México: Vivir

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates: According to the last population and housing census (2000) there are 492,617 foreigners who reside in Mexico, 69.7% are from USA, 9.8% from Europe, 8.3% from South America, 6% Southamericans and 6.2% from other countries.
Blogs For Expats: Expat-blog
Council of Spanish Residents in Mexico
For Further Information: Living in Mexico
Immigration Authority: National Institute of Immigration
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals: Easy Expat
Mexpack

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living: Mexico City is the second most expensive city of Latin America (after Rio de Janeiro).
Monterrey is the second most expensive city in Mexico.
Quality of Life: Mexico City ranks second in quality of life among the Latin American cities. In the world's list, Mexico ranks number 32 from 111 countries, because of its high pollution index.
Sanitary Conditions: The country's sanitary conditions are good but not enough for all the population. In some rural areas there is a lack of potable water and other essential sanitary services.
There is not a proper system to handle waste matter and human discards.
For Further Information: Mercer Survey, quality of living.
Mercer Survey, cost of living

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 , Mexico Yakaz , Real Estate Mexico, Opportunity Ads.
Rental Agency Websites: Apartment Sharing
Classified Ads
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 compounds pre-school, elementary and secondary school.
Pre-school is directed to children from three to five years old. It has three grades and it is not mandatory.
Elementary school has six grades for children from 6 to 14 years old and it is mandatory.
Secondary school lasts three more years. It can be specialized such as: general, technical, adult education, telesecundaria (secondary school learning with television support) or for workers.
International Schools: British American School
German School
French School of El Pedregal
Dutch School
Mexican Japanese School
For Further Information: Directory of Bilingual Schools
Directory of Schools, Ministry of Public Education

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 take very long.
The private healthcare system is of a very high level. Most physicians who work in clinics and private hospitals have obtained international diplomas and speak English.
International Hospitals: Centro Médico ABC Hospital Angeles Clínica Londres Médica Sur
Health Insurance: Yes, however, because of the 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: Mexican Institution of Social Security
GNP Insurance
AXA Insurance
Met Life
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 center district,& The Museum of Anthropology and History, the pyramids of Teotihuacán, Taxco, Morelia, Tula. In the center of the country: Guanajuato, Guadalajara,San Miguel de Allende, Querétaro In the south of Mexico: Palenque and Chichen Itzá, la Riviera Maya.
Cultural: The Metropolitan Cathedral, Coyoacán, Xochimilco, Craftsmanship in Morelia, Gastronomy in Puebla,Ruta del Tequila en Jalisco, Festival of the Guelaguetza, Oaxaca, Contemporary architecture in Tijuana
Nature: La Peña de Bernal, Querétaro;; El Chico National Park, Hidalgo; , Michoacán;Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl Volcanoes, The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Michoacán; Ecotourism, Yucatán,Kayak, Veracruz.
Religious: The Metropolitan Cathedral, The Basilica of Oulr Lady of Guadalupe, The Sanctuary of Christ the King, Cerro del Cubilete.
Thermal: Baja California, Hidalgo, Chihuahua.
Beach: Mexico has many beaches on the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans' coasts. For further information, visit the website of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism.
Winter Sports: No tourist activities have been developed for this type of sport.
Outdoor Activities: Diving, camping, canoeing, fishing, surfing... Mexico offers an endless list of activities. Consult the website VISIT MEXICO
Shopping: In the Mexican state capitals, there are shopping centers, markets and stores where one can obtain folkloric and odd articles.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
Anthropology and History National Museum
Chapultepec Castle
Xochimilco
Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City
Major Temple Museum
House of the Tiles
Tourist circuits in Coyoacan
Latin American Tower
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Zocalo Square in Mexico City

Top Highlights of the Country
Mayan Riviera
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Visit Patzcuaro and Janitzio Island
Peña de Bernal
San Miguel de Allende
Santa Prisca Cathedral, Taxco de Alarcón
The Whales of Los Cabos
La Guelaguetza, Oaxaca
Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosí
La Quebrada, Acapulco

Tourism Organizations: Ministry of Tourism
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: 3/7
: World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2011 report : 149/179
: Evolution: 13 places down compared to 2010
: For Further Information, Consult Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2011, Reporters Without Borders
Free Access to the Internet: Wide.
Rule of Law: It exists, but 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.
For Further Information: Reporters without Frontiers
Social condition of a woman in Mexico

Religion

Degree of Freedom: Wide.
Beliefs: Catholics: 89.9%, Protestants: 5.2%, Jewish: 0.05%, Others 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 on a national level.
However, there is a state and church separation in government as well as in education.

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