Expert: C. Reyes-Hull - 10/5/2009

Question
Hi. I'm planning on moving to Mexico. I have heard a lot of bad things about Mexico and I just want some truth about things. I'm wondering how houses are and if there is hot running water. Do I need to wash clothes in the river or is there washing machines. Can I buy American food there? Is there good health care there? Are things expensive? That is all I have for now. I'm sure I'll have more questions coming. Thank you.

Answer
Melody:
Mexico is as modern as the US in most every way. True, the very poor, rural areas lack running water and you would probably have to carry buckets of water to wash the clothes, but I find it hard to believe that you would choose to live in the middle of nowhere in a rural community with noservices! Houses are made out of more solid materials than those in the US, like cinder block and bricks (no wood frames) and steel rebar. If you pay your services, you will have hot water (unless you choose not to pay for your gas), electicity (unless you prefer to not pay for that either and use candles), etc. Most medical centers that are government run are not great and lack a lot of services, but private hospitals and doctors are probably as good as any doctor in the US and perhaps more resourceful. American food is expensive and, if the news are to be believed, are full of pesticides. You can buy American food, but Mexican food is much cheaper and as good as the American (and probably healthier since it lacks so many of the preservatives US food contains). Everything that is imported is going to be expensive, very expensive. So expect to pay 300dlls for a TV that is 100dlls in the US.
In short, the only thing true about what you've heard is that it is totally misinformed. I recommend before you think about moving anywhere in Mexico, you take a trip to the area and experience it first hand as a tourist. There are many things that might make you decide not to move to a place in Mexico, like too much traffic or the lack of an International Airport nearby. Do not think about moving to Mexico as easy or carefree as moving from one US city to another. Although Mexico is Modern, people just speak Spanish and the culture is much different to the US. Poverty is worse than that of the US and wealth is a lot more ostentatious.