants, and property management companies regularly work in English and Spanish. Many professionals are bilingual, which makes day-to-day logistics straightforward.

That said, learning some Spanish adds real value. It makes everyday interactions easier, helps with local services, and supports stronger connections within the community. Most people learn gradually, and even a basic level of Spanish is appreciated and useful.

What is the climate like?

Los Cabos has a desert and coastal climate, which is one of the reasons people can live here comfortably year-round.

Winter is warm and dry, with daytime temperatures that are comfortable for outdoor activities. This is often when people first visit and begin to understand how practical year-round outdoor living can be.

Spring remains mild and breezy, making it a popular time for beach days, outdoor dining, and sports. Summer is warmer and more humid, but it follows a predictable pattern. Many residents adjust their schedules, spending time outdoors in the mornings and evenings and using air conditioning or the ocean to stay comfortable during the warmest part of the day.

Late summer brings the rainy season, which usually comes in short, heavy bursts rather than prolonged periods of rain. One noticeable change during this time is how much greener the landscape becomes, particularly in surrounding desert areas.

Hurricane season is something people often ask about, and it is best understood in practical terms. Direct impacts on Los Cabos are infrequent, and the region is well prepared through building standards, monitoring systems, and infrastructure planning. Most years pass with little to no disruption, and long-term residents generally view it as a manageable part of living in a coastal region.

Overall, the climate offers consistency, variety, and the ability to spend time outdoors throughout the year.

What do people do for work in Los Cabos?

Los Cabos attracts people from around the world in part because it offers strong professional and business opportunities tied to an international market.

Hospitality is one of the largest sectors. Luxury resorts, private villas, property management companies, yacht services, concierge firms, and high-end restaurants rely heavily on English-speaking and bilingual professionals. These roles often pay more than comparable positions in other parts of Mexico due to the level of service expected by an international clientele.

Entrepreneurship is also common. Many residents build businesses in real estate, wellness, tourism, design, marketing, event planning, and hospitality services. Because the region serves a high-end and international audience, well-run businesses can perform very well.

Wellness continues to grow as a sector, with strong demand for yoga and Pilates instructors, personal trainers, and holistic health practitioners, particularly among an international resident base that invests in health and longevity.

Remote work is another major part of the local economy. Many residents continue earning Canadian or U.S. incomes while living in Los Cabos, combining location flexibility with access to modern services and infrastructure.

This mix of local opportunity and international income potential is one of the reasons Los Cabos attracts people who want more control over both their work and their lifestyle.

How does buying property work for non-Mexican citizens?

Non-Mexican citizens can legally and securely purchase property in Los Cabos, and thousands already do. Ownership is typically structured through a fideicomiso (bank trust) or, in some cases, through a Mexican corporation, depending on how the property will be used. These two systems have been in place for decades and are well regulated.

Every transaction follows a defined legal process that includes a licensed real estate professional, a Mexican notary public, a full title review, required government permits, and secure handling of funds. The notary plays a central role as a federally appointed authority who verifies ownership, checks for liens, confirms documentation, and ensures the transaction meets all legal requirements before closing.

When handled correctly, buying property in Los Cabos is a structured and secure process. This is why international buyers continue to purchase here for personal use, rental income, and long-term investment.

Turning Interest Into a Real Plan

Most people do not arrive in Los Cabos with the intention of buying or moving right away. They visit, they gather information, and over time the idea becomes more concrete.

At Goldsmith Group Los Cabos, our role is to help turn that early interest into clear, informed decisions. Whether you are considering a full-time move, a second home, or an investment property, we focus on providing local knowledge, transparency, and a practical understanding of the market.

If Los Cabos is on your radar, the next step is a conversation. We can talk through your goals, your timeline, and what matters most to you, and help you determine the right path forward with confidence.