YouTube can be an excellent resource of information, education, and foundation for research.

However, here's what I'm finding about some YouTubers:

• creating content about Mérida but don't live here
• in the city for a short amount of time = an expert opinion
• going for financial gain vs. quality/current content
• more focus on financial gain vs. providing factual information

Just take a look at some of these titles:

• Merida, Mexico is Too Expensive?!
• Rent Under $500 in Merida, Yucatan
• We got ROBBED in Merida, Mexico!
• Exposing the Truth: Real Cost of living in Merida, Mexico 2024
• The Real Reasons I Left Merida Mexico
• Mérida, Yucatán, Dirty, Humid and Expensive?
• $350/Mo - If You're on a Limited Income
• Everybody Think They Wanna Live in Merida Mexico Until This Happens
• I want to move!! After living in my apartment in Merida, Mexico for just 1 month
• Eight Cons of Living in Merida Asides From the Heat!
• Moving to Merida Mexico | 11 Things to know before Moving to Merida
• $100 MERIDA MEXICO APARTMENT TOUR
• MERIDA MEXICO LUXURY APARTMENT TOURS UNDER $700
• Merida Mexico:Don't believe the Hype
• Why I'm Leaving Merida
• MERIDA MEXICO RESIDENCE INN - AIRBNB HORROR STORY!?!
• The Ridiculous Price of Uber in Merida, Mexico!!
• $675 luxury apartment Mérida Mexico Walkthrough

Why am I harping on YouTube? Because the last 3 consultations/tours we've had with clients from the U.S. the majority of the information they obtained from YouTube was WRONG!!! More and more, I'm finding we are spending more time correcting information people have vs. advising them on what they need to know. I've even had some heated discussions with a few people who insisted that I must have the wrong information because their YouTuber was right.

YouTube: FRAUD

A real estate agent from Florida insisted she was confident to negotiate all the details of her rental alone. She didn't speak Spanish. She had never been to Mérida. She was in the process of making a bank transfer of $500 U.S. to hold a rental in Caucel that she was interested in. The agent told her it was 5 minutes from Centro, fully furnished, equipped, and in high demand. If she wanted it, she would need to hurry. Oh, and last but not least - not to worry about a contract. It could be a month-to-month agreement and it would save her money.

I advised her that Caucel was not 5 minutes from Centro. However, she argued with me and insisted that the part she had chosen was close to Centro. I also told her it was not wise to trust someone she'd never met, not to transfer money until she had seen the property, and to just be careful. I finally had to end the call because she was so convinced that I was wrong that she began to argue with me.

She met the agent in a coffee shop after arriving, gave him the first month's rent and the rest of the deposit. The agent took her to the house and she realized Caucel was NOT 5 minutes from Centro...not even "her part of Caucel" that she argued about. But the next surprise was that this house was NOT the house the agent had shown her online. This house, her long-term month-to-month rental, was in HORRIBLE condition. The biggest suprise of all came a few days later. The owners of the property returned from an out of town trip. Guess what? The agent didn't have permission to rent the house. He was a neighbor that was supposed to watch the house while his friends were out of town.

She called me in a panic, told me the story, and asked me to help get her money back. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. I had warned her about different regulations, laws, customs, and other differences. The best thing I could do was refer her to an attorney but without a contract, he couldn't do anything either. After all was said and done, her mistake cost close to $1,500 U.S.

The agent, who spoke fluent English, was on YouTube promoting his affordable rentals located just 5 minutes from Centro. For many people, fluent English = immediate trust. Vet, be cautious, and take time to get to know people.

YouTube: FICTION

An elderly couple packed all their worldly possessions and moved here a couple of weeks ago. They were referred to us by a trusted friends/referral source after they arrived. They needed a senior living facility with independent living, health insurance, and a local bank. I assumed they had residency but once I began asking more questions, it was clear they didn't. They had no idea they needed residency to live here. The worst part? They didn't have the financials to qualify. Health insurance was out because (a) they didn't have residency (b) they had multiple pre-existing conditions AND (c) they were too old.

Additionally, they saw a YouTuber state they could live here for $1,500 U.S. or less. But they needed a senior living facility. They saw one of interest but weren't able to get information prior to their trip. We called for several days trying to find out more about the facility without any luck. Then, we finally visited in person. We discovered there wasn't availability AND it was out of their price range.

Disappointment turned to dispair when we had to break the bad news. Out of 35 senior living facilities in Mérida, 8 had availability and only 3 fit their budget. We visited all 3 but they were a far cry from what they expected. The facilities were nothing like what they were used to in the U.S. Not only that, residency was a requirement to live there. Finally, they had to return to the states . . . their dream to move to Mérida shattered all because they trusted YouTube.

YouTube: FACT

I spent an extended amount of time watching hours of content about Mérida. There are only 6 YouTubers that currently live here that I would trust for their content. 80% of the other information is outdated or incorrect or being created only for financial gain.

For the YouTuber:

• Have you vetted them?
• Do they have a website?
• What is their authority?
• How long have they lived in Merida?
• What is the purpose of the content?
• Is the information recent?

YouTube can be an outstanding way to research and find information. KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND:

• Is this a source of legitimate information - what other topics or subjects does the YouTuber offer?
• Information is current - within 3 to 6 months is a good rule of thumb.
• Review responses to questions and comments - are they respectful? snarky? helpful? unresponsive?
• Look at other social media channels - learn the history, location, and relevant details about the YouTuber and their authority.
• Review the channel history - is there consistent posting? How long has the channel has been active?

Don't automatically trust anyone, even if they are fluent English INCLUDING native English speakers. VET every single person you run across, give them time, and be patient making the relationship with them. Do your best not to become a victim of fraud or a statistic!

Hasta Luego!

Amy & Angel Inspiration, insight, and answers to all things Mérida! ​LifeinMerida.com​ U.S. +1 901.257.9209 MEX +52 999.192.6197