Pros and Cons of Living in Mazatlan

"Expats living in Mazatlán, Mexico appreciate the city's laid-back atmosphere and proximity to the ocean. They also enjoy the warm and friendly local people who are always willing to help with any inquiries. Additionally, expats appreciate the affordable cost of living, allowing them to live comfortably on their budget. The city also presents an array of Mexican cuisine, with traditional dishes and recipes that have been perfected over the years. Furthermore, Mazatlan has a rich cultural heritage and offers plenty of festivals and events throughout the year," said a person living in Mazatlan.

"The love of family. The societal urge to celebrate everything and anything possible. The pace of life. The priorities of day to day living. I love the way we greet each other. I like the impromptu-ness of life here (unless I'm in the frustrated stage from above)," explained one expat living in Mazatlan.

"One of the most challenging aspects of adjusting to life in Mazatlan for expats is the language barrier. While English is increasingly gaining a foothold among the younger generation, many of the local people and institutions remain largely Spanish-speaking. Additionally, understanding the local customs and culture can take some time for newcomers to the area to learn and adapt to. Mazatlan is also a very traditional Catholic city, with strong religious and cultural influences being readily seen in the way people interact with each other and in the social activities available in the area. For expats seeking to blend in, a thorough understanding of these customs and norms is required in order to be accepted by the local population," remarked one in Mazatlan.

"Getting used to the acceptance of bureaucracy, the lack of urgency, the hierarchy of society and wondering where I fit sometimes. The gender roles - I get really upset when my wife asks a question and I get the answer. I really hate it when a National assumes that I am a snowbird, a vacationing tourist or a retired person. The locals are really not used to people our age (in our 40's) moving here working and raising a family. They have trouble categorizing us. That has made it a little hard to make local friends, but we are persistent and it is starting to pay off. We ask things like when is the first day of school. In the States that is a reasonable request and when you get an answer it is a certainty. Here, it is a moving target. That fact is not mentioned in the answer and we have to get used to asking back after the answer (to almost anything), "might that change?"," explained one expat.