Pros and Cons of Living in Guadalajara

"The language is fun to learn, the food is great, a lot of people I've met are really special and I've made some friends, although it hasn't been easy. They are a close-knit culture with their families and don't accept gringas very willingly, but I'm okay. There are astoundingly beautiful places that I could never see the like in the States," explained one expat living in Guadalajara.

"Expats living in Guadalajara appreciate the vibrant culture, including the arts, music, and traditional cuisines. They find the city a culturally diverse and welcoming place. Many expats in Guadalajara also enjoy the mild climate, friendly people, and reasonable cost of living.The city's cultural calendar is filled with festivals, concerts and cultural events throughout the year. Additionally, Guadalajara boasts great public transportation, health care facilities, and educational options, all making it a great place to live as an expat," said one expat in Guadalajara.

"Expatriates in Guadalajara often find the local language, customs and dress to be challenging. Many locals speak Spanish and those who don't speak Spanish can have difficulty communicating and interacting with their new neighbors. Likewise, cultural norms such as the importance of family, the close-knit Catholic community and the extended siesta time can all be difficult to adjust to. Moreover, adjusting to the sweltering heat and lack of air-conditioning is another aspect of the local culture that can be particularly hard for some," replied an expat in Guadalajara.

"Pounds to kilos. :-) Power-outages for no reason. Bugs (especially black widow spiders and scorpions hitching a ride on the plant trucks). exchange rates and devaluations. (Luckily we had a USD account when they devalued the peso by 50%," remarked one in Guadalajara.

"The utter lack of punctuality. The casual approach and the scandalous leeway business and professionalism are given. The poverty, perhaps, is the most jarring of them all. Be prepared to be galvanized by it," explained one expat.