Starting Your New Life in Mexico
Useful information about Mexico before you move here
Don’t believe everything you read about Mexico
Before going into detail about living in Mexico City, I want to touch on two important points. First, the reality in regard to life in Mexico will only become apparent once you move here. Do not settle for useless facts about living in Mexico from third-parties.
I suggest you look beyond THOSE trending sites and blogs with information about life in Mexico you can find on official websites. You will find an array of government and government funded sites devoted to informing Mexican Citizens and Foreigners.
For instance, this site reports updated news about life in Mexico City and this one offers information on requirements for foreigners who want to move here. You can look at these types of sites to get a glimpse of the reality about living in Mexico and also to ease your doubts before moving here, but they should not be your only source.
Secondly, Mexico has really advanced since we first moved here. You can make a life in Mexico that is comparable, if not, better than the one you are leaving behind. It all depends on the quality of research you do.
Otherwise your time in Mexico will be all about how reality is nothing like what you read. My blog speaks the truth about living in Mexico with posts based on real experiences. Remember, preparing for life in Mexico falls solely on you, and only you. Let me help.
Mexico, well, Mexico is Mexico
Life differs depending where in Mexico you decide to live, but in reality it is also similar in so many ways. Why is that? Because no matter where in Mexico you live or whether you are vacationing, you will find yourself in awe more than not. It's just how it is.
Before settling down in Mexico City, we accidentally went on a road trip throughout the country. We stayed at various towns, ate different foods and just enjoyed our time together. It was really nice, just wandering through, but it also made us realize that our assumptions about life in Mexico were way off, I mean really way off.
It was partly due to the fact that the time I spent in Mexico was as a child visiting relatives in small towns, mostly ranches, and away from major cities. People are very humble and do not live out of their means. But as an adult, reality made my life in Mexico quite an adventure.
Not only have we lived in Toluca and Mexico City, but we have also had prolonged stays in ranch towns, such as Saus, Tejupilco, Bejucos and Luvianos. I can’t tell you what is best for you. My goal is to prepare you for what's to come, to know what it takes to live in Mexico.
What other realities about living in Mexico will you encounter? The following are just a few brushes that you will live in Mexico.
Do not assume you will be met with open arms
I have met people who embrace foreigners and will go out of their way to make you feel at home. On the other hand, I have also met individuals who detest foreigners.
Always trying to blame someone else for their problems. One thing these individuals all share in common is the fact that they have never traveled outside of Mexico. Go figure!
Do not plan on living in Mexico without knowing Spanish
I strongly recommend that you know enough Spanish to somewhat carry a conversation. It is absurd to believe that you can live in Mexico while trying to learn Spanish, reality will not be kind to you.
I considered myself fluent in Spanish before moving to Mexico. I was able to communicate very well back home, but when I got here, a whole different story. I guess my accent was different than individuals living in Mexico.
Accents differ depending on the region in Mexico
Mexico is a country divided by regions, where lingo differs. In addition, there are many native languages spoken in Mexico. Because of this, there are different, well, how can I say it so that you can understand?
Not dialect, but more like how you say words, the tone and form of how you express yourself. People say things differently depending on where in Mexico they are from. This, in turn, helps identify a person's region of origin.
It is actually a clever mechanism that will expose you as someone not from Mexico the minute you speak. Let me give you an example from my life experiences in Mexico.
I have cousins who live in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It is a border town with Texas and a major crossing point into the United States. According to them, I am a Chilango, because now I sing when I talk. It stuns me every time I hear it.
I also find it weird them saying that because I think they are the ones doing the singing. Not the other way around. Positive effect from living in Mexico City. Chila-Gringo baby!
You will understand once you spend more time in Mexico. Oh, by the way, please watch what you say. Words have different meanings in different parts of Mexico.
Life in Mexico is still somewhat conservative
Growing up I was constantly reminded that it was us against them. Outsiders were seen as bad and we were encouraged to count on each other for support. As we grew up, we began to assimilate and those barriers were torn down.
That type of mentality is still visible living in Mexico City, but is more evident in small ranch towns. Mostly because rural Mexico doesn't benefit from advancements like major cities do.
I see the limited access to digital information in these areas as a positive. Otherwise, more Mexican youths would most likely be lured to the path that the rest of the world has taken.
Understand reality, life in Mexico is still exposed to good and bad behavior. Therefore, do not depend on someone to tell you that your kids will be better off because they are raised in Mexico. I always say that everything starts at home.
Mexico is expensive
We were still in our “Back Home” mode when we first arrived in Mexico. We committed an all too common mistake of converting every purchase to the cost in US Dollars.
At first, like everyone else, everything seemed really cheap to us. It wasn’t until we moved to Mexico City that we paid more attention to prices. Reality sunk in.
Inflation is high and prices in Mexico seemed to change daily. I remember paying $10.00 pesos and then suddenly paying $15.00 pesos the same week for the same product.
Never understood why because most products we purchase are of Mexican origin. The small increases may go unnoticeable for some time, but they will get your attention in the long run.
Another issue I have is the high prices one has to pay for education in Mexico. I don't know why there are so many private schools in Mexico, but I will assure you that it will take a big chunk of your income for a mediocre education. Look into my post to develop a plan that addresses everyone's concerns.
Customer service does not exist anywhere in Mexico
If you are going to live in Mexico, you will have to come to terms with the fact that life here is synonymous with shortcomings. But you don't have to get caught off-guard by Mexico.
Preparedness is your best defense and my post will help you out. But just in case, I will give you a quick heads up on customer service in Mexico. Expect not to be taken into account, as if you didn't exist, even as a paying customer. Nothing is facilitated for customers?
Where I'm from, companies provide a service that makes it easy for them to get paid. Something unheard of in Mexico. So in case you did not know, "mail-in payments" is not a service available here. Resulting for the need to pay bills in person at the bank.
Sometimes, if you are lucky, you will be able to get in and out fast, but plan on spending at least an hour paying your bills. And please avoid the 15th and 30th of every month. They are "pay days" and the banks are overflowing with people. You might be able to get out before 4 p.m., but don't count on it.
The chaos of people in one place on these days will present an opportunity for others. They will use this knowledge to their benefit, even if it means harming you. The previous post I linked above talks about the dangers that come from being naive.
Another thing. While shopping you may notice an annoying pattern when asking for an item not in stock. The most likely response you receive is that the item will be here in 15 days. Everything has a 15 day waiting list in Mexico and due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) it is now 20 days.
Mexico is noisy
We are still not used to it and we have been here for 17 years. Cars roaring by, constant honking like it's going out of style, dogs endlessly barking and parties at all hours are just a few noises heard in every neighborhood in Mexico City.
Prepare yourself for the actuality of being woken up by fireworks going off constantly and everyone coming by yelling to buy their products.
Recently, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), our neighborhood has been turned into a giant music venue by street musicians. Literally a whole band sets up in the middle of the street playing music while another individual goes around ringing doorbells.
You won’t miss American food in Mexico
Mexican food is delicious, especially with all the variety of tacos available. But if you get tired or are just simply feeling like something different, do not panic. Mexico has not been saved from globalization and you will be able to find a bunch of international and American restaurants.
From the moment you walk onto the airport hangar, your sight will be met with unlimited chains of international places to eat. There is now McDonald's, Carl's Jr., KFC, Starbucks and many, many more chains available to satisfy your food cravings.
Mexico is diverse
Yes, it has high crime. Robberies, kidnappings and murders are a daily occurrence. But it is also so much more. Mexico is rich in culture and diversity, people from different parts of the country and from all points of the world come here.
They leave their everlasting print, for the better or for the worse. It is a place where you can go out at any time and find something to do. You have more choices and will most likely find something that reminds you of home.
And so much more.....
I have so much more to share and I will continue to post about living in Mexico City. I haven’t even started talking about Colonias, traffic, political parties, gas distribution, water problems and so much more about living in Mexico.
I suggest you look into my post about some difficulties that will make you think you will not survive Mexico your first days here. It is not true and all it takes is a willingness to think "out of the box".
Look into my posts for help and at the same time continue researching what life in Mexico is really like by clicking here to get a copy of our "short story". It will bring a smile to your face.