Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico

"The culture of the island is nothing to appreciate except for the hotel owner who left to work in the states. Where I live now, people say good morning or good afternoon when they ride the cambis (little buses) The children are so obviously loved and I haven't heard a swear word since moving here. This is Purepecha country, the indigenous people who farm and make crafts to sell. I appreciate being among people who have a similar take on life--don't worry, don't hurry, don't take yourself too seriously, trust in God," said one expat in Purepecha.

"The people. We also loved alambres carbon, the markets, the aguas and tortillas. Music was wonderful," said a person living in Guadalajara.

"Expats in Mexico often appreciate the hospitality of the locals and the warmth of their culture. They often find that Mexicans are very friendly and kind, making it easy to become part of the culture quickly. Additionally, expats in Mexico often enjoy the colorful, vibrant festivals that take place throughout the year and appreciate the abundance of delicious Mexican cuisine. The culture of Mexico is also rich in history, art, and traditions, offering plenty of opportunities for expats to explore and discover," explained one expat living in Mexico.

"They are family oriented, like inviting you places to do fun activities and they like to celebrate dates with a lot of joy. Also the laid back lifestyle compared to big cities in the states. I also love to see the traditions being kept up and honored. And I like seeing my son speak Spanish beautifully. I like everything. The architecture, the art, the music, the dancing and the literature and the people telling me their life stories," said one in Merida.

"I appreciate the "family unit" the most. It mirrors the way things must have been with early migration to the U.S. during and after WWII. I love the ingenuity of the Mexican people. I enjoy seeing their appreciation when you show enthusiam for a job well done. I love that the women cook everything from scratch....little if any pre-cooked foods. Most of all, I truly enjoy the simplicity of life. I find I have a smile on my face most of the time. No Drama (except for the novelas)! Life is good," explained one expat who made the move to Tequisquiapan.

"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," said a person living in Mexico City.

"The constant sound of explosives going off IS awful. Not just fireworks but M-80s at 5 am on a Sunday. There is a competition between the Colonia's and their Churches when it comes to fireworks, firecrackers, and mostly M-80's which are NOT firecrackers but sound more like a bomb detonating. This is not just a Mexico thing. San Miguel is way worse than Oaxaca City, Mexico City, Merida, etc. for blowing stuff up," explained one expat living in San Miguel de Allende.

"I think language is the main challenge. Originally, we were going to move to Playa del Carmen where many of the Mexicans speak English as it is a tourist town. We changed plans and moved to Merida and have found that the majority of Mexicans do not speak English, so it is definitely a challenge daily!," said one in Merida.

"Being kidnapped multiple times by the police, having a friend killed by the same police. Unable to find any police agency willing to help in 5 years. Finally did discover some honest people but it was almost impossible and dangerous to process," explained one expat who made the move to Coastal Oaxaca.