Living in Mexico

"I would say, "Brother, you will not find a more excellent choice for a place to retire here in Mexico". Sure, there are more exciting places with nightclubs, wild bars with loud music and perhaps an ocean to frolic in, but with that comes a lot of undesireable "junk". The weekdays here are very quiet and relaxing, while the weekends are fun filled due to tourists and special functions designed by the Presidencia municipal. The elevation here is about 6,000 feet, which means we do not get hot. Most days are in the 75-80 degree range, though it can get a little chilly at night during the winter. I enjoy a second floor two bedroom apartment right across from the main town plaza. I keep the balcony doors open at all times and revere in the almost constant breeze that keeps my place cool, night & day. Rent? Under $300 US per month. Try and beat that in the US," explained one expat living in Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

"Living costs are about 2/3 of those in the states. This is a relatively new area. 60 years ago there was nothing here but a fishing village. Not as cheap as in other parts of Mexico, but still a savings. Bring a good sturdy vehicle. The weather and the waters are sublime (although hot and humid in the summer months). Very low crime area, but petty theft is here as it is everywhere. You feel welcome wherever you go. Relax. Sometimes you have water and electricity...sometimes you don't. Bring butter," said one expat in San Carlos.

"Learn basic phrases in Spanish, be patient and kind. Remember Mexico is a foreign country and nothing like the United States. If you are an arts and crafts person and are retired or have your own income, I think you would like it here," said one expat who made the move to Patzcuaro.

"I have a 3 bedroom, 3 bath in a nice gated community. Very safe and quiet well except for the fireworks!!! Be prepared for 2 weeks in September. The weeks from Sept 6 to Sept 20th, Magdelena has a Saints Festival with almost nonstop fireworks,fiestas, parades and music. Then it goes into the week of Sept 16 fireworks, fiestas and music!! In December we have the posadas. The rest of the time it is quiet. We have marvelous hot air balloons, or on the ground tours of all the marvelous wineries," explained one expat living in Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

"Get out, see the town. Clearly, learning Spanish makes getting out a lot easier, so learn Spanish (again, people here are pretty patient, so it's a great community to try perfecting one's broken Spanish). The downtown has a lot to offer, between the Alameda, Plaza de Armas, and various free/cheap museums. The Serape Museum is my favorite, and, as creepy as it sounds, the Bird Museum is pretty interesting (and in the summer, well worth spending 10 pesos for an hour or so in the air-conditioning). If your company is moving you, they'll probably suggest that you live in the way north side of the city--this is a nice area of town and may be advantageous as it seems that most expats live there. However, do consider the Republica neighborhood, downtown, and the south side of town. They're all great places to live, within walking distance of points of interest, and often a lot cheaper than the northern neighborhoods," mentioned one in Saltillo.

"Expats in Mexico often join social clubs, language classes, and online forums devoted to helping foreigners adjust to life in Mexico. Additionally, many expats will connect with local expat organizations such as the International Newcomers Network, which coordinates events and activities for expats around the country. Another way for expats to meet people is by becoming involved in social volunteer work, such as helping out at a local soup kitchen or animal shelter. Many cities, particularly touristy destinations, also have local arts and music scenes that expats can become involved in. Finally, Mexico is known for its vibrant nightlife, so expats can often make friends while out at bars, clubs, and cultural events," remarked one expat living in Mexico.

"It's really no different that meeting people anywhere, with the exception that Mexicans - in general - are more welcoming. Smile, laugh, wave, learn simple greetings. Breathe..," wrote one member in Mexico.

"Take a look at Incanto: https://www.incantovallarta.com/ I've attended several events there and have made friends in this environment via Bingo & Theater. The owner is a great and friendly host. Stroll within the calendar, as well, since you teach Improv. The current calendar looks like its still within the high season. This and many other options are available in Puerto Vallarta," remarked one expat who made the move to Puerto Vallarta.

"Make learning Spanish a priority. Hire locals to clean your house or build your house or walk your dog or wash your car... whatever. Force yourself to interact as much as possible," explained one expat living in Yucatan, Mexico.

"It depends on who you want to meet. There is an English library inside the restaurant, Lupita's, a few steps from the Bascilica on Arciga Street. A volunteer group has their meetings there. English is spoken. They would welcome volunteers. If you want to meet Indigenous Purepecha, Mulle (dock) San Pedrito is run by them and it is a beautiful park next to the lake. Also they sell their art on the street and in the mercado in Centro ( open every day-even Christmas.) They also sell fruits and vegetables, clothes, shoes, socks, anything you need. To become friends with local people, it is necessary to speak Spanish and they are friendly. There are usually English speakers sitting outdoors at a cafe on Plaza Grande. One can take Spanish lessons as well," said one expat in Patzcuaro.

"Generally the expats are retired and their lives revolve around golf, tennis, bridge, socializing, walking or swimming in the ocean, reading, and whatever else they feel like. We have quite a few artists and others willing to share their knowledge. There are charities and animal welfare groups always looking for help," wrote one member in Manzanillo.

"Saltillo is a small city/large town, so it's relatively quiet here. People here seem more respectful of their neighbors than in other areas of Mexico. For example, in general people don't blare their music from their homes or use their car horns as doorbells. People work hard and enjoy their families. While social stratification runs the gamut here, in general people are friendly and laid-back. While soccer is still a huge pastime, baseball appears to be just as popular, if not more popular, than soccer. Saltillo's professional baseball team won the 2009 national championship, and I always hear my neighbor kids hitting a ball around. Saltillenses are good runners, too. Every June, the city hosts a half-marathon, and throughout the year there are a variety of 5K and 10K races. Saltillo also boasts a plethora of good public parks--great for picnics, enjoying some green spaces, or playgrounds for kids," remarked one expat who made the move to Saltillo.

"People tend to work long hours during the week, not much on the weekends which is generally reserved for families. If you have kids you will be invited to tons of birthday parties, parents are expected to attend, not just drop the kids off. The parties are quite extravagant compared to the US," explained one expat living in Mexico City, Mexico.

"Crime is a major problem in Mexico. Drug-related violence and organized crime are especially prevalent, and citizens in many parts of the country face increased threats of kidnapping and extortion. Mexico has some of the highest rates of homicide in the world, with high levels of gang and cartel activity driving much of the crime. Robbery and carjacking are also common in Mexico," commented one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"There is less crime here than where we lived NOB. There is some petty crime.. burglaries and an occasional mugging. But these appear to be no worse than many places up north," remarked one expat living in Ajijic, Mexico.

"Tlaxcala State has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. But there is always petty crime everywhere and a person should always be alert and cautious," wrote one member in Apizaco.

"No. We have a little petty crime, which is new for us, but it is much safer here than any Us city . We all walk around at night and do not worry," remarked one expat who made the move to Manzanillo.

"The town is mainly Catholic, with some other Christian thrown in. There are a couple of English services of the non denominational Christian belief. The Mexicans are very accepting of us foreigners and very patient with us," wrote one member in Manzanillo.

"The population here is at least 90% native Mexican, with a small cadre of Americans, Canadians, British, French, Germans & Austrians. The people are very open to anyone who chooses to relocate here. There is no discrimination as far as I can tell. As an American, I feel I am treated just the same as the locals. Even the police are very accepting and never chase after the dreaded "MORDITA" like they do in bigger cities, ie; Mexico City," remarked one expat who made the move to Tequisquiapan.

"The Mayans are very accepting of all cultures and people. Yucatecans are a very proud people, proud of being different from the rest of Mexico," explained one expat living in Yucatan, Mexico.

"Like most of Mexico, Saltillo is fairly homogeneous, both racially, culturally, and religiously (although at times it feels that there are nearly as many tiny, hole-in-the-wall Protestant churches as there are large Catholic ones). While I fit the mold, I can't really say whether they are accepting of differences. But the prevailing attitude seems to be that of "live and let live"," said one expat in Saltillo.

"There are also Churches of most denominations and also Churches geared for Americans," said one expat who made the move to Rosarito.

"This school is a properly run school in that it requires the students to comply properly with discipline - unlike most other private schools here. The teachers are excellent and the school has a good, varied curriculum strong in sciences. It offers a two-year prepa. Most importantly it is a LAY school - not religious - so there is none of the time-wasting religious ritual found at some other schools," remarked one expat living in Monterrey with children attending St Patricks School.

"Look at other schools. It is worth it. 38 teachers left in 2013, the administration is hidden in an office. The headmaster, jonathan Robins has no qualification what so ever for the job. The new teachers do not work as a team, and it does not help when your child is in 11grade or 12 grade. It is way too expensive for what it is. We are not sure the kids are happy now/," said one expat in Mexico City with children at Greengates School.

"I live in San Miguel de Allende and this is a tourist and expat destination with a dollar economy. Supermarket and utility prices are on par with the rest of Mexico but rents, wages for staff and service providers are high. A meal in a mid market restaurant will cost $US100 for 2 without going overboard and nearer US200 if you go for expensive cocktails, brandy or tequila. Rents var enormously depending upon location so you can find a 3 bed house in a so so area for US$450 but in a better area will be $900-1200 and in the historic center the sky the limit. Medical costs - a consultation with a general doctor or specialist US$40-50, blood/urine analysis US$100. Excellent medical services but if you need hospitalisation, long term cancer treatment etc you need to budget US$1m+ say for 5 years of chemo, radio, surgery and end of life care. Although private medical care is far less expensive than in developed countries it soon adds up and for me at age 68 in pretty good health, medical expenses insurance premiums and pay as you go represent 30% of my monthly expenditure. For young families you must budget for private education and medical/dental care," remarked one expat who made the move to Mexico.

"The cost of living in Mexico can vary widely depending on the particular city, but generally speaking, it tends to be more affordable than in the United States. Food, housing, transportation, and many other everyday items are all significantly less expensive in Mexico than in the US. Groceries, in particular, are often much cheaper than their American counterparts. Additionally, the cost of entertainment, such as going to the movies or out to eat, is also much more affordable. Mexico is a great destination for travelers interested in stretching their travel budget further," explained one expat living in Mexico.

"San Miguel de Allende is now one of the more expensive locations in Mexico with prices recently reported as being higher than many of the beach resorts. The town is promoted by the local politicians as an "up market" destination and it is no longer the ideal destination for ex-pats on limited budgets that it was 20 to 30 years ago. The plans to develop an international airport just outside the city will further drive this type of tourism. Obviously, it is possible to live cheaply if you avoid renting near the historic center and go for one of the more "popular" non-expat colonias. Shopping in local markets and avoiding eating out too much can also minimize expenses. The recent strength of the peso combined with high inflation has also made Mexico more expensive for ex-pats," said one expat in San Miguel de Allende.

"That is such a personal question. I recommend that people housesit in the community they are thinking of retiring in so they can gauge costs, safety, reliability of utilities, etc," said one expat who made the move to Lake Chapala.

"If one buys local or Mexican brands, food is relatively inexpensive. Eating out is 1/2 or less than in the U.S. The cost of living monthly is dependent on: a. If you own a home.
b. your lifestyle. We projected that we will save between $8 -10,000 annually by living here. Gone are the $150/mo. water and sewer bills and the $180 / gas and electricity. Every little bit of savings adds up," explained one expat living in Ajijic, Mexico.

"I have found that the cost of living in Playa is much lower than in the States. This makes living on a retiree income and budget very satisfying. Even stores outside of Wal-Mart have lower prices. And because of the currency exchange rate, I am paying less for my rent than when I first moved here," commented one expat living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

"You can live in Puerto Penasco on as low as $400 per month, small apartment (not in the tourist area) and utilities and some food. Add more for going out to eat," remarked one expat living in Puerto Penasco.

"It is still quite reasonable to live in Playa del Carmen, but prices have increased for restaurants significantly over the past few years. We used to eat on 5th Ave all the time. But now we tend to eat off the main tourist drag because the price and overall value of the food is better found outside," said one expat living in Playa Del Carmen.

"Unfortunately due to major influx of Californians, New Yorkers and big oil Texans, Puerto Penasco aka Rocky Point is no longer a destination for moderate to lower income retiree. Its a sad fact. While many bloggers, RE professionals will disagree with my view, as a retiree with median range retirement income I have watched as cost of living for serviced based needs have gone up as much as 100%. In 2018 you could buy breakfast for two at a nice restaurant for near $18 USD. Now, the same place and breakfast for two ends up much closer to $38. Beach side margaritas used to be $5- $7 in 2018. Now $10 to $12 depending on the vendor. While there are a few spots remaining reasonable, its no longer cost effective for them to remain low priced because their competitor is raking in the Cali cash. Tours and seaside adventures have gone up as well. What used to be $80 for a day at sea is now $140 per person. Even panga banana boat operator's are charging more these days and its not due to gas. Upkeep of your house. It used to be usual to pay someone to work on little projects around your house (reapplying elastomeric) for about $200 including your balusters. Not no more. $400 and up. Rentals. Jesus! American developers renting out for 1200k monthly seems like alternate reality but it's not. Gone are the days of the reasonable, and sadly that also affects the locals. Yet, since Californians stating, "its so cheap," they are leaving the rest of us in a real pickle. So. Sorry to say. Good ole Rocky point, no longer for all of us," mentioned one expat inPuerto Penasco.

"The rents here are low for now. As more people discover the richness Merida offers, I know that they will increase, but for right now, you can get a very nice apartment or rental home for a fraction of what you'd pay in the USA. My advice is if you like it here, buy sooner rather than later (very carefully). Local food is very cheap and imports are what they are," commented one expat who moved to Merida, Mexico.

"Anything related to the beach, snorkeling, golf, exploring cenotes (caves), dining out. The food is amazing and the options are endless," mentioned one expat inPlaya Del Carmen.

"There is a large sport club here for tennis and golf. Every Sunday the streets are closed for bikeathons for the entire family to participate in. And any time you want to hike, go visit a ruin. Most of the cenotes allow swimming and are wonderfully cool and magical," commented one expat who moved to Merida, Mexico.

"All around Playa del Carmen there are adventure area for zip lining, ATV riding, cave tubing, snorkeling, scuba diving, tours to visit Mayan Ruins and nearby resorts, beaches and islands such as Cozumel, Tulum, Islas Mujeres etc," remarked one expat living in Playa del Carmen.

"In Mexico, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and sports complexes. Beaches are popular for swimming, sunbathing, and other water activities. Parks provide a great place to relax, take a walk, or have a picnic. Sports complexes offer a variety of activities, such as tennis, basketball, and soccer. Mexico also has a number of cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and theaters. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, Mexico has a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and mountain biking," commented one expat.

"There is a fantastic web site called Weather Spark that allows you to investigate and compare climates throughout the year. You get graphs showing how the hi/lo temperature, how it feels throughout the day, the chance of clear skies, chance of precipitation, average rainfall, hours of daylight, chance of muggy conditions, and more. Be sure to scroll through all of the charts. Here is a link comparing Houston and Guadalajara; you can add and delete cities using controls at the top. ," mentioned an expat living in Mexico.

"From what my friends in Mazatlan report, the summers there are hot and humid. Not as bad as PV but definitely uncomfortable. The central highlands have much more temperate climates year round, cheaper cost of living, and less touristy than the beach areas. I plan on arriving in Mazatlan in January, staying until the summer weather gets too rough for me, then heading to Morelia or Queretaro," said an expat in Mazatlan.

"I live farther north on the Sea of Cortez, San Carlos, Sonora. Right now [July] is 96deg and 63% humidity. It has not rained since December. I love it here where the desert meets the sea. You have to be tougher than most to put up with the heat and humidity in the summer. If you want to know temps just put the town in Accuweather and look for yourself. Like everywhere else in the world near the water is humid," remarked one expat in San Carlos.

"The weather in Mexico is generally warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from mild to hot depending on the season. In the summer months, temperatures can reach up to the mid-30s Celsius, while in the winter months they can drop to the mid-teens Celsius. Rainfall is common throughout the year, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the summer months," wrote one expat living in Mexico.

"Hot. In the summer it is hot day and night, with no rain. In rainy season, it is very hot during the day but the nights usually cool off to pleasant 70's with a cooling wind, but not always. You can use sleeves at night but will not want them during the day," commented one expat who moved to Merida.

"One of Mexico's most beloved restaurants is Pujol, located in Mexico City. Pujol is renowned for its modern Mexican cuisine, which is prepared with traditional ingredients and techniques. The restaurant has been praised for its creative dishes, which are often served with a side of Mexican culture. Another popular restaurant in Mexico is El Bajio, located in Guadalajara. El Bajio is known for its traditional Mexican dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. The restaurant also offers a variety of regional specialties, such as mole poblano and chiles en nogada. In addition, El Bajio is known for its lively atmosphere and friendly staff. Finally, La Fisheria, located in Cancun, is a seafood restaurant that is beloved by locals and tourists alike. The restaurant serves a variety of fresh seafood dishes, such as ceviche, fish tacos, and grilled octopus. La Fisheria is also known for its vibrant atmosphere and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea," commented one expat living in Mexico.

"There are many night clubs with live music, from Salsa to Blues. There are too many restaurants to mention, from low end to high end. You will not want for a night life or if you are a foodie. I am a nght person, so I am speaking from personal experience," remarked one expat living in Merida.

"Super mercado Leys grocery store in the center of the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta has most everything and more than many U.S. supermarkets. La Comer, a large gourmet grocery store, puts Whole Foods to shame. It has quality wines, liquor, all cuts of meat, vegetables, canned goods and specialty gourmet items," mentioned an expat living in Mexico.

"We have Super Ley, Ley Express, Bodega Aurrera (Walmart) Sam's Club, Local vegetable and meat markets, Oxxo convenience stores, and a local store that brings special U.S. food here for our convenience (salami, bacon, sausage, bagels, english muffins, diet sodas, cheeses, spices, pies, etc) and special orders," said an expat in Puerto Penasco.

"SHOPPING is great. Many do their grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, Sams Club, Chedraui (the Mexican version of Wal-Mart that is fantastic) the Mega store and others. Fifth Avenue is known for its lively, atmosphere with stores, restaurants with all types of specialty foods such as Mexican, Argentinian, Brazilian, French, Italian, Seafood, Steak and even fast food places like McDonald's and Burger King, Domino's Pizza, KFC. We have Office Depot, Home Depot, DHL, Fedex...just about everything," remarked one expat in Playa del Carmen.

"We have so many large grocery stores in Playa, that I wonder sometimes how they stay in business. We have two Walmarts. Local produce markets are not easy to find. There is one very small one in town once a week," wrote one expat living in Playa Del Carmen.

"This should be addressed at the immigration office here in Playa. Many come in on a Tourist Visa that is generally given for 180 days. After that, the person has to leave the country and return to hopefully get another Tourist Visa. However, their requirements for getting a Temporary or Permanent Visa are online and are affordable," said one expat.

"Live here with a temp visa FMM you get at the border when you cross, show your passport and cost is about $25. If you purchase property, same thing. Many people that rent, don't bother with getting a resident card, they stay under the radar. The foreigners like me, that work, must have one, either it's temp or perm resident card. In the old days you may have heard them called FM3 and FM2's," commented one expat living in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

"This is still a bit of a nightmare. You must apply for your residence from your home country and then there will be a few appointment with immigration. It took us 5 months to get our temp residency and we have to be in Mexico 30 days prior to our 1 year expiration date to renew. Keep you posted on that. At one point we were temp residents but gave it up as we were never in the country longer than 6 months at a time. We travel a lot. But the Mexican govt really wants you to have your residency," remarked one expat living in Playa Del Carmen.

"Ask for receipts as many places don't issue one.....my health insurance would not cover my pedicures even though I went to the hospital for medical pedicures as the person doing it was not the officially accepted PODIATRIST. My massage visits are wonderful and reasonable 500 pesos for 75 minutes! My insurance companies pay those to a limit as long as the receipts show all necessary info... so check with your insurance company what is necessary. Many Mexicans don't or can't write properly, so make sure they spell your name correctly and have all the info correct, even the date as on one of my receipts the girl put 2010 when it was 2017 and my insurance company refused it even though I had submitted many receipts together and it was an obvious error. There are many walk in clinics with doctors, but quality is questionable, so stick to well known ones in your area. Similaries are good and lower cost. I also lived in Mexico for 2 yrs and worked and had the local Seguro Social medical coverage... covers basics. I speak Spanish so it worked out ok, but it was a bit of a drive and a different process... so when I felt stressed I just used the local private clinic and paid 500 pesos to see the doctor," mentioned one expat inPuerto Vallarta.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Mexico can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is available at a lower cost than private healthcare, but the quality of care may not be as high. Private health insurance can be expensive, but it often provides more comprehensive coverage and access to better quality care. Additionally, many employers in Mexico offer health insurance plans to their employees, which can help to reduce the cost of healthcare," commented one expat who moved to Mexico.

"If you are planning on gettin a permanent recidency visa you could look into getting in the public insurance program, I think it is called IMSS, but they have a long list of pre existing conditions and some of those take years to expire, in other words if you do not have the conditions, but get it in a set amout of time, it will not be cover, you do have to pay a yearly fee but it would be cheaper than private. I think your best option would be to live close to the border and cover any minor issues out of pocket and cross to the US for anything major, there are medifvac insurance programs that you can look into," remarked one expat living in Merida.

"I do not have medical insurance here in Mexico. And, most of my Dr's do not accept insurance anyway. Office visits, and hospital care are 1/5th the cost of USA and much better. In office appointments are usually an hour long instead of the 15 minute flyby of USA. Few Specialist have nurses. They do their own scheduling," commented one expat.

"Unfortunately, when I moved abroad I was hit by a taxi. I was taken to a public hospital. That experience was life changing... I had never seen the conditions that I saw there - bathrooms with no soap or tp - group recovery rooms - disorder. I immediately realized the importance of have PRIVATE health insurance, and went on a mission to find suitable insurance for my family. As we love to travel I found insurance that allows us to be covered ANYWHERE in the WORLD including the US - at a fraction of the price we were paying when living in the US. We can choose ANY HOSPITAL OR DOCTOR that we wish. The policy is in English, the office is located in Playa Del Carmen with courtesy translation service, and there is an in-claims department, finally they are partnered with an international law firm. I felt that was soooo important to myself and my expat friends, that I asked for a job selling this insurance. I have been retired for 15 years, but got into this business because it is something that I feel passionate about and know that all my expat friends need," said one expat living in Playa Del Carmen.