Life in Mexico Compared with USA

Fractional Vacation Ownership, Full Ownership, Real Estate, Residences, Riviera Nayarit

Travel Tips for Expats in Mexico

Are you an expat in Mexico and curious about the latest travel alerts for the new year? Mexico has long been a top tourist destination for foreigners that flock to its beautiful beaches to enjoy the warm, year round weather, friendly people, and delicious cuisine. More and more foreigners are also deciding to make the move and establish their home in this great country. Are you a proud expat Mexican resident or wanna be local and curious if Mexico is safe for travel in 2019? While some crime does occur in the country, the majority of criminal activity is restricted to drug related and gang members. For travellers wanting to experience a new life in this incredible country, but are unsure about safety, rest assured you can avoid becoming involved with a safety issue simply by avoiding those type of unsavory individuals. Read below below for tips for safe travel in Mexico so you can make the most of your retirement or daily life in paradise.

Tip #1: Location, Location, Location – Expats in Mexico

Mexico has had long time success in the tourism industry with thousands of foreign travelers regularly visiting and enjoying travel in the area. In fact, more and more individuals fall in love with all things about this lovely country and choose to either regularly return or even purchase a vacation home here. There are great real estate options like the beachfront residences at Villa La Estancia near Puerto Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit where homeowners can realize their dream of beachfront living. The allure of Mexico is a complex one – it is culturally rich, has consistently great weather, and the food is out of this world. Perfect ingredients for a great place to vacation or even to buy a vacation home. Mexico’s beautiful climate, friendly people, and delicious food inspire individuals into falling in love with the country. Mexico truly has something that every traveler or expat dreaming of a new life will appreciate. Looking for small town charm or upscale modern amenities? You can find it all in Mexico. The most attractive destinations to travel or live such as Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are experiencing significant growth in their expat communities that are flourishing due to great security, quality of life and lower cost of living that they enjoy.

Tip #2: Safety In Numbers & Common Sense

Another tip for safe travel for expats in Mexico is to practice safety in numbers and simply use common sense. It is not complicated to stay safe in Mexico as long as you practice good judgement and are aware of your surroundings. By doing so, you are unlikely to have any issues during your daily life in Mexico. While isolated violence does occur in some parts of the country, in general the issues are limited to those involved with drug-related or other illicit activity. Stay safe and avoid encountering danger by avoiding these types of situations and individuals. While there is no way to completely protect yourself from random crime, the reality is most expats in Mexico enjoy a great quality of life and high sense of security. In fact, statistics prove that there are many cities and countries worldwide with much higher crime rates than Mexico, including the majority of large cities in the United States. Biased media in some countries such as the United States has regularly mislabeled Mexico as an unsafe travel destination. The truth is, Mexico is a wonderful and very safe place to visit and live if you practice basic safety smarts. Always travel in a group at night, watch your alcohol consumption and avoid isolated locations to stay safe.

Tip #3: Invest In Real Estate With On-Site Security

Another safety tip is to purchase or rent real estate with on site security such as Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit. A newer concept, condo-hotels such as the Villa La Estancia are now offering luxury private residences with both full and fractional ownership options. The vast majority of top condo-hotels in Mexico like the Villa La Estancia have on site security staff that work 24 hours a day to keep their owners safe. Anyone that wants to enter the property has to first pass through security. Only authorized visitors are allowed to enter, so this added safety feature virtually eliminates the risk of unsavory individuals looking to cause problems at your home in paradise. Real estate at properties like Villa La Estancia is a simple and easy way to enjoy a higher level of security so your expat life is completely relaxing and enjoyable.

To conclude, always use common sense and good judgement in your daily life. By doing so, you will have an exciting yet safe adventure that will make you proud to call Mexico home. Ready to take the leap and move to paradise? Consider the luxurious and high security condo-hotel Villa La Estancia for a solid real estate investment in the Banderas Bay area. It is simply the best place to enjoy Mexico’s beauty and mystique in a safe and naturally beautiful setting. Visit our website and learn more about our Villa La Estancia’s beachfront residences that are for sale now at www.villalaestanciarealestate.com. Are you ready to own your dream home in paradise? Our lovely beachfront residences at Villa La Estancia could be just what you’ve been searching for! Don’t hesitate and contact us today to learn more.

Articles for you: A Simpler Life: Expats in Mexico

by VLEAdminRE, May 8, 2019

Destinations, FAQ, Real Estate

Tips for a Successful New Life in Mexico

So – you’re moving to Mexico! Congratulations! This is a radical change to your way of life, and we know that it is going to be a little daunting for you at first. This is why we’ve compiled our top hints and tips for succeeding in your new life in Mexico.

Here are our top tips for a successful new life in Mexico

Learn Spanish

Most people in the big cities and tourist hotspots of Mexico speak very good English, and so learning Spanish is not a necessity but there is no doubt in our minds that learning Spanish will help you have a successful new life in Mexico. There are plenty of classes that you can attend if you want to get a basic understanding of the language; when you use it to get to know your neighbors better you’ll find that your grasp of the language increases rapidly.

Be flexible

Flexibility is without a doubt one of the most valuable attributes you can have when you’re making such big changes to your life; a good, solid plan will make the changes easier to deal with, but you should always leave room in your plan for change! Remember that a plan is always a work in progress, and so changing it is never a failure. Be ready and willing to adapt to your situation and you will go far in your new home.

One day, task and goal at a time

It can take a long time to get used to the ways of a new country, and so you should remember to be patient and keep your mind open for a successful new life in Mexico; don’t compare your new home to your old one as this is a sure road to frustration and disappointment. You will also find that a soft approach will get you much further as a foreigner with the locals than if you get frustrated and irate.

Invest in networking

Take the time to network when you arrive; making friends and acquaintances in your new home is key to success. Meet the neighbors, join a gym, say hello to your work mates. You could even join a few of the Facebook groups set up purely for expats in the area. This will help you to establish a friend base and settle into your new home and new life in Mexico.

Savings

It pays to have some money squirrelled to the side to tide you over if you have to make last minute visits back home or need to attend to an emergency when you make a new life in Mexico. Also, you will probably spend more on socialization when you first arrive as you try to get yourself settled, and there’s always the chance you may need repairs to your car or certain aspects of your home; it can take a few tries to get a mechanic, plumber, or electrician you trust. You may not need this cushion, but it will certainly help to know that you have a safety net if you should need it. This peace of mind is truly priceless.

So – have you moved to Mexico recently? Do you have any tips for people looking to make this move? What would your advice be? Let us know in the comments section below!

Recommended articles:

Booming Real Estate Market in Puerto Vallarta for 2018

Riviera Nayarit Real Estate For Weekend Getaways

by VLEAdminRE, January 2, 2018

Destinations, FAQ, Real Estate, Residences

It’s becoming more and more common for residents of the USA to consider a move to the sunnier climes of their closest southern neighbour, Mexico! If you are one such American you will no doubt have done plenty of research into your chosen towns, and you may even have vacationed across Mexico before. If you want to have an idea of the lifestyle you’re buying into you’ll need to think like a local. Here are some things you might not realize about the life in Mexico:

Slower Pace of Life

Everything seems to be done at a much slower, more relaxed pace in Mexico, and for some people this is a true blessing. Retirees, in particular, love this, and if you’re seeking to get away from the harried pace of life that some of the bigger cities in the USA offer you’ll definitely love it.

Punctuality

With the exception of work and medical appointments, punctuality is somewhat less of a priority for many in Mexico. If you’re meeting for dinner at 7 you can reasonably expect that some members of your group will not show up until 8:00, or even later! Likewise, if a handyman is coming to fix something the same mentality will apply; if you’re planning construction work be prepared for it to outlive the quoted time. No disrespect is meant, it’s simply the way life goes here. If this is really going to stress you we suggest that you plan for it by showing up later yourself, or even just accept that it will happen and pack a book.

Priorities of the life in Mexico

Some people are very surprised to find that the average working week for most Mexicans is actually 6 days long! That’s right – the average person in Mexico has only one day off each week. To those of us who are used to a longer weekend this may seem like cruel and unusual punishment, but in fact most Mexicans don’t let it get in the way. Downtime is precious here, so when people aren’t working they pack their social lives full with family feasts, social gatherings, and adventures. You may be required to work more hours when you move to Mexico, but you won’t be expected to take your work home or be a slave to your job; your social life will no doubt thrive!

Transportation

This one is especially key for drivers; be prepared for a culture shock when you begin driving in Mexico! Transport laws are not heavily enforced, so drivers, especially experienced drivers, tend to make up their own rules. From passing anyone, anywhere to driving the wrong way down a one-way street, Mexico can be a wild ride. Just stay alert, use common sense, and pass with caution, and you should be fine.

Public transport isn’t much less exciting, either, and in fact it may be more so! The buses in Mexico let all kinds of characters on board from beggars and street performers to animals (though this is at the discretion of the bus driver). In cities public transport can get very crowded at peak times, too, so be prepared for some jostling. You’ll get used to it pretty quickly, but be ready for the culture shock and please, please don’t forget your seat belt!

Keep this in mind and you should settle into life in Mexico without too much trouble.

Related articles:

Mexican Benefits for Foreigners Over 60

Checklist for Relocating to Mexico

by VLEAdminRE, June 24, 2017