Mexico is often the first place American retirees and digital nomads consider when they want to live abroad on a budget—and with good reason. It’s close to the U.S., well-connected by air, and offers all the tacos, sunshine, and affordability you could ask for. I lived in two very different places—a beach town on the Pacific Coast and Oaxaca City—and my costs in both were among the lowest I’ve experienced anywhere in the world.
Mexico is not a monolith, though. San Miguel de Allende is pricier than Puebla. Sayulita is nothing like Mexico City. Your cost of living depends entirely on where you go, your lifestyle, and how comfortable you are navigating local systems in Spanish.
You’ll find real monthly breakdowns below, plus tips to avoid common mistakes, like ending up in a rental above a bar or assuming you don’t need A/C.
🇲🇽 Quick Snapshot: What You’ll Spend Each Month in Mexico
Here’s a rough range for typical monthly budgets in Mexico, assuming a modest, locally adapted lifestyle—not ultra-frugal, but also not beachside cocktails five nights a week. These figures reflect rent, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and a few extras:
| Lifestyle (City Type) | Single Person | Couple | Family of 3–4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small town (e.g. San Pancho, Ajijic) | $900–$1,400 | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,000–$2,800 |
| Medium city (e.g. Oaxaca, Mérida) | $1,200–$1,800 | $1,800–$2,500 | $2,500–$3,200 |
| High-cost/touristy (e.g. CDMX, San Miguel, Playa del Carmen) | $1,800–$2,400+ | $2,500–$3,600+ | $3,200–$4,500+ |
💡 These budgets reflect a mid-range lifestyle with a long-term rental, reliable health insurance, regular home-cooked meals with some dining out, light travel, and an occasional splurge. You’re not balling out—but you’re not depriving yourself either
For U.S. expats: That’s roughly $900 to $2,400+ USD per month for one person, depending on lifestyle, location, and whether you’re renting short- or long-term.
If you cook at home and avoid the touristy areas, your budget stretches further. That said, beach towns during high season or expat enclaves like San Miguel can rival U.S. prices.
Here’s what we’ll break down in the next section: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and even education for families. Where available, I’ll include links to Reddit threads and real-world case studies from digital nomads and retirees living across the country.
Let’s dig in.
Monthly Cost Breakdown: What Real Life in Mexico Actually Costs
While the averages paint a rosy picture, what you actually spent in Mexico depended heavily on where you lived, how local you went, and your lifestyle expectations. Here’s a breakdown of key categories based on my experiences and those of other expats.
🏠 Rent & Utilities: $300–$1,500+
- Small towns and inland cities: $300–$600 for a basic 1-bedroom, unfurnished. $700+ for a nice 2-bedroom or small house.
- Beach towns & expat hotspots: $800–$1,200 for a decent 2-bedroom near the beach. More if you were in Sayulita or Tulum.
- Mexico City & San Miguel: $1,200–$1,800+ in trendy neighborhoods like Roma Norte, Condesa, or Centro.
In San Pancho, I paid $850 for a furnished 2-bedroom near the plaza—walkable to the beach but with no A/C. In Oaxaca, I paid $450 for a modern, two-level home with a rooftop terrace. Utilities (electricity, water, gas) added another $50–$150/month. Electricity could spike if you used A/C often—especially on the coast. Internet was $20–$40/month.
Tip: Always asked about “la temporada” (high season) when renting in tourist areas—prices often doubled between November and April.
🛒 Groceries: $200–$500
- Single person: ~$200–$300/month
- Couple: ~$300–$400/month
- Family: ~$400–$500/month
Local markets are your budget’s best friend. You can get heaps of fresh produce for a few dollars, especially if you shop at tianguis (weekly street markets). Imported goods, organic items, and specialty diets (like gluten-free) pushed up costs.
I bought most of my produce and staples from the market and still splurged on fancy nut butters and oat milk, so a monthly grocery bill for two is about $350.
☕ Eating Out: $75–$350
Street tacos cost under $1 each, and set lunch menus (comida corrida) were usually $4–$8, often including soup, a main, drink, and sometimes dessert.
- Casual dinner: $5–$15/person
- Mid-range restaurant: $15–$30/person
- Fancy restaurant or resort area: $35–$50+/person
We ate out 1–2 times per week. In Oaxaca, a nice meal for two with drinks ran us about $35 total at places like Los Danzantes or Ancestral. In Sayulita, that same meal might cost $50–$60, especially at more tourist-oriented spots near the beach.
Tip: Some small restaurants only took cash, and tipping 10–15% was standard.
🧑⚕️ Health Insurance & Care: $50–$250+
Mexico has both public (IMSS/INSABI) and private systems. Most expats opted for private care, which was affordable and accessible in larger cities.
- Local private insurance: $50–$120/month (age and health dependent)
- Premium expat plans: $150–$250+/month (includes international coverage)
- Public IMSS enrollment: ~$500–$700/year
I used private doctors in both Oaxaca and Puerto Vallarta. A general consult cost $25–$40 out of pocket. Excellent care, short waits.
Note: Medications were often available over-the-counter and cheaper than in the U.S.
🚆 Transportation: $20–$200
Most cities had cheap public transit and walkable neighborhoods.
- Local bus/metro: $0.30–$0.50 per ride
- Intercity bus (Oaxaca to Mexico City): ~$40
- Gasoline: ~$5/gallon (can vary a lot)
If you owned a car, you needed to factor in $100–$200/month for fuel, maintenance, and insurance.
In San Pancho, I biked everywhere. In Oaxaca, we used colectivos and walked. You can rent a car for longer trips, which runs ~$30/day.
💻 Internet & Mobile: $25–$60
Internet speeds varied wildly. Cities usually had fiber, but small towns could be slow or inconsistent.
- Internet (fiber or cable): $20–$40/month
- Mobile (Telcel or AT&T prepaid): $10–$20/month with unlimited WhatsApp, decent data
I paid $35/month in Oaxaca for fast internet and used Telcel’s prepaid plans for mobile.
🧒 Childcare & Education: $0–$600+
Public schools were free, but many expats preferred bilingual or international schools.
- Public kindergarten: Free (fees for meals/supplies)
- Private pre-K or bilingual school: $150–$400/month
- International schools: $400–$600+/month
Friends in San Miguel paid $450/month for a Montessori-style bilingual school.
🛂 Residency & Visa Costs: $100–$600/year
Costs varied by visa type and whether you used a facilitator (gestor).
- Temporary Residency (non-lucrative): $275–$400 first year
- Renewals or Permanent Residency: $200–$300
- Legal help/facilitator: $100–$300
Cost of Living by Region
While Mexico is broadly affordable, your experience and budget will vary drastically depending on where you settle. Here’s a look at what life actually costs in some of the most popular destinations for expats—from big-city convenience to mountain charm and coastal surf towns.
Mexico City (CDMX)
CDMX is Mexico’s energetic, cosmopolitan heart—and also one of its most expensive places to live. Rent in trendy neighborhoods like Roma Norte, Condesa, or Polanco can rival prices in major U.S. cities. But for the right person, the tradeoff is worth it: world-class food, museums, parks, and nonstop culture.
- 1-bedroom in Roma Norte: $1,000–$1,600
- Groceries for two: $400/month
- Dining out: $20–$50 for a nice meal
- Monthly budget for a single expat: $1,800–$2,600
Tip: Noise can be a big issue in CDMX—check listings carefully for double-paned windows and avoid first floors near cantinas. Tourist rentals in the building can also mean weekend chaos.
Oaxaca City
Beloved by creatives, foodies, and cultural travelers, Oaxaca is one of the most affordable and charming places I lived. Rent was low, the markets were abundant, and there was always something happening—though it’s not for those needing fast infrastructure or seamless logistics.
- 2-bedroom home with rooftop: $400–$700
- Grocery budget for two: $300–$400
- Dinner at a nice restaurant: $30–$40 total
- Monthly budget for a couple: $1,600–$2,200
Tip: For the best produce, skip the supermarkets and head to the Central de Abastos or the weekend organic market.
Sayulita / San Pancho
My former stomping grounds. These boho beach towns on the Riviera Nayarit attract digital nomads, yogis, and surfers. They’re more expensive than most small towns, partly due to limited housing and their increasing popularity.
- 2-bedroom near the beach: $850–$1,300
- Eating out for two: $50–$60 at tourist restaurants
- Utilities with no A/C: ~$100/month
- Monthly budget for a single person: $1,600–$2,400+
Reality check: Sayulita gets dusty and overcrowded in high season. And while it looks idyllic on Instagram, don’t underestimate the power outages, septic issues, and party noise. That said, the beach lifestyle is magic if it fits your vibe.
Playa del Carmen
Playa is a paradox: It has some of the most overpriced tourist zones, but you can still live affordably if you know where to look. Grocery stores are everywhere, internet is fast, and the beach is… well, it’s the Caribbean.
- 1-bedroom long-term rental: $700–$1,200+
- Groceries: $350–$450/month
- Healthcare: Excellent private clinics available
- Monthly budget for a couple: $2,000–$2,800+
Tip: Look a few blocks back from Quinta Avenida for quieter, cheaper rentals. And always check for working A/C.
Ajijic & Lake Chapala
This mountain-side expat enclave near Guadalajara has long attracted retirees. English is widely spoken, the weather is temperate year-round, and the social scene is active—though less appealing if you’re under 50 or prefer big city vibes.
- 1-bedroom apartment: $600–$900
- Utilities: $50–$100
- Healthcare: Private clinics cater to retirees
- Monthly budget for a retiree: $1,400–$2,200
Tip: The village is very walkable, but limited parking and steep hills can be a surprise. Make sure the house you’re renting doesn’t have stairs if you plan to age in place.
🧳 Tips for Moving to Mexico
Sunset over Sayulita’s main beach—those early days were dreamy, but I learned fast that beach life comes with its own tradeoffs (hello, salt damage and noisy roosters).
Health Insurance
IMG Global and SafetyWing offer decent expat and digital nomad health insurance while you’re still in flux.
If you plan to stay long-term, local private insurance providers like GNP, AXA, and Plan Seguro offer affordable plans once you’re a resident. You can also pay out of pocket—many expats do, since a general consultation at a private clinic may run just $20–$40 USD.
Tip: Make sure you understand how hospitals handle emergencies—private vs. public matters more than you might think when you’re actually sick.
House Hunting
- Best sites: Inmuebles24, Vivanuncios, and Facebook Marketplace (with caution)
- For coastal towns: Local Facebook groups or WhatsApp referrals are often more up-to-date than listings.
- Renting advice: Always visit in person before paying anything. Listings are often outdated, and photos rarely show the fact that there’s a pulquería under your bedroom window.
Tip: Ask what street the garbage bins are on—having one under your window means daily noise and smells.
Neighborhoods
Noise can make or break your Mexico rental—ask me how I know. My Oaxaca apartment faced a church that rang its bells almost hourly, starting at 6 a.m. And that charming colonial Airbnb? It might have a rooftop bar downstairs—or a neighbor with a pet rooster.
Watch for these neighborhood red flags before signing a lease:
- Church bells — Beautiful but relentless if you’re nearby.
- Bars and rooftop lounges — Especially loud on weekends.
- Street dogs — Common in both cities and rural areas.
- Trash trucks — Early morning pickups with loud music.
- Fiestas and fireworks — Lovely, but often go all night.
Tips:
- Use expat Facebook groups to get feedback on specific blocks or apartment buildings before committing. On the Road in Mexico is active, as is this Mexico expat forum.
- Visit your prospective neighborhood during the day and late at night.
- In cities like Oaxaca or Mérida, colonial cores are charming but noisy; outer barrios may be quieter but less walkable.
- In beach towns, ask about rainy season flooding and walking distance to shops—what sounds doable online might not feel great in August heat.
Filtered Water & Refill Tips
Tap water isn’t safe to drink in most parts of Mexico. Most locals use garrafones—those large 20L bottles—for daily drinking and cooking.
You can:
- Get home delivery (often weekly) from brands like Bonafont or Ciel.
- Refill at local stations, which are still common in many small towns. In San Pancho, I used to bring my empty jugs to a neighborhood refill spot for just a few pesos—cheaper and more eco-friendly.
- Install an in-home filter, especially if you’re staying long-term or living in a larger city. Just know some filters don’t remove bacteria and viruses, so check the specs.
Tip: Budget ~$2–$4 USD per garrafón or refill. Most households go through 1–2 per week per person, depending on cooking and climate.
Legal + Financial Help
Hire a gestor or immigration lawyer to help with your residency paperwork. Most long-term visas require translations, apostilles, and appointments booked months out.
- Visa research: Start with your local Mexican consulate website (each one has slightly different requirements).
- Accounting help: Ask expats in your region for bilingual tax advisors if you’re earning income abroad or in Mexico.
Recommended Reads for Moving Abroad
If you’re seriously considering Mexico—or any expat life—these are a few books worth picking up. I’ve read them all and still refer back when questions come up in my own moves.
- A Better Life for Half the Price: A thorough look at expat-friendly countries from a long-time traveler. Focuses on the financials, with real-world examples of monthly costs and how far your money goes in each place. Mexico is a top pick, but it’s great for scoping out alternatives too.
- Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America: A hands-on, logistics-first guide that’s ideal if you’re just starting the process. It covers everything from downsizing and paperwork to banking and setting up a new life abroad.
- The Tax Book for U.S. Expats: This one goes deep into U.S. tax obligations once you’re living abroad. Good for retirees and freelancers alike—especially if you’re not sure what “FEIE” or “Form 2555” mean. Bonus: U.S. Taxes for Worldly Americans is another option for digital nomads and younger expats still earning from abroad.
✈️ Planning a Research Trip
Visiting Mexico before you move is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Whether you plan to slow travel a few places for a month each, or road trip across the country, your goal is to figure out how life actually feels—not just what it’s like to vacation here.
Where to Base Yourself
Choose places that match your lifestyle—not just the most hyped expat hubs. Think about weather, walkability, access to healthcare, and how much English (or Spanish) you want around you.
- Oaxaca: Great for culture lovers, creatives, and foodies. But it can be noisy and infrastructure lags behind. Try neighborhoods like Reforma or Xochimilco instead of the loud historic center.
- Mérida: Known for safety, cenotes, and colonial charm. But the heat is brutal. Look at Itzimná or Santiago neighborhoods to test livability (and air flow!).
- Lake Chapala / Ajijic: Popular with retirees for good reason. The lake climate is moderate, the expat infrastructure is strong, but some find the vibe a bit too sleepy.
- CDMX (Mexico City): Big, vibrant, and surprisingly livable if you choose the right colonia. Roma Norte and Condesa are obvious, but Coyoacán or Escandón can feel more relaxed.
- Puerto Escondido / Sayulita: These boho beach towns offer surf culture and sunsets, but internet can be unreliable and tourists come in waves. San Pancho (next to Sayulita) is quieter and more family-friendly.
- San Miguel de Allende: Easy to love for art, walkability, and community. But it’s one of the priciest places in Mexico and can feel very foreign-tourist dense.
How to Plan the Trip
- Minimum stay: Spend at least 2–4 weeks per location if you’re truly evaluating it. One week is not enough to understand the rhythms, the noise, or the heat.
- Stay in real neighborhoods, not just Airbnb party zones. In beach towns, avoid beachfront resorts and try inland walkable areas. In cities, book places near mercados or parks so you can observe daily life.
Use Airbnb or Facebook groups like Mexico Rentals for Expats to find month-long stays with 28+ day discounts. Message hosts first—ask about Wi-Fi speed, neighborhood noise, whether it floods in rainy season, and if the unit is legally registered.
About That Road Trip…
In Spain or Portugal, I suggest a rental car to hop around regions and discover hidden gems. In Mexico, that advice needs a big asterisk.
While a road trip can be a great way to get a feel for life in Yucatán (Mérida, Campeche, Valladolid) or even between Oaxaca City and the coast, it’s not universally safe—or relaxing.
Routes through certain states (like Guerrero, Michoacán, and parts of Veracruz, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas) are best avoided due to cartel activity, police checkpoints, and the potential for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even locals are selective about where and when they drive.
If you’re curious about more rural or lesser-known areas, long-distance ADO buses are a far better choice. They’re comfortable, affordable, and well-run—I’ve taken them across the country and always felt safe.
For research trips, you can absolutely test out multiple towns—but consider flying or bussing between regions instead of mapping a cross-country driving loop.
What to Observe While You’re There
- Where’s the nearest corner store, pharmacy, and fresh market?
- What’s the noise like at night? Church bells? Barking dogs? Rooftop bars?
- Are there papelerías or laundromats nearby? Where would you do everyday errands?
- Do you see locals out walking after dark? Kids heading to school on foot?
- Talk to people—locals and expats. Ask what’s better than they expected… and what surprised them.
Bring These for Bureaucracy & Comfort
- Local SIM from Telcel or AT&T—buy at Oxxo or airports. WhatsApp is essential.
- Wise or Revolut for low-fee transfers and real-time exchange rates.
- Charles Schwab debit card or similar to refund ATM fees (many ATMs charge ~$5 USD).
- Travel insurance like IMG or SafetyWing in case of illness or accidents.
- Sunscreen and bug spray—harder to find good options locally.
- Comfy shoes—you’ll walk more than you expect, even in small towns.
I love budget posts! Thank you so much for sharing Shannon!
You’re welcome Amy! It’s a great spot, and Mexico has so much history with the ruins and old churches (though not the beach coast, more inland). I have thought about taking Ana to the Yucatan area next summer for some of the history and Spanish practice 🙂
I traveled through Mexico three of the last four summers; sometimes with teens and this last time with my Brazilian wife and a young dog. These prices are avail. for living in Mexico most places and even in Puerto Vallarta where we frequent; however, you have to be on the edge of the town or in Mexican neighborhoods for some of the lower prices, but it’s more knowing how to fit in and find things. It’s best during summers to find good deals off season and maybe make your long term deals during the off season when it’s easier to find places at good prices and more places can be avail., too. I felt it’s worth a bit more to be near centro since services and security are better for tourists and convenience is certainly worth an extra hundred per mo., etc. Overall, Mexico is a wonderful place and you often find you have a better, more natural diet and lots more exercise enjoying walking and experiencing delightful cultural flavor in your daily activities. I highly recommend that you have a “home” neighborhood and branch out to visit other communities – it was convenient for us because we always have our own car.
Awesome post. I’ve lived in SE Asia for a number of years. Funny enough, I currently reside in Chiang Mai. Asia holds great appeal for me but I sometimes consider alternatives. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for commenting! What other places do you like? I have been considering Saigon lately but have only really based in CM before 🙂
Loved this read! My husband and I are preparing to ditch the conventional life here in the States soon. After an RTW trip, we would like to plant it somewhere for a while and just enjoy a less hectic life. Mexico is high on our list – so this is super helpful. Thanks!
– Liz (PeanutsOrPretzels.com)
Glad you liked it — I think after your RTW it could be a great stop, though you may also find a town you love in your travels too 🙂 When do you head out?
It’s funny that we are both posting our San Pancho cost of living post this week! Ours comes out tomorrow and we spent $550 a month per person. It helped that our lovely casita is only $400 and as a couple accommodation works out cheaper.
It definitely helps that you have to people on the rent, and your little casita looks so cute, I look forward to reading your cost of living in SP. 🙂
Really good video – very informative and well presented. It’s nice to be able to put a voice to a long-read blogger. Also good to see a jar of marmite in your kitchen! More please…
Thanks Mark! I’m pondering doing more of the video-log style occasionally so I appreciate your feedback! As for the Marmite — yes please! I like it heaps better than Vegemite 🙂
Thanks! Very helpful article, especially since I’m headed toward Mexico after I leave Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Thanks for the details. 🙂
Glad you found it helpful Marlayna, have you been living in DR or traveling?
I’ve been a year on the road this June. As a writer, I’m happily embracing the nomadic life and work style. DR is the place I’m semi-settling into for a time and have just rented my first apt. for a few months likely. Next I head to Mexico and start threading my way down thru Central and South America. Love your tips and posts – they’re very helpful for my future.
Wow, that sounds great. You are actually the first traveler I know stopping in DR so you have me really intrigued! Would love to know how it compares to Mexico when you move on 🙂
There is a whole community of us here – which hasn’t been so great for me to practice Spanish. 🙂 Kite Beach attracts kite surfers from around the world so great place to meet new people. Prices are not unlike your article above. Feel free to find me on FB – I have a personal and author page.
I was literally just getting ready to email you about the cost of Mexico and beach town recommendations when I stopped by your blog and found this post. Talk about perfect timing! 🙂
This is very helpful as I was considering San Pancho as one of the towns I was considering to go spend time in for my little writing retreat.
Looking forward to your email Sky, I love this idea of your writing retreat in Mexico 🙂
Aw, every time I read something about San Pancho, it makes me so desperate to go back! Miss you and SP. Very useful post.I think Steve and I spent a bit more, which I blame on Cielo Rojo and its incredibly tempting breakfasts.
I got into a hot debate with an American guy in a hostel in Hawaii about how dangerous Mexico is (obviously he’d never been and was basing his view on popular news presentation of the country). I spent 5 months in Playa Del Carmen last year and lived what I considered to be the life of luxury for a fraction of the cost I’d spend in London. And there was sunshine in abundance (something we rarely get in England!). It is definitely a corner of the world I will return to for an extended stay – it’s helpful to see your costs. I spent a bit more, but I’m partial to the occasional cold beer 🙂
That sounds so frustrating Jo, especially if he had never visited but was trying to assert his opinion. I traveled the Yucatan a bit a few years ago and it felt really safe and there are so many people living there without incident (only minor traffic bribery and such from the police), so I am glad to hear you had a positive experience on that side — I am considering that coast when I head back, like you, I do love some sunshine! 🙂
I often find that the way – the people with the least experience have the biggest opinions, especially on the topic of Mexico and safety. I seriously didn’t encounter a single problem. I love the water in the Yucatan – it’s the colour dreams are made of and so calm (love the Pacific Coast of Mexico but we kept falling out when the water regularly tried to steal my bikini with its ferocity). If you get out to Yucatan and want some food tip (beyond the super touristy streets), get in contact!
did you swim in the cenotes? it’s awesome!(near Tulum)
Ah, the cenotes – sooo beautiful. Sat in 35 degree heat in Vietnam, I wish I could take a dip in one right now 🙂
This is so great. I feel like Mexico is calling my name…not right now, but eventually.
It really is a great place to spend some time, hope you make it there soon! 🙂
Thanks for sharing Shannon! We’re trying to prove to our friends back home in the states that we can travel for $1000/month per person. It’s surprisingly affordable once you are in a region and as you point out–even more affordable when you stay in one place.
I hope this helps you show them that others are doing it too — and $1000 is a great price to shoot for, especially with two people if you budget well. I have always found that was a good monthly price tag for traveling in Asia, and I was surprised that it worked for Mexico as well! 🙂
Thanks a ton for this Shannon- very useful indeed 🙂
I’ve been hearing more and more about San Pancho recently and I’m pretty sure I would love it… I also did a post recently about the cost of living in Thailand/Chiang Mai and it’s by far been one of the most popular – once you realize there are places out there that present this type of lifestyle to you it’s hard to ignore them!
Glad that you are enjoying CM as well! SP is a LOT different than CM but if you did the small town feel of the inside the moat area than it sort of has that feel, plus there are bigger amenities nearby SP in the other cities. Hope to see you that way next time I am there! 🙂
Oh my Gooood… LOVED this!! I can’t believe how I can afford to live in Denmark! Damn. How do people afford NOT to travel!? 😀
I cannot even imagine how it compares to Denmark, which is high on my list of places to visit but only when I have some more cash to spend since I know it’s insanely priced compared to the places I usually travel! 🙂
Ohh, you don’t want to know. 😉 We’re really doing an insane job keeping our monthly budget under $2,000 a month for two people. I don’t think I know anyone else who does that! :S And we used to have an apartment, which is WAY cheaper than hotels here. Lol.
We’re writing an ebook about visiting Denmark and keeping costs low! If your interested, I will update you when it’s done! 😀
Hope you get a chance to visit our country one day. It IS beautiful (in the summer) and worth a visit. 🙂
Yikes, that is steep! But, one day I am going to make it to Denmark so I would love you to keep me posted on your guide 🙂
Hi Shannon! So nice to meet you here. I came across your blog by way
of trying to decide between San Pancho and Sayulita. However (for
starters) price is a concern for me right. So needless to say, I was
hoping that you may know of a place somewhere there in San Pancho (with
decent internet) somewhere in the price-range of the $375 that you
mentioned (or no more than $550) yes? 😀
Hi Antonio! There are some big differences between the two towns, SP is very small and has fewer retaurants, coffee shops, etc, where as Sayulita is a lot more touristy. But, SP has a great community, and often expats from each town hang out in the other, etc. For the place I stayed, shoot me an email and I can give some more details. And if you plan to arrive in off-season you could easily find something great by showing up! 🙂
Hi Shannon and thanks for your prompt response. That would be great. Also, I was trying to find your email here and
didn’t readily find it. However, I would love more details about where
you stayed. Perhaps you could email me at reyolmeca@gmail.com I look
forward to hearing back from you. And thank you for being willing to
help.
This is an immensely helpful post. Thanks for sharing Shannon!
Quick question: What’s the availability of spanish and/or surfing lessons like? Are there locals in SP willing to teach either, or would I have more luck going to a slightly bigger city?
Sayulita (which is 20 mins by bus and a bigger town, but by no means a big city) has tons of surfing and rentals and much gentler waves to learn on than SP. With the language lessons, there are some group classes at the community center in SP during high season, but the bigger schools are all near Sayulita as well. And from what I hear from friends, the costs of the two are very similar, Sayulita is more touristy, but has way more restaurants and coffee shops that SP (SP has one, sometimes two coffee shops; Sayulita has a handful). So, it’s a good option if you like the sound of the region but what a bit more nightlife and activities. 🙂
You Americans are awesome : I’m an Euro guy (older) and I’m actually *flabbergasted* witnessing the ease you have with the Internet, you have a knack for working up all the technological intricacies for creating lively , interesting , inspirational blogs : so kudos to you miss Shannon, and don’t forget to pay a visit to the *hidden pearl*of Bahia de Banderas: Yelapaaaaa!!!!!!
Thank you so much Lionel, I really appreciate your kind words and I’ll see if I can make it that way soon. Cheers and happy travels 🙂
It’s amazing how much opportunity exists in the developing world. People pay top dollar to live ion the middle of a city when they could be comfortably in paradise for a bargain
So true Tim, and while I love cities like NYC for a visit, the quality of life if you’re willing to look further afield can be stellar! 🙂
I love how the rent isn’t too much more than the cost of food, that’s always nice. Anyways, great informative post!
Thanks John! That’s always a good benchmark for me too, thanks for stopping in and safe travels! 🙂
Thanks for sharing with us, at least if we ever make it to Mexico we have an idea on how much it might cost us. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! If you’re traveling it’s a different dynamic, but still a surprisingly great quality of life and costs! Safe travels 🙂
What a brilliant post! I’m a Mexican living in London. Last year I went to Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita for holidays and I loved them! Next time I’ll make sure to visit San Pancho 🙂 Excellent attitude and great experiences. I also like that you have no silly prejudices, I know Mexicans with more prejudices about Mexico which is ridiculous. Thank you!
Hi Shannon! Wanted to stop in and say hello from San Pancho!
Love your blog and have started one of my own, Los O’Gradys in Mexico.
Have also had the joy of getting to know Erin from New York from the wonders of online communications! It was a pleasure meeting you when you were here in our neck of the woods and hope this finds you well! Looking forward to making my way through your awesome posts!
Cheers,
Katie O’Grady 🙂
http://www.losogradys.blogspot.mx
Congrats on the new blog Katie! I am heading over now to check it out — I love the name 🙂 Also really glad you and Erin were able to connect — hopefully later this fall too once she moves down there. I am plotting and planning when I might be able to head back to SP, but for now I will catch up on it vicariously through you! 🙂
I’m mexican and I’ve never been to that side of Jalisco/Nayarit, closest being Guadalajara. I would urge to try my homestate’s beach towns since they are one of the mos beautiful ones on the country. Whenever you can go visit Sonora. It has the best oceanic view in the world, as per NatGeo, in San Carlos, but there are other places you can visit, like Bahia de Kino, Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, as Arizonians call it, or Huatabampito and it’s really a lot closer to the US. Just a few hour by car. I’ll definitely go to San Pancho one day albeit just on a quick get away vacation. Cheers, Pedro. 🙂
Heya Shannon
I just got to San Pancho and might look into a long term rental as well. Any idea where I could start to ask?
Thanks for your awesome post!
Greetings from here
Conni
Your best bet is to walk around and look for signs on the doors and houses — there are usually a good number of them. Ask at the shops, and ask the expats who hang out at sunset if they know of anyone looking to rent. That’s the best way. If you’re keen to have help, there are also some real estate people there who can set you up with a long-term rental! 🙂
Hello, did my comment get posted?
This seems to be the only comment that came through right now? So sorry if it got lost! 🙂
I’m super late here, but thanks so much for linking to us Shannon! Wow, this is an incredibly informative post that’s making me want to move to the beach. We miss Asia, but you nailed it on Mexico’s dreamy 6-month renewable tourist visa. FYI since I penned that last budget post we’ve moved to a bungalow in an ecohotel where we’re paying $375 a month including all utilities and internet. TIme for a new budget post. 🙂 Thanks again…
That’s a great deal on your bungalow, you’re making me want to come live nearby! It would definitely be worth another budget post because I know the perceived expense are a reason so many families decide not to travel. Cheers and hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Truthfully I wonder how so many families can afford NOT to live abroad. 🙂
if you are currently in Chiang Mai I would like to meet you.
So sorry to say I am not there right now, though I do miss it much. Hope you enjoy your time in the city. 🙂
Been single for a long time. Just looking for a different life. Can only afford this much for a new start. 50 and looking to be happy again. If you really think this is the answer, I await your reply.
Only you know if this is a good choice, but there are a some gorgeous towns in Mexico with great expats — many retired — and I loved my time there and am thinking of returning long-term. Best of luck with the transition 🙂
But don’t overlook the colonial interior, where the climate is often more manageable all year than the beach. My wife and I chose San Miguel de Allende six
years ago for its combination of climate, culture and the basic warmth of its
people. I became interested in the process of becoming an expat and wrote a
book based on conversations with 32 Americans and Canadians who had also made
the move. It’s mainly a way of getting inside their heads. It’s called San
Miguel de Allende: A Place in the Heart. Here’s a link to an excerpt on my
website: www.sanmiguelallendebooks.com/aplaceintheheart.html
San Miguel was beautiful! I spent just a week in Guanajuato and SMA, and I wished I had longer. Thanks for sharing your excerpt, and safe travels. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, very helpful posts! Any small towns in the Yucatan you can recommend?
Playa del Carmen is popular with expats, though it is a good deal larger than the town I was in! Perhaps you could start there and find a small town nearby but still accessible to the amenities in Playa or Cancun.
Would you mind sharing some information on career choices that allow you to live abroad and work? That is, if you don’t mind sharing. Perhaps it’s come up when you talk with other expats you meet as well? I’m very interested in a career choice that would allow me to live like this! Thank you for your time, and for the awesome blog!
Sure thing Erin, I have written a bit about it, as well as resources for finding jobs overseas. One piece is here: https://alittleadrift.com/2012/06/how-to-travel-and-work-abroad/ And that goes into what I do and full-time jobs you can get abroad. And then a resource section with heaps of other ideas for online work or working abroad is here: https://alittleadrift.com/rtw-travel/#money
Thank you so, SO much! I really appreciate it!
Great post. Mexico has moved up on my list of places to go and especially now that I’m thinking of moving abroad for a while. I also speak Spanish (not fluently, but not basic either), so mexico would be a more logical choice for me than Thailand in that way.
In general I wanted to say that I really like how informative and structured these kind of posts on your blog are. They’re super bookmarkable:)
Mexico is a great place to live and learn Spanish, and knowing a bit of the language makes such a difference in feeling like a part of the culture. It’s also a lot cheaper to get to than Thailand!
Well that depends where you’re coming from. Ticket prices from Belgium to both are about the same. Of course it does depend a bit on when you want to fly.
I’ve lived in both Thailand, and Puerto Vallarta, and I would live in PV long before Thailand.
I love your article on Mexico. I have been to the Puerto Vallarta area three times now and will be back in Jan 2015, this time for a month. I love the area, culture, people, etc………… I could go on and on lol.
What I find funny is when you tell people who have never been to Mexico they look at you as if you were exaggerating the experience. And then they go and realize that you weren’t. Of course each persons experience varies depending on their own expectations going in but for the most of people, I think it’s about the same.
I love the example I heard about the violence down in Mexico.
Having it so far away from PV.
The saying goes, you wouldn’t stay away from Chicago if you heard there was a murder in New York. Or something along those lines.
I personally love it there and will be retiring there, in the not so distant future.
Keep up the good work
Kevin
Thank Kfed! Like you, I met a lot of resistance when I told people I planned to live in Mexico for a period of time. Unless you visit, you just don’t understand that there are areas that are safe and full of culture and delicious food. Safe travels and thanks for reading. 🙂
No problem. I have been looking for a cost breakdown in the area and have only been able to find for the cancun and Playa Del Carmen area, which I haven’t been to, yet lol. Any plans on being down in PV area in the near future?
No plans right now, though I would love to return in the late fall if I can make it happen. 🙂
Hi Shannon,
Been reading of the above lately. My daughter and grand daughter just visited Colima, Pascuales for 6 weeks, and they love it so much!. I would like to move there since I am retired. What do you think of a $2,000 monthly that I have? Will this be enough? I need places to volunteer . I am a registered nurse and would like to put this to use as well. What do you think?
Hi Martesa, it’s hard to say if your money will be enough, it really depends on cost of living. In general though, yes, $2000 is a good monthly amount most places in Mexico that are not the bigger tourism spots (Cancun or Puerto Vallarta). That’s a very good stipend. Plan on spending a bit more than that the first month to get set up, and then you could surely make that work with a small place most anywhere. Good luck!
me and my fiancée are planning on moving to mexico with our children. so where is the best place to raise a family? we have a big family together so it needs to be an affordable but safe place to raise a family. I have been looking around but aint had any luck so was wondering if u could help me out.
Hi Latara, did you check out the links at the end of the post? I don’t know every region of Mexico very well, I loved the Sayulita area and know many families living there, but at the end of this post I shared some links to other families and travelers who have written about moving their families there. And, once you’ve narrowed it down to a couple options you could query this Facebook group with more questions, they seem pretty helpful: https://www.facebook.com/groups/167187996679894/
Goin’ back soon. I’ve been to Mexico countless times , including Sayulita. Your take is bang on. I had an all-inclusive hotel in Puerto V. but after an afternoon in Sayulita, bussed back, grabbed some stuff and returned for a few days. Great town, awesome vibe…beautiful and full of great people.
I thought it would cost more to live there? Anyways, my name’s Neil. Maybe I’ll see you there someday (probably heading back late summer sometime). You’re kinda cute (and Vegetarian…yay)
Cheers (From Victoria BC)
Neil
I dream of the beaches there and am plotting some time to go back there hopefully this coming winter, so perhaps I will see you there! It could cost a bit more if you drink a lot, but it was overall pretty budget and I had friends with cars, so that helped get around and do somethings in the nearby area. Perhaps we will cross paths. 🙂
Just got back from Mexico a while ago and I agree about not being afraid while there. My family certainly had some concerns. Wonderful place to visit and we will certainly be back. Thanks for all of the details in your post – gives me ideas about new places to try out. Happy Travels
I am so glad to hear that you had a positive trip to Mexico. My family also had fears, and though there are some regions with very real problems, it’s a beautiful country to explore. Let me know if you ever make it to PV area and if I can help at all. Safe travels. 🙂
Just got back from Mexico a while ago and I agree about not being afraid while there. My family certainly had some concerns. Wonderful place to visit and we will certainly be back. Thanks for all of the details in your post – gives me ideas about new places to try out. Happy Travels
Could a Canadian live & work in Mexico?
I believe you get the same visa situation — six months and then you have to cross the border and can come right back in, but you would want to check. As far as working, you surely can but that would take a different kind of visa and a speciality or owning a job. I would google and try to find Mexican expat forums, I have seen a few around and they would be able to answer a lot of the more technical questions!
So interested in moving here. Im a 45 yr old female single,and nationally certified emt. How can i find out the salaries for an emt? And i would want a moped with a basket on the front for my chiuahuah
Hi Shannon, I am sorry to say that I am not sure of the salary, I know that the visas and everything are different if you plan to work there. You would likely have to know Spanish fluently—perhaps you can contact hospitals in the area and ask them for more information. Best of luck, it’s a gorgeous area!
I really enjoyed how informative your expose was.
I am a retired late 60’s Canadian senior lady, who is thinking VERY seriously about living a quieter pace of life, making new friends, enjoying the nightly sunsets, helping out people through volunteering, learning Spanish,Yoga and Meditation, spending time having a siesta in my hammock and learning to cook the authentic Mexican foods.
Taking part in all the festivals, parades, musical performances, etc.
To be honest it’s hard to know where to start, with all the legal paperwork, the right Visa, health care, how I will receive my pension cheques there.
When and how to find a place to live (Studio/1bedroom/Casita). I don’t drive so that’s only one thing I don’t have to consider.
I’m definitely going to search out San Pedro. I love the ocean so hopefully could find a smaller possibly Colonial town similar to San Miguel which is a little larger, but really sounds so beautiful in many ways EXCEPT no ocean for swimming or sand for walking along.
I would appreciate any suggestions people can throw my way. 🙂
Mexico could be such a great option to have the type of life you describe but for a fraction of the cost of living in a North American beach town elsewhere. There is also a huge retiree community in various areas of Mexico, so it’s really worth digging through the expat forums and asking a lot of questions. There is no telling which town you’ll like best until you go and visit, but a lot of that is easier to do in person (finding the casitas) and getting the vibe.
One idea is to start with the forums and Facebook groups and get a feel for the beach towns with thriving expat communities already. Here are a few I have seen over the years:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/167187996679894/
http://www.expatforum.com/expats/mexico-expat-forum-expats-living-mexico/
http://www.gringos.com/forum/f99/
Happy hunting and good lucking finding a good-fit community! 🙂
No need to worry about how to receive your pension checks. You can continue to have them deposited into your Canadian bank account and simply withdraw the money using your ATM card from Mexican banks. I’ve lived in Mexico for years while using my U.S. bank account. (If your bank charges an excessive fee for foreign withdrawals, find a bank that doesn’t. I use Schwab, which refunds all my ATM fees at the end of the month).
A great post, Shannon. I’ve lived in México for seven years. After 15 months of crisscrossing Mexico, my new book looks at Americans and Canadians who’ve chosen to avoid the big expat colonies in San Miguel de Allende and Lake Chapala. What they’ve found is both diverse and surprising. If you’re wondering what the expat experience is like, whether on the beach or in the colonial cities of the interior, you need to listen to this conversation. The book is called Into the Heart of Mexico: Expatriates Find Themselves Off the Beaten Path, and there is no other book like it. There’s a sample on my website:
Just returned from Tulum Mexico and found it so utterly charming! I’ve decided to look into moving there for part of the year. I’d like to find a affordable rental in town (not in pricer beach area). Any advice on locating a place online? Thanks!
That’s a tough question! I have heard wonderful things about Tulum, and I know that tourism is big there, but for the most part, I have found that you get the best deals when you are there in person. It’s hard to negotiate and know just what you are getting online. But you could also ask around in some of the expat forums I linked to in the post, they will have a good idea of the best options in each region — you might even find some fellow Tulum expats on those sites!
Hi – I am in the same boat, looking for a nice Mexican beach town to move to. I am leaning towards Sayulita. What did you decide?
How did you find that apartment? is there a place to look online or do i have to go there and ask around??
Though there are places you can look online, you can find waaay better deals if you go there and look around. They also have real estate agents who will show you rentals if you have some specifics you’d really like.
Thanks a bunch! I’m planning on heading there in August!
Safe travels and hope you love it there. 🙂
Do you reccommend sites to find an apartment with internet in San Pancho or other cities you recommend?
You know, it’s a lot easier to find an apartment once you are there. I recommend picking a town and then buying a week at a guest house so you have time look around. Also consider getting a real estate agent to show you rentals when you are in town. This post has some links to other forums for research too. Good luck!
Great post Shannon! We just spent 3 months travelling around Mexico, and loved it! We stopped in a few beach side towns like Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen for a few weeks, because we love being by the water. We did the same in San Cristobal and Oaxaca, because the food is incredible and we are huge foodies.
Typically we spent around US $35 per person, per day. (travelling in a pair). We didn’t stop in San Pancho, but after reading your post, it sounds like a super cute little place. It’s on the list for our next foodie adventure through Mexico. Thanks again. Rachel 🙂
Three months on $35 a day is a fantastic traveling budget — I do love Mexico for that reason, you can eat amazing food every day and have an adventure without breaking the bank. Thanks for sharing your own costs. And SP is a great little town, though Sayulita has more food options and would make a good foodie stop if you find yourself over that way! 🙂
Yup, we loves Sayulita 🙂
Hmmm …nice budget…nice locations
Glad I found you. The U.S. is getting very edgy, losing our rights, realizing how corrupt the govt is, the courts, etc. are…..I will be investigating Mexico for a couple of weeks…to get a feel. I’m also an ESL teacher, so perhaps I can make a bit of money in Mexico along with my basic income stream… Thailand seems a good choice, but not sure of the stability of the govts there. Anyway, many thanks for your info and all your great ideas…(I’m 65, in good health, and travel, relocation does not scare me)….
Hi, I love your post. I’m wondering what there is to do for work there. What did you and your friends do and what
Sorry.. And what are some ideas of jobs and what can you do if you don’t speak the language?
I know that some of the expats worked at the local restaurants, but really most of all of that requires a decent bit of Spanish because their are a lot of locals in the area shopping and eating. I work online, so I was able to do my work from home and just enjoy the place without looking for work. I would suggest a language immersion course if you plan to work in Mexico.
Where did you look for places to live? Were there houses posted online or did you just go there and look around?
It’s a lot easier to find an apartment once you are there. Buy a week at a guesthouse so you have time look around. Or consider getting a real estate agent to show you rentals when you are in town. This post has some links to other forums for research too. If you don’t speak the language then I would consider either going with enough funds to cover you while you learn it at one of the language schools, or if you have the money you can buy a business perhaps. The only expats I knew who didn’t speak the language were retirees who ran tourist-focused things like a coffee shop or guesthouse and they had bilingual staff. Good luck!
Glad you are considering some unconventional places for retirement. Mexico is close to the U.S. and thus family, which made it high on my list of expat places. In Thailand, though I truly love the country and the people, the politics were a big reason that I decided not to make it a long-term home.
i need a travel companion…..
Hi- I would love to live in Sayulita as a 49 year old ex surfer. I do need to work though, are there any services that help get mail from the states? I need that for my biz. I would love to learn Spanish and get into Yoga! I guess I would drive down in a van with my stuff. SMA sounds great too, maybe when I am older.
There are services that do sort your mail — they all have pros and cons and can get pricey. Many will allow you to have a US address and they will scan and send you documents, mail it out, etc. Look at Earth Class Mail and its rivals, and also perhaps ask in some of the Mexico expat forums, they should have a good deal of information for you on that transition! Good luck, I really love that area of Mexico, it’s a sweet little spot.
HI Shannon….I so enjoyed your informative article on San Pancho that I decided to locate this one-street pueblocito on the map….Hard time there. There is a quite large community of that name, but it is a 2hr+ drive from Sayulita…and very much inland…it doesn’t fit the San Pancho you lived in…Is San Pancho ‘on the map’? If so, to which side and at what km distance is it fom Sayulita? Gracias!
Good question! It’s also called San Francisco formally (but that is even more confusing for obvious reasons), it’s here: https://goo.gl/I63DYz and this is a good website for the community and all things going on in San Pancho: http://www.sanpancho.com/. It’s very close to Sayulita, about 10 minutes by car and you can do searches for it by typing in “san pancho nayarit.” Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks for the swift and spot on reply! I’ve got an eye on the environs via Google street view….
Hi again…I hope that it is not inappropriate but I would like to reach out to you as an initial information resource… I am presently planning to go to San Francisco/San Pancho via Puerto Vallarta. My stay there is projected to be for 6 months. I have a few ‘logistics’ questions that I’d like to present to you. First, what would be the easiest/cheapest transportation solution from PV airport to San Pancho?
Secondly, once arrived in SP, I would like to find a place to reside. In your article, you mentioned staying @ a more hotel-like setting while you searched for a more long-term, economical (and personal) place. Any acquired advice or suggestions here would be much(o) appreciated!
Lastly, my sejour will be centered around a personal need/desire for some level of disconnection or detachment from my present-day urban environment… and my writing. However, I do not intend to enter a hermitage! I speak above average Spanish, so I definitely wish to improve upon that language skill……. I also intend to be open to (and an active participant in) all aspects of life in San Pancho and it’s surroundings. If possible, I would search for a part-time day job, to earn a little something, but moreover, to play a part in the daily economic fabric, be ‘out there’ and interact…Do you think that could be a possibility? My research tells me that the wet season lets up in the Fall, opening the way to the tourism season…Any thoughts or information you could provide me with there would be precious…
Thanks in advance Shannon!
Greg
Airport to SP — cheapest is the bus, by far. Taxis are going to run you a fair bit more. The bus makes a number of stops, but it’s not so bad. I had a friend who luckily was able to pick me up my first day, but after that I made the trek into PV via bus frequently. Your accommodation will also perhaps be able to arrange a taxi pick-up for less than the going rate if you reach out before you land.
Accommodation: There are three tiers, a hostel if you want the shared-dorm but cheap. Above the hostel is an affordable, very nice guesthouse. Or Roberto’s Bungalows is boutique and great. Links are: http://hostelsanpancho.com, http://refugiodesol.com, and http://robertosbungalows.com — those are all great options in town to get you started and from there you can rent a bicycle for the day or walk around town and you will see many signs for rent. You can also talk with local expats and ask around. With above average Spanish, you will have no problem finding something in just a few days, especially if it’s low season (get there before November).
Work: There are definitely places that hire expats, though it’s under the table so you will definitely need to be there. I know for sure that some friends worked at the mid-range and high end restuarants in SP or Sayulita. A few expats also taught English for a small stipend at Entre Amigos, the community center.
For work and living, it really will be so much easier on the ground. It’s a very small town, the expat community is super supportive and you will see it’s a cinch to get the lay of the land and get settled in. Places like Darjeeling have great tea and food, and then live music throughout the night. SP is more low-key than Sayulita, but there is usually something to do 2-5 nights a week depending on the season, and then you can always go to Sayulita if you need more.
Good luck!
Hi, love your post. Are you still living in Mexico?
Hi Patita, I’m not living there right now, but I still spend a good amount of time there. I returned last week from some time in the Yucatan.
Hi Shannon and thanks for your post.I just came back from Thailand and on the way back someone said I should have visited Chiang Mai. I went to Pattaya Thailand. Have you visited Pattaya and if so can you compare Chiang Mai with Pattaya? Thank you
You know, I have never been to Pattaya, so I can’t really offer up a comparison. This forum though has a very active expat community and I know they give a rundown of both of those places! Good luck! http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/
Although this was very informative, did i hear you say you HATE Mexicans?? At the 3:47 mark I clearly heard that.
Oh dear, no! I said “because I hate big cities.” Which when I gave a second listen I can clearly see how it sounds like that since I said it as an aside. Sorry for the confusion! Definitely love Mexico, Mexicans, and the culture in general (so much so that I just got back two weeks ago from a big road trip of the Yucatan) 🙂
Thank You so much this was by far the most helpful and informative Blog about living in Mexico. I am getting ready to pull the trigger in February
So glad you found it useful, and congrats on the pending trip! February is a gorgeous time of year in many areas of Mexico, so you can’t go wrong pulling the trigger then.
I used to go to Rio Caliente, a wonderful, kind of health spa (Primavera,Jalisco), which I loved. It was unpretentious and affordably priced, and some ladies I met there would come down for 3-6 months at a time ( two swimming pools, underground steam room, yoga, great vegetarian food) a perfect getaway from Southern California at the time, where I taught ESL for the L.A. School District. This wonderful place closed before I finally retired in 2012, and I’ve been looking for a similar Mexico destination ever since. Would appreciate any info about something similar.
I wish I had some better recommendations for you, but I don’t the country as well as some other expats. I would suggest asking this question in the Facebook and forums I mentioned in the post — these expats will be an invaluable source of help in finding a new spot with those qualities.
http://www.gringos.com/forum/f99/
http://www.expatforum.com/expats/mexico-expat-forum-expats-living-mexico/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/167187996679894/
I live in Alamos Sonora and my budget is lower since I bought my home with 1/2 acre for 38,000. I have been to the Puerto Vallarta area and there is definitely more to do beach wise. Alamos is colonial and has lot of events, the music festival being the largest. Cobblestone streets and 300 year old haciendas and lots of trees and flowers. One aspect that is better than southern Mexico is I can drive north for 8 hours and be in the US and another hour more to Tucson where I can use my medicare. I only post this not to promote Alamos but to illustrate the diversity of living styles in Mexico.
Thank you for sharing Tom! That sounds like a great spot. I am in Oaxaca right now living and it’s intriguing how some of the quality of life is different in the various areas of Mexico. Being so close to the U.S. is really a big benefit, especially on the healthcare front. I haven’t ever looked into that area that you’re in, but I will!
Alamos looks a pretty place from what I’ve seen online. I’ll have to go check it out. As for using your Medicare in the US, do you also continue to pay the Part B then since you do seem to use it? Or do you just bank of the Part A? Do you also have some IMSS or SP in Mexico? I’m planning on retiring in Mexico early the year after next.
HI Shannon, First of all, i love you’re blog/website! Thank you so much for sharing all of your stories and information. My family and I are planning to travel to Mexico for a while (we are from Canada) and i have a question i hope you could answer for me. Its one i simply cannot find a concrete answer to.
In Mexico, how did you wash all your veggies and fruits?? Did you use the “solution” that “disinfects” from the commercial grocery store?
Why do people use it? I know you should rinse with sterile/bottled water…..but other than that, do you really need to do more? I have a 3 year old and 1 year old, so i am worried about their health and want to make sure i take the right precautions. Please, please let me know your advice on this….Thanks so much!! Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Hi Kate, I am so glad that you have found the site helpful! Good question on the soaking. Yes, I soak all of my fruits and vegetables in Microdyn, which they sell in every single store in Mexico that also sells fresh fruits and veg. It’s very common across the country and even locals do it. I just left Mexico yesterday, I was living in Oaxaca for 6 months, and my local landlady was adamant that I soak my veggies. She even watched me to ensure I was doing it right (she didn’t believe me that I knew the process! 🙂 ). The water in many places isn’t clean, and the way they treat produce is also very, very different from back home. Veg is transported in open air trucks, it’s stacked in fields with animal poo, fertilizers, etc. And it’s rarely washed before it arrives into the shop, vegetable stand, etc.
The sterile water just won’t kill the range of bacteria that could be present. It’s things like giardia, dysentery, etc that you are disinfecting against, which is in much higher rates in developing countries. This woman does a good job describing the process. My process is very similar to hers (I don’t use bleach though, just the microdyn): https://kathleeniscookinginmexico.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/how-to-clean-and-disinfect-fruits-and-vegetables-in-mexico/
The thing is, when they set things on sidewalks, there is no telling what else is there. There are no “curb your dog” rules, so I was always dodging dog poo, trucks pull up onto sidewalks and leak oil. Then there is the question of how clean the local water supply is. Right next to the Microdyn they also sell family-size packs of deworming/de-parasiting medicine.
For your little ones, I would recommend that you use the disinfectant at least for the first few months and watch your consumption of tap water. Give them time to get used to the local bacteria. I disinfected veggies the entire time and always do in Mexico, but after the first month I usually go lax and brush my teeth with the tap water if I am in a city that has decent water supplies.
I hope that helps!! Good luck. 🙂
Great explanation! Thanks so much! And i appreciate the super-quick reply!
Hi Shannon, with the tap water being what it is in Mexico, did showering cause any problems with skin or hair ?
No, it’s not that level of bad in most places. I know some expats who even brush their teeth with the water eventually, although most tend to long-term drink only the filtered and clean their veggies with the iodine drops. Unless you have existing issues you are concerned about, I have never once had problems with skin or hair due to the water.
Hi Shannon, I am a 23 year old college student trying to take some time from college for a year. I have some questions, is there a way we could possibly exchange emails? I stumbled upon your page while trying to research a few ways to get started & your page was very helpful but, I have a few questions unanswered. Thanks
Olivia_forman@hotmail.com
Sent you an email! Cheers. 🙂
This is such a wonderful post. Thank you!
This is great stuff. I’m not really looking into beach towns, but I am looking into a move to Mexico and have checked out Guanajuato, SMA, Dolores Hidalgo, and Zacatecas. Thanks for this.
So glad you found it useful! I’ve only traveled through Guanajuato and SMA, but I know several expats who split their winters between SMA and Oaxaca (Oaxaca is where I wintered last year for six months).
State of Veracruz with the Aztecs / Nawatl is nice – mountains with awesome views of Pico Orizaba. Sonoran desert has its charms – views of distant mountains, saguaro, crunchy sand , Sea of Cortez, cheap living in small towns such as Ejido del Desierto….if you don’t mind the occasional shootouts between the Coyotes and Cartel.
That’s a great video. And Lo De Marcos is a bit further even than my town, and it’s the distance from Puerto Vallarta that also helps keep the costs low. During high season it can be hard to find really affordable rentals anywhere, but if you time it right (at the beginning of the expat season, which is Sept/Oct) then you can surely find affordable places that you can negotiate for a good price since you’d be renting long-term. Best of luck!
HI,
Does any one tell me about staying in new mexico state in view of following points?
1. How much money would be required per month for family (per three members)?
2. Safety
3. climate
4. Expenses (i.e. house rent, food, transportation and entertainment) as compared to other states in USA.
Hi Raj, living costs in New Mexico in the USA will vary a lot depending on where you decide to live (city or rural). Generally, New Mexico is far more affordable than living in states like California or New York. For an idea of costs, I recommend that you look up rents for apartments or houses using a site like Zillow (http://www.zillow.com/). That will give you an idea of the lowest and highest possible rents, and you can then scale up from there depending on where you fall on the spectrum. Good luck with your research!
I own a condo in Vallarta, and have for years, my plan is to move there before I’m too old. I love Mexico, for those haters in the US, they have no idea that unlike the people in the US, they are not profit driven in everything they do. In fact I was welcomed to a rooftop party down on the Melacon, and I was treated like they have known me forever. The past 15 years I have been going back and forth to Puerto Vallarta, they have a love of life that US citizens don’t.
Thanks a great point James, there is a completely different vibe once you get to Mexico. They have a sense of community that isn’t nearly as pervasive in the U.S. — I can completely understand why you plan to make PV your base.
which is the best beach town in mexico to live with fast internet ?
Hi Alex, it’s really a tough call, they all have internet. PV or Bucerias would have it year-round, and in San Pancho there are times the town is without power for a few days because of summer storms. My advice is to join those expat Facebook groups that I linked to and ask your question there. Then, go visit the towns and get a feel for them as you might just like the vibe in some better than others.
Hey there. I just got done reading your article on living in Mexico. Great article. Im really intrigued by maybe moving there now. I live in the Southeast and i love warm weather but if you have ever been to the south i winter there isn’t much sun and it can get pretty cold. Anyway i was writing to ask your opinion. I am in a wheelchair and i was going to ask your opinion on how handicap accessible Mexico is. I was wondering specifically about the cities and towns you lived in. In the winter it can be hard to get around in a wheelchair if it snows. I dont have to live exactly on the beach but living close to one would be ideal. Being that I’m disabled it has been hard for me to find a job but even on my disability insurance check it sounds like i might be able to live comfortably in Mexico. Maybe if i needed to get a job i could get one from one of the American companies moving down there. I know your not an expert on disability issues but id figured id ask you anyway about the accessibilty of Mexico and the places you lived while there. thanks for the info and your opinion. take care.
Another comment: I have read Shannon’s articles before and thought about her driving down the coastal Hwy. to Rincon de Guayabitos – laughed at her living in Asia without a stove – living economically and enjoying the important things in life and off the treadmill many are addicted to – it’s definitely an education to enjoy those experiences – though I’d love to visit with her and share stories – amazing experiences. And, for us experienced travelers with a love of cultures, even the bad stories seem to have happy endings…..
Hi Shannon
In April I’m planning on traveling from Mexico all the way down to Chile. My current work situation allows me to work remotely and I want to really take advantage of that. Plus the fact that Central and South America are pretty much on the same time zone as the US (give or take an hour or so) makes it possible for me to do this. Otherwise I would have already gone back to live and work in SE Asia had it not been for the time difference. In terms of Mexico I was planning on flying into Mexico City, then venturing up to Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende. After that, then making my way down to Oaxaca (Zipolite), and San Cristobal de las Casas. Initially I did have plans to basically start in Sayulita and then make my way to Mexico City. But lately I have considered skipping Sayulita and just start in Mexico City. My reasoning behind this is I look at Sayulita kind of being out of the way. Because I would have to fly into PV, then take a bus up to Sayulita….then when I want to leave for Mexico City I will have a 10 – 12 hour bus ride.I just figured I would run into just as nice beaches down in Oaxaca. Do you think this is a bad idea and that Sayulita is not to be missed?
Very informative! Not sure if this applies to your case, but did you pay any one-time costs to establish residency in Mexico? Did you use a law firm?
I did not establish residency, I never need to stay for longer than the six months, so I always enter on a tourist visa and then leave for months or years. I know that others who buy property do use lawyers to keep it all straight and have the ability to easily live there year round!
Hi Shannon and thank you so much for your wonderful blog! Please suggest with the knowledge you have learned between the pros and cons in Thailand versus Mexico?
I will do the same, in Thailand or Mexico?
I suppose the best fit and comfort level with cost of living intertwined are huge considerations and I would appreciate your insight between the two countries?
Thank you for your insight and always the best to you, Shannon!
Respectfully, Paul
That’s a good question, should you choose to live inThailand or Mexico? Having spent more than a year in both countries, the both have different pros.
– Mexico often gets a slight vote in favor because of the closer language and cultural similarities. And if you keep ties to the U.S., you will spend far less on flights and visits home every year, which can add up a lot when it’s more than a grand round trip every time to you go from the U.S. to Asia.
– Thailand is safer than Mexico, in general.
– They are both very popular expat spots. There are large communities of expats all throughout Mexico, and in a handful of key towns in Thailand. Some places are quieter spots with fewer expats and tourists, others offer vibrant and active communities of expats at every age range (not sure what type of community you are after.
– 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. Even if you immerse and learn the local language, you may never become a part of the community fully. There is a divide there. I had Thai friends, and some of them good friends, but there’s a insular nature to the community that is under the surface that I found insurmountable in many ways. And the motivations for some of the expats for being in Thailand aren’t hugely compatible with my own lifestyle. This distance was surely there and very present in every expat spot in Thailand.
– For Thailand, you would need to prove a certain retirement income (you can look this up), and then it’s mostly a cinch to get the residency/retirement visa. If you aren’t at retirement age, actual residency is a tad more complicated.
– Mexico is more complicated and has a far wider range of expat spots, communities, and lifestyles. There are very safe spots, the Yucatan being one of them. Merida is as safe as Thailand, and has a small expat scene, enough to enjoy but you can also immerse. Towns like Ajijic are nearly entirely Western retirees. Cities like Oaxaca offer more immersion and intercultural experiences. 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.
Those are my thoughts! Good luck. 🙂
Whe is there a “$0” in the budget for electricity / water.? I didn’t see any mention in the article about that. Do you not have power? Or is it included in your rent? Thanks.
Ah, good question! Both of those were included in my rent. And, in fact, they have always been included in my rent even in other areas of Mexico. I tend to rent furnished apartments, and I think it’s less often included in houses and non-furnished places.
Just curious about air conditioning…do you use it? We would absolutely have to have it! I’ve heard it is pro rated mad at some point jumps way high.
No, I’ve never really used AC while living there — I 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). Locals though are obsessed with turning out lights and lowering the electric bill. My landlords have always asked me to be very conscious of it, so I believe that the price can be very dear. I would ask around in the expat groups for people to share their specific costs. (When renting a hotel with AC, it’s usually a tad less than double the nightly rate without it).
Hi Shannon. I, unlike you, I am a retired, I’m 57 and I still live in Italy. My knowledge of Spanish and English is limited. I have many illnesses and I do not have the driving license. I can not even use the bicycle. I would like to go to Mexico for an exploratory trip, only in villages or small towns on the coast. I have to breathe the sea air and do a lot of swim. I hate hostels, I do not have the character to be with other people. I would prefer to stay in a small apartment, a French bed, a bathroom and a living room with kitchenette, is just enough. As I love lush nature and palm trees on the beach and not mass tourism, would you advise me, a village or a place where I can get close to you? ideal would be to have near the beach, supermarkets and some bars and restaurants. (translation with Bing Translator)
Hi Mauricio. I think the town that I stayed in would be ideal for you. San Pancho is small, with one store but many restaurants and a few coffee shops. There are a very good number of retirees there and nearby, so you would have a good community available. (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 (it’s only 20 minutes from San Pancho and you could use a taxi to easily get between the two towns). 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). 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. He knows everyone in town and could help you understand the town, the people, and how to rent a place longer-term.
If you are looking for the other coast, the Gulf and the Caribbean, then the Yucatan Peninsula is a good choice. There are many, many expats living in the area. Tulum is one option. It is touristy but many food and drink options, expats, etc. Puerto Morelos is another option. 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. For a tiny island life, Isla Holbox is one option, Isla Mujeres is nearby and bigger/more touristy if you want more development. 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.
Good luck!
In addition to Shannon’s comment, Mahahual has lots of English spoken families living here as well as Italian ones, my next door neighbour just happen to be Italian. My husband and I are locals, we know Mahahual quite well, we also own a building with four one bedroom furnished apartments that we rent to expats short and long term. 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 will be glad to offer you accomodation!
I am looking at Alamos, Mexico because its a small town, and Huffington Post says its a nice place to ex-pat. What do you thing, Shannon?
Hmm, that is an interesting question. I don’t 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). I don’t know anyone that I can put you in touch with, but this post does link to some expat groups on Facebook, and there are Mexico expat forums too — perhaps you can ask around in there and see if members of the Alamos expat community are there, ask questions, etc before you go there for an exploratory trip. 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!
Thank you Shannon, I am really loving your blog posts! Excellent detail and good for planning some long adventures around the world! xxx
Your blog is very helpful. Thank you. My daughter (33, ESL teacher) and I (67, retired USA prof) are thinking about residing in Mexico. We have recently lived in Ethiopia and Ecuador. Some questions: 1. Living in Ecuador was difficult for me from a language standpoint. Very few Ecuadorians speak English- not even the vast majority of university professors- and it’s tough with only basic Spanish skills. Is Mexico different? I am working on my Spanish, but as a senior citizen, it’s slow. (My daughter is nearly fluent.) 2. We have heard good things about Pachuca, north of Mexico City, with a low cost of living and a vibrant culture. Any thoughts? Thanks. Tom
Hi Tom! Good questions. The language barrier really depends on where you move. I lived in a beachy expat town one season, and there were so many expats that it was easy to have a social life all in English if you want. But when I moved to Oaxaca, vendors and life all take place in Spanish, so it’s best to learn it. I don’t know a lot about Pachuca since I haven’t been, but I think it’s a small town with a very local feel (meaning speaking decent Spanish is ideal). 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.
Guanajuato is a wonderful place, but I prefer beach resort towns or university towns where there’s cultural and infrastructure. Guanajuato is a very nice place I’d recommend. The small towns are economical, but most are very primitive in infrastructure and with limited activities, but you are appreciated more in those places. Certainly, smaller towns are cheaper, because they don’t have a lot to spend your money on and restaurants are more questionable. I like active places like Puerto Vallarta where there’s modern conveniences and more choices. For expats, most would be more comfortable in a more modern infrastructure. I’d estimate small town living at $1,000/mo. or less and living in P.V. 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. There may be some crime anywhere you go, but I find it much more limited than news reports announce – one tiny crime in Mexico involving a tourist is broadcast everywhere when crimes back home get little notice – so many are misinformed. Keep in mind: Tourists or expats are treasured in Mexico and get excellent protection especially in the resorts – they don’t 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. In Mexico, there’s much diversity from one town to the next, so select a town where you feel comfortable.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and offering up so much detail for others who are looking to move to Mexico but aren’t sure which spots are the best fit for their situation. 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!
Shannon, do you have any knowledge surrounding keeping horses in Mexico (either in the areas you experienced or otherwise?) My fiancée is a Mexican national and we are prepared to move to Mexico if things don’t work out immigration-wise in the US. 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. I would fit right in working in a tourist-type facility, which would be ideal. My fiancée is from a remote town in Chiapas and doesn’t have much knowledge to offer. Any insights or connections?
Interesting question, and not one where I will have a lot of firm ideas here as it’s a bit outside of my wheelhouse. 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. If you are hoping to buy and keep a horse, I can’t imagine you having much of an issue with that, especially in the smaller cities where there are many farms and such just outside the city. Many farmers and people on the outskirts of the city own horses, and you could surely find a way to stable a horse with a local family if your house/apartment wasn’t ideal.
Then there will also be quirky situations and opportunities that are harder to find but certainly exist. When I lived in San Pancho, which is just north of Puerto Vallarta, there was a Polo Club in the town with active polo matches and such. That’s the sort of place where you could perhaps find work. Or if you look into towns that run horseback riding tours and experiences for tourists, then you would also be finding the cities in Mexico that have horses, stables, and touristy areas where you would perhaps find both work and a chance to be near horses.
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. 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.
I suggest that you also join some of the Mexico expat forums and ask around. Even if you don’t find expats owning horses, many will have insight about if there are stables in their town/city.
Hope that helps generate some ideas! Best of luck,
~S
Hi Shannon,
My dream is to travel the world in 3 years, I was planning to travel with my husband but unfortunately our relationship ended recently. I guess now I am a new solo traveler.!!
For my first solo trip (it iwill be only 2 weeks since i am still full time working) , i need a mixture of quiet and safe place to rejuvenate in jungle or a tropical environement for maybe a week and then another week near a quiet beach to relax and visiting the area. It could be 2 different places in the same country. I am thinking of Mexico or Central/ South America or Carribean. (I am Canadian) . It will be my first time solo, so I am scared to start but I need to break the ice. I could deal with local travel agency as well. If I could meet expats on my way it would be great !
Do you have any idea where I can go or refer me to interesting blog or websites ? I am lost on the Web (too many web sites) . I am a 55 years old woman, I speak french and english. Few words in Spanish.
Thank you so much for your help.
Your blog is FANTASTIC !
Hi Diane! So glad that you’ve found my site helpful as you plan your upcoming travels. Your first solo trip is a biggie, and I understand your hesitation to dive in when there are so many sites and so much information. Mexico or Costa Rica could both make for exactly the type of experience that you are looking for. 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. 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). It was really a wonderful experience and I know I would have equally enjoyed that route solo.
My other thought is that Costa Rica would surely make for an excellent first-time experience. There is lush rainforest throughout, but also amazing quiet beach towns too. I don’t have a CR guide, but I think you could plan a great trip using the information on these two sites, Nomadic Matt and Two Weeks in Costa Rica.
Hi Shannon,
Im from Houston.. 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?
Thanks,
Bill Brooks
Hard to say Bill, this is certainly not my area of expertise. I know that local real estate agents have a few more roles in the community, in that they also negotiate rentals and such. Certainly there are many real estate agencies, even in tiny towns, and certainly in some of the more affluent expat communities. Consider floating this question in some of the Facebook groups linked in the post as they might have other ideas. Cheers, ~S
This post is *really* thorough! Thank you for that. When it comes to Mexico, I’m definitely on board with Costa Rica being more expensive…but you *can* drink the water which is nice. The food is definitely more expensive than Asia! I’m all about the small towns, and I also don’t party much so maybe San Pancho is next for me…? 🙂
Very true about the water — sometimes it’s really nice to know you can go to your tap and fill up without worry! San Pancho has a truly great vibe if you like small towns. 🙂
Bookmarking this for the future! Loved all the extra links at the end! <3
So glad you found it helpful!
Great column. I lived in Huatulco on the coast of Oaxaca from 2004 to 2007. I found my monthly expenses were about $650 US: $230 US to rent a furnished apartment, maybe another $70 for monthly utilities and internet. 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.
I’ve 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’m sure prices have increased since then, but I think it should be quite doable.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I do think prices have gone up a bit since then, mostly the global cost of food. The rents are still very affordable and I found something in that range in Oaxaca just last year. So, when you’re ready to return, there is surely going to be an affordable quiet life still there and waiting. 🙂
Hola Shannon,
Thanks for this post! I have learned some things that are very helpful. I hope I can visit many of the places you have listed here. I do want to ask, have you been to Acapulco? What are your thoughts about Acapulco compared to Oaxaca? I have visited there a few times, and I love it, despite some of the negative parts of the city, and state of Guerrero. I personally love it there, have met some wonderful people, and have not ran into any trouble.
I’m definitely going to follow you here. But, I always mention this to travelers when I run across good content, check out Steemit.com. I don’t mean to spam by any means, but I think if you check out the travel blogs there, you will see why I mention it.
I found your blog because I was looking for more info on how to manage the tourist visa. The longest I have stayed is 10 days, so thanks for your tips!
Best of luck!
Kris
Visa should be no issue at all if you have a U.S. passport, and I haven’t traveled to Acapulco. I have to say, the issues in surrounding Guerrero have made it a no-go for me. I know that many say it’s safe to fly in and out, but the surrounding instability make is so I wouldn’t feel securing knowing I had a base that I could return to year in and year out.
Very interesting, we just got back from PV, thank you for the info Shannon, Bob
Hi Shannon, Your site is great and very interesting. I lived in Chapala, Jalisco for 2 years and my wife and I are looking at moving back this winter. Chapala has changed so much that we are looking around at other possibilities. We definitely want to check out San Pancho but my question is about the weather. The great thing about Chapala was it never got really hot or cold. How do you handle the heat? Is it really humid in San Pancho? Thanks so much.
Hmm, it does rain a lot in the summer and it’s very muggy. There are certainly some people who live there year-round, but I also know a good number of expats tend to head back to the states to visit in June and July. I haven’t been in SP in a while, but in 2013/2014 the summer rains would occaisionally even take out the power in San Pancho, but not nearby Sayulita. 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. But suffice to say it’s not going to be like Chapala. It can be very cool in Dec/Jan, but it does get humid and warm by July!
Hi Shannon! Thanks so much for all the great info! What are your thoughts on Baja California, Cabo, Ensenada and Rosarito? Is cost of living comparable to PV? Thanks in advance!
Best,
Evy
Hi Evy, that’s a tough one as I haven’t lived in any of those places, nor do I have friends who have. But there are several really great Facebook groups for Mexican expats, and a lot have explored the west coast extensively. I would research in those groups for things people have said about each town, and pose a question to the expats if there isn’t much—they will undoubtedly have some great thoughts for you!
Shannon, love your writings. My wife and I are planning on becoming snow birds next winter.
Herm Standhardt
Michigan.
Thank you Herm! So glad you’ve found it helpful and I wish you all the luck making the transition next winter—Mexico is a beautiful (warm) place to spend part of the year. 🙂
Hi Shannon,
Thanks gor the info! We are an American lesbian couple living in Thailand. We love it here but the lack of gay marriage recognition is a major pain for Visa arrangements. What are the gay rights like in Mexico? We have considered the Yucatán as a possible next stop.
Thanks!
Hi Mimi! I am far from an authority on this topic, but the Yucatan in general is among the more progressive areas of Mexico and I cannot envision you facing major challenges. There are legal protections in Mexico for gay rights, and the Yucatan has a fair share of expats (a huge amount to be honest), so your day-to-day would be one of acceptance from what I hear. 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. There are some very conservative areas of Mexico though, so I would not extend whatever you find out to apply across the board. Best of luck!
Hi Shannon:
I loved reading about your experiences in San Pancho.
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. The area you describe sounds so perfect.
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. Is this possible in the area you stayed at or should I be looking more towards Sayulita? I’m not looking for fancy, just a good relaxing atmosphere.
Hmm, I don’t think SP is the best place for a night owl. Although there are some bars that get hopping during the high season, it’s not a late hours place and it will be fairly dead in shoulder and off season. Sayulita might be a much better fit—it will have its own happenings, and it’s still a chill town but it’s 20 minutes closer to Puerto Vallarta where you could surely go if you craved a bit more activity occasionally!
Hi,
I live in Puerto Vallarta. My income is fixed and I am at the upper level of poverty. These are my expenses that I banged up to plan my New Year’s budget. My income is 70000 pesos per month and I generally scrape by the last several days of the month. My costs are moderate and honest. My budget is a get by budget.
1. Rent…18000
Note… I live directly on the beach in the Mexican part of town. I have a small two bedroom apartment and have to walk up the steps to the third floor. I share a washer. Living next to the beach one must get used to the thunder of waves, people going by, music from bars and so on. But I figure, if I am going to leave snow, this is part of the price to pay.
2. Food.
20000 per month for my wife and I. We shop at Walmart or Leys. When we need milk etc. we go to Oxxo which is like a 711. I can’t find a Mexican Market which is near enough to walk to. Our water is delivered a couple of times a week for 200 pesos. We eat out when we go shopping about once per week. We do not drink.
3.utilities.
1300 per month.
We have two air conditioners which are essential. We also have ceiling fans. We have internet, telephone etc. about 400 pesos per month.
4. Travel.
I am Canadian but live in Switzerland and I travel about once per year. This is about 5000 per month. Note that when you move to Mexico, you will still have costs in the place you left, I.e. taxes etc. do not forget to add these. I figure my costs are about 5000 per month.
5. Medical.
I have medical insurance and drug coverage for 80per cent. I pay about 5000 per month.
6. Transport.
One could take busses, but I prefer a taxi. This is about 1200 per month.
7. Cleaning Lady.
I have a cleaning lady to help three times per week or 4000 per month.
I think you pay too much for rent, because you are very close to the beach. You may be able to spend half that much if you live back in the neighborhood a short distance. I do not know your life style, but I love walking in P.V. and I’m there summers and stay several blocks back from the beach. I would recommend you target ground floor or 2nd story condos. I pay 600/mo. usually during summers – they’d cost twice that during tourist season. My advise is to find something decent for 400-500 US$ per month. Maybe ask for some assistance if you Spanish is a bit weak. If you have an ocean view, it is nice, but you can do better moving several blocks back from the beach and maybe something just outside of the tourist area. I wasn’t there this past summer due to the virus, but I’ve been there every summer for years. I prefer having my own car with me. Actually, I’d expect to pay about 2500/mo. living full time in PV, so you are at 3,500/mo. and that isn’t so bad, but I think you can live better than you describe for 2500/mo. 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.
So you are “scraping by” on the equivalent of almost $2,500 USD per month? Hmmm, maybe Mexico isn’t going to be for me, after all….
Some of your numbers seem very high.
Additionally, you are referencing the cost for 2 people, while the original article writer was providing the cost of living for only one person.
HOA at your place is $200 a month? Sounds fancy.
Questions: $300 for airfare – where do you fly every single month? Also confusing – what’s up with all the abbreviations? CFE, ZGAS, CAPA, and Fidi?
You’ve got $250 for medical insurance, $50 in medications, $50 dental, $100 for OOP Medical (?) bringing the total for medical expenses to $450, which may not be typical of everyone.
What is PM for $150?
And how are you spending $40 on streaming services? Spotify? I haven’t paid to listen to music since I last purchased a CD in 1992. That stuff is free on the internet, friend.
And $50 for fitness? As in gym memberships? Because if I’m paying $200 HOA fees monthly, my condo better have a gym.
It’s all relative. You can live in parts of the US comfortably for under 2K a month, or you can live much more comfortably for 20K a month. You can get a $10 meal or drop $400 at some fancy restaurant. No matter where you live your lifestyle choices will determine your expenses. Is it possible to live in Mexico and be frugal? Of course. Is it possible to live in Mexico and blow through thousands of dollars a day? Sure it is.
Make good choices. Plan. Budget. Be reasonable.
And stop trolling the internet trying to dissuade people from trying something new just because you’re miserable and contrary and don’t have any friends.
This was super helpful, thank you! I’ve been thinking about PV.
How are beaches in Sayulita for swiimming? Rough surf is too dangerous for me. I liked the calm bay/surf in La Manzanilla but would like to explore other towns.Sayulita sounds promising. Ideal would be apartment with swimming pool. Are there any apartments with pools in Sayulita or San Pancho that are also close to the beach?
Sayulita has great beaches for what you’re after. It’s very shallow and light on the waves in parts since it’s an inlet. There’s 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. San Pancho does not have that gradual shallow part and has strong waves and undercurrents—you would want to be a strong swimmer in SP if you planned to be in the water regularly. There are also plenty of places with pools.
It’s nice to be inside a bay for safe swimming. Huatulco has several beautiful bays and is a very pleasant resort that’s never overcrowded. Some of the beaches have very quiet, smooth water (Playa Entrega) in more protective portions of the bay. In Puerto Vallarta the bay is huge, but waves are not as powerful as places open to the open ocean. I especially like Yelapa, because it is a very beautify bay within a larger protective bay (Banderas Bay). This is an amazing beach for swimming but you have to take a boat to get there.
Can anyone tell me of the best online expat forum for Cancun? Im wading through the list and so many of them appear inactive, or irrelevant. Thank you. 🙂
Looking to relocate ( long term rental ) Chelem, Churbana area of Yucatan. Any insights?
Hi Jude, thanks for writing. Unfortunately I don’t have any experience in that area. I suggest doing some searches on Facebook for expat groups based in the Yucatan as they will be your best resource!
I was there for vacation the past couple weeks…check out Yucatan Beach Friends on Facebook.. They can give you tons of information on staying there.
Sharron, I so appreciated your post and the information. 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? I am quite spoiled where I live now with fiber and regular speeds in the 300-500GB range and I know I won’t get speeds like that in Mexico but wanting some reasonable idea of what it is like there. Can you comment?
Hi Mel, sorry this took me weeks to get back to you, but Mexico can have fast speeds, but you pay for it. So, if you are willing to pay a chunk more than most locals will pay, then you can easily get fast speeds. In San Pancho, one issue in the wetter and stormier summer months that crops up has been power issues… so if you depend on internet for work, you would want to talk to locals about connectivity—I am not sure if it’s gotten any better in the past few years, but I know that there were sporadic summer power outages back in 2013 to 2014.
Hi Shannon, thanks so much for writing back. I had kinda given up when you didn’t write back after a couple of weeks but dropped back by on a whim and found your comment. I would be willing to pay for good internet and as far as power is concerned I am adept at setting up solar/battery/generator to make sure I always have enough to meet simple energy needs to so although it might take a bit of work and money to get it right, maybe it would work out. Thank you for your feedback it has been very helpful. Best regards. Mel
Dear Shannon: I remember reading about your travels. You’ve lived so cheaply in China and in a small town North of Guayabitos – as I drove through those towns near Guayabitos I remembered you lived in one of them. Some of these places can be economical, but they are very primitive places to live. I can be a little primitive, but it’s nice to have conveniences around as well. 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. I’ll get my house sold and be moving to P.V. near the Zona Romantica or maybe the South Shore. I have traveled extensively throughout Mexico and find it a wonderful country – the more one learns the more fun one has, for certain!!! For me, the people are the most amazing experience.
well, I am a retired man, 65 this year. I now live in Puerto Vallarta.
It costs me 4000.00 honest Canadian Dollars a month to live as I do. I dont drink or go out to eat so this is rather basic. I do not travel. I just hang out, watch tv, walk on the boardwalk and now and again have a coffee at an italian restaurant. That is it. Honestly and this costs me 4000 CDN per month. I rent a basic apartment.
I am perpetually amazed on how people can live on 7 or 800 dollars per month. I give them credit for their amazing skills.
What’s your rent? What part do you live in? Did you factor in health insurance? I’m just curious what that $4000CSD goes towards without prying into your personal life.
Thanks.
4,000 a month seems incredibly high….!
Dear Shannon: I remember reading about your travels. You’ve lived so cheaply in China and in a small town North of Guayabitos – as I drove through those towns near Guayabitos I remembered you lived in one of them. Some of these places can be economical, but they are very primitive places to live. I can be a little primitive, but it’s nice to have conveniences around as well. 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. I’ll get my house sold and be moving to P.V. near the Zona Romantica or maybe the South Shore. I have traveled extensively throughout Mexico and find it a wonderful country – the more one learns the more fun one has, for certain!!! For me, the people are the most amazing experience.
“4000.00 Canadian Dollars” Would give you a decent life in Canada.
Why bother to go anywhere else unless your mental health meds cost you half of that in Canada.
Vamos….
“Viva la Mexico” 🌺💒🍷
Recently visited Lake Chapala/Guadalajara..
After prices in USA this was quiet a welcome in change.
Not $4,000 nor $745 mthly.
More like $1800 for a mix of average lifestyles..
Capt/Drm (2021)
Hi Gary,
I’m planning to move to Mexico. However, the amount of 4K a months sounds a lot, in comparison to what other people mentioned. I’d appreciate if you could you break it down ?
Anna
someone must be ripping him off. i plan to move to mexico. i couldnt afford to live there for that price!
Shannon, thanks for the very detailed information. Do you know expats with children? Any idea how the schooling would work? Thanks!
Keep me posted,Please! I live on a very limited buget yet have much to offer(martial arts, guitar, writing, story telling). I am disable/retired vet(53), however, functional. I want out of this rat race. Have traveled abroad.
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. I see that this article is VERY recent, not like some others who rhapsodize about living in Cen. Am. but do expats live in a different world than the natives there? 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? This is an article not from some right wing organization but a refugee type of agency. Please comment.
https://www.amnestyusa.org/fleeing-for-our-lives-central-american-migrant-crisis/
That’s a great question Evangeline. There is a big difference between living in some of these developing regions as an expat and living with a cushy US social security check coming in. People with enough money to live well—who maximized opportunities in the U.S. to earn a living, or work online and make a much stronger currency (USD, pounds, euro) have opportunities that simply don’t exist for locals. Expats moving to the safer places in Central America (note that you don’t see a lot of people advocating for a move to Honduras or El Salvador, where it’s pretty downright dangerous) are taking advantage of something called geoarbitrage—earning in a high value currency and spending in an economy with a lower value currency. There are something ethical quandaries to that whole lifestyle, but note that just about anywhere in the world life’s a bit nicer when you are among the richest. Many Central American expats earn exponentially more each month than a local salary—they live in expat-y apartments in the safe areas of these countries, send their kids to international schools, can afford tons of cheap local fruit and veg, etc—and they have the power of their passport to leave if things get dicey. All things not afforded to those suffering from extreme poverty, gang violence, and lack of opportunities.
However, expat money is helping to support the local economy as well, so not all bad in my opinion
Just as a note, mexico is not Central America. And yes, sadly expats do live a very different life here than some locals.
Aloha and thank you for the excellent read. Have been to Mazatlan to surf a few times , 10 years ago , but now looking for the idyllic small beach town. Hawaii has become so crowded can’t even breathe anymore.
Safe travels !!!!
Sa
The region north of PV is a great place to find a small beach town if that’s what you’re after. 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.
This is great, thanks so much! My husband is Mexican, and I am not but I do speak fluent Spanish. His family is from Oaxaca originally (although he grew up in Mexico City) and we are thinking about building a house in Oaxaca and moving there…someday. Once our kids (now teens) are stable on their own. I’m hoping we can make the move before retirement age, so we have more years to enjoy our time there. The info is much appreciated!
I am so glad to hear that the post was helpful! Oaxaca has a nice quality of life, a lot of culture and great food, and a solid expat community too. Good luck with the retirement planning. 🙂
San Francisco, aka San Pancho, was my first experience in Mexico. And my first choice for retirement until..
I am now retired and living in Buena Vista, Baja California Sur almost full time.
I did not see you mention the fact that SP has a full Hospital. That was one of the main reasons I considered retiring there.
Most ex-pats, especially retirees, would agree that medical care rates up at the top of the list for Must Haves. SP is great in that regard.
That’s a really good point, thank you Randall! It is definitely a selling point for the town, knowing that you can get care without the long drive into Bucerias/PV. Baja is beautiful!
We are about to be neighbors.
I’m moving there in about a month.
I visited there last December and fell in love.
I’m a dual citizen US/MX. So buying property there would be easier for me.
Amazing! I hope that you love it. You will surely have an easier time getting settled with dual citizenship. I actually live in Spain now, but the Pacific coast of Mexico will always hold a special place in my heart.
Hello,
I’m interested in finding someone to share a long-term two bedroom near the beach fully furnished.
I’m on sad 58 years white male.
Looking to fish and explore.
If you know of anyone in your blog or another blog I would appreciate it.
Thinking 350.00 to 450.00 each can share a nice place.
Oaxaca or Hautulco Santa maria if I typed that right.
Thank you for your time.
I would love to share with you if you haven’t seen yet. I’M 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. just wondering how you did the move and any obstacles, i was thinking of puerto vallarta area. all the best
Great Article! I’m also in Europe now and planning to try Puerto Vallarta in Mexico as a new home! 🙂 Initially I wanted to go to Canary Islands, but for americans it is such a big deal to stay legally in Spain. You mentioned you stay in Barcelona, how did you manage to live there longer than 90 days? thanks for sharing!! And maybe see you in Mexico soon! 🙂
Good question! I have the non-lucrative visa, which gives you a year initially if you can meet the income/savings threshold, and then you can renew and stay for more four years (five total) on this visa. The biggest hurdle to it is that you have to prove you have the funds (or a retirement check) to cover your stay for the entire year. I helped a friend get it and he wrote up the requirements and process here.
Great article! As a single person, I have always been able to live very comfortably under $500 USD a month in Mexico. Studio apartment by the beach, no car, utilities included. As a mom, we spend probably $1,200 USD a month. I need to break down our budget again, it has been awhile. We are in Veracruz. How did you like Oaxaca?
Hi Shannon,
I find your blog quiet helpful and many thanks.
I want to relocate to Mexico and will appreciate advice on somewhere i can relocate to with a low budget(Rental(Bachelor), internet and utilities) and where i can find expats who mainly speak English i can make friends and interact with more often and maybe find a partner since i will be working remotely as a writer.
King
How do you generate an income while you are living in different countries? I would love to move to another country but without a work Visa it would be challenging to work. I would appreciate any tips/life experiences anybody can share!
This was a great read, thank you! I’ve been thinking of retiring in San Pancho. It sounds like the perfect small town for me. I’m thinking of going for a few weeks in the beginning of June to check it out. Would you recommend I book an Airbnb? What part of town do you suggest? I want to be close enough to walk to yoga classes and town.
I absolutely think going for a reconnaissance trip is ideal! I do suggest and Airbnb and really anywhere in town is going to be walkable, though if you are close to the highway it’s quite a hike. There’s only one main road, and you want to be closer to the beach on that main road, or any of the smaller feeder roads. San Pancho is a tiny town so you’ll be good with whatever you find in town.
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 aren’t providing the entire story. As a homeowner, there are some expenses that aren’t applicable to renters, but for many who consider owning long term, these line items need to be considered. Also, one must consider inflation; something that is no less a concern in Mexico than in the US or Canada. Again, this doesn’t apply for all and other inland locations, but just consider. To start we own our home and therefore have no direct expenses for housing. We are not necessary frugal, however we hardly spend as much as many others in our neighborhood.
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. We are over on some items and under on others. Electricity in Mexico is very expensive. We’ve been fortunate that it has been a cool winter and therefore we haven’t had to us AC, but come Summer, look out $.
– Housing (not applicable to us};
Condo ins – Bldg $0.83
Condo Ins – interior $29.17
HOA dues $200.00
Prop Tax $12.50
Fidi $39.17
Car Ins. $50.00
CFE $150.00
ZGAS $30.00
CAPA $15.00
Internet $50.00
Phone $100.00
Netflix/Spotify $40.00
Airfare $300.00
Drinking Water $20.00
Health Ins $250.00
Gas $150.00
Haircuts $20.00
Groceries $600.00
Clothing $50.00
House Maint $100.00
Fitness $50.00
Glasses $30.00
Medication $50.00
Auto Maint $50.00
OOP Medical $100.00
Dental $50.00
Vet $20.00
PM $150.00
Entertainment $1,293.33
bills $2,706.67
Budget $4,000.00
Just saying folks…
This is really convoluted Scott. How long have you lived in Mexico?
$1,300 for entertainment? Is this a mistake? Why would you need this much unless you run a company or some such? I don’t think anyone buys glasses every month. What is PM? Why would you need Vet services every month? What is CFE, ZGAS and CAPA? $300 for airfare? What is OOP? And, lastly $100 per month for home maintenance yet you own your own home?
I wanted to add a thank you Shannon! This was very helpful. PS. I would love to see your rentals in both cities in Mexico. It would be great to get an idea of what housing is like on your budget.
Hi Jack! I will see if I can dig out some photos and provide that information with a side-by-side comparison. 🙂
I had the same thoughts Jack.
I have the same questions as Jack B. I don’t think I need to repeat them except that if you don’t own, do you still have to pay property insurance?
I’m Michael Olumide.
I’m about to pay a visit from Nigeria to Mexico.
I need someone to put me through the cost of staying for 10 days and also where to visit in terms of relaxation.
Thanks alot for your concerns.
Hi guys my husband and I currently own an apartment building in Mahahual. We chose Mahahual because prices are still accessible. We love it because it is a good combination of a touristy town while at the same time retaining a tranquil nature. 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. 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. We are always open to hosting new people who are interested in renting in Mahahual for short or long periods. If anyone has any questions feel free to contact us at amadorana79@yahoo.com.mx
Thanks Ana for sharing and your willingness to answer questions
What’s the price you put to your life? And the price you are willing to pay to leave in a corruption-ridden culture? Sure, many things might be way cheaper in Mexico, but what’s the point if you are frequently robbed, live in fear of being killed/kidnaped/raped.
Huh..I don’t know where you live but you just described where I live, except for the cheaper part perfectly..the USA:(. Corrupt, crime ridden, dangerous and very expensive. I live in a very expensive part of California just in case you thought I was describing a ghetto! And California is one of the best areas:(.
With all the information you provided in your article and the comments as well I did not see any mention of Mazatlan. Does anyone have an opinion on this city? Also Shannon you seemed to suggest that it is easy for a USA citizen to stay in Mexico for 6 months. I keep hearing that you need a Tourist card or visa which can be subject to the whim of the consulate interviewer.
US citizens get six months on arrival. The US is a visa exempt nation, so you don’t need to apply for one ahead of time, you get 180 days from the day you’re stamped into the country.
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.
this is a very detailed information and is very helpful. Thank you.
Shannon,
Your personal experiences are so valuable. I believe that what you share is completely honest and doesn’t have a motive that you would benefit from. That quality is to be admired. It is rare and exceptionally kind of you to offer your personal adventures. Guidebooks are definitely useful and provide very good information. Your sharing of your life is exponentially a better resource for me. So, I am very grateful for your time and your willingness to assist people. I am so appreciative of your information. So, a very big thank you! Also, I think you should consider writing a book about where you have been along with the information. One idea (not that you requested any) that could expand the different places could include some things that you experienced. Good, bad, funny, weird. Ok, please forgive me for my thoughts regarding what you should do. If would only just listen and do everything I say, your life would be the same. Of course, you would need to block me ASAP. HA! I recognize this as a gift to many, done with humility and grace.
Hello
I guess you answered one of my questions: “scorching heat”. I live in the near Arctic. It’s nice. I like it or did when I was younger and more able. We do have a summer just not probably one you’d recognize. But I’d love to move somewhere warmer, where I can get around easier: I have a bit of a disability with my legs and use a walker, or a cane. I look after myself and I’m quiet and clean and do not smoke or drink. I mention this to balance off the “disability” aspect which may turn someone off. Really, I’m very well capable of looking after me. The other questions I have are can one get a driver’s license when you don’t already have one–and are accommodations air conditioned? (retired journalist).
Hello I really enjoyed your article. I have been considering a move from the U.S. for years. Now I am 70, in relatively good health still. What would you have to say/recommend for someone like myself? I’ve always been a where lover so beach front or close to it would be my dream. Thank you for your response in advance.
Hi Mary, there are a lot of great beach towns in Mexico that also have retirees. And some lake towns that are popular too. You’re still right in the age range of many retirees in Mexico—I think your next step should be joining a few forums for retirees in Mexico and get a feel for the types of places you could move, and the expats who are gravitating to each.
Mexico is more expensive than Usa, Canada, Japan, or Spain now – look at numbeo. And you have far less security and quality of society. I mean Japan is cheaper (look at Okinawa, same tropical) and much higher standard. These stats here are FAKE. The rent cost is 5x higher for an expat in say Puerta Vallarta. Countries that have dual markets for locals vs foreigners do not interest me as they are a scam.
Hi there, thanks for all the info! Curious if you secured an apartment before arriving in Mexico, or after? And if after, did you just hostel/Airbnb it while looking? Thanks again
Curious about retiring in either Lagos de Mareno or Taxco. Are they affordable for lower income Canadians. Do they have hospitals, good furnished places.,and quiet neighbourhoods? Some larger stores as well? Also working on my Spanish but that will take more time.so it would be excellent to make some expat friends. Could you be so kind as to give me some more info Please? Much appreciated, Ella from Regina,
Hi Ella! Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with the cost of living in these areas of Mexico. Usually though, I look to the Mexico expat Facebook groups to really get a feel for the community in a new place, and often if you search these groups others will have shared their thoughts on super specific places like these two towns.
Great article, thank you! I currently live in Merida, have been here a year, we’re in the process of moving to CDMX. We moved from LA so we miss the advantages of a big city. Merida is quite expensive compared to other Mexican towns and it is HOT HOT HOT. Our electric bills in the summer were over $250/month. We are vegetarians and have found the food options here to be severely limited, it’s a meat heavy culture. We don’t eat out much but the quality of the produce at the stores and markets is poor and very limited. Not much grows in this heat so most things have to be shipped in and are nearly dead on arrival. We both contracted Dengue fever here this summer, I was down for a month, the mosquitoes never let up, even in cool months so that’s something to keep in mind. I’d say the average rent here would be closer to $1500 in the city, you can find a house for closer to $900 in the outer areas but you’ll def want a car.
Thank you so much for sharing your specific expenses. That’s a lot more costly than living in many other areas of Mexico, so it’s interesting to compare your expenses to the way more budget-friendly Oaxaca.
Hi..We live in Canada and i am retired and my other half has another year to go…We want to retire in mexico as canada is now for the rich..I love to fish on my own and my lady and I love to swim…Could you point me in the right direction of where to go in mexico…we would sell our home and could live on $2500-3500 a month for the two of us…or mabe a little more..depends what we can sell the home for.Eventually we could buy a small condo if not to much..Our friends live in berrcerious and said it is Canadian prices now so cant afford that..any help would be great.
Can you recommend a place to stay for $500 a month in San Pancho. Everything I find online is very pricey. Where did you stay?