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

San Agustin

Here is another email from my good friend, Lorna, who is living the good life in San Agustin, Mexico.

It’s inspiring, insightful, and full of many hopes and dreams realized.  It could be your dream, too.

Hi Barbie!

I just wanted to say thanks for the info you provide, it’s so helpful and practical!

I am not much for writing e-mails, but I wanted to tell you that I have been living in San Agustin for the last two years and I love it!

The weather is perfect, the rent is amazingly low for my 3 bed, 2 bath casita ($2200 pesos (Barbie – approxmately $220 American dollars) a month, includes water and a great gardener)!

Banana plantation

I pay aprox. $175 every 2 months for electricity, gas is aprox and I pay 300 pesos every 3 months, for phone, cable & internet. Combined is only 450 peso a month!

I live on a small pension plus I teach English at a local San Agustin school. I am the only “gringa” living in my coto, and my neighbors have taken me in with warm hospitality.

Guadalajara is a wonderful, diverse, cosmopolitan city with so much to see and do! San Agustin is only a 2 1/2 hour drive (on the Colima road) to the beaches in Manzanillo… 3 1/2 to the beaches in Nayarit… 4  hour s to Puerto Vallarta.

What more could I ask for? Life is good!

Thanks again for your newsletter, keep up the good work!

Cheers, Lorna

San Agustin article by Barbie