Do You Feel Safe?

A Mexico Living Readers Survey on Safety in Mexico

Over the last month, Mexico Living has been conducting a survey of our readers. Our questions were simple. Do you feel safe? Where do you live? And what are your feelings on the subject of safety in Mexico? Here are some of those replies. We have removed all submissions that were anonymous; these are just excerpts and sentences from the survey results. The answers in their entirety are available online in the SAFETY section of Mexico Living. 

Legend: RB (Rosarito Beach), EN (Ensenada), SF (San Felipe), PP (Puerto Peñasco), SC (San Carlos)

Voices from the other sides of the fence:

If you check your facts (try AAA of Arizona), I believe you will learn that Northern Mexico is statistically safer than much of the USA. Grethen Ellinger, PP 

Having lived many places in the world, one learns to avoid dangerous neighborhoods and regions that may pose safety challenges. Carlos, RB

The 6 p.m. news in any major U.S. city on any single evening of news has more crime than I have ever experienced down here. Jason, EN

We recently built a lovely vacation home in south SF and try to spend every free moment we can there. Christina Wickman, SF

I do not stop in the border towns. I do not believe they are safe, but south of the border, I am very comfortable. Linda Reardon, SF

Have never had a problem—love it here. Ken Duffy, SF

SC is very safe as is Highway 15 to Nogales. I feel safer here than in Northern California where I lived for 17 years. Lynn Prince, SC

It is hard for me to comprehend the concern, we have lived here seven years and the only crime is small burglaries or drunk driving arrests. Robin Waters, SF

I have lived in SF for five years. I have NEVER had a problem, although I probably deserved one. Jim Moore, SF

The last two drug incidents and one shooting incident involved the loco (dumb) Americans. Lee & Charlie Martin, SF

I am a 66-year-old woman who lived the biggest share of my adult life in the Seattle, WA, area.  I feel much safer here. Kathy Preppernau, SF

We feel very safe. It is regretful that the news media portrays all of Mexico as dangerous. This is just not true. Pat Tullius, SF

I feel it is the safest place I lived since I was a child. Sheron Curutchet, SF

I personally have not known any U.S. citizen that has had their life taken by a criminal act. Russ Penney, SC

I am 80 years old, have lived in Mexico for 18 years. I drive back and forth to the States at least once every two months by myself. GD Lamberth, SC

I feel bad that Mexico is taking a tough stance on drugs and then being punished by the U.S. when the drug cartels push back. Mary Tannehill, SC

The land of the free and the home of fearful (it used to be Brave) is being short-sighted with its control-them-with-fear mentality! We feel much safer here than we do in the USA. Lynne Anderson, SC

The City of PP is doing a good job in keeping the residents and visitors safe. Maureen Savino, PP 

The U.S. should support the Mexican government instead of pointing fingers. After all, the U.S. consumes the drugs and supplies the arms! John Hibbert, PP

Other than the military checkpoints, which are starting to get on my nerves, WE LOVE IT. Kathleen Taormina, EN 

My most precious possessions are my children and grandchildren. When they visit us, I am not at all worried for their safety. Gary Lewis, SF

Just today, four shootings here in Phoenix, AZ. In 23 years going to Mexico, we have never had any trouble or felt threatened in any way. Kris Olsen, PP

Baja, excluding Tijuana, is the SAFEST place I have EVER lived! The press needs to tell the truth about what's really happening! Jeanne Pepler, SF

The people are always friendly and helpful! The police in SC always have smiles and are more than happy to help in any situation! Frank J. Romero, SC

We have not had a problem, despite traveling widely in the Baja region and the states along the western coast. Dr. William & Rose Marie Oldfield, SC

I have traveled all over the world and feel safer in Mexico than anywhere else. After six years here, I have never felt safer. Linda Shiflett, SC

I think the media is waging an economic terrorist attack on Mexico so the Americans keep their dollars home. Russ Black,PP

Act as you would in the U.S. Don't leave your brain at the border. Pat Sledge, PP

The people here are a lot friendlier and more helpful than one finds in the USA. Charlotte H. Havens, SC

I think the media has overstated any safety issues for Americans here. Doug Marshall, SC

We have been bringing our grandchildren here since they were 6 and now they are old enough to come down by themselves. Beverly Arrowood, PP

As a full-time resident, I have honestly never experienced any crime or violence myself, nor have I ever witnessed any. Lisa Wendt, PP

In 25+ years, I have never been robbed, accosted, threatened or otherwise felt uncomfortable. Tom Bothwell, SF

Kids don't go to school with guns here; we don't have drive-by shootings. Mexico is getting a Bum Rap. Eric Garcia, SF

I've always felt much safer in my home and on the road here than in the USA. This is just media hysteria. Bobby Sahlen, SC

I feel lucky to live in such a wonderful, beautiful community, where crime is rare and serious, violent crime is virtually non-existent. John Gelling, SC

Mexicali and SF have remained the same over the past five years, a nice and safe place to live. Uria Amor, SF

For 40 years, we’ve actually felt more unsafe passing through LA, California or Phoenix on our way to Mexico from Oregon. Bill & Kathy Wilson, SC

In PP, I am not afraid of violent crime, only thievery. When living in town, the worst problem is called DOGS! Genevieve Chartier, PP

Remember you are in a foreign country. No one cancels their vacation to the Marti Gras due to the murder statistics in New Orleans. Jackie Alameda, RB

Just simply be a good person to all around you and you should always be safe and comfortable. Jim and Jo Cates, SF

I thought the NAFTA agreement meant that we were supposed to support each other, not destroy each others' economies. Sandy Graham, PP 

I feel just as safe here as I do in Victoria, B.C. I have never encountered any threatening behavior or even raised voices. Ray Mostowy, SF

Bad things can happen to me here in the U.S., so I do not worry about things that might happen. Mary Leary, SF

The Mexican authorities have a good presence in our community. They are polite and treat us as citizens. Allen Olson, SF

I am saddened at the bad press PP is getting, but PP should not be included. Cathy Riedlinger, PP

If a person is looking for trouble they can find it on either side of the border. Susan B., RB

The bad press is unfair as PP is safe, fun and a very special place to share with family and friends. Judy MacKenzie, PP

No problems at all during our seven years of annual visits. Bill & Genevieve Palmquist, SC

It has always amazed me that people who have never been to Mexico, have made themselves the foremost authority on how unsafe it is. Joe Morgan, SC

We feel honored to have the privilege of living here and when we show respect, the hospitality abounds. Don Lindholm, SF

I feel safer and more free in Mexico than the current police state of America. Gary Feinberg, SC 

We have never had any reason to feel unsafe in all the years we have been coming here. Bill & Libby Petrie, Tijuana

Come and experience this part of the world and you, as I, may never leave. Douglas Rotolo, SF

Bad news sells. Good news does not. We all know that. Jim Ringquist, PP

As a visitor, you are subject to the local laws. Familiarize yourself with them and abide by them. Tom Bothwell, SF

I have homes in Hermosillo, Sonora, and Mesa, Arizona. I make the trip every four weeks going through Nogales. I feel safer in Mexico. Craig Bloom, SC

In Rocky Point when a car accident happens, it is news, because most of the time nothing bad happens. Boanerges Rubalcava, PP

In the South Campos I feel at peace and content among the many, many others who feel the same way. That's why we chose this area. June Snow, SF 

Travel down here and experience the wonderful culture, magnificent sandy beaches and lots of quaint places to eat and drink. Bob and Lil Fleming, SC

Best not to drive at night if you can help it. We have been coming to SF since 1982 and have never had a problem. Ruth E. Flinn, SF

We are blessed. I would recommend it to anyone. Baja Bill Shelton, SF

I have been visiting Mexico for over 20 years. In my opinion PP is safe place to live or visit. Glenn Castillo, PP

I live here full-time and do not feel at all apprehensive. Susan Smith, RB

We have never had a problem in Mexico in over 15 years. Remember Mexico is a country of laws; don’t break their laws and no problems. Bruce Parkman, SF

I am more worried traveling in the cities in the U.S., as even stopping for gas in some places is scary. Scott Parkman, SF

The press is not representing the true facts or statistics. It’s sensationalism and feeding the fear-mongers. It is a disgrace. Elinor Morrison, EN

I so love living here and wish many other people could enjoy the wonderful people, climate, easy lifestyle of this beautiful city. Nancy McKee, EN

I have more friends in Mexico than I do in the U.S. My goal is for my wife and I to retire here. WE LOVE IT! Gene Florest, SF

Mexico has a bad reputation for no reason! Jill Maine, SF

I choose to be here for its serenity and the Mexican people who are AGUSTO!  I am blessed to be accepted as part of the Mexican community! Tammy B. Curry, SC

I feel safe but very cautious; I want to move to San Carlos to live full time. Dennis Hennessy, SC

The media is killing us. Michele MacDonald, SF

What’s happening in your town? Shirley Moore, SF

This is a true paradise. The Mexicans go out of their way to make the Americans feel like a precious commodity. Jan, PP

I really do not appreciate the way the U.S. tries to scare people with the media. Life is much better south of the U.S. border! Todd, PP