Experience in Guadalajara, Mexico by Hugo

What is it like to live in Guadalajara? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I recomend guadalajara 100%. It is one of the most dynamic, active and cultural cities in all of Mexico. Guadalajara is a big city, so life there is a little bit fast and active. Everyting is open all day and people work or study generally all day long. Guadalajara has many "districts" (colonias residenciales) that are very diferent from each other. There are lots of bars, shopping malls, cafes, parks; both, in downtown and in the residential zones of the city

What is the student lifestyle like in Guadalajara?

It depends a lot on the field in wich the student is developing. Usually, the main universities at Guadalajara, provide the student with several "field education", in wich the student can have a practical development of his/her carrer while beeing an student ( appliying your knowledge into real enterprises, desing workshops, hospitala, etc, while in the 1st year of the carrer).
Some universities allow the student long periods of free time, attendig only a couple hours per day to clasess, while others can make the student remain in clasess or professional practices for almost all of the afternoon

How much does it cost to live in Guadalajara?

Copared with europe, it is super cheap to live here.

1€ = 18 mexican pesos.
Appartments for rent are available from less than 80€ per month and food and drink is not expensive

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Guadalajara? Is there any advice you can give?

It is quite easy, every day on the news paper you can find lots and lots of announcements on which people try to rent houses, flats, appartments, rooms, and so on.
Internet is also a good option as well as facebook groups

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is delicious in mexico. The best food a mexican can recomend to a foreigner are the TACOS. We have pretty much every kind of cousine in guadalajara and in general, all of the are quite good.

What places would you recommend visiting in Guadalajara?

The shopping malls such as plaza andares or plaza galerias. There is a big avenue by the name of "chapultepec" on wich every kind of people can go to enjoy cultural activities, eat or drinks at the bara near by, rode their bikes, take a walk, etc.

Is it good to eat out in Guadalajara? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Every "taqueria" or taco shop is a good place to eat, as long as you find it clean and sanitary. There are some steak houses such as "la estancia gaucha" in which you can eat a really big and delicius steak, among other plates

Is the nightlife good in Guadalajara? Where is good to go?

Chapultepec avenue is one of everybodys favorite spots to have fun and hang out at night. Downtown by night is also a good option.
There are lots of night clubs, but some of them are not safe to be ( night clubs at guadalajara tend to be dangerous sometimes)

What advice would you give future students heading to Guadalajara?

Enjoy the city but definetly take care of your belongins. Avoid the streets and neoghborhoods that seem dangerous to you.