Digital Nomad Life in Mexico

"It depends on who you want to meet. There is an English library inside the restaurant, Lupita's, a few steps from the Bascilica on Arciga Street. A volunteer group has their meetings there. English is spoken. They would welcome volunteers. If you want to meet Indigenous Purepecha, Mulle (dock) San Pedrito is run by them and it is a beautiful park next to the lake. Also they sell their art on the street and in the mercado in Centro ( open every day-even Christmas.) They also sell fruits and vegetables, clothes, shoes, socks, anything you need. To become friends with local people, it is necessary to speak Spanish and they are friendly. There are usually English speakers sitting outdoors at a cafe on Plaza Grande. One can take Spanish lessons as well," said one expat in Patzcuaro.

"If you are working here, start with work colleagues. An organization called MEXPAT also hosts monthly events for expats here," remarked one member in Mexico City.

"We have two groups to meet other ex-pats. One is for couples, they meet weekly and go to dinner. Their name is Thirsty Thursdays. The other is a ladies lunch group. we meet once a month at the restaurant El Tablau, at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome and we generally have a speaker. From these two groups you can learn about the charities and opportunities in Manzanillo," explained one expat living in Manzanillo, Mexico.

"Stroll the malecón in the evening, hang out at Captain Don's bar in 5 de Diciembre neighborhood, and at probably lots of bars in Old Town ("Zona Romantica")," said one person in Puerto Vallarta.

"Basically the same way you meet people everywhere. Volunteering somewhere is a great way as is taking an in-person class, a church, and, of course, expat groups," said one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"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," explained one expat living in Saltillo, Mexico.

"Expats and digital nomads living in Mexico often find that life there is full of opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration. Mexico's mild climate, friendly locals and vibrant cities make it a desirable place for many expats and digital nomads looking to settle down in a new country. The country also offers a variety of activities and locations for expats, ranging from its stunning beaches, old-world colonial cities, and incredible nature preserves. Expats and digital nomads in Mexico enjoy a low cost of living, and they are able to find affordable housing, transportation, and food. Although learning the local language can be challenging due to the lack of English-speaking facilities and programs, the country is known for its welcoming culture and its legal system that aids expats in obtaining visas and permanency. Overall, Mexico is an ideal destination for expats and digital nomads, who can enjoy the warm weather, low cost of living, and vibrant culture while continuing their work abroad," said one person in Mexico.

"People tend to work long hours during the week, not much on the weekends which is generally reserved for families. If you have kids you will be invited to tons of birthday parties, parents are expected to attend, not just drop the kids off. The parties are quite extravagant compared to the US," said one expat who made the move to Mexico City.

"When we started looking at the money we would have to live on after retirement, I realized that I would never be able to quit work and live comfortably. We started looking at places we could live. We wanted to be close enough to hop up to the states to see family but be able to afford to retire. Mexico was the obvious answer. After much internet research, I stumbled on Lake Chapala. My husband and I knew nothing about Mexico. His vision was from the old westerns. There is a group that provides a week long seminar that will answer all of your questions and also show you the fun side of the area. We booked a trip 3 months away. I used the time to look at real estate offerings. I had limited funds. This is a cash economy so it had to be a house I could afford. They have an MLS listings here so I could check out everything. I contacted a realtor and he helped weed out houses that had issues or less than savory neighborhoods. I wanted city water, a pressurized/filtration water system and city sewer. Many houses are on septic so I knew that I might have to make a compromise there. We had 14 houses on the final list. We bought the second one we had looked at and we paid cash. And it is on city sewer," explained one expat living in Lake Chapala, Mexico.

"I asked around at work, drove around the neighborhoods by taxi and by chance while exploring a neighborhood on foot I saw a For Rent sign on a very appealing hacienda. I knocked on the door and the owner rented it to me on the spot," said one person in Puebla.

"My favorite area is 5 Diciembre with a more local atmosphere and more Mexican nationals full time occupants, than some of the others," said one expat who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"When we still lived in PV, my Mexican husband contacted a real estate place that handled rentals. He flew there to see it and we moved there. Two years later we found a bigger/better place, closer to the border, on the recommendation from a buddy at his work," explained one foreigner living in Tijuana, Mexico.

"Merida is made up of the Centro area (downtown) and then many different neighborhoods which are called colonies and Fracc's. We were told by a realtor that many expats move to the North Merida area, which is nice and very safe with many stores and restaurants. He said anything above Calle 59 is good. We ended up finding a place in a small neighborhood called San Pedro Uxmal. I don't think there are many expats there, but the home had everything we wanted and the price was good. We are very happy there," said one in Merida.

"There are many people from the USA, Canada and Europe have visited Mexico, love it and have considered relocation. Many visitors also spend their Mexico trip to the top resort areas at the best time of year to be there. This being the winter months. The down season is usually from May through October and the top resort areas are ghost towns. Reason for this is the abysmal heat and humidity. I once spent a month in Mazatlan in August. Mazatlan is just the start of the tropics and the heat and high humidity were abysmal and almost impossible to tolerate. Even walking a short distance can be very unpleasant as are the temperatures that can top 120 degree with 98% humidity. The only tolerable place to be are inside with the air conditioning on high. I love and visit the tropical areas yet only in the winter. I live in the South area of Rosarito Beach, Baja California. Year round climate is beautiful. Never too hot or cold. Winters are very mild and similar to San Diego, Ca. I have friends in Rosarito that spend their summers here and winters in the tropics. Living in the tropics is most certainly not the ideal area for most people. Even the locals hate the low seasons. I have not seen this topic get a lot of attention here yet what I have said is absolutely true," said one person in Mexico.

"Read www.yucatanliving.com and www.meridainsider.com for information on living here," said one expat who made the move to Yucatan.

"Mexico offers many attractive benefits for retirees looking for a warm climate and a lower cost of living. Before retiring to Mexico, expats should familiarize themselves with the country's laws, customs, and culture. Additionally, they should investigate the cost of living in their preferred location, as prices and availability vary greatly depending on the region. Expats should also consider enrolling in Mexico’s medical insurance program or purchasing private coverage to ensure they have access to quality medical care. Additionally, expats should be aware that many medicines not available in Mexico can be ordered online or imported. Finally, many retirees in Mexico find it beneficial to learn some conversational Spanish, since the language is widely spoken throughout the country," explained one foreigner living in Mexico.

"We chose Merida over Tulum, Cancun and all of the of the primarily tourist destinations in MX. There are a thousand cities each unique. I would not live in Tulum for the dame reason I would not choose to live in San Diego. We live in a quiet Mexican suburb, have access to the beach (many) in 20-30 min, Have all the conveniences that we would have in a city of 1 mil. people. Many whine about the heat in Merida, but with 5 minutes of research you know what the weather is month in and month out. As a beautiful historic city Merida is a dream at least for us. The city is feeling it's growing pains but the people and culture are a delight. We (I) recently had occasion to undergo an emergency cardiac procedure here and spent time with multiple specialists, most spoke English well, at the costs were much lower than expected; the technology and care was exceptional. Tulum, to me at least, is not what I want; neither is anywhere near there like Cancun Playa del Carmen, Akumal, etc. A little like trying to have a quiet normal life in the FL Keys," said one in Merida.

"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 person 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," said one expat who made the move to Tequisquiapan.

"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 foreigner living in Mexico.

"Here, I have found people to be genuinely interested in your well being. People are more caring and the pace is more congenial and slower paced. You can enjoy life and slow down! My blood pressure has improved. I've lost weight. I get out more and I'm learning to negotiate a new way of doing things. I eat much better here and it's cheaper here. My apartment is fully furnished and I have a separate office space and patio in a 2 bedroom apartment that would cost 10 times what I pay for it if I lived in the states, that's for sure! Even the doctors are more gracious as they tend to be more concerned about your health than your bill! I enjoy the slow paced luxury of the family time from 2 to 4 on each day. I enjoy the fact that no one bothers you once they serve your meal at a restaurant. You're encouraged to linger and actually enjoy your meal and stay as long as you like. I also enjoy hearing "Thank You, Teacher" from my students. As U said before, the culture drew me here and it is what keeps me here. I have no intentions of moving back to the states," said one in Comitan, CHIAPAS.

"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," explained one expat in Purepecha.

"A delightful challenge is to let go of the "pressue cooker" lifestyle which I lived while climbing the ladder of success. The language, until I learn more, is still slightly a challenge. And, since I really enjoy knowing what's going on in the country in which I live, I really find it challenging that I don't understand the politics of the county. Lastly, I find it very difficult to find other expats to socialize with. Where are you all hiding?," said one expat in Tequisquiapan.

"For me, the most challenging part is the language barrier. Learning Spanish is not easy. Abd though it will take about 5 years to be fully fluent I've embraced the challenge," remarked one member in Comitan, CHIAPAS.

"I hate the slowness of the bureaucracy. I don't like the bank fees and exhorbitant fees associated with Mexican banks and US foreign banks in Mexico. I don't like the need to negotiate with others not used to fixed prices because it means I got to figure out what the reasonable price for an item is and then negotiate down. I never liked shopping much so it is not fun to do that for me. But I love buying artistic things that bring me joy to look at it at home. I don't like men ignoring me and asking my husband the question or giving my husband the answer. It is impolite," explained one expat living in Merida, Mexico.

"Pounds to kilos. :-) Power-outages for no reason. Bugs (especially black widow spiders and scorpions hitching a ride on the plant trucks). exchange rates and devaluations. (Luckily we had a USD account when they devalued the peso by 50%," said one person in Guadalajara.

"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 expat who made the move to Merida.

"If you plan to stay in Mexico for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a Mexican residency visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may be allowed to enter the country on a tourist visa for a certain period of time and then apply for a residency visa from within Mexico. To obtain a residency visa, you will need to provide various documents, such as proof of address, a valid passport, two recent passport-sized photos, and a medical certificate. It is also recommended to obtain a registered Mexican address. Once your residency visa application is approved, you will need to renew it periodically in order to maintain your residency status," said one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"I said a word in Puerto Rican Spanish that is very commonly used to mean 'to take', and it means to have sex in Mexican Spanish. It made people laugh. But I turned it around and told them but you guys say this word for the meaning of insect and that is a sexual word in Puerto Rico. They would laugh. You got to realize words mean different things in different societies and not to take yourself too seriously," said one person in Merida.

"Not that we have noticed yet, but I'm sure that will be happening in the future :-)," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

"Sure, I tried out new words I thought I had learned and made a fool of myself, but I just laughed with everyone else and it was fine. Also, I fell twice in the street 'cause the streets are so broken and uneven and felt silly, but a nice lady helped me, very kind," explained one person living in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"When you meet someone for the first time, you usually say the formal address of you, which is "usted". Once you know them, saying "usted" is almost an insult! I've done that a few times. Now I call everyone "tu", which is the informal "you", and everyone welcomes it," said one expat in Mexico City.

"I ordered 1.1 lbs of american cheese, not understanding the difference between a kilo and a pound when we first arrived. We ate cheese for a month," remarked one member in Guadalajara.

"Although I have met people having care for serious conditions, my experience has only been dental. People I know who had the same procedure done just across the border in San Diego had side effects I did not experience with my Mexican dentist," said one foreigner in Tijuana.

"I've never experienced any racism by Mexicans towards white people. But I've seen PLENTY of racist white people treating Mexicans poorly. Maybe try treating them with a little respect and courtesy. In my experience, Mexican people are warm and kind and good. If you go to Mexico and get mad at the locals for not speaking English, you should GO HOME," said one member in Merida.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Mexico, as well as the warm climate and friendly people. They also enjoy the vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and the wide variety of activities available. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy to be challenging. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation and infrastructure can be a source of frustration," explained one expat in Mexico.

"Working class Mexicans live in Mazatlán too so there are some cheap accommodations available provided you are OK with such locations and lifestyle, none of which have an ocean view," remarked one global nomad in Mazatlan.

"The high humidity produces the famed "city of flowers" of which the state capital Xalapa, 4 miles away, boasts but also leads to a runny nose. I have found work-arounds and would not trade the beauty of the natural world for anything. It's hard to see children begging. Street repair is ignored. Traffic is heavy at high-use times. Adjusting has been remarkably easy," explained one digital nomad living in Coatepec, Mexico.