What Expats Wished They Knew Before Moving To Mexico
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Retirees and expats already living, investing, or doing business in Mexico. If they can do it, so can you!
But, you might not know where to start. If that's the case, here are some things to know before moving to Mexico as stated by Mexico Insider Lee Harrison...
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
2:34 Mexico is a big country
3:24 Residency is fast and easy
4:30 You can drive
to Mexico
5:41 It’s easy to bring pets
6:13 Using Netflix and Amazon Prime
7:14 Amazon.mx works like a charm
8:42 Expat annoyances: locals not speaking English and expats not speaking Spanish
10:19 Inexpensive and delicious seafood
11:06 Mexico has great street food
12:56 It’s hard to make local friends
14:09 Uber is not in every city or at every airport
15:00 There are plenty of opportunities for Americans or Canadians entrepreneurs
15:54 Mexico has American big box stores
16:37 You can find your preferred brands here
17:20 There will be lots of fireworks
17:58 Loud and cheerful music is the norm
18:24 You can find good local craftsmen
19:17 Mexicans are family-oriented
20:01 Mexico is a trash-tolerant country
20:45 Mexicans are COVID-safe
21:38 Mexican interior design is not what you think it is
23:06 Some people don’t pay the HOAs fees
24:23 Real estate taxes are low
25:28 Mexico is cheap
26:54 There is a sense of freedom in Mexico
28:05 Conclusion
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That’s so disrespectful to have expats to live in a foreign country and get mad at the people who live there for not speaking English. Those are the same people who berate those people in America for not speaking English. If you are going to another country, it is your duty to learn the language.
ok, but many from Mexico came here, REFUSED to learn english and now everything had to be made bi-lingual to accommodate the influx of non-english spanish speaking folks. ONLY culture that insisted on having their language included. I think it is important to learn the language, but it flows both ways.
Tell that to the 10's of millions of illegals living in America, that dont speak English.
I saw a funny ( and truthful) T shirt on Mexican servers in a restaurant that said " IF YOU DON'T LAUGH AT MY ENGLISH, I WONT LAUGH AT YOUR SPANISH"!!
Yet on the US side of the border everything is written in Spanish and border employees don't speak english. How welcoming is that?
I agree 100%. If you move to another country embrace the culture and learn the language.
I've got nothing against foreigners wanting to move to Mexico. But just keep in mind that if you plan to settle here, don't call yourself an expat, you're an immigrant, and also try to learn Spanish. We understand that it takes time to learn a language, but at least make the effort.
Preach!! They are immigrants and we don’t need to accommodate anything for them, if they are not comfortable they can go back to USA
Exacto! Es lo mínimo!
😂
Absolutely. Americans can't bring themselves to say it. It's ridiculous
How about alien! That word always throws me off!
Lived in Guadalajara for 3.5 years. Do NOT underestimate the loud music aspect of Mexican culture. Probably different living in an expat area, but if you live among the locals you will hear music blasted at 3 o'clock in the morning if it's any sort of holiday and sometimes even when it's not. Never understood how someone could do that, but just chalked it up to it's another culture and stopped trying to understand it. Food in GDL was fantastic and you can't say enough about how helpful and polite most people were. Mexicans speak much more formally than Americans do, and I liked that. Also, loved how granny and great granny lives with the family and doesn't get shipped off to the nursing home. Just some random thoughts of mine.
True I hate that they do that with music
Re the 'loud music; You find that in a lot of 'less formal' countries . It's called enjoying life. They would see those other places that are annoyed, as being 'uptight'...different mindset.
@@bizhope007 According to you enjoying life means having to listen to extremely loud music that you might not even like including at very late hours in the morning. what a joke. You dont enjoy life at the expense of disrespecting others. We had a problem in Mexico with some prostitutes who started renting next to us, thankfully we had the community police take care of them and they took their speakers away. You try living next to someone playing loud music 24/7 bigot.
@@luismedina530 Move to a convent you will have all the peace you want in your sedentary life.😁😁😁😁
So true! We travel to Puerto Vallarta and they will play loud music all night! Talking with the locals, it drives them crazy too..,but they are hesitant to complain. I haven’t noticed this behavior in the good neighborhoods of Mexico City however.
There are "Ugly Americans" I remember from way far back - tourists that will berate the waitress when she has food stains on her apron, etc., and to me it's inexcusable. These workers in Mexico work hard and get paid very little, so they deserve respect - they are the less entitled and we should all be thankful for their services. Returning to Mexico, you'll always recognize people, because they stay in the same jobs much longer than they do in other cultures. ALWAYS respect people when you travel - be a good ambassador and project kindness and respect.
Ha, ha! Remember once long, long ago in Acapulco there was a tourist dressing down a waitress for having a stained apron with him being very, very upset, but if he wanted tuxedos he should have went to a very upscale place where his meal would cost him plenty. Those days, Acapulco was beautiful, but today I'd go someplace else.
Explico número 17: el trabajador mexicano sentado con su sombrero durmiendo no es porque sea flojo, es porque a los trabajadores se les hacía trabajar jornadas de 16 horas y cada que podían encontrar un momento lo usaban para descansar.... Es interesante ver como se puede interpretar un cuadro desde una perspectiva equivocada. Saludos desde México.
In response to no. 17 :"The real story of the sleeping Mexican begins in the late 1800s. At that time, traveling Americans first wrote about how Indios, exhausted after a full day’s work, would wrap themselves in shawls and sarapes and prop themselves against buildings to rest.In his book, The Sleeping Mexican Phenomenon, writer Charles Phillip Jimenez points to these early examples and argues the sleeping Mexican doesn’t sleep because he’s lazy. It’s because he’s been working so hard. It wasn’t until the 1940s when the tourism industry kicked off, that merchants began mass producing the sleeping Mexican. They were sold as souvenirs for Americans on vacation. And later, in the 50s and 60s, the kitschy collectibles became shorthand for the tequila-drinking, burro-riding, maraca-shaking Mexican caricature..."
Bernardo de la Torre: si Sabre yo , soy argentina, vivo en un Barrio ruso en Nueva York, todos los comerciantes tuenen empleados empleados mexicanos que les trabajan sin descanso 16 a 18 horas por dia y encima la mayoria los 7 dias de la semana. Realmente es para sacarse el Sombrero en senal de respeto y son tan inteligentes que muchos de ellos han aprendido el idioma ruso, los admiro
✨👏
One of the most famous French pop song goes " un Mexicain basané un sombrero sur le nez en guise en guise de parasol "
As a Mexican expat living in the US, I wish I knew how sticky hot the southeast can be during the summer. It's an OVEN.
You mean a sauna?🤣
Have you been in Florida?
Unfortunately, in the US a lot of people thinks of Mexicans as immigrants not expats.
@@gasaul5759as gringos living in Mèxico, calling themselves expats 😂😂😂 they immigrants, because they moving for a better relaxing, quality, and healthy life. If it's not, so why they moving
@@internetcensure5849 You can breathe in a sauna, whereas a summer in the Southern US is no joke.
Maybe double check the medical care. A friend of mine who is in medicine told me that she learned in one of her classes that Mexico is number three in the world for medical care. The US is number 21. I do not know how updated the numbers might be now but it might be worth checking out. I’m sure it also depends on where you live as far as services go.
Every Time I visit Mexico We meet the friendliest and most welcoming Mexicans, and ex-pats ❤️ Mexico
Yes anyone who can't befriend Mexicans has personal issues, sorry
And btw....we don't mind being called expats, or even gringos in certain parts of mexico. In the USA enclaves like Lake Chapala it's accepted without insult. In QRO, they would never think of using that term. It is considered derogatory here. We are Mexican immigrants or USA emigrants and expats who chose to live in a place that has more freedom, less violence, and kinder people . While some say expat means you are turning away from everything USA including citizenship, it really just means you prefer to live outside of your home country. In our case, it is both. We see the USA government as leaning towards fascism and authoritarianism with little regard for it's citizenry. For most people who freely choose to leave their home countries, that is at least part of their reason. Everything else is in regards to having a better quality of life and currently that's possible almost anywhere else in the world.
I would visit Guadalajara Jalisco and was treated with humbleness and respect. The people there make you feel welcomed. There are many beautiful places, hotels and restaurants that are soooo affordable.
*inmigrants not expats
It's ok to call U.S. americans who move to other countries, immigrants. Legal or otherwise. And since the loonie toons have taken over I'd argue the migration will be flowing outward. Maybe other countries need to build some walls. Figuratively, of course!
You related to the chicken guy?
White people are expats, brown people are immigrants. That's from the Oxford dictionary.
Yes.
Of course,why not??!! That's what they are immigrants
Based comment
Mexican love the music. just as data, Mexico is the country with the greatest influence in all Spanish speaking due to its diversity of music, cinema, art, TV, culture.
I learned this as well, the rest of Latin America looks up to this great nation for its long deep culture and diverse music art etc. And as a fellow North American I do as well.
As a US expat who’s been living in Mexico for a year, I can tell you that this video is really spot on. Excellent information and presentation. Thanks for posting it!
You mean Immigrant
@@jettabanker paint it however you want, but its legal lol
Hopefully, you can teach people you see being disrespectful towards the store owners or restaurant owners not to act like that. Thank you. 😊
Nothing wrong it but, your name is Jose and you're brown. You are not an Expat, you're an Immigrant. Again, nothing wrong with that, is just the way it is.
@@gunghogringo No one say anything about being legal or not, buddy. When third world people goes to work and or live to a developed country (everything legal and work visa) they are immigrants. On the other hand, when people from a developed country specially anglo-saxon people goes to work and or live to a third world country (everything legal and work visas just as the third world people), they are NOT Immigrants, they are expats. Enough with the expat BS.
I lived 5 wonderful years in Mexico and this video is so accurate, makes me want to go back to Mexico lindo y querido for good
Pero aprende español. Es el lenguaje oficial de México.
@@chipoodle Actualmente 95% de los mexicanos habla español, sin embargo, no se le considera “lengua oficial” debido a que en todo el territorio nacional existen lenguas indígenas de relevancia cultural y con una gran cantidad de hablantes. Así mismo, en el mundo de los negocios y el mercado laboral, el Ingles es tan relevante como el español.
@@jackprescott9652 Perdón pero léete la constitución, español es el Lenguaje oficial. Como en cualquier parte del mundo, si quieres vivir en algún país, tienes que aprender la lengua oficial de ese país, con o sin negocios. No seas malinchista.
@@chipoodle Aunque no te guste, en el mercado laboral en México, sobre todo en los lugares turísticos, hablar ingles te abre las puertas. Incluso si eres emprendedor, con el ingles tiene acceso a mayor mercado. No seas chauvinista.
I had a medical emergency in Buenos Aires, an afternoon in the emergency hospital facility, that cost $1,500 ARS. That was $150 USD. I had a relapse on the way home on a cruise ship, same treatment, $1,500 USD.
Of course, the USA and Western countries are overpriced for the same kind of services and products, you can get for a much cheaper price in South America or Eastern Europe.
@@internetcensure5849 but! How is the quality of care? You get what you pay for.
@@Lt_Tragg I watched others on another channel. One lady from San Francisco among others said the medical care she gets in GDL was as good as she got in San Francisco. Of course, this is at a private medical facility. Not the government run medical care.
I've gone to Mexico for years for dental work-- I found a highly recommended office in Mexico City, and its been wonderful, at least half price of what Canada and the US were charging. I couldn't be happier with the dental work I got done there.
I've already made up my ind that I will definitely retire in Mexico. Over the past seven years or so, I've spent about four months each in Campeche and Veracruz , and about eight months in Merida, where I will be returning to in a month. I been to most of the popular retirement places like Panama, Costa Rica and Thailand, and have spent over four years altogether in Guatemala, especially Livingston and Panajachel. I like the proximity to the U.S., and I have traveled by bus through every country in Central America. The cost of living in easily affordable for me with my modest retirement income, the weather is great, and I've found the people very friendly, especially all of the new friends I've met recently. My Spanish is getting better, and is good enough to get everything I need done. I'd recommend it for anyone who wants a peaceful life.
What was your opinion of Campeche? Doing my research it seems like my ideal retirement location in Mexico. I hope to visit in the near future.
@@mln2963 Campeche is really mellow, definitely a nice retirement location, but I found it a little too retired for me...I've settled on Veracruz .
@@PastorBobby2023 I'll have to do some research on Veracruz. What do you like about it? Thank you
Mexican here...A word about regulations and related stuf: We do have a whole bunch of regulations in place. People just choose to ignore them. The Government knows they can't enforce them..... For things that involve paper work such as official ID's, birth certificates, utility bills and sometimes even property deeds, the authorities are pretty strict....
I didn't see people ignoring rules, insane obedience and sheep everywhere, very disappointing
A helpful clarification Arturo. All regulations are not bad, as a society we need some, for example the ones you mention, which are integral to a modern functioning society. The problem is that having covered the basics a century ago, legislatures continue to legislate, cops keep getting hired, bureaucracies expand and the cost comes in a psychological toll, a pernicious/creeping reduction in quality of life
@@kippsguitar6539 you'd probably feel better staying in the USA I'm sure. We prefer to do what's best for the majority here because we are a real democracy, unlike the USA.
@@jfields6687 You're right it's not a Democracy it's a constitutional republic. People make that mistake often.
@@oldcrook510 people in the USA only. The rest of the world hasn't been that dumbed down. We are well aware how the USA feigns democracy while destroying it around the world.
This was very insightful. The prices have been going up due to so many folks having more money than the locals. The locals are now not being able to afford some things anymore.
Lee Harrison is the most articulate, informed spokesperson concerning a move to Latin America, or moreover, to Mexico itself. What a great speaker you have on your team!
"Mexico is big", "it's really too big too generalize"~ Really important points to be made, & we appreciate you making them here. So often, we have the tourist/outdated/urban legend sorts of perspective on foreign countries.
And the bus systems are fabulous! So easy to go city to city.
Possibly the best in the world.
I’m sure by now I have seen hundreds of videos about living in Mexico and moving to Mexico, however this is by far the best one I’ve ever seen. I will probably watch it a couple dozen times. Thank you so much! And thank you for being such a beautiful, not an ugly American. I greatly appreciate the level of respect you show for the wonderful people in the city as you visit.
Yes, the information is insightful and well delivered. Kudos on an excellent video!
That applies to foreigners who come to the US to live. LEARN ENGLISH.
My father, uncles and aunts came over to US decades ago in there early 20s.. They all attempted to learn English and were able to raise my siblings, cousins and myself here in the US. By the time they came over it was too late to enter the public schooling to learn and it was pretty much come over and start to work. Now with internet I believe it is possible to learn English and do encourage anyone coming to the US to learn English, mainly to make their transition easier and same for any immigrant going to another country. I’m so grateful that my parents came to the US and offered me and my siblings an opportunity for the American Dream as they say. I’ve accomplished this and can retire now at 45 yoa….I’m going to retire in Mexico 😁
yes the freedom one enjoys in Mexico is extraordinary!
I have been living in Mexico for several years with houses on both on the Pacific coast and on the Caribbean coast. This video is balanced and truthful in every issue discussed. 👍🏻
Except it's easy to make friends in Mexico, because people have more time for people in Mexico.
Lucky you! Living the life most Mexicans can only dream to have. Must be nice to have your probably not so extraordinary net-worth for American standards get you two houses on our beaches. It’s supposed to be unconstitutional for foreigners to buy land on the coasts but you guys still find ways to take our beach land. Imperialism continues, but we are still in Mexico….The risk for you to have your lands taken away from you, is still quite high… it’s Mexico after all, so you guys do like to take some serious risks, I’ll give you that!
@Todd well, do it in your country. Not ours. Capitalism is fine but we need to deal with the negative externalities and make up for them somehow. It’s easy for you to say if you wish to come here and buy with a years salary a house that an average Mexican could only afford with 10 years salary. Things like these have real impacts, and people’s lives are affected. It’s okay to gentrify your oaklands or your Austin’s but you have no say what we do in our country. The fact that you suggest it’s okay to do it in someone else’s country, displays the whole essence of what we don’t like about your kind. Always unaware and oblivious of the impact you may cause in the world. Disgusting. And just so you know, there are laws in Mexico that prevent foreigners from owning property in here. We need to reserve that right as much as possible to give that opportunity to our people whose right to own land here trumps yours. They need the opportunity to catch up and keep those lands Mexican as much as we can. Otherwise, rich countries would own the entire world. And the fact it works in your country, doesn’t mean it works here. Forces and the whole dynamic is different. Most Americans moving here are taking land or houses out of the market but not necessarily live here or pay taxes or give back somehow. It’s not like they are investing in creating new businesses or jobs. Most of their money here flows from Americans to well off Mexicans. We’ve seen a dramatic increase in housing and cost of living in areas with high population of Americans. But no increase in wages yet. So far it’s looking very advantageous for Americans and not so much so for locals. But that’s everywhere getting gentrified, but the problem is different when it’s between countries because freedoms do not apply the same way, and we should get to have a say on what others do in our country just as much as you do when we are not allowed into yours.
@Todd as i said. Be free to do what you want in your country. Negative externalities are just a normal consequence of the system. I agree with our system but have an obligation with our people to protect their right to own their country. We need to limit the impact of those externalities and also use it to our advantage and keep things ours as much as possible. As I said, if those were not considered, developed countries would own all the land in developing countries. Just be aware that your way of life and values might not apply in someone else’s culture. That’s precisely why we hate that type of obnoxious Americans we are seeing everywhere now. And be sure it’s with the most recent wave of Americans coming here because we have had plenty of foreigners and Americans coming here for a while and they weren’t as obnoxious and entitled.
@Todd haha wow, congratulations for proving my point. Such a narrow and American view of the world. It’s possible to speak more than one language, you know? Doesn’t make me American. Mexican born and raised, from Mexico City. And yeah, we are doing something down here. Issues are more complex than you might think. Lazy to think that it’s as simple as “money talks” . Please don’t ever come here! You’re exactly the kind of Americans we don’t like seeing here with a complete disregard for everything, unaware they are in someone else’s home and land.
We have been full-time residents of Mexico (Ajijic, Jalisco) for the past 10 years. I fully support every one of your points about the Mexican lifestyle. We would not consider moving anywhere else, most especially returning the the U.S.
Agreed. I have a house in Mérida (currently an air bnb) I can’t wait to move there permanently.
We've been in QRO over 5 years now and have never been back to the USA. I doubt we ever will go back. Once you realize how much greater your quality of life in every regard outside the USA it makes no sense to return. It's a huge difference! From the friendliest people to the excellent private and public healthcare systems to the cost of living to the educational facilities and opportunities to the retirement discounts and benefits to the excellent mass transportation system to the laid back lifestyle....there is not a single thing I can say is better in the USA. Well except the USA has more junk food at lower costs. I just found that a good reason to avoid junk food.
@@DestinationRetirement My wife and I are looking into moving to Merida. Any negatives (besides the humidity LOL)?
@@josephsmith961 Hi Joseph, I don't see any negatives at all. I plan on traveling extensively during the humid summers. I have a YT channel on my journey to Mexico. The food, culture, people, everything is wonderful. Great medical. Every convenience you could imagine.
I'm sure the locals can't afford to buy a house in your block anymore.
As to point #7. NEWS FLASH to the people who get annoyed due to the lack of English in Mexico. When you are in Mexico you are in THEIR country. It is up to you to conform to their language Spanish, NOT the other way around. My Spanish is at a basic level and the locals appreciate it when you try to speak it to them. If it is too much for you to learn a bit of Spanish than go back to Canada, US, Australia, UK or which ever English country you were living in.
Speak for yourself. English is the international language of business, not Spanish. English is required by all international airline flights by pilots, not Spanish.If all countries spoke their native language ATC (air traffic control) would all crash. When all the EU countries get together they all use English as the universal communicator, not Spanish. The requirements for Engish is long my friend...not Spanish.
@@deepcoder1845 Of course we need one international standard for aviation communication. We are not talking about Air Traffic Control. We are talking about is everyday conversation with Mexican people. If you want to buy groceries in Mexico learn a little Spanish otherwise stay home.
@@deepcoder1845 if You need to explain yourself to a cop or a INM agent when they detain You in a routine check-ups, You Will need to speak or understand spanish otherwise if you act arrogant to them in english you gonna get screwed
@@deepcoder1845 en México se paga academia de inglés para aprender, ese dinero invertido para que vengan del exterior a vivir cómodamente ¿quien lo pagará? , hablamos de un país rico en recursos que otros se llevan. En México cientos de miles hablan buen inglés para aumentar sus oportunidades de trabajo en gerencias, ingenieros, filósofos, comercio exterior y no para atender extraños . Una persona Traductor debe cobrar $ lo que estudio.
@@deepcoder1845 What an ignorant comment. Spanish is a global language too. It's spoken by more then 500 millions
With no intention to offend anybody as a South American I never saw the freedom that Americans talked so much about. I have been in every country south of US, except a couple in Central America and you can feel the freedom in a much more relaxed atmosphere. One of my sons spent 5 years in Uruguay ( from 13 to 18) and he says they were the best years of his life. Unfortunately it is much easier to make a living in US so he is back we’re he was born
I am a Mexican living in Puerto Vallarta and we welcome Americans. Come here and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and way of life. Saludos!
This was the best general overview of life in Mexico from an expat perspective that I have seen. I just got my residency card and will be taking a suitcase and my two cats to Mexico City in a few months. I'm super excited. 🎉
Hey. It was a great show!! I'm on my way to Mexico. just waiting on all the paper work. I'm taking two dogs, because they are better than cats! Do you want to get in touch? I'll be moving to the Yucatan peninsula. Probably not Cancun. Too many foreigners!! Merida or in between looks good to me!
Cuídate mucho y bienvenida!!!but before you came you should first experience some time so that I know if you adapt to culture shocks.
@@mariamar2114 that is very good advice! I have spent time there but I know that I will still face those challenges. 🥴
@@mariamar2114 Ive been living in Paraguay and have immigrated a few times but I am going to 'slow it down'. I discovered cruise ships stop at the coast in Merida and it can get very crowded with tourists. Lots to learn. Still coming soon though. maybe go for a holiday trip first.
@@ginoedwards6189 Cuidado con tarjetas bancarias, mucho Colombiano y Venezolano en robos.
I completely agree with #25. Sense of freedom in Mexico compared to Canada where rules and regulations make life a burden. This is one of the main reason I plan to move in Mexico.
Una vida discreta y honrada, si no es así los mal portados pueden llegar a poner orden.
not when i was there, it was full of obedient sheep waring masks and obsessed with laws
The sense of freedom is much better in Mexico. Many countries have gone wild with regulations and red tape - people are not free when they have to spend their lives hoping through hoops. It is insane.
@@dennishassler605 not when I was in Mexico In February , it was the most highly regulated covid obsessed country I visited lately, lunatics wearing face masks on motorbike and taking them off in a crowded restaurant, extremely disappointed with Mexico and it's obedience
Sorry you experienced that - may depend on your location. I find Mexico to be more focused on FREEDOM and less focused on masks, but, then again, I've avoided Mex. during covid mainly because you can get harassed on your return by border guards and have difficulty. I enjoy living in Mexico!!!!
Great video! I agree with everything you've said. Fireworks at 6 am - and the Mexicans are 'trash tolerant' 🤣 It's just wierd here! Alot of the loud music blaring from cars sounds very corny and old fashioned - but they do love American pop music here too. One of the first things we saw in Puerto Vallarta was a bag of trash tied around a light pole. Did you mention that when tradesmen make an appointment to see you at a certain time - it could be any time on any day of the week when they turn up? Love the freedom in Mexico - you don't see street signs all over with rules about when you can and can't park there. It's so different here - mostly better. It's amazing seeing a family of three (or even four!) piled all onto one motorcycle driving down the street - or seeing an open truck with about 10 people in the back of it. People standing up with their heads sticking out of skylights as their car drives down the road - just hilarious here! The Mexicans are fun.
You don't remember the US in the 1970's and prior. We always rode motorcycles with 3 people (or more) and people in the backs of trucks too.. until they made everything that is fun illegal.
It's totally different in colonial mexico where we live. Much calmer and sane with less craziness than the USA enclaves or tourist beaches. I live in a pueblo mágico that is dead center in Mexico in the wine region. Sound like we have a lot less riff raff! Totally different class of people.
You have to understand the real reason there are so many rules and regulations in US and Canada....it's NOT for your safety....it's so the government can tax you to death when you break any of their rules!
Sorry, but I love the colonial influenced of colorful Mexican decor. And taste is very personal for me. Ironically, my house in the states is very Colonial Mexican, Talvera tiles, Catholic statues and decor, rich colors, barrel tile roof, and the house my Mexican fiance is buying in Mexico is ultra modern. Lol 😂
Un terreno en un pueblo cercano y después construyen una linda casa mexicana..
The woman who helps us with our house was laughing about that with me today. How expats always want colorful "Mexican colonial " decor and most Mexicans want modern with all white walls. I showed her my old Spanish renaissance house in the USA and she was freaking out about all the color! She wanted to know if all USA Americans I knew were the same and I told her I might be the exception. But it's nice to know I'm not alone! Color still just seems more "Mexican" to me though every house we looked was white walls and would need painting! Crazy!
You are right music is an integral part of the culture!!
I'm mexican and everything you said is absolutely true .
México is not cheap. They are descent and nice people. Prices are like they should be, descent. USA is unnecessarily expensive and above all overated. Same as EU. I am thinking my self to move to México. Can't wait to leave Italy. Great work Kat.
We moved to La Paz, Baja California Sur and we LOVE it... no looking back. The people are warm and welcoming and we feel so at home here. We have made many local friends
Welcome to mexico ❤❤❤
Welcome to La Paz, best city to live 😁
As a Texan, I was thrilled to find HEB in Mexico!
I was there for only FOUR days and I drew several of these conclusions...I so wish I could live in Mexico.
I am aware that the word "expat" sounds super cool, but people moving to another country are "IMMIGRANTS". Don't be afraid to use it, please. I am sure that will help you change your frame of mind and integrate yourself to the local society, and, in the process, help you making new friends.
Mexican Resident is the best answer!
@@happyinparadise7812 immigrant OR poor Américan resident 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
Inmigrants.
Immigrant work in the country...expat retire
@@alejandrasoto-deltoro5125Some extremely rich as well
Residency is NOT easy if you do not have the income or investment requirements. U.S. people complaining that Mexicans don’t speak English is not “kind of arrogant”, it is arrogant. It’s like kind of being pregnant. Maybe where you live in Mexico the health care is not so great, but I have lived in Mexico City, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic, Oaxaca and Merida. I don’t know where you are getting your health care in Mexico, but The health care has been way more efficient in Mexico than the United States. Mexico had state of the art medical and surgical procedures, Doctors make house calls along with lab technicians and you actually talk to the Doctor that is treating you. Doctor calls you everyday to see how you are doing and any follow up. I have NEVER heard of ANY Doctor in the U.S. that actually calls you on the phone for regular check up visit follow ups unless it is something Really serious.
Thanks so much! Excellent video, very informative. Living in FL is expensive, outrageous fees for car insurance, and utilities among other things. A recent trip to ER for whiplash, for pictures of my neck the bill was 56 thousand dollars! My car insurance that I pay a fortune for covered 1/2 the bill, the guy who hit me had no insurance. For my old 1,800 sq ft house, the house insurance rose to $7,200/yr & my area hasn’t had a big hurricane hit ever. That doesn’t cover flood insurance, that’s separate. Fees here are high for everything like permits, licensing, camping, etc…. I want to move out of the US to be able to afford a doctor visit!
What I heard very little of in watching this video is about the climate. I’m in a northern state and let’s face it. That’s the number one reason I’m going there. I’d like to hear more about the climate in the different areas of Mexico and what they’re like year round.
Soy Mexicano, de Bahia Kino Sonora. Im Mexican from Kino Bay Sonora, and I do agree with Lee (Right on bro!)... Mexico is becoming one of the crountries that has very good growth, with a lower iflation rate than the U.S, and Europe.... Another plus for Mexico.
and full of guns and dangerous people who use them
@@kippsguitar6539 crimen promovido para algo pues ahuyenta a la gente normal de las zonas mineras, los ricos caudales de agua y zonas petroleras.
@@leticiagonzalez991 very dangerous country full of people who can't speak English
@@kippsguitar6539 , you must be talking about U.S.A.!
@@leticiagonzalez991 , responda con ingles aquì por favor, ellos no comprenden español, y la mayoria del mundo prefiere el ingles como lingua #1 en mundo y en mayoria de regiones y por biznes etc. gracias.
Recuerden, los gringos no aprenden idiomas, para sus oídos no hay otra cosa diferente al inglés. No cambies al inglés y has como que no lo entiendes aunque sepas entenderlo y hablarlo, mantén el español. Esta técnica funcionó en la Bélgica flamenca para evitar ser colonizados económica y lingüísticamente por los Belgas francófonos y los franceses. Debemos mantener hispana nuestra tierra para evitar que siga aumentando la gentrificación de nuestros barrios y ciudades como ya ha pasado en Cancún, Acapulco, Playa del Carmen, Mérida, San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas y San Miguel de Allende.
My experience is different. For me it isn't hard to make a friend in Mexico and I don't live in a touristic area nor refer to myself as an expat. I just call myself "extranjero" by then again I am a really outgoing person and speak Spanish fluently
extraterrestre
Alien
Making friends was never a problem despite my limited Spanish.
@@tdgdbs1 making friends IN mexico? might as well walk around tijuana with dollars between your butcheeks and an american flag tank top
En México el extranjero no hace amigos, el extranjero se vuelve mexicano si su comportamiento no es abusivo, entonces podrá gozar de precios, clima, amistades, ritmo y recursos al máximo.
Super informative. Very clear and well thought out, enjoyed listening. Thank you.
This was truly fantastic! The very most informative and enjoyable expat-related video I've seen. Thank you so much! Mexico is at the very top of my list, too.
well the truth is its dangerous, becoming expensive and full of yanks
Hi Ryan, glad you enjoyed the video!
@@kippsguitar6539 , depends on what parts, it's a very big country.
@@kippsguitar6539 I don't know what made you so angry and upset at the world KG but the pain in your heart is not lost on anyone reading the comments. I'm sorry for your pain and wish you a better journey, I hope you are able to find a way to a happier place.
Immigrant related video
Excellent content! #17 Mexicans work hard! Gracias Lee 🇨🇦🇲🇽
And they americas like canadias never forget American is a continent no a country 👍👍👍👍
@@jpam59 America is short for the United States of America like Mexico is short for United Mexican States. There is no continent called America, there is North America and South America but perhaps in Spanish they are called The Americas.
@@bobs182 Not in the Hispanosphere, they make no distinction between AmericaS and America, it's all the same.
@@stone0234 So what should a citizen of the USA be called?
@@bobs182 Estadounidense is usually what people use. Which translate to Usonian or "united-states-ian"
Best info I've seen yet. Thanks
Local Mexicans must be thrilled seeing their property prices being driven up by foreigners
Or being forced to compete w those priced out of San Diego in Tijuana for property rentals.
I’m sure their thrilled with all the income coming into the country, and jobs and opportunities it creates. Didn’t think of that Matt?
Gringos are not competing with working class Mexicans for housing. Gringos live in middle class and upper middle class neighborhoods. Americans and other foreigners bring in a lot of money to the country and are considered a net positive.
I wasn't thrilled when I was priced out of Austin when half of California moved there and drove the prices up...nor when it happened in my little town of Indian Rocks Beach, Fl, when everyone bought up the properties and turned them into Airbnbs. It's a global problem nobody is thrilled about.
That's a big problem when you live in the enclaves. Most locals can no longer afford Lake Chapala or San Miguel Allende. So why live there? I live in real mexico among Mexicans. Few expats in our area...maybe 4 or 5 others. And we get by very easily. In fact I think we learned more quickly by actually living in the culture of the locals. It's part of the adventure for us.
Thank you for this great and informative conversation! All the best, Christina
Mexico, just wonderful!!!
Enjoyed the Session. Very informative. Muchas Gracias Senor Harrison……From Calgary,Canada.
It's a cool feeling when you're the only foreigner somewhere and everyone is immediately curious and wants to meet you. I backed for a month in Mexico and almost every time I arrive in a new place, there was a local who knows some English and they are excited to see someone they can use their English with. And I basically get a free tour guide and a translator. It's unfortunate I think how many tourists never leave the resort or main tourist areas. They will never actually experience the country.
Agree 100% I too avoid gringos!!
the resorts are bullshit. You might just as well get a Holiday Inn in Tucson and call it good.
People are the best part of traveling; lots of excellent people wherever you go. YOU should reach out to others from all walks of life - they are very pleased if you notice them and project friendship. Abroad, you are an Ambassador of good will - especially in remote communities lacking tourism - I've been hugged or tapped on the back by locals who appreciate you reaching out.
@@happyinparadise7812 , "gringos" it's a derogatory offensive term! quit using it and the native spanish speakers should do the same! thanks.
@@lorenk.775 Nope. My wife is Yucateca. She calls me "Loving gringo all the time. In front of others. So No!
Wonderful video. An a Canadian expat living in Playa del Carmen, I agree with just about everything this gentleman shared.
Every Mexican should watch this video to better appreciate the wonderful country we live in. Thank you!
Well, yes indeed Mexicans appreciate our country bout there’s a different reality for most of us here and it is the fact that while for you expats things like housing, food, groceries, gas etc seem a lot cheaper, for most of us those same things are really expensive (not to mention that wherever you can find a bunch of Americans living nearby everything you know is going to be overpriced as Mexicans want to make their living out of your dollars) I remember an experience I had a couple of years back in a beach town in Sonora called “puerto peñasco”, I went to work there for a week with a restaurant who was providing catering services for some expat condo celebration, so one beautiful afternoon I went to the beach to watch the amazing sunset happening when a Mexican security guard approached to me saying all loud “boy, you aren’t allowed to be here” to which I answered asking why and he replied to me saying that that beach was only for Americans……in my own country….Unbelievable.
He’s criticizing Mexico from beginning to end!!
Im an American whos lived in Latin America over a year. Show respect by learning the language of the locals. Seriously
Thank you for the interview that information was incredible
I love Mexico, foremost the Mexican people, but to live there year after year would be difficult for me. One issue I would have is the quality of health care; the other is potential for becoming a victim of crime. 99% of things mentioned in this video sound as if one is talking about Croatia!!! It's cheap, it has a variable climate, it's small and easily traveled. Because of the size of Europe, other countries or cities are less than a day's drive. Vienna, for example is about 4 hour drive away. Rome is about 5-6 hours away. So is Munich... If you have Croatian health care insurance, you are covered right across all of European Union since Croatia is part of the EU. The country is super safe. The lifestyle is very much Mediterranean in nature - sitting in a cafe is the thing even in middle of the Winter often times. They have large supermarkets and box stores similar to USA or Canada, but they also have local markets, sometimes daily, sometimes weekly, where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meats.... If you are getting a government pension either in USA or Canada, you can have your government make a direct deposit to the Croatian bank, just like you probably do in USA or Canada. And so on, and on. As I said I love Mexico, and I don't want to take anything away from this video, but one should explore other options too, in my opinion.
Be sure to take your antibiotics before you eat anything in a cart on the street in Mexico! Although the people may look clean and their hands may be clean you don't know where the food came from you don't know how they're preparing it and especially all those drinks that they have be warned Montezuma's revenge maybe around the corner! It's much safer to eat in a restaurant! But unless there's signs on the door saying the water is safe do not eat salad or drink any liquid that's not bottled! In places like Huatulco, which is a heavy tourist area they have a brand new water filtering system and water plant and the water is safe to drink all over town! But this is rare! The safest thing to do with water at home is to get those five gallon containers of water which have been filtered and sterilized not only to drink but to cook with as well!
It's true, as a Mexican, I try not to eat street tacos... you see that they grab c lomuda and money, don't eat there
I always eat the street food and have never gotten sick. I may have a cast iron stomach lol! I will soon be living half my year in Mexico and will probably take those deworming pills I’ve been reading many natives and foreigners take. A bout of diarrhea doesn’t scare me as much as intestinal parasites do.
Si vives en México busca asesoría de algún vecino que te aconseje donde comer o contrata una cocinera que prepare en casa tres veces a la semana, la cocinera no limpia la casa ni lava ropa, solo cocina.
Jeje, this was my advice when I went for lunch at a TJ restaurant with my family 4 decades ago. "Don't touch most of it!" I'm back in Tijuana now enjoying all the food from any place, much on the street and have not had a problem, but I probably have a strong stomach as well because it has been treated as such. At first I drank the water here and elsewhere but have since stopped although I brush my teeth with tap water. It's not that the water isn't clean at the plants, it's the fear that it could be contaminated locally. If I bought a property I would just have it tested and likely install a filter whatever country I am in.
As a Mexican, I do recommend this. By the way it's MoCtezuma, not MoNtezuma. And I've never seen a restaurant that specifies with a sign that tap water is safe to drink there. But yes, I too recommend you get bottled water.
Excellent video. Informative, interesting, and well presented. Thank-you.
A wealth of information! Thank you for taking the time and effort to be so thorough.
Glad it was helpful!
This was extremely helpful... THANK YOU!! My husband and I will be part-time residents in Mexico starting in 2 weeks. I have a feeling we will be there full time soon. I had to laugh at the decorating segment because I have been debating on how to decorate the condo. Now I what to stay away from. :)
As a decorator I had a different take. Of course the majority of Mexicans don't want to live in an old Chi Chi's restaurant. That doesn't mean there is not room for "traditional" colorful tile kitchen counters etc. or Californian or European modern. However if you are moving from California modern you might want rough hewn wood beams etc. Just as someone from NE likely wants the "Western motif" in his Bozeman log cabin.
Too hot on the beaches! I live in Patzcuaro, in Michoacan! 7,000 feet in the tropics, great weather all year round! No air conditioning needed. Not many gringos, so it is very inexpensive. Lots of local agriculture. Aguacate capitol of the world!
Shhhhhhhh........don't tell everyone.
We were inPatzcuaro some years ago and thought about it but it was chilly at 7,000ft we chose Antigua, Guatemala at 5,000.ft a small colonial town about the same size but housing in surrounding towns and villages,are more plentiful here. Property in Patzcuaro is cheaper though than here likely fewer expats.
@@latinaalma1947 ! Nights are cool in the winter. About like it was in Washington State where I come from, although never freezing.. Days are warmer all year round!
Not hot in the water, inland anywhere never attracted me, gotta be near the ocean!
@@bobbear4437 ! Good, for you! And I presume you use no air conditioning??
A very useful and informative video, thank you.
great information. thanks.
Hey man use a VPN and set your location in the US and you can bypass the location problem and recuperate your Netflix and Amazon videos...
Mexico is very covid responsible in the sense they provide efficient medication as early treatment including Ivermectin, Azytromicyn, and doctors that recommend the use. If people coming from Canada and US think it is horse medicine, than it is their problem. I love the freedom of doctors. Just have to find the right ones.
Most hospitals in the US will just give you Tylenol and something for your throat, I know because my bf is a nurse and that's all they give them unless it's bad then they do the heavy stuff (with the horrible prices too may I add).
Nice list, I'm moving next month and you shared some things I didn't know.
Wow this was great. Very informative, thank you! 🙂
Glad it was helpful!
You can get a vpn for the computer and it will let you set your country so you can watch shows and search etc as if your in USA or anywhere you choose on your vpn address
Why do you need to do that? watch el canal de las estrellas, the telenovelas...
Last time we went to Mexico the hotel van picked us up at the airport and had an ice chest full of beers and margaritas, everyone in the van was drinking and not wearing seatbelts. I was like, damn, this is what freedom must be like lol.
I consider the 2nd amendment to be more indicative of freedom than drinking and riding without seatbelts , just saying!
@@roygorman6624 True but we loose our freedoms a little at a time and over my 60 years I have lost a lot of little freedoms. The 2nd they are working on, trust me, its days are numbered.
One of the best videos I’ve watched! Thank you!
Thank you very much for so much information!
Glad it was helpful!
No one mentions the main thing I didn’t like about living in Mexico… the way they treat animals. LOTS of starving stray dogs. Skinny horse tied to a tree on a dried out lot with no water. Sad. I never got accustomed to it.
I agree, im from Mexico and i 1'00% agree with this.
I hate to tell you, this is all over the world.
@@SirenaSpades sad but true
oh that would make me ill... sounds horrible. Indeed it's a worldwide thing. There are other countries that absolutely love and cherish animals the way many Americans do.
@@SirenaSpades nonsense, animals are treated well in most of Europe
Beautiful view. Great video. I’m fluent, looking forward to exploring Puerto Vallarta area and the Costa del Sol in Spain . He looks like Sir Richard Branson
Very interesting! Thankyou for speaking of your experiences!
Great information!
#16 is probably one of the main reasons I would NOT move (back) to Mexico. There is simply no rules or enforcement of loud music after 10pm. If you are going to move, get to know your neighbors.
Awww....
Go to good neighborhoods
The Beef in Mexico used to come from Canada, but ever since Mad Cow disease they are growing their own beef. If you have ever seen a Mexican cow in the Northerner Mexican states and I consider Mazitland among them, the cows are pretty skinny, local beef is petty much un-edible un-like Oaxaca where it is more mountainous and lush the beef is much better. If you go to the coasts I would go late November and leave by mid-March as any other time will be like opening an oven door. Although I have been in Florida where the heat and humidity moved in mid-November and it was 6 weeks of 88 degree heat and 88 percent humidity. Now I snow-bird in Arizona, never much humidity but but due to climate change gone are the short and t-shirt weather of yester years, but at least very little rain and the odd dusting of snow but never enough to have to shovel. I have been to Uruguay and it is pretty nice, they have just as good beef as Argentina but with a lot less crime. Only problem is it is a long flight.
We live in the high sierras of central mexico surrounded by ranches. Hate to say it but the meat is tough as hell. And American cuts are not popular or to be found consistently. As far as weather, I really don't understand why more people don't skip the humidity and abundance of people for the mountains of central mexico. We have spring weather year round and no humidity. We have a winter...temps fall to low 40s at night and days are usually in the high 60s. It last from the end of December to mid February, then it gets to the hotest part of the year from march to mid may where temps are normally in the high 80s and nights fall to the 60s. And still no humidity. Beautiful weather, people and towns of colonial architecture. Why give that up for a crowded beach town and higher prices? And HUMIDITY!!!
You did a great job. Thank you for the info.
Great video. New subscriber. I will be in Mexico this fall.
The best review I have seen to date. Makes me much more inclined to retire to Mexico after all!
I have to say the point about the Mexican worker sitting under a tree with a sombrero taking a nap was pretty naive & I'll leave it at that. I could see others being more harsh. I've worked with a lot of Mexican people here in the US & can confidantly they work circles around us with high level of skill. Also, anyone with any ability tp observe knows the Mexican family unit is strong. With those exceptions, the information was pretty helpful.
It's true about Mexican workers taking a siesta during the day. My husband is one of them! And the reason many businesses close for several hours. It's because of the heat.
Great video! Exceeded expectations. :)
Many of the museums and anthropology parks are EXCELLENT.
Thanks for the informative video, I am thinking of moving to Mexico, when I retire, just have to decide where to move to and learn Spanish.
I believe there's a bit of an industry there teaching Spanish to Americans. It's probably much easier to learn it there, because Spanish is all around you.
@ 22:30, here in Colorado, we do decorate our homes with taxidermy.
Great information-thanks!
Excellent, knowledgeable guy. Very useful info. This will help me a lot. Thanks a lot.
That is something really interesting that I actually noticed while I was living in Jacksonville, people say they're free, but are afraid of doing anything because there are so many "regulations", same thing happens in Canada. In Mexico, yes, there are laws and regulations, but you get a sense of freedom because you're not watching your back 24/7 or overthinking things you want to do, you just do them. I guess this is one of the reasons Mexicans are happier in general. Common sense is adviced anywhere you go... As for people caring about COVID regulations, Mexicans protect themselves even if the Government wont. As everyone knows AMLO did a horrible job at the beginning by advising people to keep in touch with your family and friends "nothing is happening, hug". Things like these happen often in Mexico so the people use common sense and care about their health in general, sure they won't stop drinking and eating gorditas (who can blame them lmao) but for diseases they do care. Same thing happened recently with the last big earthquake, the people in CDMX were the first ones stepping in to help others. Even saw some people providing free food, water, transportation, etc. to those who were helping the rescue process, it's beautiful.
Agree 100%
True
I was in GDL back in July and face masks are required in certain locations. People just do it and don't act indignantly about being told what to do. In Asia it's the same thing.
Don't get fooled by thinking learning languages is a disgusting thing. Learning languages takes some effort but is also a lot of fun, exciting, interesting, comes with a whole world of discoveries, and the feeling of suddenly getting this previously codified language has no price.
Learning is not porn to be disgusting, but it can take a lot of time, and the more you grow old, the more effort you have to put in to have results. Which may be frustrating.
@@internetcensure5849 A child takes around 7 years to learn the foundation of their mother tongue. For an adult, it may takes less than that to learn the foundations of a new language, but the improvements are felt from the beginning. It's still worth it! And learning keeps a healthy brain.
A very enjoyable listen. Thanks. 🏖
Just found your channel!! very helpful
México is incredibel 👍👍
I work in a transportation company where I have to translate for Mexicans all the time. Here in USA. So in Mexico I probably have to help Americans in translation lol. I love Mexico went a lot of time. Planning to move with my husband
Excellent advise appreciate it. We are also looking to move to mexico 🇲🇽
Amazing video, I guess the best summarizing video about this topic, I've ever seen, really detailed, and it was even fun to listen, gracias! My girlfriend is Mexican, so it was really useful!
Wow, Lee is a wealth of information! I’m planning on moving to Mexico in the winter of 2025. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to get down there and stay for a couple months before 2025 just to make sure the area I’m picking is right for me. Awesome video thanks!
I just have one question, do they pay taxes? If they pay taxes in the US but live and work (remotely) from Mexico it seems totally unfair to me that people from Mexico have to suffer the rising cost of living, because many people want to live the CDMX experience. Which means for many gringo immigrants in low prices and zero tax obligations.
Thank your for all this amazing and interesting information... Gosh... Mexico is very alluring...