How hard is it for an american living in mexico?

Question

is american money worth more there? i want to move to a resort town. like puerto vallarta or cabo. how far would 30 g's get me? and is there any work? im a skilled technician. is it legal for an american to work in mexico?

Answer 1

Well, it depends where you live.  I am currently studying abroad in Mexico, and have lived here for about 8 months.  I am living in Guadalajara, so its an okay city.  However, if you expect where you live to be like the USA, then you are going to be in for a wake-up call.  It is not hard, only different.  The culture tends to be more laid back, with a "I´ll get it done tomorrow or the next day, or the day after, or...".  It can get kinda frustrating at times, but you can get used to it by just blowing it off, and acting the way they do.   Watch out for food, especially vegtables.  If you buy your own vegtables, then you´ll need to buy a vegtable cleanser.

Now, that I fully read your question:  I will answer:  You´ll get more money in the States.  Probably up to 6x as much.  The current exchange from a mexican bank, (I just looked out the window), is about 10.6 pesos per US dollar.  If you like electronics, it is best to buy them in the States, because technology is really expensive.  (Pentium-dual core 2.1mHz, 1 GB memory, 250GB HHD, with DVD writer is about $18000 pesos, which is roughly $1575.  You can get that for probably less than $1000 in the States.  Refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, blenders, tvs, are all more expensive here.  I am currently living in Guadalajara, about an hour from Puerto Vallarta, and I'll tell ya, you won't find business there in that field.  The best way to make money is if you are at least bilingual, and into tourism.  Technicians are not paid very well.  (Actually, you would get paid 2x as much flipping burgers in the US than being a skilled technician in Mexico.)  But, if you don't care for electrics, or money, than come.  The beaches can be very good, and the women always fall for the foreigners.  (especially white skinned blue /green eyed ones.