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Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico | Expat Exchange
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Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Feb 10, 2024

Summary: The pros of living in Mexico include the warm climate, the vibrant culture, the delicious cuisine, and the friendly people. Additionally, the cost of living is generally lower than in other countries, making it an attractive option for those looking to stretch their budget. On the other hand, the cons of living in Mexico include the high crime rate in some areas, the lack of reliable public transportation, and the language barrier for those who don't speak Spanish. Additionally, the healthcare system is not as advanced as in other countries, and the infrastructure is often lacking.

Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico

What are the pros and cons of living in Mexico?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Mexico responded:

"San Carlos, Sonora. It is still in the 'free zone' and 3 hours from US at Nogales. Tucson is then close for a larger town. Many gringos leave in the summer but this is a vacation destination for the mid to upper class Mexicans. Weekends and summer is busy here with those on holiday. There are many gift shop who maybe you could sell to until and if you got a status to have a business location. Costco 1 hour away in Hermosillo. Hot and humid in summer like all locations on the water. It is said 70% snowbird north in the summer. I have no problems with the heat. Finding a place that has it all does not exist or everyone would only live there. Prioritize is the key," explained one expat living in San Carlos.

"The high humidity produces the famed "city of flowers" of which the state capital Xalapa, 4 miles away, boasts but also leads to a runny nose. I have found work-arounds and would not trade the beauty of the natural world for anything. It's hard to see children begging. Street repair is ignored. Traffic is heavy at high-use times. Adjusting has been remarkably easy," said one in Coatepec.

"I've never experienced any racism by Mexicans towards white people. But I've seen PLENTY of racist white people treating Mexicans poorly. Maybe try treating them with a little respect and courtesy. In my experience, Mexican people are warm and kind and good. If you go to Mexico and get mad at the locals for not speaking English, you should GO HOME," explained one expat in Merida.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Mexico, as well as the warm climate and friendly people. They also enjoy the vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and the wide variety of activities available. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy to be challenging. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation and infrastructure can be a source of frustration," explained one member in Mexico.

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Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico
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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What do expats in Mexico appreciate most about the local culture?

"The history is amazing, and you have the pyramids on one side, the beautiful beaches on another, the perfect climate, the warm and affectionate people, and the food tastes great," remarked one in Mexico City.

"I appreciate the "family unit" the most. It mirrors the way things must have been with early migration to the U.S. during and after WWII. I love the ingenuity of the Mexican people. I enjoy seeing their appreciation when you show enthusiam for a job well done. I love that the women cook everything from scratch....little if any pre-cooked foods. Most of all, I truly enjoy the simplicity of life. I find I have a smile on my face most of the time. No Drama (except for the novelas)! Life is good," explained one expat.

"They are family oriented, like inviting you places to do fun activities and they like to celebrate dates with a lot of joy. Also the laid back lifestyle compared to big cities in the states. I also love to see the traditions being kept up and honored. And I like seeing my son speak Spanish beautifully. I like everything. The architecture, the art, the music, the dancing and the literature and the people telling me their life stories," said one person in Merida.

"The people. We also loved alambres carbon, the markets, the aguas and tortillas. Music was wonderful," remarked one expat in Guadalajara.

"Most people that we have met have been very friendly. Some going out of their way to help us, Merida is a very historical city and very rich in Mayan and Mexican culture. We have not had any time yet to check out all the history and culture, but are really looking forward to finding all about it," explained one expat living in Merida.

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Welcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What do expats find most challenging?

"A delightful challenge is to let go of the "pressue cooker" lifestyle which I lived while climbing the ladder of success. The language, until I learn more, is still slightly a challenge. And, since I really enjoy knowing what's going on in the country in which I live, I really find it challenging that I don't understand the politics of the county. Lastly, I find it very difficult to find other expats to socialize with. Where are you all hiding?," said a person living in Tequisquiapan.

"The frequency of the crime is never easy to adjust to. It's much better now, but when I moved to Mexico for the first time, smog was a big problem. There seems to be a lack of organization in the way the country functions. But if you look at it with a sense of humor, it's almost charming. No one likes corruption, and it's a problem here," explained one expat living in Mexico City.

"Being kidnapped multiple times by the police, having a friend killed by the same police. Unable to find any police agency willing to help in 5 years. Finally did discover some honest people but it was almost impossible and dangerous to process," said one in Coastal Oaxaca.

"I hate the slowness of the bureaucracy. I don't like the bank fees and exhorbitant fees associated with Mexican banks and US foreign banks in Mexico. I don't like the need to negotiate with others not used to fixed prices because it means I got to figure out what the reasonable price for an item is and then negotiate down. I never liked shopping much so it is not fun to do that for me. But I love buying artistic things that bring me joy to look at it at home. I don't like men ignoring me and asking my husband the question or giving my husband the answer. It is impolite," explained one expat who made the move to Merida.

"For me, the most challenging part is the language barrier. Learning Spanish is not easy. Abd though it will take about 5 years to be fully fluent I've embraced the challenge," commented one expat living in Comitan, CHIAPAS.

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About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico helps you find the perfect home in Mexico.
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Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico helps you find the perfect home in Mexico.
Learn More

Welcome Home Mexico
Welcome Home Mexico

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