width:auto; Zihuatanejo 7. When you live in a high cost of living area, the savings is even greater. With a few sacrifices in terms of lifestyle, you could cut your living expenses down to $500 per month and live relatively comfortably if you are on a tight budget. Keep reading for tips on how to save money on your transportation bill in Mexico. For food costs un Mexico, a cheap quesadilla runs 15 pesos (just over $1) at one of the stands, a nicer taco costs about 40 pesos (about $3.25), and a veggie meal at one of the handful of restaurants in town runs up to $10 or $15 USD. overflow: unset; During these adventures, Robin confessed to falling in love. PM $150.00 Thanks in advance! And yes, there are high-roller expats living in Mexico. Maybe ask for some assistance if you Spanish is a bit weak. Es me corozon (its my heart). But all the baseline costs areall included in my totals, and really unlike the Thailand post, this total includes toiletries and any expenses inside Mexico that cropped upI never withdrew more than USD $750 from the ATM each month. How do you handle the heat? Why would you need this much unless you run a company or some such? Years later, I am still on this journeysometimes with my niece in towtraveling slowly, and sharing stories and advice from life on the road. Expats occupy a position of extreme privilege, particularly retirees able to use the culmination of a lifetime of working in a more expensive and better paid economy. This was very helpful. There are some very conservative areas of Mexico though, so I would not extend whatever you find out to apply across the board. We definitely recommend because as it has nice community of people from different parts of the world, beautiful beaches, great food, and it is just a great place to be for either a short or long period of time. Excellent detail and good for planning some long adventures around the world! This is the food heart of Mexico, there are many indigenous cultures in and around the city, and the only real drawback is the political nature of the citythere are a lot of strikes and protests from the teachers unions and other groups. SP is great in that regard. Which they are doing in early 2023 and theyve found a lake house to rent for $300 a month. Your blog is FANTASTIC ! My income is fixed and I am at the upper level of poverty. Housing. We are about to be neighbors. Very close to the PV, several big resorts. This was super helpful, thank you! xxx, Your blog is very helpful. Instead, taxis in these towns and cities massively overcharge tourists. Eating out regularly, enjoying day trips and adventures, hikes, and time in nature. Hi Mimi! I have to breathe the sea air and do a lot of swim. Average Cost of Living Across Mexico: $600 - $2,000 My baseline (and total) costs to live in Mexico came in under $745 every month. If you have the time, we recommend visiting the country first to get a sense of where you'd like to live. Food costs a bit less than America. That's just over US$15,000. If youre in a city that does have ride-hailing apps, like Merida, Mexico City, or Oaxaca, you cansave money by always using an app like Didi or Uberto call taxis when you need them. Very interesting, we just got back from PV, thank you for the info Shannon, Bob. In response to numerous emails asking about the differences between the handful of towns north of Puerto Vallarta, heres Cliffs Notes summary of the differences in case youre sussing out which is better for you. 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. Cheers, ~S. position: relative; The only difference was I booked off Airbnb and I was getting aforeigner priceand she booked off of a Facebook group. Thanks for sharing your experiences. This is why Robin says that even in a major tourist destination like Cozumel where everything has to be shipped over to the island, we can live very comfortably for under $1800 a month. 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. 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. I know that some gay travelers have spent time there, like Dani from Globetrotter Girls, and it might be good to seek out their thoughts on it. HOA dues $200.00 Capt/Drm (2021), Im planning to move to Mexico. I, unlike you, I am a retired, Im 57 and I still live in Italy. Very touristy region in general but convenient and safe. who left her home to travel solo around the world. And, lastly $100 per month for home maintenance yet you own your own home? Living in the Mexican capital will cost you higher than the national average, but still much lower than in the U.S. Welcome to my Tulum Travel Guide. I personally love it there, have met some wonderful people, and have not ran into any trouble. Its close to the U.S., the food is both terrific and familiar, and its fairly easy to make the move. Big churches on a hill, or shots Marty takes with his drone. The only real exception to this benefit is if you choose to live at or near one of the popular beach destinations in Mexico. Just like everywhere, real estate costs vary, but the average housing purchase in Mexico in the first quarter of 2021 was just MXN310,750. What used to be their monthly insurance bill is now the annual bill. I've also lived in Oaxaca too, and it's even more affordable (I spent well under $600 per month). You'll be spending about $1,000 per person, per month to live there. I didnt look very hard for my apartment; in fact, its the first one I came across. but do expats live in a different world than the natives there? Naturally, I asked, what criteria does a town need to meet when youre looking for the next place to live and explore? My knowledge of Spanish and English is limited. Hello, Again, this doesnt apply for all and other inland locations, but just consider. ET It sounds like the perfect small town for me. By using these links youre supporting my blog so I can keep traveling, and I only feature products I believe in and use myself. Hi Mauricio. Honestly and this costs me 4000 CDN per month. Tulum is one option. Americans retiring to Mexico basically use geo-arbitrage to spend their money and social security checks in a country where the USD goes a lot further. I would appreciate any tips/life experiences anybody can share! 2. Is this possible in the area you stayed at or should I be looking more towards Sayulita? :), Very true about the water sometimes its really nice to know you can go to your tap and fill up without worry! Our Cost of LivingGuidesshare extensive resources on all the major expat spots around the world. If anyone has any questions feel free to contact us at [email protected], Thanks Ana for sharing and your willingness to answer questions. 6. That is why all of the places theyve lived in Mexico are in the heart of nature. Is it possible to live in Mexico on just 500 dollars a month? The super-store grocery shops in Mexico like Chedraui and Walmart carry a lot of imported goods and costs can add up fast! We are an American lesbian couple living in Thailand. Their monthly budget is 66,625 pesos a month, or about US$2,987. Our budget is $300/month (per person). I will share with you how I lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico for less than $500 USD a month. 3. How do you generate an income while you are living in different countries? I would ask around in the expat groups for people to share their specific costs. Some questions: 1. It is touristy but many food and drink options, expats, etc. Mexico has many coffee growing regions, so most coffee is pretty good here. The weather. Recently visited Lake Chapala/Guadalajara.. Use that figure as a guide to the food and transport costs I mention (check that exchange rate here). The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in an average area of Mexico City will cost about USD$400-$500. You . There is also a bus that runs toward Puerto Vallarta where there are big grocery stores and everything you could possibly need (that is about an 40 minutes to one hour away). Is it really humid in San Pancho? The U.S. federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hourand its double that in some statesmeaning if workers can send even a portion of their daily earnings home to family in Mexico, it represents a huge sum. Learn more about Mexico and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. long. Robin explained, my students are in China so I teach in the early mornings and am done by 9 a.m. Then its off to the gym and the rest of the day is free. 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). It would be great to get an idea of what housing is like on your budget. I would love to move to another country but without a work Visa it would be challenging to work. Afterwards, a subscription costs 8.99 a month and offers free next day delivery on thousands of items, as well as the Amazon Prime Video library. I helped a friend get it and he wrote up the requirements and process here. There are outdoor party venues all over the city and you hear them all. Im also in Europe now and planning to try Puerto Vallarta in Mexico as a new home! I am lost on the Web (too many web sites) . San Pancho is small, with one store but many restaurants and a few coffee shops. Plus, with car insurance at a fraction of the cost, its easy to do. 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. .jason-signup { It is definitely a selling point for the town, knowing that you can get care without the long drive into Bucerias/PV. padding: 1.25rem 1.25rem 1rem; Great article! For $1300 a month they lived very comfortably. Ill get my house sold and be moving to P.V. Certainly there are many real estate agencies, even in tiny towns, and certainly in some of the more affluent expat communities. Unlocked is a new home tour series. When I was living in Merida I was paying around $800 per month for an apartment, and my friend was paying only $250 per month for hers, and hers was nicer! I liked the calm bay/surf in La Manzanilla but would like to explore other towns.Sayulita sounds promising. I did not see you mention the fact that SP has a full Hospital. 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. near the Zona Romantica or maybe the South Shore. It was really a wonderful experience and I know I would have equally enjoyed that route solo. The area you describe sounds so perfect. Note that when you move to Mexico, you will still have costs in the place you left, I.e. Auto Maint $50.00 Join International Living Today and Get the 2023 Global Retirement IndexFREE with This Special Offer. A nature lover, Robin says she loves finding so many places to live in Mexico surrounded by beautiful nature. I'm sure there are luxurious beachfront home rentals for thousands. At today's favorable exchange rates, prices all over Mexico are a tremendous bargain. Great column. Thank you for sharing your experiences and offering up so much detail for others who are looking to move to Mexico but arent sure which spots are the best fit for their situation. You can stay within your $150 monthly budget in Hostels,but a $5 per night housing budget works better with long-term stays where youre staying put in one place for a month or longer. $3 x $30 is $90 So if you just ate street food once a day, youd blow your whole budget! Thank you. One example is a wonderful traditional Mexican restaurant where residents get a cold drink, soup starter, a main meal, and dessert for $5.50. Tips for How to find cheap housing in Mexico, How to save money on transportation in Mexico, Living in Mexico on $500 per month: Conclusion, Guide To Visiting Alas Harum Agrotourism In Bali. We love exploring and taking amazing photos.. I am perpetually amazed on how people can live on 7 or 800 dollars per month. + Ultimate Guide to Living in TulumContinue. I would recommend you target ground floor or 2nd story condos. usually during summers theyd cost twice that during tourist season. I can not even use the bicycle. Read More Swimming With The Turtles In Akumal I 2023 ULTIMATE GuideContinue. Switzerland is extremely expensive though I remember being in Lagano and choosing dinner $30 for a buffet and $5 for McDonalds I took the later despite hating McDonalds. Guanajuato is a wonderful place, but I prefer beach resort towns or university towns where theres cultural and infrastructure. But why Mexico and not other popular places in Central America like Costa Rica or Panama? Going on relaxing walks with waterfalls, wildlife, and not another soul in sight is perfect for amazing photography. For a tiny island life, Isla Holbox is one option, Isla Mujeres is nearby and bigger/more touristy if you want more development. I am quite spoiled where I live now with fiber and regular speeds in the 300-500GB range and I know I wont get speeds like that in Mexico but wanting some reasonable idea of what it is like there. do not forget to add these. overflow: hidden; What is OOP? In Mexico, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is about $500-$800 per month, depending on the city. 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. If youre on an extreme budget, I would recommend in-land mountainous cities likeQuertaroandSan Cristobal de las Casas, because theyre much cheaper to live and travel in than cities by the beach in Mexico. They handle rentals too and are fantastic resources on any city mentioned. Spotify? Whats your rent? That was one of the main reasons I considered retiring there. Entertainment $1,293.33 While there arecertainly dangerous places in Mexico, the country is huge. There are a lot of drugs that would be considered prescription in the United States, like antibiotics, which you can buy over the counter in Mexico, which also cuts down on medical expenses. In addition to Shannons comment, Mahahual has lots of English spoken families living here as well as Italian ones, my next door neighbour just happen to be Italian. Here are some tips for staying within your $100 per month food budget while traveling in Mexico. UPDATE: We found an apartment and we move in TOMORROW!!! In Mexico, theres much diversity from one town to the next, so select a town where you feel comfortable. Hi Shannon, Your site is great and very interesting. Dont be afraid tohagglea bit, its what the locals do! No, you cannot reasonably live on $500 to $900 a month in the USA, Canada, the UK, or any other large western country. I am a 55 years old woman, I speak french and english. Condo ins Bldg $0.83 San Pancho does not have that gradual shallow part and has strong waves and undercurrentsyou would want to be a strong swimmer in SP if you planned to be in the water regularly. 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Note that when you move to another country but without a work Visa it would be challenging work... Fact that SP has a full Hospital the sea air and do a lot of.. Area of Mexico living in mexico on $500 a month, so select a town where you feel.! You, i speak french and english traveling in Mexico, the cost! You are living in different countries churches on a hill, or shots Marty takes his.