Topic - Lifestyle

By DBC Pierre

I suppose my parents concerned themselves with questions of schooling, healthcare, insurance, security, and other pointless trifles. But when I moved to Mexico as a seven year-old I just wanted to know what that smell was; I wanted to know why chocolate was bitter and bread was sweet, what the songbirds were called that sounded like emptying bottles. To me it was a scratch-and-sniff Disneyland where, between the ups and downs of beginning to understand inequality, stuff came along to furnish a childhood…

Recent news out of Europe, and particularly Cyprus, has possibly got people elsewhere in the world worried about how safe their money is, even in a bank. It may also seem natural to wonder whether Mexico, with its history of currency devaluations, financial blowouts, bank nationalizations, and periods of runaway inflation, might not be a risky place to keep savings.

A significant number of expatriates stay in Mexico long-term; perhaps for work or lifestyle reasons, but more usually when their partners and families have settled here, or when they retire. If you’re staying in Mexico for the long-haul, at some stage you may choose to take your residency status to the next level: naturalization…

When you’re buying property in Mexico, whether it’s a built home or land upon which you intend to build your dream home, it’s vital to know exactly what the water supply arrangements are, because it may not be as straightforward as you might expect.

It sometimes seems that every time you look around there’s a new ice cream parlor or shop offering the latest in exotic flavors. The proliferation of fancy brands — Haagen Dazs, Ben and Jerry’s, Santa Clara — might lead you to the wrong conclusion about just how much ice cream Mexicans consume.

Although obesity is often associated with poor nutrition and inactive lifestyles, the issue is more complex than this and many factors including genetics, hormones, and stress are all believed to play a role in what has become one of the most pressing health issues of our age . . .

Mexico’s rainy season runs (generally) from May to September each year; sometimes spilling into October. Although some travelers try to avoid visits this time of year, the choice may be unfounded as there are several advantages to visiting Mexico in the rainy season.

Shoe shine stands are one of the most common forms of street vending furniture that may be seen in towns and cities across Mexico. There exist various types, although the most often seen are larger, more permanent, fixtures featuring a canvas roof, an upholstered seat and metal footrests. These remarkable stands are host to one of the most traditional trading rituals in the country…

On a hot, sultry afternoon there is nothing quite like having a swimming pool in your back yard to jump into for refreshment. The convenience and intimacy of a private pool are often sought after by home-buyers and extolled by vendors, but unless you have a plan to service your pool, you’ll struggle to keep it in good working order. Fortunately, property maintenance costs in Mexico are lower than the U.S., and with some foresight and planning, you can ensure your investment gives you and your family years of refreshing enjoyment…

Visitors as well as expats living in Mexico enjoy locally-produced fresh foods at prices which are lower than the U.S. and Europe. In part, it’s because Mexico is a huge producer of fruits and vegetables, and so these foods are readily available to local consumers…