An Expat Talks about Moving to Poza Rica, Mexico

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Poza Rica

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

I happened to arrive in the fall of the coldest winter in a century. As nights began to drop into the forties I regretted not having brought a jacket or 2, a good wet suit, and a big selection of my favorite teas. I had traveled very light, thus there was nothing I regretted bringing.

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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

If you like big city life choose one with a Gringo ghetto until you feel settled unless you are very adventurous. If language and culture shock don't impact you much, and your gut tells you what is not safe, you can instead choose to just blend with the culture.

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

Now I live in a condo in the Virgin Islands, but during the Mexico time I was not in an expat area. I only met an English speaker about once every 2 months.

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

A rental car gotten at the border allowed for a lot of exploration. I made the choice of a beach bungalow when I found an area that had many to choose from that wrer priced right.

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

My costs are highest now in VI because we are still having a disaster economy. Then, in MX housing costs were much lower than I was accustomed to in Florida. I have heard they still are extremely low compared to most anywhere in the US.