Simply enter your email address below and well send you a free special report Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven. Keep reading for anextreme budgetguide to living and traveling in Mexico on just 500 US dollars a month. But why Mexico and not other popular places in Central America like Costa Rica or Panama? Nearly 40 percent of expats living in Mexico rent their home and the majority pay less than $20,000 pesos a month, or US$1,000. The basket of basic items for a couple in Mazatln will cost you about 21,000 pesos (US$1,100 per month) if you own your own apartment, and 27,000 pesos (about US$1,450) if you rent a house near the beach. Plan. And, lastly $100 per month for home maintenance yet you own your own home? It usually finishes with fireworks. The amount of money you need to live comfortably in Mexico will largely depend on the city or region you live in and your lifestyle. And yes, sadly expats do live a very different life here than some locals. What are the gay rights like in Mexico? Clearly the financials are interesting. UPDATE: We found an apartment and we move in TOMORROW!!! 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. We also rely on iOverlander for locating places, goods and services in Baja. Hi Tom! 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. Colectivos are the main way locals travel around Mexico. 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 is about 1200 per month. Medication $50.00 A Little Adrift is proudly ad-free; all opinions and suggestions are my own. } 2. How to Call a 1-800 Number from Mexico for FREE! Eating out regularly, enjoying day trips and adventures, hikes, and time in nature. The people and cultures shift and change with the terrain and there are some surprisingly safe cities throughout the country if you know where to look (look to the blogosphere!). The Best Places to Retire in Mexico by the Beach 1. Aloha and thank you for the excellent read. And dont hold onto stuff. My complete travel guide to Akumal, where you can swim with the wild sea turtles and eat lunch in a treehouse! Mexico often gets a slight vote in favor because of the closer language and cultural similarities. Also know that any safety information you find online can change rapidly, so always source your information from local expats or those who spent considerable time there recently, and really understand the undertones of living in that area. Having spent more than a year in both countries, the both have different pros. Tip:Buying and selling a bike or a scooter usually only saves money if youre staying somewhere for a month or longer! 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. Puerto Morelos 11. 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. Storage spaces are expensive and you can easily buy everything you need in Mexico. How did you like Oaxaca? I often bought organic veggies (expensive) at the Friday market in Sayulita, so the food budget is generous for a range of eating styles. Sharron, I so appreciated your post and the information. In Mexico, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is about $500-$800 per month, depending on the city. 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. (translation with Bing Translator). Long stay rates include all utilities, taxes, and weekly housekeeping. i plan to move to mexico. Glasses $30.00 This is an article not from some right wing organization but a refugee type of agency. Tulum is one option. Chapala has changed so much that we are looking around at other possibilities. And maybe see you in Mexico soon! (My daughter is nearly fluent.) US citizens get six months on arrival. The ADO bus is considered the first class bus in Mexico because theyre mostly nice, new, and set up for long-distance travel. I didnt look very hard for my apartment; in fact, its the first one I came across. My knowledge of Spanish and English is limited. Is cost of living comparable to PV? From the few things I just read about it, it hits on all the things I love in an expat spot small and walkable downtown, opportunities to engage with and volunteer in the local community, and good local food! If you know of anyone in your blog or another blog I would appreciate it. After prices in USA this was quiet a welcome in change. These guides include thorough breakdowns of the culture, quality of life, vibe, andimportantlybudget breakdowns so you can better plan which spot in the world best meets your needs. They are both very popular expat spots. 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. We love it here but the lack of gay marriage recognition is a major pain for Visa arrangements. Ive also lived in Oaxaca too, and its even more affordable (I spent well under $600 per month). long. Local kids have free reign of the whole town. Keep reading for a complete guide on how to call a United States 1-800 toll-free phone number from Mexico for free! overflow: unset; A tight-knit group of expats, cant leave home without seeing someone you know. Our perceptions and reality of the world are often skewed; that is true of Mexico. Plus, its quiet. Dont be afraid tohagglea bit, its what the locals do! When I was living in Tulum Ibought a brand new bikefor around $127, two months later when I left I was able to sell the same bike through a Whatsapp group for only $75. Any thoughts? Food. Welcome to my Tulum Travel Guide. That was one of the main reasons I considered retiring there. 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. These are very charming cities which are rich in culture, with lots of things to do and see. 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. And the price you are willing to pay to leave in a corruption-ridden culture? 2 Jorge Bernal Lived in Mexico City Author has 224 answers and 70.5K answer views 3 y Related Early in the morning is Robins favorite time of day. I was there for vacation the past couple weekscheck out Yucatan Beach Friends on Facebook.. In fact, according to Data Mexico the average Yucatan State salary in 2021 is just $5,150 pesos per month which is only about $260 USD. I am thinking of Mexico or Central/ South America or Carribean. Guanajuato/San Miguel: In the interior, these two towns just exude pretty colonial charm. How long have you lived in Mexico? Sayulita has great beaches for what youre after. The quietness of where we specifically own our apartment works well for renters who work remotely as they are not disturbed by busiling city sounds. width: 100%; :), Bookmarking this for the future! $50.00 With all the information you provided in your article and the comments as well I did not see any mention of Mazatlan. Vet $20.00 Published: March 27, 2021 at 12:27 p.m. I would appreciate any tips/life experiences anybody can share! I will share with you how I lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico for less than $500 USD a month. Thanks. 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. From street-food tours to ancient Zapotec ruins, all of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca! Tips on how to find rentals would be helpful. Low prices can be found all over the city. and Im there summers and stay several blocks back from the beach. . @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { My daughter (33, ESL teacher) and I (67, retired USA prof) are thinking about residing in Mexico. Then there will also be quirky situations and opportunities that are harder to find but certainly exist. Thank you Shannon, I am really loving your blog posts! 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. Even if you immerse and learn the local language, you may never become a part of the community fully. Thanks so much for all the great info! I have learned some things that are very helpful. Its freeing. 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. Vamos. I would love to see your rentals in both cities in Mexico. The three-bedroom, four-bathroom home is situated on a 5.6-acre lot in the gated Las Campanas development . Lots of musicians and something going on each night of the week in high season at one of the pubs/bars. Lots of restaurants, shops, a language school, etc. I would fit right in working in a tourist-type facility, which would be ideal. 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. Join International Living Today and Get the 2023 Global Retirement IndexFREE with This Special Offer. 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. 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. Wide, clearly marked, well-maintained roads and highways are easy to navigate and drive. 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). Thank you so much for your help. Mel. places overseas with a lower cost of living, Average Cost of Living Across Mexico: $600 $2,000, Cost of a Month of Living in San Pancho, Mexico. Ok, please forgive me for my thoughts regarding what you should do. More like $1800 for a mix of average lifestyles.. What are your thoughts on Baja California, Cabo, Ensenada and Rosarito? I share a heap of Mexico resources at the end. border: 0.2rem solid #ffb500; Out-of-home dining: 8,000 pesos Groceries and sundries: 9,000 pesos Transportation: 1,000 pesos Utilities: 2,500 pesos Personal services: 1,600 pesos Sports and leisure: 4,000 pesos Childcare: 0 Clothing: 1,000 pesos Rent: 29,000 pesos Insurance: 10,525 pesos Credit card: 0 Ive been thinking of retiring in San Pancho. Any insights or connections? But there are still some places in the U.S. with affordable housing. Some questions: 1. What is OOP? Is Mexico different? This ride costs $1 each way on the bus or a quick (and easy) hitchhike ride. I would prefer to stay in a small apartment, a French bed, a bathroom and a living room with kitchenette, is just enough. 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. .fullwidth-signup{ 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. margin: 1.5rem 0; It is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is a dream for expatriates. 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. :). I'm 60 and want to retire on between $800 and $1,200 a month, ideally near the ocean in Mexico where should I go? 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. I pay 600/mo. I hope I can visit many of the places you have listed here. La Paz 3. /* Clear floats after the columns */ The S&P 500 (^GSPC) edged lower by 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) declined . } By using these links youre supporting my blog so I can keep traveling, and I only feature products I believe in and use myself. 1300 per month. Also, I think you should consider writing a book about where you have been along with the information. Hi Mimi! .signup-column { Huh..I dont know where you live but you just described where I live, except for the cheaper part perfectly..the USA:(. 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. Thank you for that. . Monthly Rent: $450. If you are interested in smaller towns, you could rent a car and do a road trip of the Yucatan to find one that feels right for what you want. Janet Blaser, 65, lives in a 2-bedroom apartment in Mazatln, Mexico that's walking distance to the beach. Keep me posted,Please! Groceries $600.00 No more micromanaging bosses and if I want to take time off, I can. Explaining I really learned what doesnt work for me. The only thing I expected but never found was the fear and danger. Due to theTaxi Mafia in Mexico, cities that have tons of tourists likeTulum,Cancun, Cozumel, and Cabo san Lucas do not have ride-hailing apps. 2. Monthly Stays Near Me Hi Jack! Why would you need this much unless you run a company or some such? 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. You mentioned you stay in Barcelona, how did you manage to live there longer than 90 days? but do expats live in a different world than the natives there? about 400 pesos per month. font-size: medium; Tom. Keep in mind: Tourists or expats are treasured in Mexico and get excellent protection especially in the resorts they dont want bad publicity and they want tourists to enjoy their visits some places a major part of the economy is tourism and they protect that business with some locations actually having special police to assist tourists they are amazingly accommodating if you have any incident and will assist you if any vendor cheats you, too, so you should feel very comfortable in Mexico, but avoid any cities or towns with higher crime rates. We have considered the Yucatn as a possible next stop. As a night owl, one thing that is important to me is a bar within walking distance of my rental to just sit and chill out, maybe chat with locals or fellow expats (I am taking Spanish lessons) especially late in the evening. Slow travel = cheap travel,youll save more by staying in the same place for a month or longer. This was very helpful. https://www.amnestyusa.org/fleeing-for-our-lives-central-american-migrant-crisis/. Now its singing birds and giggling children in the Caribbean warmth. I suggest that you also join some of the Mexico expat forums and ask around. My other thought is that Costa Rica would surely make for an excellent first-time experience. ET Whew, glad we got that out of the way. The town you choose to stay in or travel to will be the most important decision you make to save money in Mexico. Capt/Drm (2021), Im planning to move to Mexico. Thanks for this post! Long-term rental is $800 per month for single occupancy. No place is perfect, but for $750 a month, nightly sunsets, lots of friends, and tasty tacos Ill return to Mexico soon. xxx, Your blog is very helpful. Thank you. What are your thoughts about Acapulco compared to Oaxaca? Thanks gor the info! Even though its very inexpensive compared to in the States, if youre on anextremebudget you probably shouldnt eat street food every day, even if its cheap, because it does add up. Swimming With The Turtles In Akumal I 2023 ULTIMATE Guide, Is Tulum Worth Visiting In 2023? There is lush rainforest throughout, but also amazing quiet beach towns too. We use a mix of paid campgrounds and free areas. width: 100%; 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. 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. Certainly there are many real estate agencies, even in tiny towns, and certainly in some of the more affluent expat communities. What is CFE, ZGAS and CAPA? Smaller properties can be purchased from around US$100,000; and property rentals start from around 6,000 Mexican pesos (US$300) per month; home in the more popular areas with foreign residents rent from 10,000 (US$500) pesos a month. I like active places like Puerto Vallarta where theres modern conveniences and more choices. and that isnt so bad, but I think you can live better than you describe for 2500/mo. The community is different than what you find in San Miguel or PV, it seems there are more opportunities to integrate into Mexican life. The high quality and amazing affordability of healthcare in Mexico mean that their health expenses are a fraction of what they would have been had they stayed in the U.S. Robin shared the chiropractor here is fantastic and hes only $30. Actually, all of the healthcare is so cheap that she summed it up like this I can get acupuncture, specialized laser treatment for inflammation, physical therapy, and a long rehabilitating massage, all for $200..