Most of those on this forum are retired expats from the US or Canada and aren't working at anything more than longevity. As such, we can offer advice, based on our experience, about living here but not much about working here. It appears that you already know that you will find many barriers to working in Mexico, including being self employed. Permits are not easy to obtain and may be impossible unless you have extremely unique talents. If you compete with 'locals,' you may find harsher responses. A very successful Belgian opened a unique business here and made a hasty retreat to Belgium to insure his continued longevity in spite of the popularity of his business and the fact that he had Mexican employees and was fluent in Spanish and several other languages. He even had all the appropriate licenses and permits. Strange things can happen. Unless you are Mexican, it will be very difficult or impossible to "fit into the local society" although you may be accepted as a resident 'extranjero'. Once you have your ducks in a row, I'm sure you will have more specific questions; then, we may be of more help.