Moving South of the Border to Mexico
Essentials to get you through your first days
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
I can tell you from experience that moving to another country is hectic. I often found myself wishing for some guidance to keep me from going crazy in the beginning of our journey. But we realized as time passed that there would be no such rescue.
By contrast, I extend my hand to you by writing about the challenges we live in Mexico. Largely because I know better now and I want you to know that life in Mexico takes a whole different meaning than what you are used to. Otherwise, you might think everything in Mexico is dandy, but you will be mistaken.
The reality about living in Mexico is so much more intense and it can bring you down in a heartbeat. Simple becomes complicated and a major issue you will face early in your move is the heavy burden caused by wondering how you will survive Mexico.
Even online shopping or doing simple house chores can make you crazy because there is always something that comes up. Since we have already lived through it, I want to give you solace by talking about some things you will encounter while living here that will help you survive Mexico just enough to not go loco.
Embrace that we have become a digital society
Isolation is the new normal and we no longer need same place, same time. Embrace it, what better way to get through tough times than building a strong family base? Your potential is unlimited when you have a strong support system. Even Mexico won't defeat you.
I say this because the times we are living today have changed and our lives are being consumed by digital platforms. Everything has gone digital, from how we communicate with each other to how we shop.
I mean, even schools saw the writing on the wall and no longer teach cursive. Imagine that, our little ones not learning the basic skill of writing in cursive because it has become useless. Anyways, who needs to know cursive now that you can just type your expressions?
On the other hand, it has also simplified our lives by maximizing our time. With little effort, we can get anything we want, when we want it, and without leaving the house. It is pretty cool and I think it is just getting started.
One good example of seeing how apps assisted the change is by asking a simple question. How many of you still go to the grocery store? I would have to say not many at all. Using an app to shop for groceries is a service I believe everyone uses, especially with Covid-19 pillaging with no end in sight. It allows us to refill our fridge at the push of a button.
Online shopping in Mexico City is tricky
I have two suggestions when ordering groceries online here in Mexico. The first is to order with ample time. We have been left without our order for 2 days. We called the store, spoke to a manager and still had items missing when our ordered finally arrived.
Companies in Mexico are awful when it comes to customer service. Something happens to them when they move south of the border. I belief it has to do with the work culture here in Mexico.
Here is a simple example. Individuals are discouraged from going out right now because of the pandemic going on. So naturally one will try to go out as little as possible. Right?
Well Superama and Wal-Mart have complete weeks where no delivery takes place. A bit counterproductive. I haven't encountered any problems shopping at Chedraui. Prices are comparable and a lot of times cheaper.
The second is not to order refrigerated items when shopping online. Orders are filled the night before and common sense tells you to get anything that needs to be refrigerated right before the order goes out. Only in Mexico do you get hot milk, slimy cheese or melted ice cream delivered to you.
Use the App CDMX to make your life easier
The App CDMX has some very useful functions and best of all it is free. You will be able to check air quality, public transportation information, chances of rain for specific areas and much more.
Taxi service will also be available on the app beginning in March of this year. This is cool because taxis are seen as abusive with their service and fees to the point that hardly no one uses them.
Everything will be digital now, no need to fight over the rate and you will also be monitored at all times. A bigger plus is that you won’t be stuck hailing a cab in the middle of the night in some crazy part of Mexico City.
Personally, I hate using anything having to do with Uber. It is not consumer friendly and more so here in Mexico. Uber always changes my final price on trips and it is a headache to get them to correct it. Uber Eats has a 30% markup on food and delivery fees are high.
Here in Mexico, they combine food orders for delivery. So if you order from a restaurant that has more than one order nearby, expect Uber Eats to combine them all into one delivery. Supposedly it is to minimize cost. But for whom, I do not enjoy eating cold food.
Avoid complicating house chores
You might notice something missing from your home once you settle in or maybe you looked into my post about housing in Mexico City and prepared for it.
Either way, I am still here to help you solve problems. Including house chores, because they will test your patience. One in particular is washing clothes. Imagine this, you are all settled in, you have the perfect place to put your washer and are now ready to wash clothes.
Not so fast. Two problems with this idea. The first is referenced in my post about housing in Mexico City. If you had looked into it, you would know that homes in Mexico do not have connections for your dryer or washing machine.
Secondly, water in Mexico City is considered to be "hard" and is also limited. You will experience dry skin, dry scalp and spend hours scrubbing mineral stains in the shower.
The minerals in the water will wear clothes out faster and will also turn them yellow. Before doing laundry, we soak our clothes in a solution of baking soda and water for about an hour. It will help keep your clothes white.
You have to make sure to shake the clothes out thoroughly. Sometimes the minerals will stick to the clothes and you will have to wipe them with a damp cloth.
Simple solution is to clean out the washer before and after every cycle, wash and rinse. It helps remove all the deposits left from the last load of wash. If not, your clothes will come out looking like you left a dryer sheet in the wash, full of lint and hair.
You must invest in rugs. They go a long way in helping with the dust because screens are not included with your new home.
Do not get a SIM card with a local phone number
I have read that you should get a SIM card the minute you land in Mexico. I really do not see a need for this. Especially since your plan back home is most likely all-included.
Yes, you can buy a SIM card anywhere and it will work as soon as you replace your old SIM card. But having a cell phone in Mexico will probably not be what you are used to.
You have to add credit in order for your phone to work with SIM cards that you buy in a store or off the street. You can be in a middle of a call and no matter how important it is, you will be cut off the millisecond your credit runs out.
Phone companies in Mexico have two available plans for unregistered SIMS. One plan charges by the minute and if you are lucky you can find one that charges by the second. For a limited time, you are allowed to use up your minutes.
But you will not be able to use them after the expiration date unless you add more credit. Even if you still have minutes or megas left. You will get about a week's use with $20 pesos.
The second allows you to "pre-purchase" a plan. Basically you get a certain amount of megas and minutes for a limited time.
You will have to add more credit at the end of the cycle and you will lose the unused credit. I get unlimited calls and 2 gigabytes for 30 days with $100 pesos.
I don’t recommend that you get on a monthly plan with any provider. They are expensive and not worth it. Just pay for what you use. I also recommend not using Tel-Cel.
It is own by the richest man in the world and by far the most abusive. The richest man in the world lives in Mexico. Go figure!
I also do not shop at Sanborn's, another store owned by Carlos Slim. Once I bought some slippers and took them back after a week because they tore.
They refused to exchange them because they were used. Of course they were used and the slippers were obviously defected.
Bring everything from home that you can
Mexico is expensive. Prices always go up and do not reflect the value for what you pay. The slipper example from above cost me $400 pesos, about $20 dollars for $5 dollar slippers.
There are limited choices for some products, usually self care products. I use Polo Blue deodorant because it is free of alcohol and does not make my arm pits yellow. Not any more. That deodorant goes for about $1,000 pesos in Mexico City. I just buy more white shirts now.
Colognes, perfumes, make-up and lotions are hard to find at decent prices or are not available at all. They also never go on sale. I suggest you buy as many sets as you can before you move to Mexico.
Men's blue jeans are also hard to find here. You will find all colors, and I do mean all colors, but not plain old blue jeans. Style does not vary, tight and slim is all over Mexico.
Sticky business going to ATM's
Not only are ATM's hot spots for crime, they are also hot spots for extracurricular activities. That gooey film you find on buttons may not necessarily be bacterial gel.
There are certain areas in Mexico City that are known for prostitution. I won't go into detail where they are but I will tell you that they are usually not in bad areas.
Why bother renting a hotel room for a couple of minutes when you can do your business in a warm, well lit place. All free of charge.
At some point in your stay in Mexico City you will be surprised or you will surprise someone going at it in an ATM. I don't know why but for some reason my first reaction is to laugh at the situation.
Wave down a cop or push the panic button if you are really bothered by it. Mexico City officials have really stepped up with increased patrols.
Lean on me for more advice and laughs
What is life if you cannot laugh at it at times? I mean not everything is going to be rosy but you can always find someway to smile back.
Mexico will do that to you. A lot of challenges lie ahead. You still have to find a good doctor to avoid late night trips to the pharmacy and not to panic during earthquakes.
I do not have all the answers but I can help you get answers. Get the fundamentals for surviving an unfamiliar life in Mexico City.
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