Your experience of the "average Jose" is a little like trying to find the experience of the "average Joe" here in the USA. Mexico, like the USA, has a wild variety of living conditions, political climates, and economic opportunities.
Quite frankly, I'm planning on retiring to Mexico provided the Mexican government reforms their awful property laws.
You are correct that history of Mexican government, starting with the Spanish, has been a history of dismal failure. Then again, what former Spanish colony has a good government?
"Quite frankly, I'm planning on retiring to Mexico provided the Mexican government reforms their awful property laws."
You can say that again! Just hope that a local official or patron does not take aliking to your hacienda and "discover" a problem with your deed. I have read the accounts of gringo expats who have had that happen. Best case scenario, you pay a hefty bribe. Worst case scenario, you lose the property to the person who coveted your property.
In my office we have an ex-CIA field agent who has many a tale to tell regarding government officials in Viejo Mexico.
Florida, Texas, New Mexico, the Louisiana territory and California?