MONTERREY, MÉXICO
A SUMMARY

HISTORY
Monterrey was founded on September 20, 1596 by Diego de Montemayor and 12 Spanish families. The city was named “The Metropolitan City of Our Lady of Monterrey” and now has a population of over 4 million. At the turn of the century it became an important comercial and industrial center. Its first industries were steel, beer and glass, still strong today. Today the Monterrey Metropolitan area is actually made up of Monterrey proper and the municipalities of Apodaca, Guadalupe, San Nicolas de los Garza, Santa Catarina, San Pedro Garza Garcia and Escobedo. 

DIPLOMATIC DELEGATIONS AND CONSULATES
There is a U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey (Tel. 8345-2120) and over 30 other foreign consulates and diplomatic delegations, including Canada and Britain. The U.S. Consulate offers full consular services, including comercial, economic, political and immigration sections, plus citizenship services to assist US residents and visitors. It is highly recommended that new foreign families living in Monterrey register with their corresponding country delegate.

CUSTOMS
Mexicans use two last names, the father’s name and the mother’s maiden name. In the case of José Pérez López, he would be called Mr. Pérez and his wife would be called Mrs. María Sánchez de Pérez (she keeps her father´s name and uses “de” or pertaining to the Perez family). The family would be known as the Perez Sánchez family and this would be the children´s last name. 87% of the population is Roman Catholic and many Mexican customs, traditions and celebrations revolve around church and family, such as baptisms, weddings, funerals and first communions. New homes, vehicles and business establishments are traditionally blessed by a priest close to the family.
Spanish is Mexico´s oficial language though there are still a number of indigenous dialects spoken throughout México today. However, foreigners will find that English is widely spoken in Monterrey, especially in the business community where many executives have been educated in leading U.S. universities. There are a number of important and active alumni associations operating in Monterrey, such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Texas A&M among others. New-comers will find Mexican children well-mannered and there is high respect for elders. Grandparents are usually embraced into the family when they can no longer live on their own although rest homes are becoming more common. Dress both at the work place and home is found by new-comers to be more formal.

OFFICIAL AND TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS
December 25 Christmas
January 1 New Years
March 21 Conmemoration of Benito Juárez
May 1 Labor Day
May 5 The Battle of Puebla
September 15 Independence Day
November 20 Conmemoration of the Mexican Revolution

In addition to Christmas and Holy Week (Semana Santa) the most important religious holidays are December 12 (Our Lady of Guadalupe), November 2 (All Soul´s Day) and January 6 (Wise Mens’ Day or Epiphany).

FOOD
The typical food of Monterrey is “machacado”, dried shredded beef which is usually prepared with scrambled eggs; “cabrito”, or roast baby goat, and “carne asada” (grilled meet) accompanied by guacamole (avocado dip) and “queso fundido”, (grilled cheese served with fresh made tortillas). “Glorias”, candies made from sweetened milk, and “flan” custard, are a typical desert. Lunch and dinner in Monterrey are usually eaten later than in the U.S. There are many U.S. restaurant chains that are popular in Monterrey such as Sirloin Stockade, Chilis, Applebees, McDonalds, Carls Jr. among others. The city offers a great selection of international cuisine: Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, French, Brazilian grill, Mexican Gourmet and others so try the many local restaurants – Sierra Madre Brewing Company, Pangea, La Parola, La Catarinas, La Bikina, Emilia, Los Arcos, El Mirador, El Papalote, El Estadio to name a few. Sunday buffets at 5 star hotels are popular as well as European type pubs and bars (Habana, Barnies), nightclubs and discos especially in the "Barrio Antiguo" district.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Most foreigners live in San Pedro Garza Garcia, a municipio or suburb of Monterrey. San Pedro is in turn divided into colonias or neighborhoods, and each often has a well organized neighborhood council, and security system. There are three large shopping centres (Plaza Fiesta San Agustín, Galerias Valle Oriente and Plaza San Pedro), private and parochial school, sports clubs and facilities. Many families in San Pedro, which is the most affluent community in Monterrey and probably all of México, belong to private sport clubs such as San Agustín, Casino del Valle, Sierra Madre, Chipinque and Alpino Chipinque Raquet Club or pricier Monterrey Country Club, Valle Alto Golf Course or Las Misiones Golf Community and this is where much of the socializing takes place. Foreigners can look into less expensive sport options such as Sports City, the Hotel Presidente or Deportivo Colinas or join a local gym for $60-100 US month. Because of the heavy traffic and many steep hills, bicycling, skate boarding and roller-blading are not commonly practiced in the neighborhood. However, there are safe places where these sports can be practiced (jogging on beautiful Calzada del Valle or bicycling and mountain climbing at Huasteca Canyon). Bowling, swimming, soccer, little league baseball, ice-skating and American football are popular sports. Special tour companies offer white water rafting, mountain expeditions and underground river and cave exploration which are not for the faint of heart. There are first class movie theaters (most US films are shown in English with Spanish sub-titles) and a constant stream of cultural events – big-name shows, concerts, ballets and movie and song festivals. 

CLIMATE AND RESOURCES
Monterrey has a long, hot summer starting April and ending September, several months of cooler weather, and a couple of freezing days in January and February. Air conditioning is common (AND NECESSARY) either through window units, central AC or the popular mini-splits (silent and effective). Many homes are equipped with central AC and heating is usually by gas (either central or through space heaters). Electricity is very expensive in Monterrey and every measure is taken to save on this utility bill. Water, which is sometimes scarce, is brought in by pipeline from several dams, artesian and deep wells. Houses usually have underground cisterns to ensure supply when water is rationed. It is best to drink bottled water which is home delivered. In fact, jsut about everything is home delivered, from milk (La Grange), beer, medicine, groceries and even fast foods and suchi. The state of Nuevo Leon is an importer producer and exporter of oranges and honey.

HOUSEHOLD HELP
Household help in available on a daily basis and live-in ($18-25 US day and $80-150 week) It is best to hire maids who have been recommended by another family. Most maids are paid on a weekly basis and should receive pay on holidays and a Christmas bonus (Mexican labor law establishes 2 weeks salary per year). If you are letting a maid go, get legal counsel first. American and English-speaking baby sitters are available through the Newcomers Club.

SHOPPING
In addition to Mexican supermarkets such as Gigante and Soriana and department stores like Liverpool and Palacio de Hierro, WalMart, HEB, Costco Price Club,  and Sams all have well stocked stores in Monterrey in strategic locations. Dorian's and Sears are popular stores at the Plaza Fiesta San Agustín Mall. Malls are modern, spotlessly clean and offer a variety of national and imported products and services. Aladinos on San Pedro Avenue offers a good (but pricey) variety of imported good and gourmet items. And for those who prefer making the trip to the US, Laredo and McAllen, Texas are only 2 hours hours away by car on a good, four-lane toll highway. 

RELIGIÓN
Religion is predominantly Roman Catholic. Catholic and other English-speaking religious congregations include: Catholic (Immaculate Mary), Anglican (Holy Family) and interdenominational (Union Church). There is a synagogue and well-established Jewish community as well as a beautiful new Mormon church on the south-east highway. 

HEALTH
Monterrey has first-class medical and hospital services. The three best hospitals are the San Jose, Christus Muguerza and the Santa Engracia. These hospitals have the newest medical technology and offer 24 hour emergency services as well. The Clinica San Pedro, a small family clinic in San Pedro, has physicians on duty 24 hours and EMME (emergency medical services) is a company which offers 24 hour fully equipped ambulance services and medical consultation for a monthy fee. Many local doctors are US Board Certified and a list can be made available to transferees by Newcomers Club or the American Consulate. 
Residents of San Pedro Garza Garcia can dial 060 if facing a medical or safety emergency and an emergency squad will respond immediately. US citizens can contact the US Consulate for assistance after hours, Tel. 8345-2120.

COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION
Mexican mail takes about 10 days to 3 weeks to arrive from the US. Fortunately, there are companies that offer fast mail service to and from the US. Also, many foreigners in Monterrey take out mail boxes in Laredo or McAllen and pick up their mail (and packages) when they go up for shopping. English-speaking newspapers, magazines and periodicals are readily available at HEB supermarkets, Sanborns or the airport gift shop, and direct TV and cable are common. Traffic is fast and more aggressive than what most Americans are accustomed to (careful with the circle on San Pedro Avenue affectionately known as “suicide circle” by foreigners). Airlines servicing Monterrey from the US include American, Continental, Delta and Mexicana with direct flights to Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Houston and Dallas. The three main Mexican airlines are Aeromexico, Mexicana and Aviacsa and there is a network of feeder and charter airlines throughout the republic. Federal Express, UPS and DHL provide courier service to and from the US and the rest of the world. There is now a choice of long distance telephone service providers including Telmex, AT&T, and Axtel, and the main celular phone companies are Telcel, Iusacel, Unefon and MoviStar. The best high speed Internet connections are Prodigy Infinitum (Wire or Wireless) and Intercable (The same company as Cablevision). 

EDUCATION
Most American expat children are enrolled in the American School of Monterrey which has two campuses: 5-5th at the Missouri Campus and 6-12 at the Huasteca campus. The American Institute, English School, San Roberto and Irish Institute (catholic) offer currículum in English while the Euro American School offers German as a second language and the Liceo Anglo Frances offers French. Extracurricular activities include ballet, musical instruments, ceramic and pottery, painting, jazz. Adults can pursue credits in masters degree programs at the Monterrey Tech. The Tech, Mexico’s most prestigious private university with 26 campuses all over México, is a strong engineering school (although its medical school is highly recognized in the US) It has an excellent summer program for foreigners and its graduate program is considered the best in Latin America. Other important universities which exchange programs with US universities are the University of Monterrey, the Universidad Regiomontana and the University of Nuevo Leon. 

INTERFACING WITH THE COMMUNITY
American living in Monterrey and San Pedro Garza Garcia will find a number of support organizations such as the American Consulate, the American Chamber of Commerce, the American Society, the American Legión, and the Newcomers Club, and have the opportunity to meet with other Americans who work at one of over 200 US/Candian/European/Asian companies in the area such as Ford, GM, Whirlpool, AT&T, Pepsico, John Deere, Caterpillar, Kodak, Chrysler, GE, Celestica, Square D and others. Laredo, Corpus Christi, San Antonio and McAllen Texas all have trade offices in Monterrey and there is an active and well-attended Convention Center. The Newcomers Club meets every second Tuesday of the month at Applebees and offers a variety of activities to members (group trips, restaurant testing, play groups for young children, etc). The American Society organizes a year-long string of fun activities including welcome back festivities in September, Halloween, formal Christmas dinner-dance, Easter egg hunt, Saint Patrick’s Day and the traditional 4th of July. If you are into public speaking and community work Toastmasters, Rotary and Lions Clubs are all active in Monterrey.

MONEY MATTERS
During the last couple of years, the peso has fluctuated between $10 and $11.50 pesos to the US dollar. Funds can be transferred to (or from) the US from all Mexican banks. However, take into consideration that US checks deposited into a Mexican account can take up to three weeks to clear. Many foreign banks have participation in Mexican banks as is the case of Banamex with Citibank, and Santander with Serfin. Bank of America has an office in town, as well as American Express travel and financial services. Credit cards are widely used and most US credit cards are accepted at establishments or ATMs.

CULTURE AND RECREATION
Althought not a tourist town, Monterrey does have excellent museums, ballet, symphyonies, concerts and a theater season sponsored by the Monterrey Tech. There are rodeos and shows, discos, movie theaters, trade shows and fun for the young at Sesame Street, Bioparque Estrella, Mundo de a Deveras and Bosque Mágico amusements parks. Tourist attractions include the Garcia Caves, Horse Tail Falls, Chipinque and Huasteca parks, Alfa Planetarium, shopping at the open Cavazos market and visiting typical surrounding towns such as Santiago, Garcia and El Carmen among others. The nearest beach resort in South Padre Island, Texas (about 3 ½ hour drive) and reservations are necessary for the summer months and spring break. 

LODGING
Principal hotels in Monterrey are the Ambassador (downtown) the Fiesta Americana (downtown), Crowne Plaza (downtown), Quinta Real (San Pedro), Hotel Presidente (San Pedro), Fiesta Inn and Holiday Inn Express (several locations). Lower budget hotels can be found too, such as the Ibis, Novotel, Safi, Camino Real, Marriot Courtyard and  in downtown Monterrey and San Pedro ($60-90 US night). 

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Monterrey, Mexico’s second most important city is highly industrial. It has approximately 7000 manufacturers and over 20,000 registered comercial establishments. The principal Monterrey industrial groups are Alfa (steel), Femsa (beer and bottling company), Vitro (glass), and Cemex (cement). Also strong are cigarrette manufacturing, prefab construction materials, plastic molding, and injection and metal working. There are now hundreds of “maquiladoras” or production sharing plants (products assembled in Monterrey and shipped back to the US under bond), some located in industrial parks like Monterrey Industrial Park (Apodaca), Kalos (Apodaca and Santa Catarina), La Silla (Guadalupe), and Stiva (Apodaca). 

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Although Monterrey and especially San Pedro are considered two of the safest communities in México, it is always good to use common sense and take precautions. If you are going to take a taxi, try not to hail one off the street - better to have the hotel or your company call a radio taxi or reputable taxi stand. Most US companies have transferees vaccinated before relocating – local US Board Certified physicians can advise you on what is needed. You can walk safely at night in most areas but it is advisable not to flaunt expensive jewelry. And, buy a good club or alarm for your car, especially if it is a recreational vehicle or imported European. Americans can bring in cars on tourist and FM3 visas but must return to the border periodically.