Cost of Living Info

Mexico Jerry kindly supplied me with the info that prompted my article for today and even supplied us with cost of living info in his area.

Hey Cathy, I told you that my readers are usually very happy to share their experiences!  

Jerry has sure proved my point and has not let me down!  Jerry also confirms my writtings! Sometimes people find the cost of living in Mexico a bit unbeliveable, but, well, read for yourself below.

Not too much more to add, other than, you will surely notice he’s not concerned a bit with his safety.  Things are truly getting worse in Mexico…it’s spread all over our TV and newspapers…impossible to ignore!  

But, I just discovered a most interesting fact, and I know it’s important to all of you:  that 98% of the crime in Mexico is criminal against criminal.  But that left over 2% is a big figure if it happens to involve you or your family. Now, the crime is spreading to include the good people who are fighting the drug lord situation – it is a war.  Just be careful, and be aware…everyplace.  Another reason to not flash cash – don’t wear showey/expensive jewelry – don’t leave big tips – don’t wonder into unfamiliar areas by yourself – etc., etc., etc. – use your common sense! 

Now, read some major reasons you should move to Mexico – especially in retirement with Mexico’s good cost of living – if you follow our cheap / frugal folks’ rules: 

E-mail from Cathy, to (Mexico) Jerry’s first blog response, cc’d to me:  

Hello Jerry, 

I’ve been doing some research on different areas of Mexico.  I’ve also been in contact with a couple that moved to Merida and have been there for a couple of years and love it! I find the culture exciting and hope to experience it as they have.  

I would have some cash to live on for a while, but would have to find a way to make some money after a few months.  We all start somewhere, and it is great that people like you are willing to share what you have learned along the way.  Maybe I’ll be able to do the same for someone else someday.  

Any information you can share is much appreciated. Thanks, Cathy 

Jerry Draughon’s reponse to Cathy, cc’d to me, including info on his cost of living::

Cathy, you don’t need much to live on here. 

I walk to the plaza and get two tacos for just 6 pesos each.  That is often my supper  I might  just have a hamburger or a hot dog. Yes, I go out to nice restaurants too, it’s just not that expensive 

Food is cheap, especially if you shop where the Mexicans shop. (Barbie’s note – which I stress constantly in my articles)  I guarantee that your veggies will probably be more flavorful and tastier than the ones that you buy where you live.  Most farmers here don’t have the extra money to pay for chemicals to throw on their gardens.  

Dr’s are cheap and highly trained.  My Dr charges me 100 peso’s for a visit.  He speaks English too.  You can go to the central salude (clinic)  for nothing or next to nothing.  

Prescriptions are much cheaper here.  I leave all my stuff like TV, lights and fans on all day long well into the night and my electric bill is VERY high, it never (so far ) has gone over $40 USD per month.  You pay the electric every two months and as you use more, you will be charged the highest rate per kWh.  I am in the high usage and you see what I pay. 

I have a friend that moved to Meridia and she tells me that it is both very hot there, as it is sea level, and very expensive. I lived a year in Mazatlan and while it was very pretty, when summer came, all the gringos left for cooler climes.  That’s why I came to the Chapala area as it is the same height as Denver, Co.  She also told me that it is very pretty too.  

I hope you find what you are looking for but don’t be too caught up on how much money you have.  I know people who live here on  a SS check of $350 USD per month. 

Write me if you need more info. Nos vmos ( see ya!)  Jerry 

So, for cost of living info, and a whole lot of goodwill, you and I can almost always count on my Expat readers ! I thank them from the bottom of my heart!

Moving to Mexico?

You will be applying for certain Mexico Visas – FM3, etc. - you must prove you have a minimum monthly income.

That is a requirement to obtain certain visas – expecially for seniors. $1,150 a month for the first person in the family is approximate, due to the fluctuation in the exchange rate, and considering yearly increases set by the government’s Mexican Immigration Department’s Official Federal Requirement, but that’s a pretty close estimation.  If you own property in Mexico, you can cut that amount in half.  For the second person in the household, about half the amount of the first person is required.  This amount also varies as to which zone you want to reside in Mexico, A, B, or C, in 2010.   Read more in one of my newsletter reports:

http://www.retireinluxury.com/free/retire_in_luxury_july20.pdf page 3.

There are rental properties available almost anywhere in Mexico.

And you may be able to take advantage of them to check the area out that you are interested in.  I always tell my readers to go, not as a tourist, but as some one who is really looking for a new place to put down roots.  Hang out at the native shops and restaurants.  Staying only in a lovely resort, in the fabulous pools, is not going to give you the real taste of Mexico you need to make your big decision as to whether you’re going to move south of the border or not.   Take a few trips to check things out.

Mazatlan, because of having every convenience, was our choice, but, there are places nearer the border.

And, sure, you can own property in Mexico.  In the interior you’ll get a deed – much like the States.  In the “excluded zone”, you can still own property, but you will do so through a Trust. Do download all my free newsletters and read all my reports and articles – you’ll find oodles of information to help you in your decisions.

Just heard a new one – at least for me – when life deals you a bunch of lemons – hey – make Margaritas :)

And, to end today, an email received from Marlene S.:   “Thanks for all the information on Mexico.  Your e-book was very helpful.  Thanks to it and a visit for the month of October, we are moving to Lake Chapala area at the end of February.  Less than one month!!!  In about two weeks I will have a different e-mail address. If you want it just let me know. And thanks again for the good tidbits, do’s and don’t's,  etc.  Our friends from British Columbia just moved as well.  He was having some chest pains before he left but the BC doctors gave him a clean bill of health. When he arrived in Mexico things got worse.  He ended up having triple bypass surgery in Gudalajara.  It went very smoothly.  They gave the BEST and quickest care they have ever seen.  In a new clean modern hospital.  He may not be alive if he was still living in BC.  So Medical care is superb in Mexico. All for now.  Marlene”

Do read all my free articles on Mexico on my sites, and enjoy.

The Affordable Side of Mexico

Hello Everyone – This is sort of an emergency article, brought on by a dear retiree living in Mexico, Jerry.

Jerry first wrote, and I shared with you all: “I have lived in Mexico for 11 yrs and I rent a two bedroom 4 yr old house (very pretty) in a nice neighborhood for $83.00 per month! How about that? And there are more! Jerry”

I responded:  Hi Jerry! Thanks for writing! Yep – it can be done! Way to go! Barbie

With that, and with many, many people replying to me, concerning his email, I asked Jerry if he would mind telling me where in Mexico he was located, he replied:

“I live 7 miles from Chapala on the north side of the lake in a small but nice village called Ixtlahucan de Los Membrillos. Email me at (deleted by Barbie). I lived in those areas (around the lake) but found them to be too expensive — so I figured – what are the people of Mexico are paying, so I did my homework and found this place and the home that I lived in before, for 5 yrs was $100 USD per month with two bedrooms too! They exist, you just have to look for them…Mexico Jerry”

And then, after I asked if he would mind if I shared where he’s located in Mexico, Jerry quickly replied:

“Barbie:  Sure, I live in a small village at the bottom of the mountain just before descending into Chapala. (that’s Lake Chapala.)  The village’s name is Ixtlahuacan de los Membreious in the housing area called Aguilillias (some call it Vista Del Lago!)  There’s one house next to me that the bank just took back over so it’s empty at the moment! Hope this helps! Jerry” (Barbie = I looked this up on the computer – tempting!)

In his next email, he continued:  “When I first moved to this area, I paid the usual $350/250 per month for rents but decided that the locals can’t pay that – so I looked around.  For 5 yrs I paid $100 per month and then found this house for $85.00 per month.  You can get around the costs here if you do as the Mexicans do.  Health insurance, you can cut that way down too!  Lots of fine clinics in Mexico, and low cost hospitals. You just learn to work the system as the locals do. Jerry” (Barbie = Exactly what I tell people – do your research – be well prepared, and then check things out in person – not as a tourist, but as someone looking for a new home in Mexico.)

Then, quickly from Jerry:  “Barbie:  Thank you!  I don’t mean to step on your toes, It’s just that I figured that Mexicans aren’t paying big amounts for rentals so why should I.  Your readers will need to get down here and look around and do a little legwork.”

To which I replied:  “And – no – my toes are just fine ;)  I’m going to get an article/notice out asap – and yes – love your email – you are so logical – that can be a rarity these days…  have a good one!  Barbie – do keep in touch!

And after a very brief pause, Jerry sent:  “Barbie, You are right. I went to laundry-mats and small grocery stores and anywhere to ask about rentals in the Mexico neighborhoods. Ask the locals – quite often they know of something or maybe a relative has a rental and would love to get a Gringo in there! It worked for me.”

I wrote:  “Hi Jerry – thanks so much for your reply – yes – I understand – but my one fear is the ugly American coming down to Mexico and ruining the “goose”.  I’m going to put up an article – try to tonight – hopefully explain – more – I say over and over that the average DAILY wage is $5 in Mexico…I keep trying :) Barbie”

(Lightly Edited for privacy)

Added by Barbie – please, dear readers, don’t think you can just go to Mexico and pick up rental prices like this easily – it’s going to take work – just like Jerry said.  Barbie

And, added Jerry wrote this to me :

“Should any of your readers think that even though I only pay $83 per month for my rent, that I am living is some sort of squalor, they couldn’t be more wrong!  I have high speed Internet telephones and Sky TV, a maid twice a week  and  (I think,) all the amenities.  I am retired from the University of Florida and while my pensions are small, I am able to travel, and even save money too just from my income.  I am planning a trip to Asia in October and have been saving for that. My point is that if someone has a pension of $1,100 US per month, they can live very well here in Mexico.  The best to you, Mexico Jerry”

Email from Expats

Here are emails, from Expats in Ajijic and Nuevo Laredo. (edited for brevity)

I just love getting email from expats. They are always inspiring and they just show how more and more people are making a new life in Mexico, and living far better on less!

Hi,Barbie,
My husband and I (and our dogs and cats) have now been just outside of Ajijic since Sept. AND WE ARE LOVING IT!!

The Mexican people are so friendly, and the support from the expats and the local clubs, like LCS, are great.

I think our children and other relatives first thought their parents were crazy, but more and more we hear from everybody how much happier we sound since we no longer deal with all the issues in the States!

The big question has always been “yea, but what about crime?”  Well, we feel much safer here in Ajijic, than in Little Rock, AR!  Maria W.

Acapulco Cliff Diver contemplating the water

I have, in some of the newsletters and reports stated that most problems are at the border towns, and Expats, as a rule, are not associated with the drug scene. 

Border towns are creatures apart from most of Mexico.  However, I do also try to tell people to be cautious;  don’t flash cash, don’t wear great watches, etc.  And don’t have anything to do with anyone who would even consider doing drugs – there are millions of us out here… we have lots of good company!

Hi Barbie,
Tim W. here.  I now live in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

I live where the Mexicans live and rent, utilities, food are very affordable (I drink bottled water).

All the girls here want to get married (that’s not much different than the USA).

Social Security claims to be more understanding and will deposit my money in any bank except in barred countries (like China).

I have cable internet (as most expats do – Barbie) now with hyper cable (pronounced hyper cowly).

There are very nice 2 bed, 1 bath new homes here on the outer part of Neuvo, Laredo, Mx.  They sell for $195/mo.  If a person learns Spanish it would be a great place for  expats to live.  No one there speaks English and I have to take along someone bilingual.

Are there places in that price range in Mazatlan?  A one room place where I can see the water way off in the distance (or not) will be fine.  (I answered – maybe not within view of the water)

Everyone in Mexico thinks USA types have money, so I keep one hand on my wallet at all times.

Final note from Barbie: Dick and I have never felt threatened – anyplace –we always try to be careful and wise and well prepared in the first place.  So, taking unnecessary chances – just not part of our lives…we’ll leave that to the Acapulco cliff divers.

Expats just need to be persistant and also patient - Barbie

Safe Mexico

vs

Safe U.S.A.

I recently ran into this true story about the conceptions of the word “safe”:

A former Dallas, Texas,  police officer moved to the Lake Chapala area, considered to be a safe spot, in Mexico.  He met a lovely Mexican lady and eventually got married.  A wonderful 84-year old Mother-in-law welcomed him into the family. 

The majority of the news that the Mother-in-law and her family received about the U.S. was from t.v.  From what she saw on the news channels, she was convinced the U.S. was a very dangerous place.  After all, she saw reports about children shooting children – mothers killing children – husbands killing their wives – students killing their teachers – such a scary country.

So it has became a strict rule that anytime this Expat gentleman and his Mexican wife want go to the States to visit any of his family, they first must go to the Mother-in-law’s home so she can say a special “safe” blessing prayer on them, in hopes that they stay safe on their trip to the dangerous United States.  Different perspective, huh?

Yes, the drug-lords in Mexico and especially around the border, are causing lots of trouble – but, remember, it’s mainly because they have such a wonderful place to sell their product – to all the people buying their product in the United States. 

 Safe article by Barbie.