Saltillo, Mexico
Saltillo, Mexico
Last updated on Jan 11, 2023
Summary: People describe Saltillo, Mexico as a vibrant city with a rich culture and a friendly atmosphere. Expats love the city's relaxed pace of life, its proximity to the US border, and its affordable cost of living. The weather in Saltillo is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-90s Fahrenheit. The average cost of living for an expat is relatively low, with a one bedroom apartment costing around $400 USD per month and a two bedroom apartment costing around $500 USD per month. The cost of food, transportation, and other necessities is also quite affordable. The approximate population of Saltillo is 810,000 people.
What do I need to know about living in Saltillo?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Saltillo, they said:
"Get out, see the town. Clearly, learning Spanish makes getting out a lot easier, so learn Spanish (again, people here are pretty patient, so it's a great community to try perfecting one's broken Spanish). The downtown has a lot to offer, between the Alameda, Plaza de Armas, and various free/cheap museums. The Serape Museum is my favorite, and, as creepy as it sounds, the Bird Museum is pretty interesting (and in the summer, well worth spending 10 pesos for an hour or so in the air-conditioning). If your company is moving you, they'll probably suggest that you live in the way north side of the city--this is a nice area of town and may be advantageous as it seems that most expats live there. However, do consider the Republica neighborhood, downtown, and the south side of town. They're all great places to live, within walking distance of points of interest, and often a lot cheaper than the northern neighborhoods," added another person living in Saltillo.
How do I meet people in Saltillo?
When we asked people living in Saltillo about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:
"Saltillo appears to be a much friendlier city than others I have lived in (Puebla, Cuernavaca, Toluca). However, it was not easy to get to know people until I got connected with the Saltillo International Church (www.saltillointerationalchurch.com). They have bilingual services on Sundays, and for those who may not be "church-y" (or, like me, prefer the neighborhood church) have book studies for adults, men, and women throughout the week. Also, if your Spanish is decent www.desaltillo.com is helpful to find out events that are going on in town. If you friend them on facebook, they'll send daily updates--so helpful for me, as we don't regularly buy the newspaper," explained one expat.
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Will I be able to find a job in Saltillo?
When we asked people about industries and career opportunities in Saltillo, they reponded:
"The automotive industry is huge--GM, Chrysler, Daimler, John Deere, among others, and their suppliers have plants here. With my husband being a Mexican engineer, we always knew that we'd live here someday. And if we ever move away, we'll probably be sent back, sooner or later. Good thing I like it here," said another expat in Saltillo.
What is life like in Saltillo?
When we asked people living in Saltillo what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:
"Saltillo is a small city/large town, so it's relatively quiet here. People here seem more respectful of their neighbors than in other areas of Mexico. For example, in general people don't blare their music from their homes or use their car horns as doorbells. People work hard and enjoy their families. While social stratification runs the gamut here, in general people are friendly and laid-back. While soccer is still a huge pastime, baseball appears to be just as popular, if not more popular, than soccer. Saltillo's professional baseball team won the 2009 national championship, and I always hear my neighbor kids hitting a ball around. Saltillenses are good runners, too. Every June, the city hosts a half-marathon, and throughout the year there are a variety of 5K and 10K races. Saltillo also boasts a plethora of good public parks--great for picnics, enjoying some green spaces, or playgrounds for kids," said another expat in Saltillo.
Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Saltillo accepting of differences?
"Like most of Mexico, Saltillo is fairly homogeneous, both racially, culturally, and religiously (although at times it feels that there are nearly as many tiny, hole-in-the-wall Protestant churches as there are large Catholic ones). While I fit the mold, I can't really say whether they are accepting of differences. But the prevailing attitude seems to be that of "live and let live"," said another expat in Saltillo.
About the Author
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.
