Prompted by the recent upsurge in drug related crime, I thought it would be interesting to see how forum members felt regarding personal safety as Expats in Cancun. Some people feel that safety only becomes an issue when you choose to put yourself in a vulnerable position. Others feel that the situation is beyond control and any average person is at significant risk regardless of their situation. Expats, do you currently feel safe in Cancun? (this is a public poll, people can see how you voted - this is to ensure that only Expats vote in this poll)
Not to diminish the poll, but it stands to reason that any ex-pat whom doesn't feel safe has probably moved back, and therefore isn't an ex-pat any longer. The best feeling I could describe about the situation in Mexico is anger.. I'm angry that the mothers and fathers don't teach their children to have more respect for others and for life itself.. I'm angry that (many of the) families knowingly let their loved ones participate in the violence and corruption that is plaguing this nation. I'm angry that the US won't get off the drugs so that life can improve not only there but in countries like Mexico that are so greatly affected by the trade of those drugs. There would not be a "drug war" if the US population would stop buying the crap! Build the fence, "secure the border" all you want, but so long as there is a demand I don't see things improving... As to the poll; I feel perfectly safe about my own well-being.. my concerns are for people I know who have higher profiles than I do. I've known people who have been kidnapped in Cancun, and while (thankfully) they were released unharmed, I do fear for the business owners I know who might be a target because of their (presumed) wealth. I've said before that IMHO the only threat worth worrying about for tourists is alcohol/drug related mishaps, that the tourists will get themselves into. So the foreign "news" media scare tactics and misreporting is questionable to me and as many have pointed out, is likely rooted in nationalism and to some extent racism, against Mexico. I'll never dispute that Mexico has problems, just as I'll never say the US doesn't have serious, serious, serious problems, but yes I do generally feel safe here.
I've lived two decades in developing countries- and now in Mexico; and, four decades in the U.S. In the two decades abroad, I was pickpocketed once (not here, in Mexico): in the four decades in the U.S., I was conned out of money once, and my car was burglarized twice- once each, in two different parts of Dallas. When we live with people, we subject ourselves to a background noise of crime which, in reality, can sometimes affect us directly. We could choose to live in isolation, in the wilds somewhere, but then a mountain lion or bear would get us.... You can choose what you wish to risk, but you can never escape risk entirely. I, for one, would not want to pay the price of loosing the fun and adventure of living, just to be a little safer. _____________________
I have had only a few "scary" moments, but not even close to as many as in other countries... One thing that amazes me is the lack of "drunk brawls". I have, in 3.5 years living here, seen only ONE. Back home in my suburb in Stockholm, Id see a minimum of 4 every damn Friday and/or Saturday night when going out... Im not saying it doesn't happen, but I just haven encountered much of it at all. In Australia it was amazingly common... Oh my :icon_neutral: Then again: I have never been in a country where I daily read and hear about gruesome executions, obviously NOT affecting me personally(except the disgust I feel about it...) since Im hardly involved in the crap. The main worry regarding my personal safety are the thieving cops... Yuck!! But yeah: I dont have a problem strolling around after midnight, regardless if its in the Centro or Regiones.
Yeah, that's interesting isn't it, Rawkus, that there would be so little obvious fighting in "macholand". By contrast, fistfights on the streets of Russia were common. As bad as the driving here obviously is, I don't see that many auto accidents, either- not compared to China, Vietnam or Thailand, for example. (China was the worst, where buses and trucks, not wishing to be delayed, would routinely pass on curves- hmm, you could see some nasty ones, there.) I note, in passing, that the people of those three countries believe in reincarnation, for the most part!
Sorry I voted by accident, didnt see the word "expats" until after I voted....apparently Red2party did the same thing lol...but I will add that I DO feel safe all over cancun, not just the HZ.
The only person I've known who was harmed by narcos was actually heavily involved in it, and that was in Cozumel not Cancun. I've had my house broken into twice, but none of my stuff was ever stolen (it was during a 3 month period where some individuals were breaking into almost every house in the neighborhood, then disappeared as quickly as they had come. No problems before that period, and no problems since) Overall I feel pretty safe, and I'm out on the street a lot sinceI have no car. I have no problem taking buses at night, or taxis. I've never felt my safety threatened while on the street, but I do make sure to stay in the right areas. That being said, my fiance and brothers-in-law have all been mugged at knifepoint before, but they were in bad neighborhoods with nice cellphones in their hands. tsk tsk
I find that if one avoids the cartels it is quite safe. I am not into trying to make money in drugs, prostitution, bootleg DVDs or to traffic in people. I could not pick a Zeta out of a crowd, nor do I knowingly hang around bad politicians, police, customs or immigration agents. I have tamed down my road rage to exclude big, black SUVs with tinted windows. Therefore I am perfectly safe.
I didn't vote because I don't live in Cancun, but when we do drive up (Costco, Telebodega, etc.) I don't feel unsafe.
