:), Bookmarking this for the future! My income is fixed and I am at the upper level of poverty. I ate out at least one meal a day, went to the local movie theater and rented DVDs every weekend, and generally had a relaxing, quiet lifestyle. If you dont speak Spanish, or you came in high season, pop into the real estate agencies. A 3,700-square-foot home in Santa Fe was listed earlier this month for $2.17 million. Relevant Links & Resources for Moving to Mexico, Ive honestly discussed the question of safety and danger in travel, Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America, A Little Photoessay Slice of Life Snapshots of Mexico, A Little Confession Yes, Sometimes Travel is Lonely, And dig through thetwo solid Mexico expat forums. In Mexico, theres much diversity from one town to the next, so select a town where you feel comfortable. Im just curious what that $4000CSD goes towards without prying into your personal life. Two years ago I decided to leave NYC and travel the world. In a nicer area, expect to pay around USD$680-$830 per month. I just read that you can still get a 6-month visa online, but people trying to get one at the border have recently been subject to the whims of border agents. Tips on how to find rentals would be helpful. The average annual wage in Oaxaca, for example, is around $10,500thats an average and many Mexicans live on less than that sum (particularly indigenous and rural populations). The small towns are economical, but most are very primitive in infrastructure and with limited activities, but you are appreciated more in those places. Her tips and wise words of advice were this: Just go and enjoy this gorgeous country and its wonderful people! Our water is delivered a couple of times a week for 200 pesos. For a tiny island life, Isla Holbox is one option, Isla Mujeres is nearby and bigger/more touristy if you want more development. All things not afforded to those suffering from extreme poverty, gang violence, and lack of opportunities. I worked a lot so my bike took me most anywhere I wanted to go. I keep hearing that you need a Tourist card or visa which can be subject to the whim of the consulate interviewer. For all the similarities in what type of communities you can find, after 1.5 years in Thailand, I understood that the culture gap would be nearly impossible to bridge in Thailand. A taco from a street food cart, even in ultra-expensive towns like Tulum, is only $1 each so you can get a full meal for only $3. But a vacation is never enough. Plus, its quiet. Keep reading for tips on how to save money on your transportation bill in Mexico. Shannon, My fiance is from a remote town in Chiapas and doesnt have much knowledge to offer. IM 38 years old, can you contact me on email eseagukoolvalentine@gmail.com, did you move yet and find a roomate, i am thinking of moving, but may buy or rent with my 3 adult kids,we are influencers, my one son could teach english as well. Even on Cozumel, Mexicos largest cruise port and a major tourist destination, there are plenty of places for a couple to enjoy a meal for $10 or less. CAPA $15.00 You can go below $500 per month if you keep to a tight budget in the outlying efforts. The rents are still very affordable and I found something in that range in Oaxaca just last year. The cost of rent differs significantly between each city. While you can technically do it by living in a tent or a car/van, it's not a very secure way of life but rather is just 'surviving.' I think the town that I stayed in would be ideal for you. San Pancho and Sayulita are more well known, but just south of them are even tinier surfing towns where I know friends have enjoyed months near the water. Actually, Id expect to pay about 2500/mo. living full time in PV, so you are at 3,500/mo. I will be taking an early retirement package in the next few months and plan on moving to a beach destination in Mexico for retirement. Guanajuato is a wonderful place, but I prefer beach resort towns or university towns where theres cultural and infrastructure. I enjoy being in a resort setting having lots of nice people around and I know a lot of people in P.V.. Maybe in 6 mos. In fact, try this on for size: The Mexican government raised the 2023 minimum wage to 207 pesos (about $10.82) per day. Budget, however, is the driving impetus for a lot of expats moving to Mexico. I dont think anyone buys glasses every month. What are your thoughts on Baja California, Cabo, Ensenada and Rosarito? thanks for sharing!! SP is great in that regard. Durango could well be one of the best places to retire in Mexico that you've never heard of. Both of these countries also offer a low cost of living, but each country offers an entirely different culture, food, and also different visa requirements. may be $2-3,000 per month depending on how busy your lifestyle may be; however, you can live cheap everywhere in Mexico given a moderate distance from the tourist centers. Shannon, love your writings. Storage spaces are expensive and you can easily buy everything you need in Mexico. Before settling on living in Spain, I lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand for five months and loved it enough to move back the following year. Shannon, I came upon your site thinking if I needed long term care as I get older, I might want to do it in Mexico and often dreamed about living abroad, though not too far from the U.S. but much cheaper. night. Facebook groups are another great place to find long-term housing in Mexico. We have heard good things about Pachuca, north of Mexico City, with a low cost of living and a vibrant culture. Located in the mountains surrounding Lake Avndaro, a couple of hours west of Mexico City, Robin said she was pleasantly surprised to fall in love with the town. If you dont speak a word of Spanish and you want to stay in a less-touristic city, your best bet will likely be hostels. I also easily spent far less than that when I shared a flat and lived in Oaxaca, which is an inland city and far cheaper than the coastal towns, so your money goes further. I always useHostelWorld.comto find budget stays in Mexico . So glad that youve found my site helpful as you plan your upcoming travels. Locals though are obsessed with turning out lights and lowering the electric bill. I tend to rent furnished apartments, and I think its less often included in houses and non-furnished places. So far, we are 3 1/2 weeks into January and we are right on our monthly target budget of $80,000 MX or $4,000 US. If you have the time, we recommend visiting the country first to get a sense of where you'd like to live. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. Like you, I deeply love the coastal areas and beach towns, although there are some incredibly charming small towns too Thanks again for weighing in! :). Oaxaca City 13. That is why all of the places theyve lived in Mexico are in the heart of nature. I really loved the access to affordable healthcare in Mexico (a bonus Thailand had as well), like-minded expats who I now call close friends, and a pace of life that encouraged me to slow down and enjoy the little moments. Es me corozon (its my heart). San Cristobal de las Casas 14. I have learned some things that are very helpful. I am disable/retired vet(53), however, functional. I have a cleaning lady to help three times per week or 4000 per month. Your personal experiences are so valuable. Transportation is another big expense to consider when living in Mexico. Other places in town rent out as vacation rentals or rooms for anywhere from USD $200 per month on the very low-end (likely no wi-fi) to $500+for 1 and 2 bedrooms. Thank you! :). The language barrier really depends on where you move. Is cost of living comparable to PV? Housing is your biggest expense, and even Western-style places are affordable. about 400 pesos per month. Jan. 1, 2013 -- intro: American couples can retire in comfort on a budget of less than $1,000 a month if they are willing to look overseas, according to a new report from the live-abroad . I cant find a Mexican Market which is near enough to walk to. Hi Shannon, All three would have similar costs of living. As a first-time solo traveler, there are some parts of Mexico that you might want to steer clear of as navigating well takes a bit of travel savvy that only comes with time on the road. I guess now I am a new solo traveler.!! If youre staying in a larger city or hopping around visiting different places, youre going to be spending money on transportation. Robin smiled broadly explaining everything we have fits in our car, including our lovely kitty Lily. When they want to set out to explore another part of Mexico its as easy as packing the car and off they go. My income is 70000 pesos per month and I generally scrape by the last several days of the month. We are over on some items and under on others. If you figure out the monthly costs for basic needs for a couple with 2 children it adds up to approximately $6295.00 pesos a month. Fitness $50.00 This ride costs $1 each way on the bus or a quick (and easy) hitchhike ride. I havent paid to listen to music since I last purchased a CD in 1992. How long have you lived in Mexico? Thanks gor the info! Phone $100.00 Theres only one main road, and you want to be closer to the beach on that main road, or any of the smaller feeder roads. I especially like Yelapa, because it is a very beautify bay within a larger protective bay (Banderas Bay). To get these gigs you will definitely need to be in town and getting to know the people, places, and other expats. A few expats also taught English for a small stipend at Entre Amigos, the community center. Working: There are someplaces that hire expats, though its under the table. Oaxaca: I lived here for six months and found it is one of the most affordable expat cities in Mexico. What is PM? Janet Blaser, 65, lives in a 2-bedroom apartment in Mazatln, Mexico that's walking distance to the beach. Electric is $100 every other month. You could live comfortably on $1,500 per month (roughly 1,000), this could cover all the basics such as rent, food, internet, and general living costs. If you go to San Pancho, you should rent a room at Robertos Bungalows (http://robertosbungalows.com) he is an expat and the rooms are clean and very comfortable in the western style, and just two blocks from the beach. Viva la Mexico I have a small two bedroom apartment and have to walk up the steps to the third floor. Having spent more than a year in both countries, the both have different pros. Published: March 27, 2021 at 12:27 p.m. At today's favorable exchange rates, prices all over Mexico are a tremendous bargain. Keep reading for anextreme budgetguide to living and traveling in Mexico on just 500 US dollars a month. Youve got $250 for medical insurance, $50 in medications, $50 dental, $100 for OOP Medical (?) Best of luck. For $1300 a month they lived very comfortably. He knows everyone in town and could help you understand the town, the people, and how to rent a place longer-term. This is really convoluted Scott. 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