The world can feel like an alarming place these days, but living in a foreign country is downright daunting. When everything is strange, it’s hard to feel safe, but sometimes you don’t have as much to worry about as you might expect. If you’ve lived in the US your whole life, then you almost certainly know some horror stories about Mexico. Fortunately, most of that is hype. Sure, bad things happen everywhere, but there’s no reason to think it’s unsafe to live in Mexico. Moreover, most places in Mexico are far safer than in large US cities. You can relax, in fact, I recommend it. A laid back life south of the border is not as difficult or frightening as you’ve been led to believe.
Is it safe to live in Mexico? It is very safe to live in Mexico. Most places in Mexico are safer than the larger American Cities with a lower crime rate. However, you should avoid high-risk areas like Tijuana, and practice reasonable, common-sense safety precautions no matter where you live.
How Safe is Mexico
As an American, you probably know people who have vacationed in Mexico, but living there is slightly different. I am not about to tell you there’s no crime at all. That would be a lie. However, it’s not what you think.
First, let me say you need to stay out of Tijuana. Going to TJ and basing your impression Mexico on that is a little bit like booking a hotel in Compton or the Ninth Ward in New Orleans and assuming that represents all of the USA. In short, it’s dirty, scary, and generally not safe at all.
As for the rest of Mexico, that’s a bit more like moving to a small town in the US. People tend to be openly friendly and welcoming. Crime rates aren’t very high, and overall, you can live at a slower pace and enjoy your life. Of course, the weather in Mexico is more agreeable than many small towns in the US.
To compare the relative safety of the US and Mexico, you have to ignore everything you ever read or heard about Mexico from the biased US media. While I don’t doubt you can find plenty of articles about real crimes that happened in Mexico, you’re a lot less likely to ‘happen’ across positive reports. Please read about the tremendous strides our southern neighbor has made for women’s rights and equality, their commitment to reaching carbon neutrality, the booming tech industry, or even the arts. All of those things are more prevalent than crime.
Treat Mexican cities as you would US cities if you want to stay safe. Don’t go out in an unfamiliar area alone, especially at night. Travel by verified taxi or public transportation. Most importantly, keep in mind that most of the crime happens in a few select areas
: high traffic or very low income can lead to dangers, but they’re not more than here in the US.
Cities to Avoid in Mexico
If you want to avoid trouble in Mexico and stay safe, then you’ll want to avoid these top ten cities. Each of the places on this list has a higher than average crime rate.
- Tijuana- This Baja border town is known for its drugs, high crime, and violence. Don’t go there.
- Tepic- A well-known haven for cartels, Tepic has an unusually high murder rate.
- Mazatlan- As ocean-side cities go, the beauty of this place can be misleading. In 2017 Mazatlan had 192 homicides.
- Reynosa- Over seven hundred thousand people live in Reynosa, but an unusually high number of them are associated with the cartels.
- Los Cabos- As the most dangerous city in Mexico, back in 2017, Los Cabos is a popular tourist destination that you should not put on your itinerary. Theft and violent crime are both regrettably common here.
- Acapulco- Sure, it’s known for the gorgeous beaches, but Acapulco has a sinister side and a whole lot of crime.
- La Paz- In Spanish La Paz means Peace, but that name is more ironic these days. Skip out on this seaside paradise if you want to stay safe.
- Ciudad Juarez- The northern city of Juarez is near the border and it shows. I recommend passing right through without stopping if you’re driving south. Guns, violence, and other crimes are sadly common.
- Cuidad Victoria- For many years the incredibly violent Zetas cartel has run most of this city. Shootouts and gang on gang violence here, even within the prison are the sort of horror stories you will hear about in the US.
- Culiacán- Located in northern Sinaloa, this city is the first place many Mexicans think of when you say the words ‘drugs and violence.’ Don’t make your home in Culiacán.
Crime in Mexico
When it comes to feeling safe when you live in Mexico, you need to know two things about the crime. Firstly, what your reactionary friends and family fear is not an accurate depiction. Nervous people and those who love and worry about you will always be concerned about making such a significant change. They’d do the same if you said you were moving to New York City.
Secondly, there is crime in Mexico. The cliche about being forewarned is absolutely right. Once you understand the nature and common types of crime, you can just as easily avoid it. Most of the problems are a sort you’ll recognize because you’ve probably run into it already right here in the USA.
Getting short-changed at a cash register or toll booth is one common problem. However, as long as you can count, and you pay attention, that’s not something you’re likely to fall victim to anywhere you go. Likewise, Mexican cities, like here in the USA, tend to have some pickpockets, especially in touristy areas. There aren’t more because you moved south, but they exist, so watch your wallet.
Driving at night is more dangerous in Mexico. There are some break-down scams and occasional carjacking in large cities. Predictably, it’s about the same as here in the USA.
Before you move to Mexico, do your homework on the areas you plan to live in. Some places like San Miguel de Allende are huge ex-pat havens that offer low crime rates and a community of likeminded individuals. Make sure you understand more about the area and choose a safer destination before you make that life-changing leap.
The only unique crime in Mexico is the taxi crime issue in Mexico City. If you don’t want to be picked up by a fake cab, get one at an airport or hotel, or call one yourself and wait for it to arrive. It really is that simple.
What About Gangs & “The Cartels”
If you live in Mexico, do you need to worry about gang violence and “The Cartels?” The short answer is no. However, there are a few precautions to take to avoid these problems instead of worrying about them.
First of all, gang violence is typically something that happens between rival gangs and gang members. My suggestion is that you don’t join a gang. Sure, it sounds a little flippant, but it’s also entirely accurate. Avoid the ‘thug life,’ and you can mostly avoid being anywhere near gangland and it’s crimes.
Another good way to avoid both gangs and cartels is to live somewhere they aren’t known for having a large presence. Buy or rent a home in an area that is middle class or better. More importantly, don’t live in a ghetto.
You should also avoid walking alone in these areas, especially at night. If you get a bad feeling, leave. Furthermore, pay attention to your surroundings and don’t head into areas where things are all broken down, shabby, and covered in graffiti. It’ not hard to recognize a bad neighborhood.
As for the cartels, those shadowy, mysterious organizations that move illegal products and drugs from further south up to America, yes, they exist. How do you avoid getting into trouble with them? This is an easy answer. Don’t buy illegal products. Shop at stores like an average person and don’t do drugs.
Gangs and cartels don’t care about you, and they aren’t going to seek you out and target you. You genuinely have to go looking for that sort of trouble, and even then, it might surprise you to discover that you still have a hard time finding them.
Why You Should Live in Mexico (And Not Worry)
Living in Mexico is safe. Although making a huge life change is never entirely without risks, some are very well worth it. Moving to Mexico can change your life in some startlingly positive ways if you’re ready for it.
Reasons to Move to Mexico
- Living in Mexico is not more dangerous than living in the USA. Although things are different in another culture and climate, some things will be surprisingly familiar.
- The food is truly exceptional. You don’t have to love spicy foods to live in Mexico, though it helps. Many dishes have no chilis, hot spice, or salsa at all. However, all the food has one thing in common, el sabor (flavor/taste).
- The cost of living is ridiculously low compared to what you pay here. You can rent an entire house for less than you pay to get a US one-room apartment. Utilities generally run less than a hundred dollars a month total, and eating out is four to twelve dollars for a good-sized, high-quality meal, including the drink.
- Outdated ideas are just wrong. If your idea of Mexico involves a bunch of people in ponchos and sombreros leading donkeys down dirt roads, you are way behind the times. Mexico is entirely modern, the internet is standard, most roads are paved and maintained, and you can go to a mall or a Walmart if you want to.
- Medical care is superb in Mexico. Not only is the cost for medical care substantially lower than you’d pay in the USA, but the quality, wait times, and availability of facilities is outstanding. Even specialists are often available the same day, and the quality of care is much better than you think. Medical tourism is a massive draw for visitors and ex-pats alike.
- People are welcoming and friendly. Mexico doesn’t share the US sense of immigrants as a burden. If you smile, you’ll make friends in no time.
- The lifestyle is laid back and enjoyment oriented. You’ll often find things that don’t happen as soon as you’d like because Mexico doesn’t have the US McMentality and sense of urgency. People work to live, rather than the other way around, and families or friends spend as much time together as possible, often staying out late.
There’s no good reason to be afraid of life in Mexico. You’ll find that it’s more relaxing and delightful than problematic and dangerous. Once you let those fears go, you will find that the most significant difference crossing that border makes is that you will have to stop worrying so much about everything.
Final Thoughts
Life in Mexico is nothing like what you have seen on TV. It’s very safe to live in Mexico. Unfavorable media sources and cultural bias can lead you to believe that Mexico is exceptionally riddled with crime and danger. While there are practical concerns and differences, but they are not what you think.
You are more likely to have problems with sunburn and insects than you are with the people. Naturally, like everywhere else in the world, tourist areas have more crime. Still, the biggest fear you should have in Mexico is probably eating too many truly outstanding meals and gaining weight.
Don’t worry about your safety in Mexico, but rather take practical steps to stay safe. You will find that using your wits, avoiding foolish mistakes, and checking the local news is all you really need.