Expat Life: Is This the Wrong Time to Consider Moving Abroad?

Cynthia:  The cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta last week was unsettling.

Edd:  It ended quickly, but the memory will remain for quite some time because of the way it was covered in the media.

C:  I’m guessing a lot of people planning travel to Mexico are having second thoughts. It’s a huge country and the activity was confined to only a few areas. Puerto Vallarta is actually one of its safest cities.

E:  All this is so reminiscent of the situation we wrote about here in Ecuador two years ago. Drug violence in a few pockets of over 1,200 miles of coastline was blown way out of proportion with headlines screaming that the entire country was “gripped with fear.”

C:  Oh, I remember. Meanwhile, here in Cuenca it was like we were reading news about something occurring on another continent! Sure, there was concern about the problem, but daily life for us and most people living in Ecuador continued as usual.

E:  Maybe expats near the troubled coastal areas relocated somewhere else, but we don’t know of a single person from the highlands who left. In fact, while all this was going on we were busy looking for our current residence. So obviously we had no plans to go anywhere.

C:  I mentioned travelers might be hesitant to visit Mexico and perhaps other countries right now. Do you think people planning to move abroad are reconsidering too?

E:  The answer likely depends on how far along they are in the process. Someone in the early “Wouldn’t it be nice?” stage might see the headlines and decide what feels like a pretty risky idea to start with is, well, too risky. If you’ve done your research and already taken a scouting trip, I don’t think what happened in Mexico would change your mind.

C:  Even if I had my sights set on Puerto Vallarta, the first thing I would do is reach out through Facebook groups to expats living there to get their feedback on what’s really happening.

E:  Exactly. Amy Jones, our friend who lives in Mérida, Mexico, wrote an insightful article about familiar vs. unfamiliar violence in relation to the country’s recent events. She correctly points out that when foreigners in another country find themselves in harm’s way, they are usually 1) tourists wearing “rose-colored glasses” who are, 2) in places they shouldn’t have been, and 3) doing things they shouldn’t be doing.

C:  I thought her piece was excellent. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Atlanta or Lisbon, locals know areas to avoid that simply aren’t safe, and, for the most part, exercise common sense in daily life. We’ve lived in Cuenca almost 16 years and have felt completely safe the entire time.

E:  From a contrarian point of view, this might actually be a great time to move abroad. If other people are being cautious and holding off, pricing for flights and housing could possibly dip in response to less demand.

C:  That was our situation when we started traveling full time in 2021 when COVID restrictions were beginning to be lifted. Ironically, the first country we visited was Mexico, which never closed during the pandemic. Airlines were desperate to fill seats and Airbnbs were plentiful. We snagged some terrific deals.

E:  Plus, even the most popular destinations like Cancun weren’t at all crowded. Whether you are planning travel or a move to another country, our advice is to do your homework and not be swayed by sensational, clickbait headlines.

C:  Case in point: After a couple of days of stories showing flaming, overturned vehicles in Puerto Vallarta, news coverage has quickly moved on to the next shiny object. I think you’re right. Let your own good judgment guide you. And whether it’s a vacation or a relocation, be smart, use common sense, and have a great time!