Job Discussion Forums

Nate · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 61 Location: Korea

I'm sure it seems like a silly question but I had to ask. I want to visit but have gotten spoiled by being able to walk around anywhere here in Korea without worrying about much of any crime at anytime.

Just to travel to this city first then see if it's worth working in...

corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

The whole of Chiapas seems pretty safe to me. San Cristobal is so diverse that its easy for a foreigner to blend in. I don�t know, I went to Mexico City for a few days and never felt unsafe...as always it depends on where you go in a city, not necessarily the city itself.

There�s got to be some Korean gangsters somewhere.

- Chris

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

San Luis Potos� is pretty safe, unless you wander into the dangerous parts--which are blatantly obvious.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

About the only thing that causes me some anxiety regarding safety in Merida is the way many people drive here.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Regarding safety, the general philosophy seems to be that everyone is expected to watch out for himself. Holes in sidewalks, exposed electrical wiring, tile or polished concrete that becomes incredibly slippery when wet, etc. Once when I was negotiating a busy sidewalk, looking down to avoid breaking an ankle on the incredibly uneven surface, I unsuccessfully tried to move a protruding air-conditioner by ramming the top of my head into the bottom edge of it. Embarassed

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

That's a big hazard in Mexico...cracked, pot-holed sidewalks, sudden steps up or down and the air conditioners protruding from walls at head level. Plastic chairs (ever so popular in the outdoor/open-air establishments) that may have baked in the sun for too long, become prone to sudden collapse and do so regularly. It's okay when it happens at the beach and you land in the sand, but I have seen people take nasty head-plants onto concrete floors. Be careful, dont flop down. Keep eyes wide-open. Also be alert when crossing streets and getting off city buses, especially in Guadalajara. I know of people who have been mowed down by agressive drivers or closed in the doors of the buses.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Very generally, the larger the city, the more potential for violent crime.
Opportunistic petty theft exists anywhere.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

grahamcito · Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Guadalajara

A crime survey released earlier in 2006 concluded that of Mexico's 13 biggest cities, the only one witha crime rate below the national average was ... (drumroll) ... Monterrey.

Got to agree that the biggest hazard in Guadalajara is the buses. A couple of years ago, bus drivers held the view that the costs of a funeral are lower than the costs of hospital treatment. If they thought they were going to hit someone, they did their best to make sure the hit was a final one.

Things are better now, but those buses are still dangerous.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:11 pm Post subject:

I remember a discussion several years back in which Moonraven played a big part. Laughing

About safety. Oaxaca is generally listed as one of the most dangerous states in Mexico. But mostly because there are villages at war with each other (I'm not kidding!) over land disputes. Also villages have been known to lynch their mayors if they catch them with their hands in the cookie jar. Its quiet normal for people in the countryside to carry their machete everywhere, a little bit too much mescal and things can get nasty quick. But that doesn't mean small cities are more dangerous for foriegn residents. Where I live people assume the north is really dangerous and that you are likely to get hit by a stray bullet intended for a drug lord. I imagine most of that is hype. Definately in the bigger cities there are more pickpockets and more house robberies. My town is very safe, unless you own a Nissan Pickup, which over the last five months have been stollen at a rate of 2 to 3 a week! Shocked

On my visits to Mexico City, I've never had any problems, but I do know several people who have been robbed there.

Deeds · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

....is thought to be queretaro. and i'm not just saying that because i posted something about it. in a travel book online or something like that it almost said verbatim "queretaro is considered among the safest places in mexico" and i've heard the same from people living/working there. think families, tourists and leisure.

haven't been but am considering visiting in september. i'll let you know if it's true.