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Considering Moving to Mexico...

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SintiaMS
  3/14/2018 13:13 EST

Hello, everyone!
I'm a twenty-four and a single female. I'm considering a move to Mexico. I envy the low cost of living, have a good hold of the Spanish language (I'm level B2, at the moment, but still advancing!), and enjoy learning about the culture. I'm not quite sure where I want to move, however. I've considered many aspects (I'm the spreadsheet type of person), and I thought I'd narrowed it down to Merida. However, I've heard that the heat there can be absolutely stifling. I don't tolerate extreme heat well. Here are some aspects that I'm taking into consideration.

1. Weather
I am fine with having four seasons. Summer can be difficult, because it's so hot. I don't mind the cold, although I do chill very easily. I'd like somewhere that is temperate, like where I live, now. I live in Tennessee, and - although the weather gets crazy - it's usually not extremely hot or extremely cold. I'd prefer nothing under the fifties (F) or over the eighties (F, again). A little deviance from that is fine. Also, I'm very fair-skinned, so the Sun can be extremely harsh on me. I do wear sunscreen, though.

2. Natural Disasters
I'm a bit paranoid about this one. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, sinkholes; they all terrify me. I know that the western section of Mexico experiences earthquakes the most by far, so I'm not too keen on living there. I'm trying to avoid the volcanic axis, as well. I love the beach, but I don't want to live too close to the water; I'd like to avoid water damage, flooding, hurricanes, and - I know this will probably never happen (Like I said, paranoia...) - tsunamis. I've not really heard of tornadoes in Mexico. Hurricanes on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula and earthquakes around Mexico City and the western area of Mexico are the two things I've probably heard the most about. Oh, and the cenotes in the Yucatan, too!

3. Safety
Of course, this is a big one. A lot of people seem to think that Mexico is extremely unsafe. I know that - just like anywhere else - there are states and areas that you want to avoid, but I believe there are safe areas of Mexico, as well. I've done a lot of research on safety in Mexico. I'm concerned mostly about violence. I don't want anything stolen, either. I may be going to Mexico alone, though, and - as a petite single woman - I am concerned about finding an area where I feel secure.

4. Nuclear Power
I would really prefer to live far away from nuclear power plants. I'm not particularly fond of them; they make me nervous. I know Mexico has a fairly small one in Veracruz, and I was relieved to know that is the only one in the entire country.

5. General Area
I'd prefer not to live in a big city. I like the suburbs and, maybe, more rural areas. I'd like to be able to walk to local places. If people don't speak English or only have a slight grasp of it, that's okay. I want to go to Mexico to experience Mexican culture and interact with Mexican people; I'm not looking for a place packed with tourists. Cities are too loud and crowded for me; not to mention the pollution.

Sorry for the very long post, but I just wanted to provide as much information as possible so I can get the best advice. Thank you in advance to anyone who responds to this post!

Rodrigo1974
  3/14/2018 14:46 EST

do consider taxco, the silver mining town, pachucha, that has a whole lot of weather like the northeast does in, say, october or november, ixtapan de la sal, which has a lot of thermo baths, or even cuernavaca, a place where a lot of folks from d.f. vacation on the weekends. if you're into friendly, uninhibited locals, but am not concerned it it get a tad had, try cuatla.

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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 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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topmexico
  3/14/2018 18:23 EST

Since you mention the cenotes on the Yucatan, I would suggest you check places like Rancho Santa Teresita or Chemuyil between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, there are beautiful quiet places close enough to everything but far enough to keep your peace and quiet. Some homes in Rancho have private cenotes, you would love those! If you want more info on that area in particular e mail me [email protected] It can get hot in the summer but not as hot as Merida because you have the ocean breeze =)

RVGRINGO
  3/14/2018 19:25 EST

Everything that you fear will be found in most coastal areas. A moderate climate and a more normal life will be found in the central highlands, between 5000 and 7500 feet above sea level. Colonial cities, or nearby smaller towns, will offer non-touristy neighborhoods and convenient central mercados for shopping, excellent public transportation, and enough local color and entertainments to keep you happy for years. I would focus on those, and shy away from tourist destinations, which will be much more expensive, and are often fun to visit, but not so great for full time living.

SintiaMS
  3/16/2018 04:49 EST

Thank you for the replies! I looked at the various locations suggested. For safety, I check the Department of State travel advisories. Does anyone have an opinion on Queretaro? It seems like the climate is a bit less intense than Merida. There is a higher crime rating, but it's still not bad. They are both rated as generally safer than the city in which I currently live. There is less pollution in Queretaro, but the costs I've seen are higher than in Merida. Most people - it seems - move somewhere in Quintana Roo. I've read about some experiences in Merida, but there aren't quite as many that I've found for Queretaro.

Cozumeldeb
  3/17/2018 00:51 EST

Check Guanjuanto before u make a decision..Quentuano, is a factory town. visit both..

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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 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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Cozumeldeb
  3/17/2018 00:55 EST

Check out Guanjuanto, a university town in the mountains, near perfect Climate..

Mrgnwilson
  3/17/2018 20:03 EST

Retirees (1 US, 1 Canadian), we moved to Zamora, Michoacán (pop. 140k, elevation 5200’) about 8 or 9 years ago, primarily because we had friends there. We thought we would explore other more exciting places eventually, but have stayed in Zamora for 3 reasons: excellent climate, low cost of living, (especially housing, also food), and vital friendships. We have no heating or AC, and rarely miss it. Winters are sunny, 50-80; summers are warm in the sunny morning, great thunderstorms in the afternoon, cool & fresh @ 70 in the evening. It gets warm & humid somewhat in April & May, but tolerable. A comforter, some fans provide adequate comfort 95% of the time. Few tourists, not much English. 100 miles to Guadalajara, 300 miles to Mexico City, great bus service to both & beyond. Many of the central/western highlands fall in your guidelines, though more expensive, with varying numbers of expats & tourists: Guanajuato, Ajijic/Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Patzcuaro. Take some time to explore a few areas if you can, until one calls to you. Then give it a few months to be sure it’s a good fit, if possible.

CasaColibri
  3/17/2018 22:16 EST

MrgnWilson,
Good post and well-said.

Cheers!
Jan
20 year resident of Guanajuato

YellowTail
  3/19/2018 16:26 EST

We live at just about 6000 ft about 20-30 minutes outside a decent sized city. Our requirements in choosing our spot were; proximity to Mexico City, enough US big box stores if we wanted them (Costco, Walmart, Sams, Home Depot), security, climate (not in that order). But - we live in a colonia that goes back hundreds of years - there are (some) horses in the street. We have no A/C - but neighbors do. We have fireplaces that we use perhaps 2 or 3 times a year. I am in the process of painting the house and after 10AM I have to move to a side of the house in the shade. It is as hot as Miami Beach. Yet - our pool is still freezing.

If I were in my 20's or 30's (and perhaps a university professor) I would seriously consider Guanajuato. It has a very nice young feel - BUT it is very hilly. And we only found a single Soriana's while there - although there were very nice restaurants. Guanajuato - for us - had a very similar feel to Taxco (which had no university and is quite a bit smaller). There are SO many places to see in Mexico - I doubt we will ever revisit either.

We have dove a handful or so cenotes in the Tulum area over the years. It is a nice experience - but unless you are making a living as a tour guide - that might not be something you do regularly, A lot of the better cenotes are on private land.

We very rarely go into the centro of the city we live near - perhaps 2 or 3 times a year. Normally to purchase hard to find plumbing supplies or such. In fact - there are areas of 'town' that I will no longer drive into - and we park in an area we know and take a taxi. Live is just too short.

CasaColibri
  3/19/2018 17:30 EST

Enjoyed reading your post, Yellow Tail. I've lived in Guanajuato 20 years and still love it here. Update: there are now two Commercial Mexicana supermarkets and even a shopping mall with a fancy department store. I like the fact that it doesn't have the big box stores (probably - YET), but I do make a Costco/Home Depot run to Leon about once-a-month. (about a 50-minute trip).

Welcome Home MexicoWelcome Home Mexico
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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.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

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.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

italiano714
  3/25/2018 14:03 EST

There are large expat communities of Americans and Canadians in Ajijic, Jalisco on Lake Chapala and San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. By large, I mean about 5-10% of the population. Still vastly Mexican, but English and other resources are available if u need it. Small towns, very pretty, great weather year round. Safe. Keep in mind that Mexican homes don't have any heat unless you plug in a space heater. Before you go, you have to prove to Mexican officials that you are already earning at least $1600/ month and will continue to do so during your time in Mexico. Foreigners usually are not allowed to work in Mexico legally, unless you have a special skill that's needed. Don't even think about teaching English. That market is already flooded by other expats and its very difficult to earn even a basic living wage. I wish you luck.

jbwork
  3/26/2018 15:54 EST

I am planning a move to Queretaro in June/July. I visited in November and felt very safe.
There is a facebook group for there you might want to join for more info.

mannem
  3/28/2018 00:18 EST

Do you have a job lined up? If not, be advised it is extremely difficult to get a work permit without an employer to sponsor you. If you apply for temp or permanent residency without a job, you have to prove you have enough income and/or investments to live on without working in Mexico.

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