1st timer, looking for advice.

[curiouscanuck]

Hello all, i am new here.

I plan on going to mexico in late oct early nov just to get some world
experience and was looking for some advice.

I want to stay for 4-6 months but i won't be working there.

I want to rent/live somewhere kind of off the beaten path, non touristy
type living in a smaller community.

I haven't narrowed down the place i want to go yet, but somewhere
along the ocean would be nice, although not necessary.

What do you think my expenses would be per month if i didn't eat
out a whole lot, and got a relatively cheap apartment?

I am not very materialistic, won't be bringing a car and will be doing
most of my traveling in mexico either by bus, peddle bike, or good ol' fashioned
walking.

I am living rather cheaply in canada now as it is, my expenses being about
$1000 Canadian per month which is below poverty line here, but i don't really mind since i am very happy with what i have, and really know how to stretch a
dollar.

Anyways, thanks for any help you can give,
especially about cost of living would be greatly appreciated.

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome to the forum. Before considering your visit to Mexico, remember the income requirements for an FM3 visa as a guide, even though you may be visiting on a 180 day tourist permit. You will also want to consider having an emergency account available in case of emergency or illness, when you would have to pay for treatment or hospitalization before being released.

[BajaGringo]

Here in Mexico there is a little bit of everything and some folks can't make ends meet on $2000 USD a month while others find they can do it on less than 500. It really has a lot to do with whether you choose to live in areas traditionally inhabited by Gringos and/or tourist areas or are willing to go a bit off the beaten path for a different experience. Are you willing to buy your food from the local grocer and maintain a diet like the locals or do you insist on familiar product names from back home that cost more? Will you require a phone, internet, TV/satellite/cable, car, ongoing medical attention/expenses?

The answer your question is not simple and requires a bit of introspection and realistic evaluation to be able to give you a better answer.

It can be a very rich and rewarding experience if you do your homework first. I strongly advise against just stepping off a plane, bags in hand with a Mexican dream and a travel map in hand, so to speak.

Originally Posted by curiouscanuck

I want to rent/live somewhere kind of off the beaten path, non touristy
type living in a smaller community.

I would recommend Manzanillo. It's not touristy for Americans. Just about only Mexican families vacation there. It's nice, quiet. You can walk along the beach there without seeing anyone in certain stretches.

Since it's not americanized yet, the prices are very cheap. It's definitely not a vallarta or cancun. There is virtually no night life.

[MexicoGolfer62]

I know some areas in Baja that I have seen as long as you stay away from the coast it seems these aren't as pricey. Am I correct in saying that the more inland you go it is cheaper? What do you think guys?

Originally Posted by curiouscanuck

What do you think my expenses would be per month if i didn't eat
out a whole lot, and got a relatively cheap apartment?

1,000.00 CAD = 11,451.46 MXN

That's almost what I make every month, and I pay a mortgage, car note, and still have enough to feed and cloth my wife and kid; and save a little for a future trips.

I think you will be just fine with 1000 CAD every month even if you eat out everynight(with reason; not lobster and champagne).

[curiouscanuck]

Setting aside money for emergencies/illness should not be a problem.

Yes, i am willing to buy all my food like the locals do, and live like them in order
to live cheaper. I doubt i will miss mcdonalds as i don't really eat at places
like that anyways.

I think the only thing that i would bring would be a laptop, so yes i guess
i would require internet.
I haven't decided yet on if i need a phone, but i know for sure i will not
be wanting tv/satellite/cable as i have been living without that for
several years now, and have not missed it.

I also think i will be able to live without a car just fine.
I might buy myself a scooter though. Are they expensive to maintain in mexico?
If so, i am willing to rely on public transportation, as i may like exploring, but
generally want to stay away from the big cities like mexico city.

Also, i don't need a night life, as i rarely do that sort of thing in canada anyways.
That is for the 18-25 year olds here and i am in my mid 30's.

My first trip will most likely be to find my bearings, to look for a place that
suits me before i decide to live there every year for at least 6 months.

So, my first trip in nov would be about 3-5 months.
If i like it, and find a place i know i will come back to, i plan on staying there
at least 6 months out of the year, then coming back to canada to do contract
work for at least 3 months out of the year.

I hope that explains things a little better about what my needs would be.
As i said earlier, i am not really that materialistic and can live without
most things and not miss them.

Originally Posted by curiouscanuck

I think the only thing that i would bring would be a laptop, so yes i guess
i would require internet.
I haven't decided yet on if i need a phone, but i know for sure i will not
be wanting tv/satellite/cable as i have been living without that for
several years now, and have not missed it.

You can get internet/cable and telephone for $650 peso a month(about 55usd). That what I pay with megacable.

Originally Posted by curiouscanuck

I also think i will be able to live without a car just fine.
I might buy myself a scooter though. Are they expensive to maintain in mexico?
If so, i am willing to rely on public transportation, as i may like exploring, but
generally want to stay away from the big cities like mexico city.

They are a great way to get around. I had one for along time when I first got down here. You can buy a new one for $1000dls usd, and used runs about 500 dls. They are very cheap to maintain. Just by a brand that has a lot of support in your area. Like honda scooter stores are everywhere here in guad.

Originally Posted by curiouscanuck

My first trip will most likely be to find my bearings, to look for a place that
suits me before i decide to live there every year for at least 6 months.

I actually recommend spending 6 months in different towns and women. That way to get a taste of different place each time. Granted, you won't be able to leave behind a scooter each time. Or maybe you can you can sell it a week before you leave and get your money back.

Originally Posted by curiouscanuck

I hope that explains things a little better about what my needs would be.
As i said earlier, i am not really that materialistic and can live without
most things and not miss them.

I used to think that myself. Then I realized there are things that I just can't live without after a while. Satellite TV or cable and internet for one. I'm not ready to tune out of the whole world yet. I like to know what goes on in real time.

[curiouscanuck]

Yeah, that is why i think i will most likely need internet. For a phone, i will most likely use
skype to call home maybe once a week just to touch base.
I do have a old cell phone sitting here in a drawer. If i could use it as pay as you go in mexico
that would be fine by me, although i understand that might be pricey.
I still don't want anything to do with tv though.

Yes, i do plan on visiting a few areas in mexico. Right now i am trying to narrow that
down to at least 3 places that are a must see for me.
One will we be more central mexico, and the other 2 most likely near the ocean.
I want to compare prices of apartment rentals, food, and as i said before, nightlife
is not a concern to me.

The only real issue i face right now, is paying down my modest canadian debt, as
i do not want to worry about any of those issues as i travel.
But that is why they invented online banking. :-)

I am more than willing to learn spanish and live the mexican lifestyle, and i think
i want to try to do that on 500usd a month or less and that will include bus
travel to different locations ect.

Think i will be able to make a go of it or will i need more money besides
emergency cash?

[leegleze]

The questions posed by BajaGringo are definitely worth answering. Please do more research and think about the answers from your personal perspective.

I'm living in a semi-tourist area and working for a local resort a couple of hours a day (teaching English). I can survive quite nicely on my pension of about $900 CDN per month, since I am given my big meal of each day at the resort, but I love having the extra income so I can go out for a cheap meal once a week just to socialize with friends.

Never discount the culture shock you will no doubt have about 3 months after you arrive. Most gringos insist that it will not affect them, but it surely does. Be prepared to be looking for gringo friends at this stage ... you will need their encouragement and assurances. In other words, my advice is to avoid burying yourself in a Mexican enclave where things that are familiar to you are unavailable. You will become very frustrated and, possibly, depressed if you cut yourself off entirely from the familiar.

C'mon down and enjoy your adventure!