Before I moved to Oaxaca, I didn’t find a lot of information about living there. I read blogs about visiting but that’s usually from the perspective of a traveler staying in a hotel or Airbnb which is SO much different than actually living in Oaxaca in a house or apartment!
After living in Oaxaca for 4+ months now, I feel that it’s my duty to spill the tea about all of the $h!t no one tells you about moving to Oaxaca because life in Mexico is much different than visiting.
Don’t forget to check out my full travel guide to Oaxaca, Mexico here!
You can hire someone for anything (super cheap)
Seriously, there is a water guy (who I like to call my Agua Man 🤣) that delivers drinking water, a woman that will come to your house to do your nails, wax, facials, hair, lashes, etc., there’s a panderia van that drives around my neighborhood every evening at 6 pm selling fresh bread and baked goods, my laundry is picked up at 10 am and delivered by 5 pm, groceries are easily delivered from Chedrarui or Walmart, and the list goes on and on. The best part…you don’t have to break the bank for these services!
It’s loud
Cities are loud period. Oaxaca is no exception. It’s honestly not even that big of a city (4 million) and somehow I think it’s louder than Shanghai (25 million). At all hours of the day, you’ll hear bells and whistles, music blasting from cars, loudspeakers from the Agua Man or Propane Truck, and of course, roosters and dogs barking!
It’s like a damn circus every single day. At first, I couldn’t decipher all the sounds. It took me a while to get used to it but now I can tell you who is coming and also tune them out at the same time. 🤷♀️
Everyone is super friendly
There’s always the exception (I got yelled at by a DiDi driver the other day) but in general, everyone is SUPER warm and friendly! Like, go out of their way to help you friendly. Most people are extremely patient and when I tell them “mi español no es muy bueno” they slow it down. I’ve had people offer to help me when I look completely lost. Everyone seems to always have a smile on their face.
You can’t flush toilet paper
I found this out…the hard way. Toilet paper goes in the bin, yes, even at home. Actually, especially at home! Hotels are always the exception. They must have a special plumbing system or the money to deal with it because when I travel, it’s not required. But trust me, you do not want plumbing issues in Mexico because there are already enough plumbing issues.
It’s stinky
The city’s infrastructure is so dated, their plumbing is decades behind, and the streets are often littered. Walking down a beautiful pathway in Oaxaca, your nose will often be assaulted by a dreadful smell. It usually passes but sometimes it lingers especially in Oaxaca’s dry hot climate.
Climate
Speaking of Oaxaca’s climate, it’s honestly the best! It definitely gets overlooked compared to beach towns but it’s nearly ideal all year round. In the winter, it can dip down into the mid-50s (around 12°C) at night time. In the summer, you’ll experience afternoon showers as it’s the rainy season. However, it’s typically a comfortable 80°F/26°C and sunny ☀️ all year round.
Mañana Time
Mexicans run on their own time schedule and it’s never ON TIME! This is coming from someone who is ALWAYS LATE. If you’re meeting a local friend, except to wait at least 30 minutes and if you’re waiting on a service you might be waiting a while. This can be frustrating if you’re on a schedule, but if you’re super chill then you’ll fit right in!
Water is a luxury
Hot water, good water pressure, and just water, in general, are true luxuries. There are constant water shortages in Oaxaca, so you’ll likely experience 1-4 days without water every few months. When you do have water, it’s unlikely you’ll have a good water pressure or consistently have hot water. I’ve taken numerous ice-cold showers here in Oaxaca. Just think of all the Wim Hof Method benefits of an ice bath!
Food
I’d heard Oaxaca was a good place for foodies but I had no idea how true this would be. Oaxaca is known for its Mole (the Land of 7 Moles), queso Oaxaca, mezcal, and chocolate! Who knew?
But it extends far beyond that. The variations of food range from street vendors to 5-star restaurants. Cuisine ranges from Mexican (duh), Latin American, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Japanese, pizza and burgers (I guess we can call this American 🤣), and brunch staples. Find the Best Brunches in Oaxaca here!
Have you thought about living in Mexico?
