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Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico City, Mexico | Expat Exchange
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Alvaro Obregon Avenue in Roma Norte, Mexico City

Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico City

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Feb 07, 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 in Mexico City.

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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.

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

"Having to conceal the fact when and if you dislike someone. Not being able to throw temper tantrums in public without facing possible legal problems. Being able to enjoy the moment without being paralyzed by thoughts of what you have to do in an hour or tomorrow! Being obligated to greet each and every person who you come into verbal contact with, saying 'buenos' or 'buenas', which would be unheard of in the U.S," remarked one in Mexico City.

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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?

"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," replied an expat in Mexico City.

"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," remarked one in Mexico City.

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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.

Alvaro Obregon Avenue in Roma Norte, Mexico City
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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