Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Pros and Cons of Living in Puerto Vallarta
Last updated on Jun 06, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico include the beautiful beaches, the vibrant culture, the delicious cuisine, and the friendly locals. The cost of living is also relatively low, making it an attractive destination for retirees and expats. On the other hand, the cons of living in Puerto Vallarta include the lack of reliable public transportation, the high crime rate, and the language barrier. Additionally, the infrastructure is not as developed as in other parts of Mexico, making it difficult to access certain services.
What are the pros and cons of living in Puerto Vallarta?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Puerto Vallarta responded:
"PV is beautiful. Tropical mountains and beaches. The winters have perfect weather, but the summers are difficult because of the heat and humidity. The Mexican people are happy and friendly, and Mexico is much safer than its reputation. Rental prices and home prices in the expat areas are only somewhat less expensive than the U.S. because it's a very popular town. We are retired full-time residents, and the culture shock has been difficult for us even though we have lived in Mexico for two years. As private healthcare cash customers, medical costs are 1/20th of what they were in California, and the quality of care is better. Speaking some Spanish helps immensely. Food costs, both restaurant and grocery, are about 1/3 of what they were in California. We miss East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian food, lol.," said one expat in living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
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What do expats in Puerto Vallarta appreciate most about the local culture?
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.
Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Puerto Vallarta?
- How do I find a place to live in Puerto Vallarta?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Puerto Vallarta?
- What is the average cost of housing in Puerto Vallarta?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Puerto Vallarta?
- What should I pack when moving to Puerto Vallarta?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Puerto Vallarta?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Puerto Vallarta?
- What are healthcare services like in Puerto Vallarta?
- Is the cost of living in Puerto Vallarta high?
- Will I save money living in Puerto Vallarta?
- Why do people move to Puerto Vallarta?
- How are healthcare services in Puerto Vallarta?
- What are medical services in Puerto Vallarta like?
