Long Read
is zapopan a good place to live? 2026 messy true story
so i was just trying to fix my snare drum before a gig in zapopan and realized i’d been overpaying for a pair of drums that nobody even notices. yeah, the city’s got problems, but also… weird parts that keep you hooked. i’m here to tell you truthfully if zapopan is actually a good place to live in 2026. or if you should just keep grinding in some other city where your gear doesn’t collect dust.
zombies of the music scene
- *gear leagues: last night, i bought a batter head for $20 from a random garage sale. i thought it was a scam until i played it. works better than my $500 set. pro-tip: zapopan garage sales have better drum deals than yelp.
- pro arrow toro: if you’re a travel drummer, don’t let map pins tell you everything. i found a hidden rehearsal space via a google maps typo (zapopan centro is a lie).
- cost of living table:
| Category | Zapopan Price (2026) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br) | $600/month | $800 in dfw |
| Groceries | $150/week | $250 in usa |
| Gig gigs | $200/session | rare but niche jobs |
so, if you’re a pauper with a kit, zapopan’s not bad. but if you want to flex a grip case? that rent price won’t cut it.
the weather lied
it’s 92 degrees outside, but feels like 98 because my landlord forgot to fix the roof leak. again. neighbors two blocks away are blasting bouba music from their attic. i swear it’s haunted. the humidity’s so thick, my cymbals sound like a frogs turning inside. but wait-i just drove to guadalajara, and the sun was just barely hinting at heat. same state. different vibe. like, the world is tiny here.
the neighborhood gossip
quote: ‘i met a guy who bought a house in zapopan because he heard the food was good.’ drunk advice. turns out, the ‘food’ is a taqueria called el rey de la Flame. good but overpriced. another heard whispers that the city council is banning street performers next year. good luck getting a work permit, i guess.
the job market’s weird
zapopan’s economy’s split between american retirees buying avocados and tech startups that won’t pay you enough to buy a drum. i tried freelancing sound design for some ’zapopan silicon valley startup’ and they asked for $150 an hour. trending job: podcast editor for ‘zapopan living’ on patreon. pay? $50 a pop. we’re all just here to survive.
coffee snob side note
i once waited 20 minutes in line for a k-cup at a local café. barista said the machine was broken. i’m not obsessed with coffee, but that was a crime against caffeine. loud neighbors, broken appliances, and now a subreddit called r/zapopan_hustle with 12 members. post a job offer, no response.
verdict from a drunken raccoon
i asked a homeless guy near the zapopan zaragoza market if i should move here. he stared at my cymbal like it was a new mixtape. then said, ‘it’s stable, but don’t trust the exits. that highway to mudelia exits you into a junkyard.’* he’s probably lying. but the junkyard part freaks me out.
so should you live in zapopan?
yes… if you’re cheap, proud of making do, and like hearing a kazoo in your ear at 3 a.m. no… if you want predictability or enough space for a second kit. the city’s got layers. like an onion covered in djihad.
check out this map:
if you need gear, look here:
zapopan guitar shop
drunk advice community
p.s. the weather site said today’s high is 95, but i just saw a cloud scale off a mountain and got sprayed with water. that’s local flavor.
source: unsplash for the aerial city photo, another unsplash for the chaotic street shots. i can’t even remember if i took these or just found them via a broken seattle arts league newsletter.
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