Hey there, when me and my girl come to live in Cancun in August we are hoping to meet lots of awesome people resident in Cancun that are of a similar age 25-35ish does anyone have any tips or advice on places, events hangouts for expats? Your help is MUCH appreciated Ben and Lili
Hello Ben and Liza. I think you will find the answers you're looking for, or at least the start to finding the answers by using the search function available at the top of the page. After you've spent a bit of time reading the answers to most of the questions you've already asked there are lots of people here, even me, who will be more than willing to refine, expand, clarify and expound upon any further questions you might have. By doing a little research you'll find most of your questions have been answered dozens of times before, with the added advantage of having many opinions expressed in the expanded threads that always follow the first answer. But starting off with glorious weather (although you wouldn't know it at the moment), gorgeous beaches, and friendly people , both Mexican and non-Mexican, this is a great place to live. Cancun is a big city, and to a certain extent it has the problems of any big city, but armed with the knowledge you'll find here on Steve's board, you'll find a safe place to live and enjoy life for however long you decide to stay. Good luck and welcome, in advance.
La Taberna is popular on Friday nights with English speakers. Pretty much as simple as walking and asking a waiter or doorman where Scott's group is sitting. From 7:30 pm - the last one leaves. Long time owner is a Canadian, Doug, and he runs a great sports themed bar. You won't get a seat if there is a big futbol game on the TV. Smaller where almost everyone seems to know someone is El Padrino's on Tulum in the first block right (north) of Chedraui. Great pizza and other tasty things. Cory, the owner is Canadian and is mid 20's but acts older. Those are my favorite places to hang out and see old, and meet new, friends.
I think it's fair to say that many people here know many other people from here but we dont necessaraily all hang out together all the time, especially once we've been here a while. I've tried to set up forum get togethers but interest has been weak in latter years. People tend to gravitate towards smaller groups who they have an affinity with. I know, at the start, I found that I would socialise with people simply because they were expats and spoke the same language - even though there was nothing else in common between us. IMHO that's a mistake and doesn't lead to friendships of any value. Nowadays, I go out with the English lads every couple of weeks for some beers. Always looking for new people on the same wavelength to join us - but they're not that plentiful. Other than that most of our social life revolves around kids the same age as ours and their parents, or tourist orientated events set up through this web site. That's the way I prefer it these days, after almost 6 years of living here. Of course, there are many more expats than those who visit this forum - so mileage may vary.
I agree with Steve. We used to be at the same places almost weekly. Now it is less and less but we run into each other occasionally. I too have run into the English lads from time to time and consider them new friends. There is usually beer involved and UFC. On the other hand, many of my bestest friendships have come from my early on ventures to hangouts llke La Taberna and in the last couple of years from the newer El Padrinos. Some last, some don't but using Steve as an example, we can always find each other if we want to, and bounce a question or idea back and forth, and rag each other on this forum, which has happened often, and probably will continue. You have to start somewhere. It just depends on your interests. Good food, cold beer, soccer, UFC, NFL, NCAA, or whatever, you will gravitate somewhere.
I wouldn't say it's a mistake, but clearly just because two ppl may both be expats doesn't mean they have enough in common to be lasting friends. They have three things in common, Cancun, English and having left where they lived, that isn't much. This is part of why I am not interested in all the TweetUps that happen in Cancun. Just because people use Twitter doesn't mean they have anything in common. What's next? A meetup for people who all use email, or who know how to drive a car? How about a meetup for people who all eat lunch? Yeah, I'm there. On the other hand when I first came here and knew no one Steve reached out to me and it went a long way toward making Cancun a more friendly place. I will always be grateful to Steve for that.
And RG...you are that to me. You have given me great advice and it has helped me from before I got here all the way to now. It is so incredibly appreciated!!
Thanks Tori, that's sweet. Just passing on the good that was given to me. I should also say that before I even came here CunSpin reached out to me with lots of insider info. And when I first got here she spent hours on the phone with me helping me get over the culture shock. Lots of expats here are great people. It doesn't always show on this board, I think, because we have charged debates, but the vast majority of expats I've met from this board have been good folk. And the longer you live here the faster you spot the looney ones, so that's helpful too.
