DIB Trade Country Profiles Living

Mexico: Living

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates: According to an official census, almost a million (961,121) foreigners resided in Mexico in mid-2010. Historically, a two-thirds majority of these expatriates have been from the U.S., with 10% or less from Europe and South America each.
Blogs For Expats: Expat-blog
For Further Information: Living in Mexico
Immigration Authority: National Institute of Immigration
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals: Easy Expat
Mexpack
Contact the Embassy: Contact the Embassy of Mexico in the United Arab Emirates.
Contact Your Embassy: Contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Mexico.

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living: Mexico City is the 169th most expensive city in the world according to the Mercer Index 2016.
Quality of Life: Mercer's 2017 Quality of Living Survey ranks Mexico City 169th out of 231.
Sanitary Conditions: The country's sanitary conditions are generally good, but this may not be the case in all areas of the country. In some rural areas, there is a lack of potable water and other essential sanitary services. There is no proper system to handle waste matter and human discards.
For Further Information: Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings –Survey - Mercer
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings –Survey - Mercer

Renting an Apartment

Description of apartments: Apartments are classified according to the number of rooms and full bathrooms they have; however, they also mention their size in square meters. It is very rare to find furnished apartments or houses.
Normal Lease Term: Usually for a one year term.
Rental Costs: A guarantee deposit is frequently requested (the equivalent of a month's rent) as well as a cosigner.
Agencies or Private Rentals: Inmomexico, Opportunity Ads.
Rental Agency Websites: Apartment Sharing
Realtor.com: Mexico
Other Possibilities For Accommodation: It is possible to share an apartment with other persons. There are also boarding houses that can offer rooms for rent.

School System

School Level: Basic education includes preschool, elementary and secondary school.
Preschool is for children three to five years old. It has three grades and is not mandatory.
Elementary school has six grades for children between 6 to 14 years old. It is mandatory.
Secondary school lasts three more years. It can be specialized in areas such as technical, adult education, telesecundaria (secondary school learning with television support) or focused on another line of work.
International Schools: The American School Foundation (located in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City and Torreon, among other cities)
German School
Mexican Japanese School
For Further Information: Directory of Bilingual Schools

Health System

Quality of Healthcare: The Mexican public healthcare system is free of charge. However, hospitals are usually overcrowded and the waiting time to be admitted and treated is generally very long.
The private healthcare system is a very high level service. Most physicians who work in clinics and private hospitals have obtained international diplomas and speak English.
International Hospitals: Some examples of international hospitals include Centro Médico ABC, Hospital Angeles, Clínica Londres and Médica Sur.
Health Insurance: Yes. However, due to deficiencies in the public service it is advised to seek a private doctor for immediate attention.
Accessibility of the Health Insurance Network to Foreigners: It is possible.
Health System Insurance Body: GNP Insurance
Health Ministry: Ministry of Health

Tourism and Culture

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: In Mexico City and its surroundings: The Templo Mayor, the historic city centre district, the Museum of Anthropology and History and the pyramids of Teotihuacán, Taxco, Morelia and Tula.
In the centre of the country: Guanajuato, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende and Querétaro.
In the south of Mexico: Palenque and Chichen Itzá and the la Riviera Maya.
Cultural: Some popular examples of cultural tourism include: the Metropolitan Cathedral, Coyoacán, Xochimilco, craftsmanship in Morelia, contemporary architecture in Tijuana, gastronomy in Puebla, the Ruta del Tequila en Jalisco and the Festival of the Guelaguetza, indigenous culture and architecture in Oaxaca.
Nature: Opportunities for natural tourism abound in Mexico. Some popular destinations include: La Peña de Bernal in Querétaro, El Chico National Park in Hidalgo, the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl Volcanoes and the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Michoacán.
Religious: Some notable sites for religious tourism include the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Sanctuary of Christ the King and Cerro del Cubilete.
Thermal: The natural wealth of Mexico has created top-notch spa centres, many of which are located near serene beaches. For more information, visit the Spas page on the website of the Mexican Tourism Board.
Beach: Mexico has many beaches on the coasts of the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. For further information, visit the website of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism.
Winter Sports: No tourist activities have yet been developed for this type of sport.
Outdoor Activities: Mexico's diverse outdoors make it a prime destination for diving, camping, hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing and surfing.
Shopping: Visitors to Mexico have a wide range of shopping opportunities, ranging from internationally renown brands at high end shopping centres to fine craft goods from local merchants at markets. For more information, visit the Shopping page on the website of the Mexican Tourism Board.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
National Museum of Anthropology
Xochimilco
Museum of the Templo Mayor
House of Tiles
Torre Latino
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Chapultepec Castle

Top Highlights of the Country
Riviera Maya
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan
Pátzcuaro
Peña de Bernal
San Miguel de Allende
Taxco, Virreinal Treasure
La Guelaguetza, Oaxaca

Tourism Organisations: Ministry of Tourism (in Spanish)
Cultural Organizations: Directory of Cultural Associations
For Further Information: Travel by Mexico

Individual and Civic Freedoms

Political Freedom: Exists, but there is a lot of internal political tensions
Civil Liberty: 4/7
: World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 143/180
Free Access to the Internet: Wide
Rule of Law: It exists, but is threatened by political problems
Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: Respected, but there is violence and crime
Women's Condition: Her status is respected; however, 'machismo' has made her a victim of physical and psychological violence from some men.
For Further Information: Social condition of women in Mexico (OECD gender report)

Religion

Degree of Freedom: Wide.
Beliefs: Catholic: 89.9%, Protestant: 5.2%, Jewish: 0.05%, Other: 2.1%, No religion: 2.5%,
Role of Religion in Society: Since the majority of the population is Catholic, there are still some holidays and traditional practices celebrated at a national level. However, there is separation of church and state in government and education.

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