12 Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico

Last Updated on March 12, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev

Life in Mexico can be a great experience. The culture in this country is vibrant and rich and you’ll enjoy a lot of warm weather. Coastal living is a possibility with most nations having favourable currency exchange rates. Living in Mexico can sometimes seem like life in a rollercoaster. You also have the majority of the conveniences you ‘re used to when you decide to call home this country.

If you want to live in Mexico, there are several pros and cons that you’ll want to think about first. Some people think the experience is good and unforgettable, but there are some reasons why you may want to give some extra thought to this issue. Have a look at it!

Pros of Living in Mexico

1. Weather

When you live in a northerly environment then it will take some time to adapt to Mexico ‘s climate. The weather is good all season. There will be no cold winters to handle or huge snowdrifts to prevent. In the northern part of the country, it appears to be hot and dry if that is what you prefer.

For the whole year, the central mountains tend to be relatively hot. And along the coast, there are the breezes which can make the hottest days feel bearable. Which means you have the ideal opportunity to discover the fascinating past of Mexican culture anytime your spare time.

2. Cost of Living

For most citizens, the most significant advantage of living in Mexico is the favourable exchange rate. In your home country, almost all would cost less than it does. Prices vary depending on the area you live in, but the cost of transportation, leasing, food, and entertainment for you to enjoy is significant.

You can live comfortably for under $1,000 a month in most cities. If you stick to a tight budget in the outlying activities, you will go under $500 a month.

The only real exception to this advantage is if you want to stay in or near to one of Mexico’s popular beach destinations. You ‘re going to spend around $1,000 per person, every month living there.

3. Mexican Cuisine

Once you start living in Mexico then from a local perspective you can begin to enjoy one of the best culinary experiences in the world. Every day, the air is filled with delicious tastes, from the traditional taco to intricate seafood dishes with incredible sauces. If you enjoy street food, this country will push you to do some extra workouts in order to hold down the weight.

Some of the best options are called elite, which is usually steamed corn on the cob and then overlapped with chilli powder, lime, butter, sour cream, salt and other toppings. Even, tortas, tamales, and Tlayudas are perfect options to remember.

4. Beaches

When you want to start staying in Mexico, then you’ll be where everybody else wants to spend a holiday. There you will be in close proximity to the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, ensuring that everyone will share an experience.

You can learn to sail, start surfing or enjoy practically all year long sport fishing. Cortez’s Sea offers some stunning kayaking experiences. Numerous snorkelling and diving spots can also be found to explore when you have some downtime.

There are very few places in Mexico where travelling to the beach can take you more than a day. And it also means you are having free entertainment, with this benefit, it is a definite win/win solution.

5. Healthcare

Although Mexico has the reputation of being closer to a third-world nation than its counterparts in Canada and the U.S., the health care services that you get are excellent. From under 100 pesos, which is around $5 with the exchange rates from 2019, you can visit the nearest medical clinic. Add in a few extra bucks for the prescription you might need and you’ll get the treatment you need.

You may also take out insurance to see a doctor or dentist, so anything in this category is more affordable even though you don’t have it.

Cons of Living in Mexico

1. Crime

Crimes happen all over the world. This is the essence of becoming a human becoming. It would be false to say Mexico isn’t healthy, but there are some lifestyle changes you’ll need to make before moving to Mexico.

Most incidents are small-scale crime so think about stealing and pickpocketing. When you leave your wallet or purse in your car, that will almost certainly be gone by the time you realize you left it in your car. Moreover, leaving your car on the street can possibly mean you’ll lose your tires in the morning. Invest in a strong system of protection, be smart about how you handle public spaces and be strong to go.

2. Traffic

If you felt it was unfair to rush hour in Los Angeles or New York City, then you have never seen what Mexico City has to offer. Here at any time of day you will encounter heavy traffic and it’s not always predictable either with its time.

Some bureaucratic poor management makes the situation worse too, like closing down a three-lane highway in the middle of the day to paint stripes. To stop waiting in stand-still queues for hours on end, you should schedule trips to skip the normal cycles of traffic-heavy times, but that’s no guarantee you’ll still arrive on time.

3. Water Problem

There is no guarantee that you will have access to running water while you live in Mexico. Even in places like Puebla or Mexico City, running dry for a day or two is not uncommon for the faucets.

Water stoppages in this country are so frequent that it is frequent for houses, apartment buildings and certain businesses to store a large tank underneath their yard or driveway. When you do not test your tank every day, you do not know when it has run dry. There are times when on a scheduled day you could not even obtain your water.

4. Internet

If you live in Mexico, you must pay a large price to get high-speed Internet. The investment will give you something more stable than what the average consumer gets, but it won’t have the reliability you ‘d find anywhere in Canada or the USA.

Without much notice, it may go in and out on you and the effect could last for days at a time. You might find it might take over a week before a technician comes home to see what the problem might be, with the usual bureaucracy complaints as the explanation for the delay.

When you work online when living in Mexico, it can help to have a coffee shop or some other business close by. When you encounter an extended blackout at home, it may act as a contingency plan.

5. Language

While you could live without speaking some Spanish in Mexico, it isn’t going to be very fun. Just 5 per cent of Mexican people speak English, according to a study. Many people speak no English, or very little, outside the tourism industry. You would need to at least know the basics in order to interact with your store clerk, plumber or neighbour.

6. Bureaucracy

If you arrive in Mexico to open a bank account, then expect the effort to turn into an all-day ordeal. That’s supposing you arrive with all the right paperwork, visas, and everything else the company wants to give you everything you need. You will need proof of your current work, immigration details and other special requests. Bringing a book or something to do is the perfect way to handle this problem so you can pass the time.

7. Loud Noise

Bars and restaurants fill the streets with music. Via a loudspeaker, people drive cars around shouting advertisements and election campaigns. Constantly honking car horns. People Party well into the early morning in their homes. Often a band marches as loud and proud as they can down the street.