If you’re considering moving to Merida, Mexico, then this article will help you enormously.

In it I will:

📌 Discuss the specifics of moving to Mérida including how to rent a house and how to find a school for your kids

📌 Answer some of the bigger questions such as, “Is Mérida, Mexico safe?” ,”how do you cope with the climate?” and “Is Mérida really worth as great as they claim?”

📌 Give personal examples from people who have already made the move to Mérida

⭐️ If you are looking for information about moving to Mexico with kids, we have you covered there too

_{There are affiliate links in this article. If you click and make a purchase I could make a small sum at zero cost to you. Thank you!}

What Qualifies Me To Write About Moving To Merida?

That’s a fair question. I moved to Mérida from London in early 2018 with my husband and small kids. We left everything behind: our jobs, families, schools, friends. We took a risk because we knew we wanted something more, something different. We wanted an adventure, and we wanted our kids to know adventure and to grow up bilingual and knowing there was more to life than London.

Not only do I write blog articles and books about Mexico, I also have a consultancy service to help people work through their own decision making processes around moving overseas.

Before we made our permanent move we spent six months living in three different locations in Mexico:

✅ Oaxaca

✅ Tulum

✅ Mérida

We also experienced what it’s like to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca and Christmas in Mérida.

We wanted to know if a move to Mexico was right for our family. After six months of living in Mexico, learning Spanish, sending our kids to school (well, kindergarten) and figuring out how things worked, we decided that it was the right place for us.

We’re very grateful to Mexico and to Mérida for welcoming us in with such wide and open arms. During the pandemic I wrote a book about moving to Mérida, imaginatively titled, Moving to Mérida, and in 2023 I published an updated version of this book that has helped so many families, couples and individuals make their move to Mérida.

“I came across your writing on our first visit to Mérida last summer. Your books about Merida and the Yucatan with kids have been super helpful (bought both) so thanks and nice work! We’ve spent five months here this year” (comment on MexicoCassie FB page in 2023)

Moving To Merida – The Basics

How Safe Is Mexico?

Isn’t this always the biggest question you get when you tell anyone you’re moving to Mexico? I struggle with this question for a few reasons:

• I’m from London, a city that has its fair share of problems. My kids and I saw a stabbing in broad daylight near our home in London but no one says you shouldn’t go to the UK.
• My kids cried when I went to the USA on my own because they were convinced I was going to get shot. Of course, I wasn’t but that’s what propaganda does, it scares us into believing other places are more dangerous (and less good) than home.
• Many people who ask this question have been freaked out by news reports coming from, um, perhaps the more conservative spectrum of the US news and political services.
• People in Mexico are incredibly friendly, kind and welcoming. I read the papers, I know what’s going on in certain regions but I don’t think that should put people off visiting a place altogether.

If I’m asked if there are places in Mexico I wouldn’t visit for safety reasons, my answer is that I always ask around, find out where Mexicans are worried about, not where international agencies are highlighting. I wouldn’t write anywhere off without doing my own research so I implore you to do the same. Keep an open mind and ask yourself if an entire country can really be bad.

So What About Merida? Is Merida Safe?

✅ Yes. It is safe to live in Mérida. In fact, Mérida is one of the safest cities in Mexico and the second safest city in all of North America.

📌 The State of Yucatan takes its reputation as the safest state in Mexico very seriously and works very hard to keep it that way. There are police checks along the road as you enter the state and there are police checks as you enter the city of Merida.

📌 I’m obviously not promising you a zero crime rate. People are people wherever you are and there are always people whose behaviours aren’t as we might wish.

📌 You can walk around many areas of Mérida at night without worry.

📌 Pickpocketing is rare.

📌 You’ll not have to worry about your kids being shot at school.

Other Safety Issues In Merida

💧 Water: No. We do not drink the water. It won’t kill you if you do drink it but it might give you kidney stones due to the high mineral content. Always buy garafones (large water bottles that are delivered) for your house. You can drink ‘purified water’, juices, agua frescas and eat the ice on the streets and in restaurants because no one drinks the water so everything is made with clean water.

🚗 Driving: I tend to think of Yucatecans as incredibly calm people until they get behind the wheel of a car and then they are less calm (massive silly stereotype but if you do the car-dance on Technologico four times a day you’ll soon see what I mean). Some people definitely drink and drive but I absolutely don’t recommend it (obviously) because it’s dangerous and also because there are police checks, particularly when leaving the beach areas at the weekends.

🚨 General Crime: Yes, there is some but it doesn’t seem to be endemic. I’ve never heard of anyone being pick-pocketed, for example. Houses do get broken into, especially when there are empty homes next door but if you’re sensible with security this shouldn’t be an issue.

🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ Sexuality and Gender: Merida hosts its own wonderful Pride event and is a pretty tolerant society. “Live and let live” seems to be how it goes here, particularly with relation to foreigners. PDAs aren’t huge in Merida regardless of your orientation. There are a few gay bars in town.

💉 Drugs: Weed, currently, seems to be confusing everyone. Owning it and growing it, I think, has been decriminalised as long as you have registered with the government. CBD oil is everywhere. There are moves to legalise all drugs within Mexico but this hasn’t happened yet. Unless you’re sure, probably easiest not to.

How To Find A House In Merida

🏠 You have a number of options available to you for finding a house in Merida. Many people assume that they will want to live in Mérida’s centro, the historic centre where the houses are colonial style and truly beautiful. But this isn’t all that Mérida has to offer. Mérida’s housing market, just like any city, is complex but can be broken down into the following areas:

🧭 Mérida Centro

🧭 Middle Mérida

🧭 North Mérida

🧭 South Mérida

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Renting in Mérida’s Centro

If you’re thinking about moving to Mérida, chances are you’re imagining yourself living in a beautifully restored colonial home in Centro. This is part of the draw of Mérida for many and Centro is undeniably beautiful.

📌 You may find that prices are higher than you expect, easily over $1200 USD a month if you’re expecting to live in an elegant place with all the amenities and a pool.

✅ Pros: Close to the centre of the city, close to the bars and restaurants and cultural activities. Merida English Library is in the centre too. Many expats live in this part of town.

❌ Cons: Centro can be noisy. There are many bars and bus routes to consider. You never know when and where a new bar will pop up. Zoning laws are, um, tricky to navigate. Many streets are on bus routes (not all, by any stretch but it’s worth taking into account), which can make life noisy and more polluted than other parts of town. I also think it can be hotter in centro than other areas of the city because the houses are closer together and there are fewer green spaces. Parking isn’t always easy.

Renting in Middle Mérida

I’m using this term loosely to cover the areas that typically aren’t very ‘foreign’ or ‘expatty’. It includes, Itzimna, Campestre,  Colonia Mexico, Montes de Ame, Xcumpich, Garcia Gineres, Chuburna de Hidalgo, around Parque Aleman etc.

📌 This is my favourite section of the city. The houses are a mixed bag but there’s often more space than in centro. Many of the houses were built by Mexicans with money who wanted to be ‘outside of centro’ in the 70s and 80s. Many of the owners now have moved north to the more modern areas or the privadas. Not all houses have a pool in this area. You will find some very cheap houses, some very expensive houses and everything in between in this area. With a pool you’re probably looking at between $15,000 – $22,000 a month (pesos, obviously).

✅ Pros: There’s more space, the roads are quieter, life is calmer. In many of these areas you’ll be living alongside Mexican families and you may well get a better feel for local culture. Parking is easier.

❌ Cons: You’re neither in the north with all the modern conveniences but nor are you in the centre with many of the great restaurants and cultural activities.

Karina has been living in Mérida since April 2017, having moved here from Mexico City. She chose Mérida because she feels it’s a good place to raise children due to its safety. She lived in Campestre, where she found a nice church and playground, before moving to the Prolongación de Montejo.

Renting in North Mérida

There is a great deal of building going on in Mérida and much of it is in the north. Here, many people choose to live live in privadas (private estates, often with their own facilities). Privadas can be small or large, each has its own personality.

As Mérida grows, privadas are springing up across the area between Mérida and the beach. This is locally referred to as “The Monte”. The Country Club and the Polo Club are both in this area.

✅ Pros: Many of the malls and best schools are in the north – taking in both sides of the pereferico (ring road). There are houses to suit all budgets. You’re closer to Progreso and the coast.

❌ Cons: Distance from town and many of the facilities. Privadas in the Monte sometimes require satellite internet as there is no general coverage here yet.

Jeannie and her family moved to a small privada in north Mérida from Veracruz for work in 2016. She really likes it because it’s a very safe and quiet privada.

Renting in South Mérida

Many people say the south of Mérida is less desirable than the rest of the city. It has a reputation for being edgy. I lived on the southern edge of centro for a while and really enjoyed it. This area, La Ermita is now one of the most popular barrios in Mérida! I know there are foreigners living in the south who really love it and wouldn’t move for anything. They say it’s Mérida’s well kept secret. I used to live in Camberwell, an ‘edgy’ part of London and loved it so I fully understand this feeling.

✅ Pros: You’ll get more for your money. Living in a truly Mexican part of Mérida.

❌ Cons: Far from some amenities and schools in the north. Takes a long time to get to the beach.

Living at the the Beach

Many people prefer to live actually in Progreso, Chuburna or Chelem than in Mérida. There is a growing expat community along the Yucatan coast.

✅ Pros: You have the beach on your doorstep.

❌ Cons: Fewer choices than there are in Mérida. You may find yourself coming into Mérida for big shops and malls although there are more and more stores and amenities opening at the beach all the time.

➕ Yucatán’s incredible beaches are some of the most family friendly beaches in all of Mexico.

Top Tip: When choosing a house in Mérida, think about air circulation and how you like to cool down. Personally, I am not a fan of A.C. so we needed a house that had good ventilation and a pool. Houses on the north-south axis tend to have better air -flow than others. How much shade is there? Can you open windows? These are important questions to ask as you see houses.

So, that’s the basic idea of how the city splits but how about actually finding a house? Well, from abroad your options are:

• Airbnb/VRBO – Mérida is a popular destination for visitors and foreign residents. There is no shortage of houses on Airbnb to choose from. If you’re going to stay for a while be sure to haggle. Good for furnished short-term lets.
• Vivanuncios – This site is in Spanish and is good for people looking for longer term rentals. It’s mainly unfurnished houses though.
• Facebook – There are plenty of Facebook groups for people looking to rent houses, both in English and Spanish. Well worth doing some searching.
• Real estate agents – Mérida has no shortage of real estate agents. Some of these are specifically catering to the non-Spanish speaking market. Prices are generally higher through them and you may find that a short-term rent doesn’t follow the true legal rental system.
• There are also plenty of real estate agents dealing with the local market who are more than happy to show foreigners their wares. Some agents have websites but others will be found by walking around and seeing ‘se vende’ or ‘se renta’ on houses (for sale and for rent). You then call the number on the sign and get to meet agents that way.
• It’s also possible to find housesitting opportunities in Mérida.

Do note that we have an active ‘snow-bird’ season from November – March here where prices rise and houses can be hard to find if you leave it to the last minute.

My book, Moving to Mérida, has lots of helpful advice and tips for renting and buying houses in Mérida

How to Find a School in Mérida

If you have kids and you’re considering moving to Merida then you’ll be wondering about education. Spend ten minutes in the city and you’ll realise there are hundreds of schools, but how do you find the right school for your kids? Most foreigners living in Mérida opt for either private schools or homeschooling.

Begin by considering what you are looking for in a school

📌 Education in English? Bilingual? Spanish?

📌 Do you want a traditional school or somewhere a bit more modern and liberal in its views?

📌 Are you pro- or anti- homework? What about school uniform?

📌 Religious or secular schooling?

Figure out what you want and then ask around. Join Facebook groups for Merida families and read through previous threads and discussions. People are always happy to help figure out the schooling situation.

We opted to put our kids in Spanish speaking private schools. We felt that our kids would learn better and integrate better if they picked up Spanish as fast as possible. We supplemented with after-school Spanish lessons for a term and after one year our kids were fluent but not bilingual. 

So how do you find that school?

✏️ It depends. If you want a school near your house, then walk around and look for a school! Do be aware that many schools simply won’t get back to you if you send an email. They may pick up the phone but they may not (I’m serious). Your best bet is to show up on the doorstep and ask to be shown around. Please don’t take this lack of response as indicative of the school or its ability to teach your kids though.

✏️ A small, local private school will be much cheaper than the largest private schools. We paid around $5,000 pesos a month per child to attend truly brilliant primary schools. This seems to be about average for good schools that are firmly on the radar of foreigners and Mexicans from elsewhere in the country.

✏️ Open days tend to be early in the year–Jan-Feb generally—and entrance exams are sat between Jan -April. I recommend getting in touch with your chosen schools for more details on their individual timetables.

✏️ Five or six years ago you could show up in Mérida and get a space a a school without too much trouble, now the most popular schools are heavily over-subscribed so you’ll need to follow their timetable for applications.

🐾 Find out what it’s like living in Mérida with a dog here

My book, Moving to Mérida, has lots of helpful advice and tips for finding schools in Mérida

Medical Care In Merida

As a foreigner, you’ll probably want to get health insurance. We are entitled, as residents, to IMSS (Mexico health care) but we have followed our Mexican friends’ advice and got ourselves private health care. With this we have access to the best hospitals in Merida, including our favourite, Clinica de Merida.

My book, Moving to Mérida, has lots of helpful advice and tips for medical, dental and even pet health in Mérida

What’s Connectivity Like in Mérida?

💻 Wifi is actually really good and there are a number of options for your home. Tel-Cel and izzi tend to be the most popular. We have izzi and it’s been great. When our house was struck by lightning and the wifi router died, they came round within a day to replace it. We get texts telling us when there are problems in the area and when to expect them to be fixed. We pay our bill online so it’s very easy.

💻 The whole city is pretty well connected too. Most cafes and restaurants have free wifi as do many public spots such as Paseo de Montejo and Plaza Grande.

📲 Mobile phones are simple. Just show up with an unlocked phone, buy a new sim and you’re ready to go. I buy a monthly ‘paquete’ on Tel-Cel. It costs me $200 pesos a month for seemingly unlimited data and calls. It isn’t actually unlimited but because my paquete includes free whatsapp, facebook and twitter, it feels that way. Of course, in my book about Moving to Mérida you can find more information about connectivity.

Transport In Merida

If you don’t have a car, it’s still easy to get around the city, with taxis, buses, mini-buses and on foot. There are even bike-lanes in the city of Mérida. The Va-y-Ven bus system has modernised much of the city’s bus options.

🚗 However, my opinion is that buying a car makes sense if you’re going to be living in Mérida. There’s so much to see and do outside of the city as well as around the city so you’re not going to want to rely on (expensive) tours or (non-convenient) public transport to get around. Trips to the supermarket or the mall or the playground are always easier if you have a car. Mérida is a very American city in that it’s more set up for cars than walking due to the heat and to the distance between places.

🚂 The Maya Train should be operational in early 2024, which offers yet more exciting experiences in this region

My book, Moving to Mérida, has lots of helpful advice and tips for buying a car in Mérida

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Mérida?

💰 How long is a piece of string? 😂 Seriously, the cost of living in Mérida really depends on your needs, the size of your family, the age of your car etc. We barely used A.C so our electricity bills are lower than many of our friends’.

💰 Are you going to have the A.C on 24/7? Do you live on sushi and champagne or beans, rice and water?

💰 Mérida is no longer as cheap as it was. Inflation is real and I’m pretty sure a lot of it is down to an influx of foreigners to the city (both Mexican and international). In my book, Moving to Mérida, I share a breakdown of my family’s average annual spend to help you get an idea what a mid-level family of four spends in a year.

How Do I Recycle In Merida?

You may be surprised to know that Merida is actually a fairly green city. There’s a lot going on if you just know where to look. I’ve written three articles specifically about recycling, reusing and living a sustainable life in Merida. So, if you’re looking for information on vegan restaurants in Merida, zero-waste markets or eco-friendly cafes, shops and hotels, check out the three articles below.

• How To Live A Greener Life In Merida
• Sustainable Tourism In Merida
• Sustainable Shopping And Eating In Merida

My book, Moving to Mérida, has lots of helpful advice and tips for living ethically in Mérida including where and how to recycle and shop ethically

How do you cope with the climate in Mérida?

I’m regularly referred to as a lizard because the heat doesn’t really bother me so much but I know I’m abnormal!

☀️ The hottest part of the year is April – September (temperatures reaching 45C)

☔️ June – August can experience rain and storms. Generally when it rains it crazy-rains for an hour or two and then clears up. When you first arrive in Mérida you may wonder why some curbs are so high. Once you see the rains and how some streets flood you’ll understand!

🥶 October – March is utterly magical as far as climate goes. There may be a few days or even weeks where it’s cold enough for sweaters and blankets (known locally as the ‘heladez’).

Tips for dealing with the heat

📌 Stay inside between 12pm and 3pm

📌 Walk in the shade when you are outside

📌 Carry a water bottle, embrace ice cream

📌 Use A.C to take the edge off the heat, use a waterspray bottle to cool yourself down. Keep windows open at night to let cool air in, and closed in the day to keep hot air out

📌 Get a place with a pool, shower a lot

📌 Even if you hate malls, they have good A.C and it’s free. Cinemas also have great A.C.

📌 Sleep in a hammock like the Yucatecans

Best Things About Living in Mérida?

I asked a few long-time residents in Mérida what they think the best things about the city are. I agree with everything everyone nsaid.

⭐️ Karina says the great food, and so many great cultural activities are why she loves Mérida so much.

⭐️ Hanal Pixan (Yucatán Día de los Muertos)

⭐️ The best things about the city for Kaylene are the weather and the amazing people here. She says they’re just quiet and friendly people. A further benefit to this city, according to Kaylene is how everything is easily accessible and you can do pretty much anything for a reasonable price: from going to the beach to getting teeth fixed or even buying a house.

⭐️ So much Maya culture and history all around. Chichen Itza is just one of many archaeological sites near Mérida

⭐️ Jeannie loves the proximity to the beach. Mérida may not be ON the beach but there are fabulous beaches within easy reach of Mérida including the popular beach town of Progreso and the pink salt lakes of Las Coloradas

⭐️ So many cenotes to swim in when you want a change from the pool and beach

⭐️ Pueblos Magicos such as Izamal, Motul and Sisal are within a short drive

⭐️ Hayley wasn’t alone in telling me that Mérida’s safety record was high on the list of reasons why they picked Mérida. She also loves the options for kids in Mérida.

Top Tips for Living in Mérida

📌 Karina’s top tip for living in Mérida is to be tolerant and put yourself in other people’s shoes so you don’t get frustrated by things being different.

📌 Hayley says you should embrace the driving culture or you won’t ever feel at home

📌 Jen wants to remind people that you shouldn’t expect living here to be like your home country, because it won’t be. She advises to go with the flow and be laid back about everything.

📌 You will probably acclimatise and find summer bearable and winter chilly but honestly, not everyone does. If Mérida isn’t for you, that’s ok.

📌 Kaylene says to ask people when you need help as everyone will be pleased to help.

📌 Facebook and WhatsApp are where most communications happen. Be sure to join the various Facebook groups for new immigrants as there you can ask your specific questions and get real time support.

My family had to move to Mérida with no book to help us, no guide to where to go food shopping, pay bills, even find water. Lucky for you, you don’t have to because I wrote the definitive guide to Moving to Mérida, so, for more excellent advice and thoughts on moving to Mérida, of course you now know that the best decision you will make is to buy a copy of my fully updated in 2023 book, Moving to Mérida.