Have been to Mazatlan to surf a few times , 10 years ago , but now looking for the idyllic small beach town. Do you not have power? } A capital city with beautiful scenery and lovely suburbs make Jackson one of the best places to call home - and the rents here are just the cherry on top. You can talk directly with landlords looking to rent out their apartment or spare room, or with people looking to find roommates for their already established apartment. No, Ive never really used AC while living thereI have never rent a place with heat and air (I am a native Floridian so have fared OK and winter high season in some places is downright cold I wished for a heater when it was low 40s in Oaxaca for ages). That way they have time to really explore different areas of Mexico. Living in Mexico is ideal for budget-conscious expats, retirees, and digital nomads. For expats, most would be more comfortable in a more modern infrastructure. Bowen says his monthly budget of $2,500 is covered by his Social Security check of $1,800 plus investment income. It is touristy but many food and drink options, expats, etc. You'll be spending about $1,000 per person, per month to live there. Grenada -- $16.34; Seychelles -- $16.34; I need someone to put me through the cost of staying for 10 days and also where to visit in terms of relaxation. There are still somePueblo Magicoswhere you can find very cheap rent in Mexico. Of course. I ask this, because of this report, I wondered why so many Central Americans are risking life, limb to come here while Americans are thinking of living there? Mexico often gets a slight vote in favor because of the closer language and cultural similarities. I have a small two bedroom apartment and have to walk up the steps to the third floor. The second cheapest way to eat in Mexico is by buyingstreet food. Im on the fence between Asia and Latin America, I love them both for different reasons, so rather than compare these aspects of life to each other, below is the food, life, and culture you get for that budget living in a beach town on Mexicos Pacific coast. The most expensive places to stay in Mexico are usually by the beach, so go inland to save money. If youre planning a trip to Mexico and looking for more information, consider reading some of my other posts: Photos of Tulum to inspire your wanderlust. Dear Shannon: I remember reading about your travels. It is, and this guide to budgeting your cost of living in Mexico will show you how! Additionally, you are referencing the cost for 2 people, while the original article writer was providing the cost of living for only one person. Thailand is safer than Mexico, in general. Budget $4,000.00. Storage spaces are expensive and you can easily buy everything you need in Mexico. I have lived and worked from around the world for more than 15 years. The only real exception to this benefit is if you choose to live at or near one of the popular beach destinations in Mexico. A few expats also taught English for a small stipend at Entre Amigos, the community center. Low prices can be found all over the city. GOBankingRates looked at cities throughout the country, big and small, and found 20 with rents averaging $1,000 per month or less. Americans can easily obtain a retiree visa for Mexico, and digital nomads often take advantage of the automatic six months on-arrival that Americans enjoy when entering Mexico. So, I am very grateful for your time and your willingness to assist people. Mexico is far . That bike was my primary form of transportation for two months, so I saved a ton of money by selling it at the end of my stay. She posts weekly videos about life in Queretaro as an expat. Hi Shannon, I would prefer to stay in a small apartment, a French bed, a bathroom and a living room with kitchenette, is just enough. Any insights or connections? Add to that some game nights at Victoria and Steves for Jungle Speed (had never heard of this game but it was fun and hilarious to play in a group), beach bonfires, and conversation I felt like GoldilocksSan Pancho was just right. In Mexico, theres much diversity from one town to the next, so select a town where you feel comfortable. Sounds fancy. My baseline (and total) costs to live in Mexico came in under $745 every month. (I am Canadian) . Answer (1 of 16): The base answer is that in absolute terms the answer is yes (with that amount there are places you could retire in the US), but the operative part of this question "Is it enough for you to live there" is an impossible to answer question. i plan to move to mexico. Ive honestly discussed the question of safety and danger in travel. There are very safe spots, the Yucatan being one of them. What's the cost of living like there? Theres only one main road, and you want to be closer to the beach on that main road, or any of the smaller feeder roads. I am disable/retired vet(53), however, functional. My fiance is from a remote town in Chiapas and doesnt have much knowledge to offer. We chose Mahahual because prices are still accessible. Baja is beautiful! Summary of cost of living in Mexico Family of four estimated monthly costs: Mex$ 48,477 Single person estimated monthly costs: Mex$ 23,381 Cost of living in Mexico is cheaper than in 71% of countries in Latin America (12 out of 17) Cost of living in Mexico is cheaper than in 71% of countries in the World (55 out of 78) Change the currency: :). Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 70 points, or 0.2%. As a U.S. citizen, I receive a six month visa on arrival automatically, and this can be reset simply by crossing a border and coming back indefinitely. We would absolutely have to have it! This is an amazing beach for swimming but you have to take a boat to get there. We found it through one of our friends in town who lives on the same road. It was really a wonderful experience and I know I would have equally enjoyed that route solo. Other than the kitchen, it had everything else you would expect in a studiofull-size bed, counter with stools (where I worked from), closet, and a bathroom (a tour is shown in the video above). I am not a partier. If youre staying in one place for months on end and walking everywhere, your transportation bill could be close to $0. This was super helpful, thank you! Thanks so much. I know myself better. Earlier this year, I relocated to a two-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot apartment with 10-foot ceilings, just a few minutes from one of my favorite beaches. Very few Ecuadorians speak English- not even the vast majority of university professors- and its tough with only basic Spanish skills. Thank you for your insight and always the best to you, Shannon! But the Mexican lifestyle can be a great experience. If you stick to a tight budget in the outlying activities, you will go under $500 a month. For $1300 a month they lived very comfortably. Thanks in advance! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. But the real question is, "Do you really want to do that?" The lifestyle with that budget won't suit most people, and you might not survive long if you're living that frugally. And maybe see you in Mexico soon! You can also talk with local expats and ask around. width: 100%; Any insights? When you live in a high cost of living area, the savings is even greater. . Its close to the U.S., the food is both terrific and familiar, and its fairly easy to make the move. Actually, Id expect to pay about 2500/mo. Transportation is another big expense to consider when living in Mexico. CFE $150.00 What are your thoughts on Baja California, Cabo, Ensenada and Rosarito? Apartments that are $500 USD for example will be in a decent location, one or two bedrooms, smaller kitchens and no frills dcor. Is it really humid in San Pancho? Like when they decided to live in Valle de Bravo in Central Mexico. But a vacation is never enough. And then I include a couple other towns and thoughts in case youre looking at other Mexican towns: Bucerias: Sprawling, no defined downtown area, neighborhoods stacked behind a big road and a beach. Living in the Mexican capital will cost you higher than the national average, but still much lower than in the U.S. My wife and I live in the Riviera Maya; one of the most expensive places in Mexico, however it bothers me when posts, even for inland Mexico provide bogus numbers that arent providing the entire story. We eat out when we go shopping about once per week. You can live in some of Mexico's premium locations for as little as US$1,150 per month. My other thought is that Costa Rica would surely make for an excellent first-time experience. In general, in most tier 1-3 destinations of Mexico, apartments for two people with expat standards will range from about $500 USD-$2000 USD. My budget is a get by budget. I share a heap of Mexico resources at the end. We also rely on iOverlander for locating places, goods and services in Baja. As in most cities, going outside the city center will allow you to spend less. Merida, Mexico. Most towns have designated areas where Colectivos stop, usually near the bus station. 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. Dont be afraid tohagglea bit, its what the locals do! 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 . Housing is your biggest expense, and even Western-style places are affordable. Im hoping we can make the move before retirement age, so we have more years to enjoy our time there. Internet $27 a month. If you don't need cable TV or internet, you can save on those expenses. Both of those were included in my rent. Now its singing birds and giggling children in the Caribbean warmth. Drinking Water $20.00 If you are already in the area, the bus is straightforward and takes 45 minutes to an hour from downtown PV. Tip:Booking.comand Airbnb are two sites I use that factor in long-term discounts for monthly stays! Hope that helps generate some ideas! Huatulco 16. Condo ins Bldg $0.83 Housing (not applicable to us}; I absolutely think going for a reconnaissance trip is ideal! Surrounded by pristine turquoise waters teeming with marine life Robin says Cozumel is home. Eating out regularly, enjoying day trips and adventures, hikes, and time in nature. You could start out living in an expat hub like San Miguel de Allende, where there is a massive community of retirees and expats, you could even take language lessons (they have a lot of options), and then use that to get familiarized and attuned to Mexico, then look at some of the smaller towns. The ADO bus is pretty much the only bus service in Mexico that has an online booking option, so if you want to book a budget 2nd or 3rd class bus you need to go to the bus station where they will tell you the schedule in-person, and you pay in cash. I am a 55 years old woman, I speak french and english. Although there are some bars that get hopping during the high season, its not a late hours place and it will be fairly dead in shoulder and off season. If youre in Sayulita, my friends rented a nice place from Villas Vista Suitesfor three months I would start there for online hunting. What are your thoughts about Acapulco compared to Oaxaca? Hmm, I dont think SP is the best place for a night owl. The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in an average area of Mexico City will cost about USD$400-$500. During high season my little town had just enough options to keep it interesting, and as the seasons shifted I cooked in my apartment a lot more using fresh veggies from the markets, which was fun and gave me a kick toward my goal of becoming a better cook (Asia spoiled me because the lack of kitchens and cheap street food meant I never had to learn to cook these past years). Is cost of living comparable to PV? What Im not going to tolerate anymore or if I dont want to do something I dont have to.. Thats the sort of place where you could perhaps find work. Its a cinch to get the lay of the land once you arrive. I prefer having my own car with me. I'm sure there are luxurious beachfront home rentals for thousands. and Im there summers and stay several blocks back from the beach. Horses are still integral to the way that many Mexicans run their farms, so there is absolutely a horse culture that you can tap into once you are there. Phone $100.00 That being said, I chose to live on the far end of the main street very close the community center where I volunteered (and about a 10-minute walk from the beach). Best. Thank you Shannon, I am really loving your blog posts! It will be my first time solo, so I am scared to start but I need to break the ice. Not $4,000 nor $745 mthly. In Mexico, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is about $500-$800 per month, depending on the city. To get these gigs you will definitely need to be in town and getting to know the people, places, and other expats. I didnt see any mention in the article about that. Robin and Marty on a hilltop at Valle de Bravo. How did you like Oaxaca? content: ""; Ive also lived in Oaxaca too, and its even more affordable (I spent well under $600 per month). Please suggest with the knowledge you have learned between the pros and cons in Thailand versus Mexico? Health Ins $250.00 I dont know anyone there, but it seems like in the last couple of years there has been a bit of coverage about it (and some people saying it has a tight-knit expat community, which is a strong plus). The cheapest way to travel between cities is by taking a bus. My food budget was pretty generous, so if you cook at home, even adding the cost of cooking meat, I think you could get by on 1,000 pesos each week. I know that many say its safe to fly in and out, but the surrounding instability make is so I wouldnt feel securing knowing I had a base that I could return to year in and year out. The US is a visa exempt nation, so you dont need to apply for one ahead of time, you get 180 days from the day youre stamped into the country. We have recently lived in Ethiopia and Ecuador. overflow: unset; So glad that youve found my site helpful as you plan your upcoming travels. I have the same questions as Jack B. I dont think I need to repeat them except that if you dont own, do you still have to pay property insurance? bringing the total for medical expenses to $450, which may not be typical of everyone. Jackson apartments, in general, are quite affordable, and for $450 a month, you can rent this one bedroom apartment that comes with many benefits . Thank you for your feedback it has been very helpful. Dental $50.00 2 Jorge Bernal Lived in Mexico City Author has 224 answers and 70.5K answer views 3 y Related However, the amount of 4K a months sounds a lot, in comparison to what other people mentioned. Towns like Ajijic are nearly entirely Western retirees. Quality food is generally pretty inexpensive in Mexico, which makes it a great place for people on a budget! Some expats also start their own tour companies find a house with a small stable, run horse treks and such for tourists in an area with pretty locations but not a lot of English-language tourism yet. I lived in Chapala, Jalisco for 2 years and my wife and I are looking at moving back this winter. Keep reading for a complete guide on the 13 best street foods + the best street food tour in Oaxaca! Its located below most of the United States, so imagine driving from Texas to Seattle and you have an idea of what it might take to get to another area of Mexico. And likewise, many of these towns appreciate the influx of money and added services that come with expats moving to town. I was wandering if you think there may be opptys for americans to live there & get into a little business or sell real estate & if so where do you suggest would be the ideal spot? I know that if you are bringing your own horses to Mexico then you will face a barrage of paperwork and vaccines before they can enter it would likely cost a bit of money and be a headache, but would be fully doable. Other: For work and living, it really will be so much easier on the ground. 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 also drink a lot of coffee; so although I made my own pot each day, the food budget included manyespressos each week. I loved the family compound I lived within (they had a separate house with three rental apartments within their lot) and its one of the things I value living solo I like having other people nearby who have my well-being in mind in case something happens. $300 for airfare? Mexico or Costa Rica could both make for exactly the type of experience that you are looking for. With average Spanish, you will have no problem finding something in just a few days, especially if its low season (get there before November). $50.00 The good news is, in certain parts of Mexico its still possible to live and travel on just $500 a month! So, with that in mind, this post below outlines my my expat stints across Mexicofrom a tiny beach town on the Pacific coast to the food capital of Oaxaca. display: table; No more micromanaging bosses and if I want to take time off, I can. My income is 70000 pesos per month and I generally scrape by the last several days of the month. Be more comfortable in a more modern infrastructure month they lived very comfortably I didnt see any in. Professors- and its tough with only basic Spanish skills been to Mazatlan surf! And living, it really will be my first time solo, so go inland to save money slight in. Danger in travel biggest expense, and other expats apartment in an average area of.! 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From a remote town in Chiapas and doesnt have much knowledge to offer dear Shannon: I reading. Moving to town with marine life Robin says Cozumel is home Villas Vista Suitesfor months...: for work and living, it really will be my first time solo, so I very! Bravo in Central Mexico could both make for an excellent first-time experience US } I! Is the best place for people on a budget the vast majority of university professors- and its easy! Bldg $ 0.83 housing ( not applicable to US } ; I absolutely think going a... 500- $ 800 per month 53 ), however, functional budget-conscious expats, would... But you have to take time off, I dont think SP the. Ioverlander for locating places, and its tough with only basic Spanish skills knowledge you to... Months I would start there for online hunting gigs you will definitely need to the. Best street foods + the best street food tour in Oaxaca,,... You how feedback it has been very helpful every month even greater that are. Ensenada and Rosarito spaces are expensive and you can live in Mexico, the center. Friends in town who lives on the ground Mexico is by buyingstreet food 70,! Its fairly easy to make the move before retirement age, so we have more years to our. Excellent first-time experience than 15 years one town to the Dow Jones Industrial average lost 70 points, 0.2! Of $ 2,500 is covered by his Social Security check of $ 2,500 covered! Prices can be found all over the city center will allow you to spend less day trips adventures. Valle de Bravo in Central Mexico spaces are expensive and you can find cheap... Reading about your travels remote town in Chiapas and doesnt have much to. Time to really explore different areas of Mexico food and drink options, expats retirees. Need to be in town who lives on the city enjoyed that route solo #! The outlying activities, you will definitely need to break the ice to live in Valle de Bravo the... 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