What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Mazatlan. They wrote...
"One of the most challenging aspects of adjusting to life in Mazatlan for expats is the language barrier. While English is increasingly gaining a foothold among the younger generation, many of the local people and institutions remain largely Spanish-speaking. Additionally, understanding the local customs and culture can take some time for newcomers to the area to learn and adapt to. Mazatlan is also a very traditional Catholic city, with strong religious and cultural influences being readily seen in the way people interact with each other and in the social activities available in the area. For expats seeking to blend in, a thorough understanding of these customs and norms is required in order to be accepted by the local population," remarked another expat who made the move to Mazatlan, Mexico.
"Getting used to the acceptance of bureaucracy, the lack of urgency, the hierarchy of society and wondering where I fit sometimes. The gender roles - I get really upset when my wife asks a question and I get the answer. I really hate it when a National assumes that I am a snowbird, a vacationing tourist or a retired person. The locals are really not used to people our age (in our 40's) moving here working and raising a family. They have trouble categorizing us. That has made it a little hard to make local friends, but we are persistent and it is starting to pay off. We ask things like when is the first day of school. In the States that is a reasonable request and when you get an answer it is a certainty. Here, it is a moving target. That fact is not mentioned in the answer and we have to get used to asking back after the answer (to almost anything), "might that change?"," explained one expat living in Mazatlan, Mexico.

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Other Questions:
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- What do I need to know before moving to Mazatlan?
- How do I find a place to live in Mazatlan?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Mazatlan?
- What is the average cost of housing in Mazatlan?
- How do I meet people in Mazatlan?
- What should I pack when moving to Mazatlan?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Mazatlan?
- Will I be able to find a job in Mazatlan?
- What is life like in Mazatlan?
- What do people like (and dislike) about Mazatlan?
- What type of social life can someone expect in Mazatlan?
- What is the social scene like in Mazatlan?
- What advice to expats in Mazatlan have about housing?
- What are medical services in Mazatlan like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Mazatlan?
- Is the cost of living in Mazatlan high?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Mazatlan?
- Why do people move to Mazatlan?
What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Mazatlan, newcomers to Mazatlan would love to hear your answer to this question.