5 pros and cons of living in Mérida

Living in Mérida? Here are 5 pros and cons of living in Mérida compared with other Mexican states.

What you don’t know, and no one will tell you, is what the disadvantages of living in Mérida are.

The advantages are many, but to make a decision like moving here to study or live, it is important to put the whole picture on the table.

Before you pack your bags and start a new life in Yucatán, you should be clear about the pros and cons you’ll find.

Like every city, Mérida has its own charm and splendour. Like every city, it has its own weaknesses and drawbacks.

As residents in love with our Yucatecan customs and traditions, we embrace the diversity that makes this a unique, living state.

Forewarned is forearmed — that way you avoid unexpected surprises in your new home.

Advantages of life in Mérida

1. It is a safe city

We can say it with confidence: Mérida is one of the safest cities in the whole country. It recently won the title of “City of Peace” after being recognised in 2019 by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) as the most peaceful city in Mexico.

This means that, compared with other Mexican states, Mérida has a lower rate of assaults, violent crime, homicides and organised crime.

If we compare the crime rate in Yucatán’s capital with the violence rate in Guadalajara or Monterrey, Mérida comes out far, far ahead.

Even so, violence rates rise each year due to demographic and governmental factors.

Mexico is a country in constant change. As citizens, we have the right to choose the place of residence that offers us the most advantages and the quality of life we aspire to.

Living in Mérida means an everyday life of peace and being part of a growing social structure.

If you are thinking of moving here, remember you will be part of a social ecosystem you should join with deep respect for its customs and traditions.

The high quality of life in Yucatán is due in part to the calm of its people, and it is everyone’s responsibility to keep that peace.

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2. It is better connected than it seems

The nearest beach is about 20 minutes away and the tourist offer extends along the coast.

You can easily reach archaeological sites and nature areas a short distance from central Mérida.

And if you are planning a trip, domestic or international, Mérida has direct international flights to cities such as Havana, Miami, Houston and Toronto.

The Yucatán peninsula borders Campeche and Quintana Roo. In a matter of hours, you can reach Cancún by bus or car.

3. The region’s health services are top quality

Mérida has a wide range of health services, so you won’t have to worry about getting the best care if you need to see a doctor.

Health services offered in Mérida.

The offer is varied and accessible for every budget, and it is gradually adapting to welcome residents from other parts of the world who have made Mérida their new temporary or permanent home.

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4. Rent is affordable

Compared with other Mexican states, rents in Mérida are not only affordable but also fit your most specific needs.

Before renting, it is important to compare prices and amenities against others on the market, so you can make a decision that fits your budget, needs and tastes.

Get quotes for different options and research calmly — you are choosing where you will live. If you need guidance, don’t hesitate to use the services of real-estate agencies to buy or rent a house in Mérida.

Also check the best areas to live in Mérida here. The city is expanding and you won’t want to live near the highway or in an unfavourable area.

5. Education is first class

Another thing you won’t have to worry about is your children’s education. Mérida has many private and public school options at every level.

From nurseries to universities, you can be sure your children will receive first-class attention. The educational quality of both private and public schools is a reality in Yucatán.

Disadvantages of living in Mérida

1. The climate

Living in Mérida means carrying water and a bit of sweat as part of the outfit and lifestyle.

It is well known that one of the biggest disadvantages of living in Mérida is its particular heat, especially between April and September.

But don’t worry: it is quite likely that after a while you’ll get used to the high temperatures of your new city and they’ll no longer feel like a threat.

2. The arts scene is broad, but not as much as in big cities

The arts offer is a downside for people used to concerts, plays, museums and cultural festivals with international or distinguished names.

Although there are more and more efforts to build a broader arts scene, the truth is that the presence of big-name artists is a real drawback.

You may well miss out on seeing your favourite artist, as they tend to perform in the country’s capital or in nearby cities.

Mérida is a leader in developing cultural events and promoting its culture; if you miss a show, you can always check the cultural listings.

Read: Art and design at your feet — do you know Ticul shoes, Yucatán?

3. Urban transport

Another disadvantage of living in Mérida is urban transport. Often you need to rely on the bus, and that is where reaching your destination on time can become mission impossible.

A proposal was recently published to create an app to help users find the most efficient route, so this drawback may soon ease.

Still, government investment to meet public transport demand is low. There are too few vehicles, many are unhygienic and the service is poor.

Public transport in Mérida costs 8.00 pesos general and 3.00 pesos for students and seniors with an ID card.

Traffic, on the other hand, is a point that sets the city apart from big metropolises. Visitors feel the beauty of being able to move wherever they please without delays.

However, one of the future disadvantages of living in Mérida will be traffic. The city’s infrastructure is not designed for heavy car flows.

Proof of this is the more than 30 new bottlenecks for private vehicles, quite apart from the fact that the population is growing year after year at an accelerating pace.

4. Wages are lower than in other cities

It is true that some services are cheaper, but by contrast wages in Mérida are significantly lower than in cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey.

Unfortunately, this directly affects residents’ quality of life. To offset these disadvantages, many have turned to entrepreneurship.

How much does it cost to live in Mérida?

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5. The cost of living is rising

As a city that attracts investment, living costs are going up.

Rents rise more than 8% a year in some areas, up to 20%. The cost of services such as schools and entertainment rises faster than annual GDP.

In short, one of the disadvantages of living in Mérida is that, as time goes on, life gets more expensive. If you were wondering how expensive it is to live in Mérida, now you have the answer.

One factor that can change the picture is that the beach is 30 minutes away. Your weekends will be different.

As you can see, Mérida is a city that invites people to stay a good while to enjoy everything it offers. Now it’s your turn: what is life in Mérida like for you?

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