Thank you. In the supermarket a middle shelf bottle of Mezcal will cost you around $15.00 and a six pack of beer will cost you $5.00. The absolute cheapest way to eat in Mexico is by onlybuying locally grown and produced foodat farmers markets, and then cooking yourself. Sunshine and less stress are great for pain management. If youre staying in a larger city or hopping around visiting different places, youre going to be spending money on transportation. Thanks for sharing your experiences. width:max-content; These figures include the cost of a house, a maid service, utilities, groceries, entertainment, health insurance and more. Is it possible to live in Mexico and be frugal? But the Mexican lifestyle can be a great experience. 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. Clearly the financials are interesting. Having spent more than a year in both countries, the both have different pros. Video: Living All Over Mexico With Rent Under $500 a Month Upstate New Yorker Robin Chacon and her husband, Marty, love exploring Mexico. well, I am a retired man, 65 this year. I would recommend you target ground floor or 2nd story condos. Im thinking of going for a few weeks in the beginning of June to check it out. 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. 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. 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. It usually finishes with fireworks. For where to stay, there are three tiers of pricing, the Hostal San Pancho or Shaka Surf House if you dont mind ashared-dorm; these are the two most affordable options in town. Even if you immerse and learn the local language, you may never become a part of the community fully. I keep hearing that you need a Tourist card or visa which can be subject to the whim of the consulate interviewer. Above Hostal San Pancho is an affordable, very nice guesthouse called Refugio de Solthis is absolutely your best bet for private accommodation thats still budget to mid-range prices. You mentioned you stay in Barcelona, how did you manage to live there longer than 90 days? This video shares the costs, style of living, quality of life, and other details about living as an expat in Mexico, with a tour of my studio in a trendy beach town north of Puerto Vallarta: This entire post outlines the baseline costsmy fixed monthly expenses for one person living in a beach town on the west coast of Mexico. San Pancho: Tiny, one main road, a handful of options for restaurants. I guess now I am a new solo traveler.!! You could own a home here for less than $100,000 or an apartment for around $20,000. I am so appreciative of your information. Finding Accommodation: I recommend arriving in San Pancho before trying to find a place to stay, otherwise you will only find vacation rentals listed. 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. 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 . Eating out regularly, enjoying day trips and adventures, hikes, and time in nature. Best regards. We are located in the area of Las Casitas, next time you are around town and are in need of a place to stay feel free to contact me! I suggest that you also join some of the Mexico expat forums and ask around. clear: both; S. Housing is your biggest expense, and even Western-style places are affordable. A few expats also taught English for a small stipend at Entre Amigos, the community center. It was really a wonderful experience and I know I would have equally enjoyed that route solo. The super-store grocery shops in Mexico like Chedraui and Walmart carry a lot of imported goods and costs can add up fast! Mornings and evenings can be pleasant . Something Marty needed after a back injury. Ive been thinking of retiring in San Pancho. 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). Layout: 1 bed / 1 bath. A lot of hostels take advantage of this loophole and offer free stays in exchange for volunteers working the front desk, or cleaning jobs, at their hostels. night. This ride costs $1 each way on the bus or a quick (and easy) hitchhike ride. We always come back to Cozumel. The perfect side hustle for a little extra cash while out and about roaming around Mexico. San Pancho is a tiny town so youll be good with whatever you find in town. Its all a win for a happier healthier life. Interesting question, and not one where I will have a lot of firm ideas here as its a bit outside of my wheelhouse. The info is much appreciated! Very few Ecuadorians speak English- not even the vast majority of university professors- and its tough with only basic Spanish skills. The only real exception to this benefit is if you choose to live at or near one of the popular beach destinations in Mexico. If you don't need cable TV or internet, you can save on those expenses. } 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. (It is called San Francisco on the map, but locals call it San Pancho: https://goo.gl/maps/HmSs22aFWeQ2 ) And near San Pancho is a town called Sayulita, which is a little big bigger and has a few more amenities (its only 20 minutes from San Pancho and you could use a taxi to easily get between the two towns). If thats booked though, other nice private accommodation in the $60 tp $80 per night range include: Verde Luna, Casa Terraza, and Jardn San Pancho B&B. 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. @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { Medication $50.00 . Your blog is FANTASTIC ! :). Both of those were included in my rent. this is a very detailed information and is very helpful. The second cheapest way to eat in Mexico is by buyingstreet food. We shop at Walmart or Leys. near the Zona Romantica or maybe the South Shore. Hard to say Bill, this is certainly not my area of expertise. Loft in Mrida Espacio Ukiyo, Unique design to live the presentRental unit in Mrida Beautiful suite KS $567 month 4.86 (114) Home in Mrida Buganvilla House a private and relaxing space $838 month 4.75 (64) Explore all Monthly Rentals on Airbnb Comforts of home Fully furnished rentals include a kitchen and the amenities you need to live . 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. $50.00 Mexico often gets a slight vote in favor because of the closer language and cultural similarities. Let me help you plan your next trip! Most ex-pats, especially retirees, would agree that medical care rates up at the top of the list for Must Haves. Budget. Sounds fancy. We also have ceiling fans. Thanks. 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. CAPA $15.00 Sayulita: Very small, beach is very crowded with surfers because the water is good for swimming, entirely walkable within the town. My costs are moderate and honest. And Mexico is often the first place American retirees and digital nomads consider when looking at places overseas with a lower cost of living. This special guide covers real estate, retirement and more in Mexico and is yours free when you sign up for our postcards below. If you stick to a tight budget in the outlying activities, you will go under $500 a month. :). float: left; The rents are still very affordable and I found something in that range in Oaxaca just last year. Once our kids (now teens) are stable on their own. I would love to see your rentals in both cities in Mexico. I was there for vacation the past couple weekscheck out Yucatan Beach Friends on Facebook.. Read More Is Tulum Worth Visiting In 2023? Do you know expats with children? I am disable/retired vet(53), however, functional. Huatulco 16. The cost of rent differs significantly between each city. 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. Its freeing. Its even possible to live in Mexicocomfortablyon $500 per month, as long as you plan your trip correctly. 2. Unfortunately I dont have any experience in that area. In the video and these breakdowns, I very specifically quote pesos and not dollars as my costs because the exchange rate may vary, but you will be paying for your life in pesos! No defined personality. I wasnt there this past summer due to the virus, but Ive been there every summer for years. Are there a lot of foreigners there? One example is a wonderful traditional Mexican restaurant where residents get a cold drink, soup starter, a main meal, and dessert for $5.50. From mountains and lakes to jungles and islands, Mexico has an abundance of wonderful places to live so affordably. What used to be their monthly insurance bill is now the annual bill. I didnt look very hard for my apartment; in fact, its the first one I came across. The Guide to the Cost of Living in Mexico helps you work out a living budget, whether you plan to live here full or part time, come to work, study, take a sabbatical or retire. I would love to share with you if you havent seen yet. The weather. I make a small commission on purchases you make through a select few product linksthis keeps ALA ad-free and never affects my recommendations. A mere 10 minutes doesnt seem like much, but in the scorching heat I was happy to have use of a bicycle from the family compound. Im sure prices have increased since then, but I think it should be quite doable. If you are looking for the other coast, the Gulf and the Caribbean, then the Yucatan Peninsula is a good choice. Thats a really good point, thank you Randall! Monthly Rent: $450. I will be glad to offer you accomodation! Plus, Mexicos infrastructure is fantastic. Long story short,that post went viral and a million visitors have read about the $650 baseline costs to live in Thailand. We have considered the Yucatn as a possible next stop. Less work, less stress, no bosses, more time to spend together and see Mexico. I often bought organic veggies (expensive) at the Friday market in Sayulita, so the food budget is generous for a range of eating styles. And 2 million of themnearly 20%live in Mexico. What's the cost of living like there? Sayulita has great beaches for what youre after. LESS THAN 500 DOLLARS PER MONTH Daily Budget Costs: Calculated using monthly salaries. I dont know a lot about Pachuca since I havent been, but I think its a small town with a very local feel (meaning speaking decent Spanish is ideal). The community is different than what you find in San Miguel or PV, it seems there are more opportunities to integrate into Mexican life. 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. Mexico is 2/3rd the size of Western Euro. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. Explaining I really learned what doesnt work for me. I know myself better. Glasses $30.00 I would ask around in the expat groups for people to share their specific costs. CFE $150.00 i plan to move to mexico. I prefer having my own car with me. In more off the beaten path places, you can live comfortably on $500-$1,000 per month in places like Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Escondido, etc. That stuff is free on the internet, friend. HOA dues $200.00 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Slow travel = cheap travel,youll save more by staying in the same place for a month or longer. Rent on a modern three bedroom home starts at around $500 a month. I have been a horseperson all my life and if we end up moving, having horses nearby, access to riding facilities or have the ability to keep them is extremely important. Mazatln 5. I recommend anyone traveling in Mexico to buy health insurance, but I understand its not in everyones budget. Cheers, ~S. Gas $150.00 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. This means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click through these links and make a purchase. Now, when I say that I have alow-budget for alcohol and partying you can adjust it accordingly for yourself. This is about 5000 per month. I was able to find multiple properties for around $100 per month on Airbnb andBooking.comin San Cristobal de Las Casas when booking per month. I hate hostels, I do not have the character to be with other people. Is cost of living comparable to PV? Summary of cost of living in Mexico City Family of four estimated monthly costs: Mex$ 55,897 Single person estimated monthly costs: Mex$ 29,328 Cost of living in Mexico City is more expensive than in 72% of cities in Latin America (10 out of 32) Cost of living in Mexico City is cheaper than in 73% of cities in the World (179 out of 246) I love adding venture, art, good wifi & even better coffee. I will share with you how I lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico for less than $500 USD a month. Thank you for that. There are many other beaches driveable, some ruins, old stuff to look at, etc if youre keen to explore. Monthly Stays Near Me So, if you are willing to pay a chunk more than most locals will pay, then you can easily get fast speeds. Vet $20.00 I also drink a lot of coffee; so although I made my own pot each day, the food budget included manyespressos each week. If you have no desire for any creature comforts, you can realistically live on $500 USD per month. San Cristobal de las Casas 14. Average Cost of Living Across Mexico: $600 - $2,000 My baseline (and total) costs to live in Mexico came in under $745 every month. I visited there last December and fell in love. Dental $50.00 Tip:Hostels will be more expensive on the weekends and cheaper on the weekdays! And one town over, in Sayulita (which is bigger and more touristy has a great beach, a lot more food, bars, etc), the apartment prices are actually pretty comparableideal if you like the idea of Mexico but think my town was a bit too small! xxx, Your blog is very helpful. I pay about 5000 per month. Low prices can be found all over the city. We would absolutely have to have it! And, lastly $100 per month for home maintenance yet you own your own home? The Briton, who leads the ATP Tour in match victories this season with 18 . Keep reading for tips on how to save money on your transportation bill in Mexico. Compared to Thailand, Spanish is easier to learn, and in general, as I noted, I favor Mexico from a cultural point of view as a place to live as a Westerner the culture aligns more easily and I found it more comfortable on that level. However, that is misleading. i couldnt afford to live there for that price! Great column. living full time in PV, so you are at 3,500/mo. Shannon, do you have any knowledge surrounding keeping horses in Mexico (either in the areas you experienced or otherwise?) Rent on small towns can be 5k pesos, so you would be living very close to the limit an sometimes you will be tight on money. Some examples of my basic costs: Rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $420 per month WiFi (includes landline): $20 per. One of the best things about living in Mexico is the variety of cities and towns to choose from. For Thailand, you would need to prove a certain retirement income (you can look this up), and then its mostly a cinch to get the residency/retirement visa. Your sharing of your life is exponentially a better resource for me. position: relative; . 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! So, I am very grateful for your time and your willingness to assist people. 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. Grenada -- $16.34; Seychelles -- $16.34; Big churches on a hill, or shots Marty takes with his drone. Towns like Ajijic are nearly entirely Western retirees. color: white; In Mexico, theres much diversity from one town to the next, so select a town where you feel comfortable. Which they are doing in early 2023 and theyve found a lake house to rent for $300 a month. Where is the cheapest place to live in Mexico? Electricity in Mexico is very expensive. For that reason, I recommend that you look to the Yucatan it has some incredible beaches, and jungles in the center with Mayan ruins truly an abundance of opportunity and I love the region so much that I took my nephews there on a three-week road-trip (I wrote up a guide to what we did here and a photo journey of it here). Theres a river that feeds into the inlet water, and that area has a lot of pebbles, or there are sandy parts with tons of children wading and paddle boarders floating around. 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. A lovely beach in Puerto Vallarta with the Sierra Madre mountains in the background. Looking to fish and explore. Ive been working north of the border since 2007, but my goal is to retire are age 55 and go live in Mexico on my pension. I had a friend who luckily was able to pick me up my first day, but after that I frequently made the trek into Puerta Vallarta via bus. We have recently lived in Ethiopia and Ecuador. 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? I figure my costs are about 5000 per month. No matter where you live your lifestyle choices will determine your expenses. Few words in Spanish. Now, downsizing to an apartment or small house and living a simpler life she said they are a lot happier. 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. Im Michael Olumide. The trouble (you could say) is that Mexico is a big place. So inspiring! display: table; Sitting with her coffee listening to the birds singing is peaceful and incredibly relaxing no matter where in Mexico she is. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a free special report - Why Millions of Americans Are Moving to Mexico. For expats, most would be more comfortable in a more modern infrastructure. I am a native Floridian, so I am probably a bad person to advise on how tolerable it is there during the hot/wet season since I have a pretty high threshold. It can be very cool in Dec/Jan, but it does get humid and warm by July! .fullwidth-signup{ Facebook groups are another great place to find long-term housing in Mexico. Taxis are going to run you a fair bit more. Smiling Robin says its easy to enjoy a better of quality of life with more treats like eating out regularly. 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. And how are you spending $40 on streaming services? Es me corozon (its my heart). I would fit right in working in a tourist-type facility, which would be ideal. Early in the morning is Robins favorite time of day. Mexican Open 2023 schedule ATP Men's Singles (500) 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). Is it possible to live in Mexico on just 500 dollars a month? Now its singing birds and giggling children in the Caribbean warmth. Budget for living in Mexico on $500 a month. 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. Both Tulum and Puerto Morelos are medium-sized beach towns, not too small and you can find good food and drink options go further down the coast to Mahahual for a much smaller town that is more similar to San Pancho nice local feel, a few good restaurants, and a slow pace of life near the beach. 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. 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. And stop trolling the internet trying to dissuade people from trying something new just because youre miserable and contrary and dont have any friends. But I figure, if I am going to leave snow, this is part of the price to pay. I know this post was made a while ago but I was wondering if you might comment on the speed of the internet where you are? Chapala has changed so much that we are looking around at other possibilities. I pay 600/mo. Welcome to my blog! That way they have time to really explore different areas of Mexico. There is lush rainforest throughout, but also amazing quiet beach towns too. Hmm, it does rain a lot in the summer and its very muggy. Consider floating this question in some of the Facebook groups linked in the post as they might have other ideas. A retired couple can expect to retire comfortably in Mexico with an average income of about $2,500 a month, or $30,000 a year, according to InternationalLiving.com. Read More How to Call a 1-800 Number from Mexico for FREE! Condo ins Bldg $0.83 Ive lived in Tulum for over 5 months and I want to share EVERYTHING you need to know to have the perfect trip. The most expensive places to stay in Mexico are usually by the beach, so go inland to save money. This, of course, very much depends on the location. I didnt see any mention in the article about that. The short of it all is that Mexico proved more expensive at daily living than Thailand, but still at least half the rent I paid living in Los Angeles in my pre-travel days. We love exploring and taking amazing photos.. As was downsizing and simplifying her life. .jason-signup { You can go below $500 per month if you keep to a tight budget in the outlying efforts. Probably for cheaper than it cost to store the stuff back in the U.S. A high point of living in Mexico is the fact that apartments and houses come with full kitchens (though mine was minus an oven), this is really great if youre keen to cookanything you rent here will likely come with a stove and pots and pans if its a furnished apartment. Whats the price you put to your life? 7. Our apartment costs $500 a month and includes hot water, internet and a weekly clean including fresh towels (we didn't realise this until the first time it happened and were blown away by the luxury of it!). and that isnt so bad, but I think you can live better than you describe for 2500/mo. The guide will enable you to calculate likely living costs in Mexico based on your individual lifestyle choices. A single person estimated monthly costs are US$511 (9,943MXN) without rent. Swimming With The Turtles In Akumal I 2023 ULTIMATE Guide, Is Tulum Worth Visiting In 2023? Here is a summary of potential cost of living in Mexico in 2023, according to Numbeo: Family of four estimated monthly costs are US$1,850 (35,970MXN) without rent. 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. 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. Questions: $300 for airfare where do you fly every single month?