Guadalajara - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not large, and we are the only large consulate in town. Mexicans are friendly but you have to work to make local friends, and they are less inviting than I thought. Language might have something to do with that, and the rich Mexicans are a bit snobby in my opinion. - Aug 2023
The expat community is not really a community, but rather expats who each have their own community. The community is probably less cohesive than I have had at other posts. Not sure if that is due to personalities, availability of other outside opportunities, or lingering COVID fallout. - Jan 2023
Large. - Aug 2018
Small expat community. There are a lot of big tech companies and there are a few small diplomatic missions. Some Americans attend the UAG medical school.
Morale at the Consulate is mixed and has had its ups and downs. It depends on your expectations. In the Consular section you will work hard and do more visas than any other post in Mexico. People have burnt out. However, the team (officers and local staff) are absolutely fantastic and make going to work worthwhile. - Feb 2017
The Expat community is VERY large here, from retirees in Ajijic to Dot.com folks, the cultures are assorted and people, for the most part, are very nice and helpful. There are various Facebook groups here specifically for expats. - Feb 2015
The diplomatic expat community is fairly small but the corporate expat community is large. Morale is great. Most everyone feels grateful to be here. - Jan 2015
There are a high variety of expats here, from tens of thousands of retirees on Lake Chapala to medical students to business people, missionaries, and diplomats from a number of countries. People seem happy to be here. - Oct 2014
Small expat community. Morale was good except among the government and corporate people I knew. Most of us had issues with ASFG. - May 2014
Medium and good. - Apr 2014
Medium. - Jun 2013
Large, especially in the area of Lake Chapala. - Jan 2012
Jalisco has about 50,000 US citizen residents and many Canadians. - Jan 2011
Decent size. There are a lot of retirees in Chapala. There are some U.S. companies in Guadalajara, so there are families here as well. - Jun 2010
There is not a huge expat community in Guadalajara but around Lake Chapala there are about 20,000 American citizens. - Feb 2008
About 50,000 including the area around Lake Chapala. - Jan 2008
