Surprising Things About Living in Mexico As an American

• We’re seniors who own a home in Mexico and rent in the US. Living in Mexico has come with surprises.
• We appreciate how much easier it feels to get products repaired in Mexico than in the US.
• I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I like going on long bus rides and buying food in Mexico.

My husband and I rent an apartment in our native United States but also own a home in Mexico.

For the past 20 years, we’ve split our lives between our house in Guanajuato, Mexico, and our rental in Eureka, California.

Although we traveled to Mexico several times before buying our home, living in the country is different than just visiting it.

I’m now in my 70s, and he’s in his 80s — and we still make our bicultural lives work while continuing to be surprised and delighted by our city and neighbors.

Here are a few things that have surprised me most about living in Mexico throughout the past two decades.

It feels much easier to get things repaired in Mexico

I’ve noticed Mexico doesn’t have a “throwaway culture” like so much of the United States does. When something breaks here, trying to fix it is a priority, and it’s often fairly easy to do.

For instance, when my husband’s mini desktop computer refused to open, our US tech specialist said it was irreparable. Instead of buying a new one, we brought it with us to Mexico, where a local computer shop in Guanajuato had it fixed in two hours for $30.

In Mexico, it’s generally been easy for us to find small businesses and local repairmen who will fix everything from electronics to clothing for a reasonable price.

I’ve had the motor of my blender fixed at a local small-appliance repair shop and a replacement lid for my broken slow cooker made by a local craftsman.

I recently took my outdoor vest to a tailor in Mexico, who did a beautiful job replacing the zipper for about $5. The same service would’ve likely cost at least triple in California.

Our healthcare costs much less than it did in the US — but not everything is cheaper here

As seniors over 65, we have Medicare in the US that helps us with basic healthcare. Still, its changing policies and out-of-pocket costs can be difficult to navigate.

While in Mexico, though, it’s easier and often more affordable for us to see specialists, like dermatologists and dentists.

A couple of years ago, for example, my husband needed a complicated crown and root-canal procedure that would’ve cost us about $3,500 out of pocket in the US — and he would’ve had to wait months for an appointment.

He had the procedure done in Mexico for $600, and getting an appointment took less than two weeks.

Although our healthcare is generally less expensive here, not all health-related products are. For example, we bring our vitamins, ibuprofen, and sunscreen back from the US because they’re typically more expensive to purchase in Mexico.

Dining out often feels like attending a party

Most restaurants we visit here are bustling with loud music and large groups of multigenerational families having lively conversations.

The dining-out atmosphere in Mexico also tends to feel laid-back. We’ve never felt pressured to eat quickly so we can give up our table, and it’s nice to be able to take our time.

Eating out can be so leisurely, in fact, that we sometimes have to hunt down the server to ask for our bill.

Food shopping has been surprisingly enjoyable and easy

I love doing errands on foot in Guanajuato — it’s easy because the streets in the city center where our house is located are pedestrianized, colorful, and lively.

I especially shopping because I get an opportunity to speak with locals in Spanish and connect with my community.

When I’m not stopping at a local bakery (for fresh rolls), liquor store (for wine), or café (for coffee beans in bulk), I do most of my shopping at the grocery store just three minutes from our home.

Although it’s small, with just three narrow aisles, it has much of what we need: fruits, vegetables, canned food, condiments, meat, and dairy.

Since eggs are sold in bulk, I can even buy just a few if I don’t need a whole dozen. I’m also able to buy just one stick of butter instead of a bigger pack if I’d like.

Long-distance buses have been an especially wonderful way to get around Mexico

Buses are one of the most popular forms of transportation here — and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by them, especially for longer trips.

We love the long-distance bus trips we’ve had in Mexico so far that have allowed us to explore more of the country.

One of our go-to companies to travel with is Primera Plus, where our bus rides have been complete with reclining seats, spotless onboard restrooms, and even WiFi.