Mexico Today: This Expat's Perspective
I recently wrote a piece about living in Mexico and confronting the question so often asked, “Aren’t you afraid in Mexico,” and I talked about many things including my purse being stolen. I want to expound on a few misconceptions about Mexicans and life in Mexico.
First off, I need to say I am flabbergasted, for a lack of a better word, by the number of expats who live here and complain about Mexicans and how things are done in Mexico vs how things were or are done in the USA. My recommendation for anyone considering a move to visit here first. Spend some real, quality time in as many places as you can. And don’t spend that time at all-inclusive resorts where you will be pampered. Get out and explore the real Mexico. I had the privilege of spending 20 years traveling the Yucatan, and exploring many places before we retired here. We also spent 3 months driving all over Mexico, before choosing where we would live. That, in no means, makes me an expert, but it did erase any fantasies I had about putting down roots here.
My observation is that many people choose Mexico because of the cost of living – and it is a valid reason – however, if you are looking for a cheaper life you can not expect 5 stars in every aspect of life. I think you get way more than you pay for here, but then, my priorities are social, cultural and environmental. I love the respect for their history, good and bad, that the Mexican people have. They don’t try to hide the bad or the ugly under a carpet or remove it from history books because it is too painful. They embrace it. They take bits and pieces of the new and stir it right in with the old. That is evident in their food, their art, their music, their culture and even in the shades of their skin.
I adhere to the theory that the more industrial society gets the more apathetic and uncaring people become. Nature humbles us and reminds us of where we come from and where we stand in the world. One of the things that I admire while traveling throughout Mexico is how devoted many people are to holding on to traditions and organic ways of doing things. You see this especially in small villages that still weave the way their ancestors did or still produce tequila or mezcal one bottle at a time completely by hand. The rituals they still perform, the songs they still sing, the dances and dress they still honor for special occasions. To some this may appear to be “third world” or less impressive, but in my opinion it is what makes this nation rich and its people compassionate.
That is not to say there isn’t crime, cartels and corruption. Those things exist in any society. They are more prevalent if there is limited education and a lot of poverty. It is a way of life, good people and bad exist everywhere. If you don’t want to encounter that – stay away from the things they deal in. Be careful that you are not willingly or unknowingly participating. In other words, if something sounds too good to be true don’t pounce on it. Do your due diligence when buying property. If you are working or renting your property double check the laws, don’t just take someone’s word for how easy it is. Comply with the rules and laws of the land and be informed. I have heard story after story about people learning the hard way that the property they thought they owned they didn’t. Or when they tried to sell they found out about the taxes due. Keep everything on the up and up. Do your paperwork, pay your taxes and don’t naively become part of the problem. Instead, contribute to the solution.
And remember, the wages here are very low, and the cost of living increases here just as it has everywhere, so please don’t take it out on the locals by complaining about how cheap things used to be. No one is more aware of that than the minimum wage worker making 278.80 pesos per day and trying to feed their families. That, my friends, is not even $15 dollars a day (not an hour!) Now look at that and remember, in order for the children of those workers to continue with their education the parents need to pay for uniforms, supplies and transportation costing an average of at least 10,000 pesos or $500 USD per child. Back to my comments, be part of the solution not the problem, and remember that crime and cartels thrive where there is little money and less education.
Mexico derives a large portion of their money from undocumented workers in the US and those workers do a number of important jobs from picking produce, working in processing plants, gardening, care-taking, and construction. As thousands of those necessary workers are shipped back it will affect Mexico’s economy as well as that in the United States of America. I marvel at the number of expats that don’t see the symbiotic relationship and its importance. When one neighbor does well both neighbors do better, a lesson I am afraid we will learn the hard way, and probably not in my lifetime.
Diversity is the beauty of this nation and a lesson I think the United States should learn and embrace instead of fear. This country has so many languages and dialects and yet it has found a way to communicate. This country’s main religion is Catholic yes, but with many variations. This country is vast in its size reaching the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. It has mountains, deserts, beaches, lakes and underground rivers. It even has a canyon bigger than the Grand Canyon. It is a tapestry of beauty that shows through its art, land and people. So, to those considering a move: be aware that you need first to come with an open heart and mind. If you do, you will not be disappointed. Instead, you will be rewarded beyond your dreams. I recently have taken small groups to explore new areas (for them) in Mexico, and I smile whenever I think back at the faces of the people as they experience more of this land, the food, the art and especially the people. It brings me such satisfaction and joy to share this with others.