Moving to Mexico

From what I´ve seen, Afro-Mexicans live mostly along the Oaxaca coast between Puerto Escondido and Pinotepa Nacional, for example: Chacahua. But there are also communities in Guerrero, Veracruz, and elsewhere in Mexico.

Are you moving down there to get married? Be forewarned, child-brides cost upwards of 10,000 USD. And of course it´s illegal.

Where did that come from?

No mam, I'm moving there to maximize my American dollar & lifestyle. I've worked very hard all my life after spending nearly 25 years in the Army so I want to see what Mexico has to offer. Not saying I wont date anyone because I most certainly will. The woman must be independent, stable and secured with her life in order, drama free. Thanks for everything.

I apologize. Im not sure if youre male or female so If I address you incorrectly, please forgive me.

Wrong person. Someone else just message me and by mistake i went you the message. Im sorry

I've successfully led American university students, some who are African-American, on study abroad trips to Mexico. Four or five of those African-American students lived with local families while studying for a month in Morelia, the capital of the state Michoacan during 2004. Like their Anglo-American companions. those African-American university students sometimes experienced culture shock in Mexico. And, at times they found speaking Spanish rather than English all the time to be exhausting and challenging. After being in Mexico for a while an African-American student remarked to me that at home they were considered (both by themselves and others) to be 'Black', but in Mexico their status was slightly different.

Mexicans are not color blind, but neither do they obsess about race in quite the same way that many people do here in the USA. To Mexicans the most salient thing about my African-American students was that they were North Americans, in other words gringos/gringas.

I find some of Ned Crouch's comments, made in his book "Mexicans and Americans; Cracking the Cultural Code" thought provoking. Observing that "Culture is not color." he says:

"Anglo does not refer to genes but to culture. An African American going to Mexico takes along Anglo culture...In the eyes of Mexicans, we Americans are all Anglos because they see our culture more clearly than they see our color. In fact its easy to mislabel people who fall outside the usual frame of reference. When an African American visited Copper Canyon, one of the shy Tarahumara Indians commented, "That is the blackest white man I have ever seen."

How well you adjust to Mexican culture, and also to speaking Spanish, may have more impact on your successful settlement in Mexico than will your selection of a town or city in which to live. I recommend that you travel for a while in Mexico, and/or do some short stays before moving. And, taking Spanish classes there for a while, early on, could be very useful.

Wow!!!!!! You are extremely brilliant. Thank you, while I digest your brilliance to the bitter end. So what State & township would you recommend?

"So what State & township would you recommend?"

As Stewbear may imply, back in post #2, Mexicans could, on average, be a bit more open minded and accepting of exotic outsiders in larger more cosmopolitan places in Mexico than is the case in some smaller towns and rural areas.

Each person's tastes differ from those of others. Neither I nor anyone here on Thorn Tree can discern what places would be ideal for you, either as potential travel destinations or as settlement locations. You need to figure that out for yourself. Start by perusing guide books, posts here on Thorn Tree Mexico Branch, and web sites about "moving to Mexico". Then spend some time in Mexico..

I'm agree with #18. In my opinion, this is something you have to decide by yourself. Discrimination still exists in all the corners of the world, but luckily, open minded people are increasing their numbers around the globe. You'll always find both sides. Just choose a place you find ideal to achieve your future goals; Mexico city, Oaxaca, you have some options; and try to make the best of it.