Mexico Information and Maps

Mexico Blog:

Information for Retirees in Mexico

Mexico is still a relatively cheap place to live for Canadians and Americans, but the gap is closing. The dollars have risen against the Peso quite substantially over the past two years, but the purchase power of the Peso has diminished.

Although most real estate is quoted in US dollars, daily living expenses are generally priced in pesos. This means that the initial price of real estate quite high, but the expenses that follow are low. Taxes, food, utilities, entertainment, etc., are all priced in pesos, so they have become even cheaper as the peso has slipped in relation to the the dollars, particularly the Canadian dollar. The prospects are that the peso will probably go even lower to the Canadian/USA dollar over time.

Many Americans and Canadians have chosen to live in Mexico. The areas around Puerto Vallarta have many living there, but Lake Chapala has the biggest concentration of Canadians and Americans, and San Carlos has a considerable number too. (outside of Mexico City)

What is even more amazing is the fact that the average Mexican continues to welcome foreigners and not give any indication that they resent our moving to their beautiful part of the world. I was totally surprised by their friendly and happy attitudes. They have a high regard for family values. This is particularly evident in areas like Lake Chapala, where tourism is not a big factor, and everyone is not out for the tourist dollar.

You can get by with only English, but a little Spanish will save you money when buying things. One alternative is to hire a maid. They are paid from $200 to $350 per month (interior areas) and will cook and clean and even shop for you. Many Americans and Canadians say they wouldn't have a maid, but after living in Mexico for some time, they usually realize that it is their duty to help the local economy by employing one. A maid can save you money by shopping for you and watching after your home when you are not there. The meals I had cooked for me by Mexican maids/cooks were so good, my mouth still waters just thinking about them. They don't necessarily eat spicy hot food. Meals I had in homes of Mexicans were very similar to what we would expect at home.

Medical services are excellent in the Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and San Carlos (Hermosillo) areas, with many fine hospitals and well trained doctors. If you lose your US or Canadian medical coverage, you can purchase Mexican medical insurance for a little over $350 USD per year!

Mexicans will say they do not discriminate, and socially they tolerate one another very well, but economically, the darker the skin, the lower on the economic ladder the person will usually be found. Most wealthy Mexicans are white of Spanish decent. They hold many of the professional jobs. Many Mexicans have university degrees. Most of their degrees are in practical areas such as architecture, engineering, business administration, computer science, etc.

Mexicans are not as concerned about litter as we are, but they are very tolerant of their neighbours.

Mexican homes are generally inward looking. You can see a brick wall in the town that looks almost like an abandoned warehouse, but inside you can find a beautiful courtyard with swimming pools and fountains and a lovely home. They prefer private courtyards to panoramic views. They feel no need to show off for the Jones's.

The construction of homes is very sturdy. Nothing but concrete, steel, brick, stucco and tiles. They employ features that would be incredibly expensive in Canada and the USA. You need to see them to believe it. Some homes around Bucerias are made entirely of reinforced concrete. Spacious entrance foyers are common, with high domed ceilings in them often. Often these ceilings are made of brick, an incredible site to see them built!

Mexicans are not lazy and they are hard working people. They sometimes don't let the clock rule their lives, and looking into the future is difficult for some of them. It is just as well, since for many the future may not be bright. Poverty exists in Mexico, but what amazed me was the fact that the people were still happy and friendly. There is little welfare in Mexico, so people could starve if they can't earn some money every day. Mexican society is designed to help people who need it, and sometimes this attitude is mistaken for laziness or inefficiency. People will turn down work to let someone who needs it more do the work. Families come first, even before a job.

I have heard complaints about services. Water, telephone and electricity services can be slow to respond to complaints, and bills sometimes don't arrive, but you can adjust your pace of life to accommodate this. I found that services, such as water, sewer, gas, etc., and not installed with a great deal of care, and leaks happen! Policemen are not paid a living wage in Mexico generally, so you can help by paying a 'fine' directly to a policeman if you are caught breaking the traffic laws. The policemen I saw were friendly and courteous.

Every American and Canadian I talked to was happy to be there. They too noticed the strong family values and marvelled at the friendly people.

The cobblestone streets in Mexican towns will stress your car's suspension, but excellent highways lead to Guadalajara and other major cities.