expat – Teacher Sara Tyler

Mexico: How Far Does $523 USD in Rent Go?

Mexico is a big country, so trying to figure out where to live is not easy. There is literally something for everyone. It often comes down to budget and what is your must have amenity (for me – it´s the beach!). To search there are a number of Spanish language websites which advertise rentals. They are generally cheaper than English language websites like Craigslist, but not as cheap as walking around by foot. However, since I can´t visit every city that I am interested in, I need to use the online tools that I have to help me narrow it down.

For the purpose of this experiment, I choose a 10,000 Mexican peso price point ($523 USD according to today´s exchange rate) for rentals near a beach to see what exactly I could get.

#1 – A 3-bedroom house for rent in Cancun, Quintana Roo. See the original Spanish language listing on Segundamano. It has modern amenities, includes a swimming pool and gym, as well as 24-hour security.

My heart sunk when I saw the location and how far is was to anything Carribean.

The neighborhood is located on the very outskirts of the city, 14 kilometers from the nearest public beach by car. Since I don´t have a car, I tried to click on public transportation but it´s not available.

#2 – A 3-bedroom, 1.5 bathroom house for rent in Puerta Vallerta, Jalisco. See the original Spanish language listing on Segundamano. It is completely furnished with AC in the bedrooms and has no neighbors (very important when holidays come around if you like to sleep, because Mexico is LOUD!).

The listing says the rental is 1 block from Walmart , the movie theater and a major bank which sounds convenient.

I´d have to research futher into why it rerouted me to Playa El Salado and not to one that was closer, but either way, it is 1/2 the distance to the beach as the first option.

#3 – A older, 3-bedroom, 3 bathroom condo for rent in Progreso, Yucatan. See the original Spanish language listing on Segundamano. It comes furnished as well, including a jacuzzi, and there is a view of the ocean from the house, so I know it is close.

The listing doesn´t have an exact location, since Progreso is a small town, so I wasn´t able to find out exactly where is it beyond this point.

Overall, am I going to choose any of these places? Absolutely not. I would never rent a place sight unseen. But I do have a better idea of what prices are like in certain areas than when I started.

Based on what I found out from this search, I would cross Cancun off my list and research more about PV and Progreso before deciding. Joining a few local expat groups I would ask about schools, the job market and safety as my top priorities.

Spoiler alert: I already lived in Cancun and Progreso so I know what is wrong with them for my lifestyle. (In case you are curious: Cancun is overpriced and filled with foreigners, it´s hot and crowded and you never actually get near the beaches when you live there. Progreso is 45 minutes into Merida for anything and everything by car, no schools which means no earning potential for me and nowhere to put my daughter while I do the earning.)

I didn´t include Oaxacan beaches or Southern Quinatana Roo because being so far from an international airport is a major inconvenience for me. As for the Gulf Coast, well, I already live here so I am biased.

Which option would you choose? Share in the comments below.

Round-Trip Flights to Mexico from $172 USD this October

Mexico´s biggest discount airlines, Vivaaerobus and Volaris, have been adding new routes to the United States and Central America. They are similar to Spirit or Frontier Airlines in the USA, the fare is a base fare with taxes included, but you will have to pay extra if you decide to bring luggage or want to purchase a bigger seat, VIP check-in or print out your ticket at the airport counter. Either way, their fares are so low and you can often get domestic flights in Mexico for under $100 round trip. Right now they are having a big sale for travel in September and October. Below are some sample airfares, but click on the hyperlinks to visit the websites and see for yourself.

October Deals on Vivaaerobus:

Houston to Veracruz (via Mexico City): $172 USD

New York to Mexico City: $284 USD

Los Angeles to Guadalajara: $173 USD

Untitled presentation (6) — Vivaaerobus´ light fares include a personal item only. If you plan to bring luggage, it´s more affordable to upgrade your ticket at booking.

October deals on Volaris:

Chicago to Cancun: $270 USD

Miami to Monterrey: $241 USD

San Diego to Merida (via Mexico City): $195 USD

Untitled presentation (8) — Volaris´ V-club fares include discounts on flights and 2 carry-on bags.

Overall, I find that both carriers are similar in cost and service. I prefer flying Vivaerobus within Mexico but internationally, Volaris has more routes and flight options. And if you fly frequently, or are bringing luggage, you can save a lot of money by joining their V-club.

Have you flown on either airline? Feel free to comment on your experiences below.

How to Find Cheap Rentals in Mexico (or anywhere abroad!)

Forget real estate agents! I have lived in 8 cities in the past 8 years and I have never used a realtor. I have rented places from $80 USD a month, a room in Mexico City, to $425, a 4 bedroom, furnished house in Progreso, Yucatan. Instead of overpaying by going through a realtor, use these tips to get the best rental price for your budget.

Do the work yourself. Realtors that speak English often specialize in high-end rentals. The more they can rent a place for, the more money they make. Also, steer clear of any rentals listed in USD. You can end up paying more as the exchange rate changes.
Hit the ground walking. When you get to your desired city or neighborhood, take the time to walk around. Write down numbers when you see a for rent sign. You will be dealing directly with the owner in most cases and will receive a better deal.
Speak the language, or find someone who does. If you aren’t fluent in the local language, ask a friend or hire someone to make the phone calls for you. It is not uncommon for foreigners to receive a higher rental price when the owner hears your accent. If you don’t have anyone to call for you, try downloading Whatsapp. It is an application frequently used in Mexico and abroad. Use Google translate to send a message to the owner (just make sure not to keep your profile picture blank) directly.
Negotiate. A nice American couple who I met in Progreso lent me their very comprehensive research into rentals in the area. In most cases, they were able to negotiate better rental prices, sometimes up to 50% by offering to rent for 6 months to a year. Your best chances to negotiate will be during the low season or in a city with few expats.
Check all of your options. If you are new to a city or unsure of making a long commitment, consider staying in an Airbnb or a posada (a hotel that rents rooms by the month). Many Airbnbs give weekly and monthly discounts so you can take as long as you need to make a decision – and won´t end up pressured into an overpriced contract. I have stayed in Airbnbs for less than $300 USD a month with all expenses paid.
Furnished or Unfurnished? If you are planning to spend less than a year in a given area, it will probably be worth it to spend more for a furnished rental. Apartments and homes in Mexico do not come with appliances like in the United States. You will be expected to buy a refrigerator and stove, in addition to other furniture. But if you plan to be in one location for a year or more, it is usually better to rent unfurnished and buy what you need secondhand. There are a number of Facebook sales groups in any given city and homemade, local furniture is available for low prices in Mexico.

Do you have any more tips on how to find cheap rentals for expats? If so, leave a comment below.

Real Life Budget in Veracruz

My daughter and I moved to Veracruz from Progreso about 3 months ago. I update my budget posts periodically when we have major changes (like my daughter is starting school next week). These are our monthly expenses as of August, 2018. Note that everything is based on monthly figures and in Mexican pesos:

Rent: 3200 for a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom house located 1 block from the sea
Electricity (without AC) 20 pesos per month (bills come every 2 months)
Water is included with the rent
Internet/cable: 500 pesos
Cellphone: 100 pesos
Private preschool: 2060 pesos
Nanny, part-time, 3 evenings a week: 900 pesos
Diapers/wipes/Nido milk: 710
Groceries/eating out: 2000
Spending money (eating out, transportation, etc.): 4000

Total: $13,490 or $703 USD based on today´s exchange rate.

Overall, this budget is slightly higher than my previous one. When we first moved here our expenses were $679 USD per month, $24 USD less than we are spending now. But since my daughter is going to school next week, I am able to return to work full time and bring in more income. So, overall we have more money left over at the end of the month for traveling.

What is your budget like? Feel free to comment below.

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