Concerned about Safety? Try Living in Yucatan, Mexico

Although media images have caused many people to be concerned about safety when considering living in Mexico, statistics, as well as testimonials from Americans living here show that safety is actually a good reason to leave the U.S. and move to Mexico.  This is especially true for many of Mexico's favorite tourist areas with significant expat communities, such as the colonial city of Merida and the surrounding state of Yucatan. If you are considering buying Yucatan Real Estate, you will actually be improving the level of safety and the resulting comfort in your lifestyle.

Merida is not only safer than the image people have of Mexico, but it is actually safer than most places in the U.S.  According to statistics, aggravated assault, rape, theft, automobile theft, and burglary are all considerably lower in Mexico overall than in the U.S., each rate for Mexico being around 50% of the rate for the U.S., and Yucatan falls well below the national average.  In terms of the murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants), the U.S. was at about 4 for 2009, while Yucatan's rate was 2.5.

Why the negative image about Mexico's safety?  There are two reasons; one is the sensationalist nature of much of the media.  Mafia killings and wars between drug cartels and the army make catchier news than the story of an expat couple happily and safely walking down the streets of the colonial city they live in. (Enough people would like to know how to be this couple, of course, but most news readers will choose the shocking stories over the uneventful ones, however appealing that kind of lifestyle is.)

Also, imagine if the front-page headlines picked up the story every time an American was killed in New York?  The news would be full of nothing but "American kills American in U.S. city."  Sounds ridiculous, and unfortunately it happens too often for people to catch people's attention anymore.  When an American tourist dies in Cancun, for example, it hits the headlines; but considering the number of Americans in Cancun when these unfortunate events have happened, it still means that American's are safer in this Mexican beachfront city than in their hometown.  And Merida's safety levels are even better.

The second reason for the negative image is that the drug wars in northern Mexico are real.  No one can deny this.  However, most of Mexico is as far away from these problems as many parts of the U.S.  In the case of Merida, it's even farther.  What's more, average Mexican citizens, and even less so expats, are not affected by these army-cartel confrontations; except for a few incidences in places like Tijuana, even residents of the areas suffering from the heaviest levels of conflict live day to day life entirely unaffected.  (It's common for Mexicans from central and southern regions to express concern when they meet someone who resides near the U.S. border, but these Northerners always answer with this same point.)

So,what is life in Merida like?  That expat couple, mentioned above, taking a relaxed, care-free stroll through the romantic streets of a beautifully kept up colonial city is a pretty good image to start with.  The city center's atmosphere is defined by centuries-old architecture, great restaurants ranging from local Yucatecan to international gourmet, cafes, galleries, and the sound of traditional Mexican music.  But Merida is also thriving metropolis; there are new shopping malls, large-screen movie theaters, golf courses nearby, and, starting only half an hour away, miles of shoreline with soft, white sand on the beaches, where modern beachfront luxury can be found as well as traditional Mexican towns.

Besides the stats, Americans who live in Merida will consistently attest to the fact that they actually feel safer.

"Truthfully," says one American, "My wife and I feel safer walking to and from our midtown home in Merida to parks, restaurants, and evening events than we did in Omaha."

"In Yucatan violent crime is almost unheard of," observes Mitch Keenan, a leading real estate broker who has lived and worked in Merida for over 10 years. "In Merida, the citizens safely and confidently walk the streets at any time of day or night."

If safety is your concern, you may want to consider packing up and moving out of the U.S. - to a safer, more relaxing place in Mexico, like Merida.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico's Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

About the Author

Thomas Lloyd, founder and president of TOPMexicoRealestate.com, has numerous diplomas and certifications in Mexico Real Estate topics and is one of only a few professionals to hold Mexico's new degree in real estate, accompanied by a Professional Identification Number, "cedula profesional."  He has over 15 years of direct experience in Mexico's business culture.

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