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 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 Mexican people 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…MexicoJerry”

And then, after I asked if he would mind if I shared where he’s located, 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 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.)

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 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 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 when 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, Jerry”