Digital Nomad Life in Merida, Mexico

"There are numerous clubs and activities which expats in Merida can join. For example, they can join running groups and meet with other expats who run around the city, or they can join book clubs, photography clubs and art clubs. Other activities that expats can participate in include language exchanges, team sports, annual music and film festivals, salsa dancing and wine-tasting nights. Additionally, there are cultural events such as visiting the city's many plazas and markets, where expats can meet people and connect with the local community. Expats can also make new friends through joining online forums, attending language classes and even visiting local industry leaders in the area. Finally, networking events, such as tech and startup events, are a great way for expats to connect with the local business community," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"Definitely look up the two Merida Expat groups on Facebook before you come. Get acquainted with what goes on, advice for newcomers, how to find things, and, most importantly, introduce yourself and tell when you are coming. There is a breakfast club here, a monthly meet and greet, a bowling league, etc. FB has an activities calendar. I immediately went to several events within my 2nd week here," said one expat in Merida.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Merida is generally quite pleasant. The city is known for its vibrant culture, friendly locals, and affordable cost of living. Expats and digital nomads can enjoy the city's many attractions, such as its colonial architecture, vibrant nightlife, and numerous outdoor activities. The city also offers a wide range of international cuisine, making it easy for expats and digital nomads to find food that suits their tastes. Additionally, the city is well-connected to other parts of Mexico and the world, making it easy to travel to and from Merida. All in all, Merida is an ideal destination for expats and digital nomads looking for a vibrant and affordable place to live," said one person in Merida.

"That is a broad question to answer. I have lived in 2 other Central American countries and will say they focus a lot more on family than we do in the USA. Merida is by far more sophisticated than where I've lived before, is a wealthier city than I've lived in before. I would expect the proximity to the US has affected values, although the Yucatan retains much Mayan culture, different than the rest of Mexico," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

"We wanted to be in the city, near the center. And we wanted a home that was old and renovated. We found lots of homes to choose from," said one person in Merida.

"I live in a large furnished studio with good sized kitchen with pantry (full size appliances), true dining area (room for 6-8) living area with sofa, coffee table and 2 chairs and nice sized bedroom area. It has a yard with parking and outside dining and is fully air conditioned. It's actually the ground floor of a 2 story house so it's larger than most studios IME. Including my power, water, garbage, gas and WIFI, it's under $400 USD per month. Outside my front door is a park and 2 more parks are within 3 blocks in opposite directions. It's a great neighborhood away from downtown but still has every kind of business within a 5 minute walk. A really nice mall is 2.4 miles away and it's dog-friendly! I've lived in 3 different neighborhoods in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico including Centro and this is by far my favorite! FYI, my AC runs 24/7/365. It's clean, quite, walkable and has green spaces," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

"After studyinng the market here for 2 1/2 years and debating renting or buying, we learned a lot about neighborhoods. And we learned the best way to figure out where you want to be is to come down and go airbnb for a while in different neighborhoods to figure out what you want. For those of us on a budget, Norte and Santiago are much too expensive and the father you go from Centro prices fall dramatically. We just bought a house and it was only after looking at very many and being ready to pounce on one that was significantly reduced in price and in excellent condition. Those go very quickly. Even renting, remember if you don't like the neighborhood, you're stuck for a year usually," explained one person living in Merida, 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 expat in Merida.

"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," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"Most people that we have met have been very friendly. Some going out of their way to help us, Merida is a very historical city and very rich in Mayan and Mexican culture. We have not had any time yet to check out all the history and culture, but are really looking forward to finding all about it," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"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," said one person in Merida.

"Expats in Merida may find that the local culture and customs can be quite different from those of the West. They may struggle to adjust to the slower pace of life and high levels of bureaucracy, a marked distinction from the much faster pace of western countries. Additionally, developing trust with the locals can be difficult since strong relationships are a cornerstone of Mexican culture. Language barriers can be an issue as well, both in terms of verbal communication and understanding Spanish-language media and literature. Additionally, learning the religious customs and traditions may be a challenge for those unfamiliar with Catholicism. Finally, adjusting to the climate and local seasons can be a challenge; summers are incredibly hot and the heat and humidity often continue through the winter season," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

"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!," explained one foreigner living in Merida, Mexico.

"Residente Permanente Visa: I didn't have to call them, I had gotten approved on a Thursday and they just told me to come back on Tuesday afternoon to pick up my passport with the visa stamp. All in all I was able to complete the entire process from initial application to getting the visa in 2 weeks with a bit of time to spare, might have been faster if I had been totally prepared. Bring color passport photos and pay attention to any Mexican government holidays that may fall around the time of your application and what day theyes have off to celebrate. For instance today is "Cinco de mayo" But yesterday (Friday) the many government offices were closed, (At least around here in the Yucatán, seems like it varies a bit state to state). [If you are married] You can apply together and if your total combined assets/income meet the criteria you will both recieve your permanent visas at the same time," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

"If you plan to stay in Merida for an extended period of time, you will need a valid Mexican visa. Depending on your country of origin and the length of stay you have planned, you may need a tourist visa, a temporary resident visa, or a permanent resident visa. Additionally, if you plan to be in Mexico for over 180 days you must apply for a temporary residency permit, which is mandatory for any stay longer than 6 months. You can apply for these documents through your local Mexican embassy or consulate," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"Not that we have noticed yet, but I'm sure that will be happening in the future :-)," said one expat in Merida.

"Merida offers a wide range of healthcare services for its citizens. The city has a number of public and private hospitals, clinics, and medical centers that provide a variety of medical services, including general and specialized care. Merida also has a number of pharmacies and laboratories that provide access to medications and diagnostic tests. Additionally, the city has a number of health centers that provide preventive care, such as vaccinations and health screenings. Merida also has a number of specialized medical centers that provide specialized care, such as cancer treatment, fertility treatments, and mental health services," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.

"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," remarked one member in Merida.