Say No to drugs and you'll be fine.

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It would be nice if there was a way to vette some of the people that put out opinions and answers to people that really need help. Not to stop opinions but to know if some of these people have a clue what they are talking about or just trolls full of hot air (or maybe somewhere in between).

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For people anticipating immigrating, I believe media and US government accounts of Mex crime have an outsized effect. For people who've lived in Mexico for a while, the fixation on Mex crime is a bit troublesome. I don't see an easy resolution of the conflict between the two sets of opinions. What I've read is that, just as in the US, some cities, some neighborhoods are more dangerous than others. I am in Xalapa, where taxi drivers who see a woman waiting to cross a street, flick their lights and let her cross. These are sweet, gentle, humane people. That so many Americans think they are dangerous is hurtful. All I can add to the conversation is that if you choose cities outside the drug rings, behave yourself and treat people with respect, you will be reward with such civilized treatment that you will hardly believe it.

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This reminds me of my visit to Belize many years ago. I was told that about the only TV stations that they could watch there were out of Chicago. Therefore, they thought that the entire US was just like Chicago. Yes, dangerous crime is rampant in some parts of Mexico, but if one avoids those areas, then it doesn't become a problem.

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A police officer from Haines City, Central Florida, writes a blog. This is from the one posted today: "3. Improved Safety and Security

As a retired law enforcement officer, crime and safety are very important to me. I keep up with crime trends and important news stories in my area of Mexico. I can honestly say that I feel safer here in Akumal than I did living in Central Florida." His blog is here: http://qroo.us/2017/01/28/8-reasons-to-become-an-expat-in-mexico/

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I couldn't agree more with the opinions of the others that have written. We were told we'd come down here and get our heads chopped off. I was scared to come down here. We are in Playa del Carmen, and we've never had any problems. As in the states, you use your head, learn what areas of the city to be careful or stay away from, There are those areas in every large city, anywhere in the world. We have also found most everyone we run into are extremely nice, friendly people. They are loving, considerate, helpful people. We are happier here, and feel safer, than we did in the States. We lived in a suburb of Seattle before we came here. Do your research, learn where the drug cartel runs the most of their business and what areas are the most dangerous. . .that's what we did. This side of the Caribbean is good.

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I also agree, Mexico is retirement paradise, the people are warm, friendly and kind. We bought in 2001, retired in 2010 and began spending 6 mos here and 6 mos in Chicago suburbs, which based on American insanity will be extending our time in Cozumel. Do your research, many great areas!

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We arrived in Ajijic to look around and learn more. Where is the best place to meet English speaking people? What is the best way to get around? I need to get Pesos as well. I thought I could use credit cards more than I can.

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"It would be nice if there was a way to vette some of the people that put out opinions and answers to people that really need help. Not to stop opinions but to know if some of these people have a clue what they are talking about or just trolls full of hot air (or maybe somewhere in between)."__________________________________________________________
I can say that I am not of those that are full of hot air. I do live here in Baja north. I got in trouble for a post a few weeks ago that was simply too candid and true. I will use more discretion in the future as people, especially many expats do not like blatent honesty. They come to Mexico for that dream life that is so much better than the life they lived elsewhere. Well, I'm one of those. I came to Mexico to live the dream and for the most I am doing that. The problem is, I'm a realist too. I am also very detail oriented. I see what's going on around me and in a small measure I can calculate the risk to me and my family. Because we are not into anything shady or questionable, we are basically safe, but not entirely. I won't go into details, I did that before and got into trouble. But I will say that this part of Mexico, is incredibly high risk for me and my family 'compared' to almost every other place we have lived in our life. But, we are still here and have not had any seriously dangerous encounters. We intend to stay in Mexico, just not Baja north. Maybe we'll return to BCS. It's nice and warm there.

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English is more widely spoken in Ajijic than English. Hang out near the coffee shop on the plaza, check out the Lake Chapala Society a couple blocks away, talk to shopkeepers, waiters, other diners, and everyone else you come in contact with - all very friendly and glad to help.

Take a Spanish class at LCS and other activities that may interest you.

To exchange currency, Intercam on the main road in the center of Ajijic gives an excellent rate. CIBanco at Centro Laguna charges around 15 pesos, as I recall, for an ATM withdrawal, whereas HSBC charges closer to 35, still not a whole lot.

But your bank may also charge you a fee that is more than that - plus some banks, but nor all will charge you a foreign transaction fee of 3%. So verify what your bank charges, and consider changing banks if they're soaking you with fees.

Some banks, like Schwab (and they're not the only one) do not charge you anything for an ATM fee, and even reimburse you for the fee that the other bank charges, plus they do not hit you with the 3% foreign transaction fee. Your money goes a bit further if you have an account with these features.

Also, credit cards may charge you a 3% foreign transaction fee - some do and some d not, so verify what your cards charge, and look for another card if necessary. Don't let then take advantage of you.

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Oops. Error in first line above. English more widely spoken than Spanish.

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I have read alot of different replies about gangs and crime in Mexico and honestly Mexico is no different then anywhere else! There are gangs and crimes everywhere...We are just outside of Hamilton, Ontario Canada and we hear of shootings and stabbings daily here in Hamilton and surrounding areas, especially Toronto, so for all of you's that think that Mexico is dangerous and are changing their minds about moving there, well I hope that these little stories about gangs and crimes stop you, corruption is everywhere, yes even other government and other countries im sure has some kind of corruption, We just dont hear as much about it.
With that said we still plan on heading to PDC very shortly for hopefully long term.
If your a abiding citizen and dont get mixed up in drugs or any other criminal activities then dont worry about things so much.

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It seemed like there was at least one murder reported in the news every day when we lived in Palm Springs. But since I don't listen to local news in Spanish here, I don't really know what they are reporting.

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sorry my above comment should have read (do not stop you) from moving to mexico :)

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I would recommend looking at crime in Mexico from two different perspectives; violent crimes and property crimes. Generally speaking, it appears that the vast majority of the violent crimes are committed by the cartels and against other cartel members or those attempting to disrupt cartel "business." If you are not involved with a cartel, and are not in a position where you are attempting to interfere with them, you have little to worry about personally with respect to this type of crime. It is true that innocents can get caught at the wrong place at the wrong time and become inadvertent victims but, this is not a very common occurrence.

On the other hand, property crimes are a bit more common and are not always restricted to the "dangerous areas." There are a couple of steps you should take to reduce your chances of being a victim of property crime. First, do not make a conspicuous display of your wealth. Walking around with a lot of gaudy jewelry, flashing large wads of cash, even driving an expensive luxury car (or having it parked in plain site at your house) can make you a target.

Second, invest in some protection for your house. Putting bars on windows, installing security cameras and / or electrified parameter wires, getting an intimidating looking dog are all relatively simple steps you can take to discourage would-be criminals from targeting your house.

Summing it up, concerns about violent crime are probably largely overblown unless you plan to become involved with a drug cartel. On the other hand, the poverty rate in Mexico does correspond to a significant number of property crimes. However, there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a target.

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I support your responses to posts however I read the post that was removed and quite honestly you were venting. Nothing in your post was too true, just not helpful to anyone reading this forum. HOWEVER there is nothing at all wrong with venting. But I don't think the "truth" about Mexico had anything to do with it.

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