Congrats Kevin!
We may follow your tracks in a few years. We live in San Carlos, Sonora on the Sea of Cortez (Gulfo de California). Just remember that the folks projecting fear for Mexico are usually the ones that have never and will never really know Mexico. For the last 20+ years, more Americans are killed in my birthplace, Chicago every year than in all of Mexico, even if you include suicides (as self-inflicted homicides, the way the Department of State does.) Often the Windy City will have more deaths of Americans in a few months than all of Mexico in a year. And that statistic is not taking into account the extreme efficiency the US major cities have in treating and responding to GSW (gunshot wounds) with Class I Trauma Centers mere minutes away and blazing response times. If the top 12 crime cities in the US had Mexico's response time on GSWs then our death toll would be orders of magnitude greater.
I have lived in Mexico as a Permanent Resident for almost 12 years and have been a Warden for the U.S. Consulate, helping protect U.S. expats and travelers. There is a long and shady history of Travel Advisory notices that I cannot go into on this forum, but as usual, just use common sense and you will be fine.
As a hotel & restaurant owner in Mexico, I am quite often asked "Is it safe to travel in Mexico?"
I always respond - "If you do not get involved in criminal behavior, i.e. buying drugs, using drugs, getting involved with prostitution or money laundering, etc., then you are statistically safer, as a gringo in Mexico, than any city in the USA with over a million people." I have the facts from the FBI and CIA websites to prove this.
In large cities, situational awareness is important, just like anywhere else on this planet. Driving or being in a car at any time is risky in Mexico, but to be avoided at night. There are many reasons for this that may not be obvious.
Cultural attitude about risk-taking and machismo or fatalism is a big ones.
Road and shoulder conditions are another. Livestock on the roads at night is a biggie. But, with all due respect, Mexicans are some of the worst and best drivers on the planet. No test is required to get a license, and many are first-generation drivers in their family and have vehicles they can barely afford, but cannot afford simple maintenance like suspension parts, tires, brakes, and working lights (who really needs those?). And don't get me started on Topes. They can pop up out of nowhere.
Enjoy your time and I will look for you in La Paz or on my side of the Sea, in San Carlos.
Captain DJ