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

Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico City

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Mar 11, 2025

Summary: The pros of living in Mexico City, Mexico include the vibrant culture, the delicious cuisine, and the affordable cost of living. Additionally, the city is home to many world-class museums, galleries, and other attractions. On the other hand, the cons of living in Mexico City include the high levels of air pollution, the traffic congestion, and the crime rate. Additionally, the city is prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters.

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

What are the pros and cons of living in Mexico City?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Mexico City responded:

"Expats and digital nomads in Mexico City often appreciate the city's vibrant culture, diverse cuisine, and affordable cost of living. They also enjoy the city's vibrant nightlife, art scene, and friendly locals. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the city's traffic and air pollution to be a challenge. Additionally, the city's high crime rate can be a concern for some," explained one expat living in Mexico City.

"I have lived in 8 US states and four foreign countries - 29 addresses in all. No where has the cultural and historical offerings while still be as affordable as Mexico City. The city has a near-perfect climate and is visually stunning," said one expat in living in Mexico City, Mexico.

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What do expats in Mexico City 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," replied an expat in Mexico City.

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What do expats find most challenging?

"Not reading newspaper editorials that dare to criticize any Mexican political officials. Plus, very few people say what is on their minds, sort of the opposite of African-Americans, West Indians, or Jews in the United States. It is a xenophobic culture, for the most part, sort of like the Chinese culture. Mexicans are far, far more relaxed when and if they are amongst their own kind, although there are occasional and definite exceptions," replied an expat in Mexico City.

"Expat life in Mexico City can often be quite challenging, as there is a big difference between the culture of a developed nation and the culture of Mexico. The language barrier is certainly one of the biggest challenges to overcome, as many people in the city do not speak English and communicating can be difficult. Mexico City is a bustling metropolis with a very fast pace of life, and this can be a difficult transition for those used to more relaxed cultures. Additionally, the often unpredictable traffic and limited public transportation can be trying for many expats living in the city. Finally, the intense heat and humidity during the summer can be difficult to cope with for those not used to such conditions," remarked one in Mexico City.

"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.

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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.

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