11 pros and cons of living in Mexico as an American 

 

After spending a year and a half traveling around Mexico, I found there were several disadvantages of living in Mexico. 

 

Despite the many advantages of living in Mexico – like low cost of living and perfect weather – many Americans move back home after living in Mexico for a while. The disadvantages of living in Mexico can take over if you aren’t prepared.

 

During my time there, I lived in Queretaro – a state just 3 hours north of Mexico City – for ten months. The rest of the time I spent traveling to a total of 8 different states around Mexico. I lived in Baja California Sur, Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, and Mexico City. 

 

If you are thinking of moving to Mexico as an American, read through these pros and cons and decide for yourself if it’s worth it. At the end of this post, I’ll share my recommendations for the best cities in Mexico for expats.

 

 

 

Cons: Disadvantages of living in Mexico

1. Mexico is LOUD

Fireworks for no reason, cars with blaring speakers, random church bells, music all night from the bar next door – I dealt with all of these and more. Trucks drive around the neighborhoods with loud speakers announcing what they are selling. This disadvantage of living in Mexico sounds like an old man’s complaint, but it is definitely a shock when first moving to Mexico.

 

2. Frequent service outages

While I was staying in Tulum, there was a small but intense hurricane that came through. Even though there wasn’t too much damage to homes, there was damage to the power lines. That meant the electricity and the water were out for two whole days. There was no internet, no cell service, and no flushing the toilet or taking a shower. It was a long two days, but in the end it was only two days. If you move to Mexico, expect these types of repairs to take longer. 

 

Electricity or internet service can even go out at random times for no reason. If you’re worried about having enough internet to work online, don’t worry. Most of the time there’s enough connection if you are in a city. I was able to make money teaching English classes online through Italki while I lived in Mexico.

 

3. Banking has to be done in person and cash is king

Personally, I stuck with my American bank accounts which I could do all online. For those who will work in Mexico and require a Mexican bank account, expect to spend time in line at the bank. There’s almost always a line on pay day.

Moreover, a slightly annoying disadvantage of living in Mexico is that everyone expects you to pay in cash. Of course, there are many places where you can pay with a card, but you will need to keep cash on you. This isn’t too bad, but it’s something to note. Get a Charles Schwab checking account and debit card to avoid any and all ATM fees – they refund all ATM fees charged to the card!

 

 

4. Everyone is always late 

While Mexican people are the most friendly and kind people, they are also not punctual. People will show up whenever they want no matter what time you decide on. I’m talking half an hour or more late. As an American, it seems rude, but it’s just a cultural norm. You will adjust and start showing up late too to avoid waiting around for an hour. Now that I’m back stateside, I am still always late to everything. 

 

5. The language barrier can be a difficult adjustment

Culture shock can be a real struggle when moving to a new country. Learning a new language is often a pro for many people – and the reason that I first moved to Mexico! I wanted to learn Spanish. Taking a few classes to learn some Spanish can really help you adjust. Plus, you’ll make friends with your teacher and fellow students. However, if you don’t plan on learning Spanish, then living in Mexico might be more difficult for you.

 

6. Food hygiene standards are lower

If you’ve traveled around the world at all, you surely noticed that food hygiene standards vary in different countries. In Mexico, street food is very popular, and there doesn’t appear to be any kind of health code in place. 

 

I got food poisoning twice while living in Mexico, and I wasn’t sure what caused it either time. To avoid getting sick in Mexico, thoroughly wash fruits and veggies (with soap or vinegar) and cook them to be extra cautious. Watch out for unwashed fresh herbs as well.  

 

7. Water is inaccessible

Speaking of getting sick in Mexico, the water is infamous for ruining Mexican vacations with illness. Never drink from the tap, and be careful not to get water in your mouth while showering. Always drink bottled or filtered water to avoid dealing with this as one of the disadvantages of living in Mexico. In Mexico City, I would carry a five gallon jug of water up three flights of stairs to my apartment every few days to save money on bottled water. However, many airbnb’s will provide a jug of water for you. 

 

8. Police corruption and crime

Of all the disadvantages of living in Mexico, this is definitely one of the most common concerns among Americans. While it is a serious problem, it doesn’t affect tourist as much as many people might think.

 

Many people will tell you that Mexico is dangerous because of the crime. Most of the bad crime in Mexico happens in certain regions, and it’s not as bad in the touristy areas. As a tourist, the only crime you really need to worry about is petty theft. Use common sense and avoid walking alone at night. 

 

In addition, it was surprising to me to find out that if a cop pulled you over, you likely just needed to offer them a bit of cash and they would let you go. Bribing the cops is very common in Mexico, and it’s another reason why you should always have cash on you. I heard stories of the police taking bribes anywhere from 20 pesos (about $1 USD) to 500 pesos ($25 USD). 

 

9. Ordering online and shipping is difficult – sometimes impossible

If you’re used to ordering everything you need online, Mexico might be an extra adjustment for you. Although you can order online, including on Amazon, it’s not guaranteed that your package will arrive on time, if at all. 

 

Receiving a package sent from the United States isn’t easy either. I tried to get my contact lenses shipped to me once, and they were stopped at customs only to be sent back to the US. 

 

Remember that Mexico does have a lot of the same companies and products as the United States, but not everything. You may not be able to find the exact brand you are used to in another country. Due to the slow mail system, it may not be possible to order it either.

 

10. Scams are common, especially for tourists

Even the most seasoned traveler can deal with getting scammed. The scammers you need to watch out for in Mexico are taxi drivers in some areas and the tourist tax, or overcharging. The taxis are safe in many towns, just do some research so you know about how much they should charge you. Always ask the taxi driver how much it will be before getting in the car. You can ask your airbnb host or hotel if the taxis are safe and how much it should cost.

 

11. Earthquakes and hurricanes can happen

Natural disasters are common in Mexico. Earthquakes happen in most of the country, and hurricanes are common on both coasts during hurricane season. Usually, the towns know how to handle these natural disasters, and you can follow suit.

 

In many places, including Mexico City, there’s an alarm that goes off several seconds before the earthquake begins. Usually, they last a few seconds or minutes and that’s it. Sometimes it can cause some damage. I only experienced one very small earthquake and one hurricane over the course of a year and half in Mexico. Natural disasters can happen anywhere, so some people may not consider it among the disadvantages of living in Mexico specifically.

 

 

 

Pros: Advantages of living in Mexico

 

1. Low cost of living

One of the top reasons Americans choose to move to Mexico in the first place is the low cost of living. Almost everything is cheaper. You can live well in Mexico on less than $1500 per month. Even less if you’re frugal. 

 

The cheapest option is to do a workaway where you work for a few hours a week in exchange for free accommodation and sometimes free meals. Read my experience of doing a workaway in Mexico here. 

2. Generous visa policy

Americans are granted 180 days stay in Mexico on a tourist visa for free! You don’t need to apply for the visa or anything, you just get a piece of paper on arrival. Save the form because you need to turn it in at the airport when you leave the country, or else you will pay a fee of about $30 USD. 

 

If you will be working in Mexico, you may need to apply for a work visa, but otherwise it’s pretty simple to arrive in Mexico and stay for six months at a time. 

3. Plenty of beautiful beaches

People travel from all over the world to vacation at Mexico’s incredible beaches. Whether you go to the Caribbean Coast or the Pacific Coast, there’s plenty of water sports and activities. Learn a new skill while you live in Mexico, like surfing or diving. It’s cheap to fly around Mexico, so it’s easy to arrive at any beach in a day and spend the weekend in the sun. Here’s my list of the top five best beaches in Mexico. 

 

4. Delicious and cheap food

Tacos, quesadillas, chilaquiles, elote, pozole, tortas… I would go to Mexico only for the food. Each region has it’s specialties, and it’s worth traveling around a bit to experience the different flavors. There’s cheap, fresh-squeezed juices on every corner, and street food available at any time of day.

5. Cheap movies and entertainment

For movie lovers, Mexico might be worth the move just for the savings on movie tickets. Compared to a $10 (or more) movie ticket in the United States, you can have the same experience in Mexico for less than 100 pesos ($5).

 

Moreover, you can enjoy a cheap night out with affordable cocktails and a fancy dinner at a reasonable price.

6. Affordable healthcare

Even without insurance, visiting the doctor in Mexico is pennies compared to what it costs in the United States. Medicine is also surprisingly cheap. I’ve even heard of people scheduling their dentists visits during their beach vacation in Mexico to get teeth whitening or other procedures. Some bulk buy their medicine south of the border. 

 

In my experience visiting a private hospital in Mexico, it’s cheap even without any insurance. After falling and hitting my head, I had to get a CAT scan in a private hospital in Mexico. It only cost me $350 USD. 

7. Learn a new language and experience living in a foreign country

Living in a foreign culture is one of the most fulfilling experiences you can have. While it’s challenging, stepping out of your comfort zone is vital for personal development. You can learn more about yourself when you put yourself in a new environment. 

 

Learning new skills is never a bad thing. I try to learn a new skill as frequently as possible, and learning a new language is one of my favorite things to do. It’s fun, silly, and fulfilling to try to communicate in another language. Plus, if you take Spanish classes in Mexico, you can make friends with your teacher and fellow students.  

 

Before you go, try taking a few Spanish classes on Italki. You can learn almost any language on the platform with real teachers. I also teach English on Italki.

8. It’s close to home with cheap flights

This is another reason I chose Mexico in the first place. I had been living in France for a while, and I was ready to be within just a short flight away from my family. The flights are not only cheap to travel within Mexico, it’s also not too pricey to get a flight home. At times, it can be less than $200 USD round trip between the United States and Mexico. 

9. Rich culture, history, and experiences

Mexico is full of well-preserved archeological ruins, impressive pyramids, and beautiful colonial pueblo magicos – or magical towns. There’s actually several hundred pyramids located around the country, many of which you can climb. 

 

In the Yucatán Peninsula, you’ll find plenty of cenotes to explore. Cenotes are underground, natural wells or sinkholes with crystal clear water. They are becoming popular on Instagram for a reason. Mexico is the only place in the world where these kinds of cenotes exist. 

 

In the rest of the country, Mexico offers multiple climate zones with lots of natural beauty. From deserts to jungles, you can find any kind of adventure you want.

 

10. The climate is perfect

Mexico is known for being hot all the time, but it’s actually not entirely true. There’s many places in Mexico that have cooler weather as well, like Mexico City. In fact, most of Mexico has mild temperatures no matter the season. 

11. The people

The people of Mexico create the kindest, most fun culture you might ever live in. While it’s difficult to make friends with locals in many parts of the world, this is the exact opposite in Mexico. Mexicans will welcome you, be your friend, take you to meet their families, and offer you food. Overall, the people in Mexico are really laid-back, and it’s easy to find friends while living in Mexico. 

 

 

The Best City in Mexico for Expats

 

Honestly, there’s so many incredible cities around Mexico. It’s hard to choose just one. If I were to move back to Mexico, I would definitely live in Oaxaca City. The culture there is so open and unique, and the city is particularly beautiful. It’s also one of the cheaper towns for expats.

 

Other cities I would recommend considering include Queretaro for a small town feel (read about my hiking experience in Queretaro here), or Mexico City if you love big cities. 

 

If you are moving to Mexico to live by the beach, then go to Puerto Escondido or somewhere in Baja California Sur, like Todos Santos. Click here for the best and safest beach towns in Mexico, including the two best cities in Baja California Sur. Puerto Vallarta is a common destination for digital nomads.

 

 

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Mexico is a common destination for retirees, and it’s growing in popularity for digital nomads as well. Although Mexico has its advantages, make sure to consider the disadvantages of living in Mexico before you take the leap. The tourist tax can make even your rent higher in Mexico depending on where you choose to live. More touristy towns are more expensive. 

 

As long as you play your cards right and use common sense, Mexico can be an incredible place to live. The country has a lot of natural beauty and the pueblos magicos will make you reconsider the disadvantages of living in Mexico. 

 

Are you moving to Mexico? I’d love to hear from you! Let me know where you are headed in the comments below, or sign up for my email list and reply to the first email.