Mexico - Cost of Living

Are you considering moving to or having a second home in Mexico? Have you wondered how much it would actually cost to live in Mexico?

Our real estate company was recently invited to represent the Riviera Maya at an International Living event put on in Cancun. After four days of information about living in many different world destinations I was still thrilled that I chose to move to Mexico. They even rated it the number one retirement area.

There are many reasons that I feel the way I do about Mexico, from the cost of living, to the proximity and ease of getting back to home ground where the rest of my family is.

Let's look at every day cost of living first. I am currently planning my summer vacation to Canada. This is where I began to really see the difference in the cost of living. We are a family of four and our two weeks with a car rental and hotel for only five nights of our stay, our budget estimate is 11,000 dollars. Last time we came in at about 10,000 dollars. Of course that's not going to be a very good comparison to actual cost of living. Take a look at these comparisons.

In B.C. Canada I will be paying about $5.81 per gallon of gas here in Playa I pay about $3.15 per gallon. My property tax is .25% (yes point two five percent) of the city assessed value of my home sitting on two corner lots. I pay less that 200 dollars per year property tax! Our gardener comes like clockwork and makes my garden look like a small resort with hammocks hanging in the trees around the pool for only 25 dollars a visit. Our maid, who's like part of the family, comes twice a week and helps keep our home perfect for only 20 dollars a visit.

The produce truck will deliver water melon, oranges, cantaloupe, and of course mangos directly to our gate as he passes through the neighborhood. 10 pesos or one dollar for a bag of fresh mangos. When you are ready to light up the BBQ just stop by and pick up some fresh, thick cut T bone steaks for less than 4 dollars each. If you prefer to eat out have some fish or pastor tacos and a beer for less than 10 dollars a person. Or if you choose to be on the beach, put your feet in the sand under the palm trees, looking at the Caribbean ocean, and have a whole fresh fish prepared for you for less than 10 dollars.

What if you want to go diving? How about a two tank dive in our world class destination with one of the top dive companies for just 70 dollars. When you are ready to go out dancing in the evening pay the whopping 5 dollar cover charge, which will include your first two Corona beers and dance the night away at the best hot spot in town the Blue Parrot. Remember the beach and the sun are both free. It's a great life style.

What if you want to go visit your family. We were originally thinking of moving from Canada to Thailand. But when we really got down to the nuts and bolts of it, being that far from our family didn't make sense. The majority of our friends and family won't come visit us that far away. Plus every time you want to go back it would be a major under taking. Now form Mexico we can be in one of several USA destinations in less than a two hour flight, for a weekend away at a very reasonable cost. Plus many of our friends and family already travel to Mexico so to get them to drop in on their vacation will be easy.

I'm sure if you are planning to retire or buy a vacation home you will find you have, many of the same reasons we have to choose Mexico. Here in Playa del Carmen you can still buy some beautiful places for your family to enjoy at terrific value. Come for a visit and see for yourself.