Move to Mexico short term?

Question

So my husband and I have the opportunity to move to Mexico for 6 months for his job. We'd be in Monterrey or San Pedro- they would provide a condo and everything for us. Obviously we have to make decisions based on the package and my job, but what do you guys think of Monterrey? Good place to live? What's a wife to do while she's there?

Answer 1

It would be a great opportunity for you.  However, the other answerer is mistaken if he thinks you can work there.  You cannot work there without a work permit...and these are very hard to get.  i presume your husband's employer is taking care of his permit.  however, YOU would need to find an employer to hire you and write a letter staing he cannot find a Mexican national for that job  Then you have to apply for an FM3 visa with work permit...long, expensive process.  BUT, you could go to language school, learn about the culture, make friends, visit historical places.  Six months will fly by.

Answer 2

The short answer is Go For IT!

Of course, none of us know anything about your personal position, your job, how big a sacrifice it would be to give it up, whether it would be waiting for you when you come back, etc. Only you can answer those questions.

But living in Mexico is an adventure you will never forget.

Definitely plan to be studying Spanish while you are there. It will expand your window on the culture enormously and enrich your experience.

In your position, my favorite thing to do would be to travel to other parts of Mexico whenever possible. Monterrey is only a few hours from San Miguel de Allende, one of the most beautiful and most popular tourist towns in Mexico. You won't be far from Zacatecas, from San Luis Potosi, from the Copper Canyon.

Go, and take advantage of the opportunity to expand your horizons.

Answer 3

Wow! You are lucky! San Pedro is REALLY nice! And a condo provided?! My house is in Santa Catarina... Monterrey is also very nice - just big, they are all so close together that I consider all of it Monterrey. The city actually winds around the mountains, so, you can't see all of it unless you are in a helicopter! We go to San Pedro every December to see the Christmas lights... very pretty. (Actually we go all the time shopping - but you know what I mean...) And you have plenty of Malls - Wal-mart... HEB... you won't be lacking for shopping! If you don't speak spanish, you may get bored if you feel inconfident going out by yourself... just go to the local mall and listen around... soon you will find someone speaking english... mother's taking their children to ice skating lessons... whatever.. I'm in Texas right now, so, we wouldn't be able to hook up... but I can't wait to go back home... short-term... you will LOVE it! You might even ask your husband to stay!

Answer 4

Monterrey is a great city with much history and much to do.  There are modern malls and tiny shops filled with local arts and crafts -- large universities and small taco shops.  It's a diverse city and has something for everyone.  I'm pasting a number of links below.

Even as a short term expat (expatriate -- someone living outside their home country), you could become active in local expat organizations or religious organizations.  The link for the Newcomers Club in Monterrey is the first link below.

More than anything, living outside your home country provides you with a wonderful opportunity to experience another part of the world.  My advice -- go for it!

Answer 5

Monterrey is too americanized, so you won't have problems!.

Answer 6

Nuevo León  is the richiest state of México; Monterrey, its capital city, obviously is the richiest city. As far as I know, San Pedro Garza García (this is the full name to that city) is too one of higher life levels in whole Mexico. The metropolitan area of Monterrey is very big (about three million people), so it implies certain risk, but not different to San Antonio TX or any city on that size. You would find it nice, besides the border is just 2 hours driving going to Laredo, San Antonio is just 4 hours driving.

I don't know what does a wife there, it dependes on your creativity; if you don't have children maybe you could find a job, like english teacher or something, or you could take a course on spanish or mexican cuisine (remember to eat "cabrito" wich is baby goat and is the traditional dish in Monterrey), or mexican history; look for those in ITESM, Casa de la Cultura, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, or at some particular school. Also, you can be a tourist in long term, check for tours in Nuevo León.