Living In Mexico,is better then you have heard.

 I lived in Manzanillo,mostly a working city where Canadians vacation during the winter.I almost hit a woman from Canada with a golf ball teeing off the
18th green and sliced it into a channel  around the green.The ball landed about five feet from her,I yelled down to her,stating she could keep it.Her long white legs took her away in a couple kicks.I watched and waved from 40 feet above.
Ayutla is another place I lived in Mexico,only one person spoke English in the whole town,I had to work on my Spanish quickly.The whole town knew I was the only gringo living there,but heck,it cost me $250 a month for everything,including gas for my large Suburban,I had then.The people were very friendly and offered to help when I needed some help with things,I miss that town.
 San Miguel De Allende was another place I lived,for about three years in that area,lots of retired folks from the states and Canada,most people spoke some English,and they were the ones that got jobs with the expats.
Dolores Hildago was anther small town I lived by,about five miles from the town
about 700 feet above it,on a ranch.That was an interesting experience,a totally
off grid ranch,lots of work and organic meals.I lost fifty pounds eating correctly,
I stopped all drinking,and worked hard everyday.

Ensenada was the last place I lived in Mexico.I moved in with Gail in San Miguel De Allende,and we have been together for three years now.
Just like the US,you have to be aware where you are,and who is paying attention to you,crime happens every where to those who are not paying attention.