When Doing Your Own Research Isn't Enough
Why online research alone may not give you the full picture of what it's really like to live in Mexico.
I see way too often in our local Facebook and WhatsApp community groups people who say they researched Mérida before visiting, but discover when they get here that the reality is nothing like what they envisioned.
And honestly, I’m never surprised.
People spend hours watching YouTube videos, scrolling TikTok and Instagram, and joining Facebook groups to research moving abroad. People often conflate public following with private credibility and integrity. Sometimes that leads you to great information and trustworthy people. Other times, it leads you straight to someone who’s more interested in selling you something than helping you understand where you’re going.
Here’s something I think people overlook: Who are you actually getting your information from?
How long has this person lived here? Do they speak Spanish fluently? How connected are they to the local community? Are they experiencing Mexico beyond the American circles they spend time in?
For me, language matters. If someone is offering relocation services in a Spanish-speaking country but can’t comfortably communicate in Spanish, I’m going to have questions. That doesn’t automatically mean they’re dishonest or incapable of serving you well, but it does make me question how much of the local experience they can actually help you navigate. Being married to or dating a Mexican also doesn’t necessarily qualify someone as trustworthy either. Speaking Spanish alone doesn’t always make someone a reliable resource either. Experience, relationships, and how someone conducts business matter just as much.
There’s a difference between someone knowing a place and someone knowing how to sell a place.
I see a lot of content online showing people how wonderful life in Mexico can be. And it absolutely can be wonderful. But that’s not the whole picture. What happens when you arrive and realize the neighborhood you chose isn’t what you expected? What happens when the pretty home has a bug problem or your neighborhood floods during rainy season? Or what if the lifestyle you imagined doesn’t match your everyday reality?
That’s why I believe a Vision Trip should be about more than visiting popular neighborhoods and seeing beautiful homes. When you work with me, I’m going to tell you the truth about Mérida. Not just what looks good on social media. I want you to understand as much as possible about what living here could actually look like for you. If I don’t think something is a good fit, I’m not afraid to say that either.
Yes, I run a business. Yes, my services have a price. But the person comes before the product.
I don’t believe everyone is called to live everywhere. Just because someone is interested in Mexico and willing to pay for a service doesn’t mean I should automatically encourage them to move here or invite them to become a client.
My goal isn’t to convince you that Mérida is perfect. It’s to help you experience the city beyond the social media version so you can make an informed decision for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with deciding a place isn’t for you. That’s literally the point of a Vision Trip-to see if you could visualize yourself living somewhere full-time.
I’d rather you discover that during a Vision Trip than after you’ve packed up your entire life and moved.
Do your research. Just make sure you’re getting the full picture.