7 Cheap Places to Live & Retire in Mexico (that nobody talks about)

Living in Mexico is not as cheap as it used to be, but there are still places to be found where you can live off of $1500 per month (or even way less). We'll explore the cheapest places to live and retire in Mexico beyond the regular expat cities and communities most looked at.

More Mexico Videos:

Chapters:
0:00 Why Mexico
0:53 San Cristobal de las Casas
2:33 Guanajuato
4:36 Zacatecas
5:52 Valladolid
7:21 Oaxaca
8:46 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
10:09 Chacala
12:02 How to Move to Mexico

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About me - Aly Smalls:
I'm the CFF (Chief Fun Finder) of my travel website - Like Where You're Going.

A former Tourism Development Officer who now makes fun and easy to follow travel itineraries for your next trip. Wherever your travels take you, I'll help make sure you like where you're going!

My free travel and destination guides focus on unique & fresh itineraries - showcasing Canada, USA, Mexico and a bit of Europe.

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#mexico #digitalnomad #retirement

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[russellbarnes]

We relocated to Morelia, Michoacan two years ago. My wife is a Mexican citizen and I'm from Reno, Nevada.
We rent a nearly 4000 square ft home, in a very nice neighborhood, 3 bdrm/3 ba. Our rent is 8000 pesos, or $400 USD. Our total monthly outgo is less than $1200 USD. We are able to travel, entertain, and travel at our leisure, just on my SOCIAL SECURITY.
Altitude is 6200 ft, and the weather is beautiful always.
Certainly the best move I've made.
VIVA MEXICO 🇲🇽

[yunuenhoover]

My husband and me retired two years ago in a small town called Tonatico, Estado de Mexico just two hours away from Mexico City. Its warm weather round year, beautiful landscaping, wonderful small downtown, very welcoming people makes it the perfect place for us.

[susanfarley]

I spent 5 years in mexico when i was a kid. I would love to move back. The people, the culture, the beauty are all wonderful.

[scottweier]

I moved to Tijuana over 13 years ago, you just have to do it, it seems over whelming but really is not that difficult. There are many ex pats all over Mexico who are all willing to help with information, and the Mexican people are very friendly overall. I have had a few a bit jealous because I married one of their beautiful women, some do not like us coming into their country and taking their things, living at a higher level than them. But the majority are great. Really a good place to live.

[alvarotorres]

I can probably retire in my old village in Mexico. I have a house that my parents left me in Mexico and I’ve see many people that came to the US during the 80’s and 90’s are returning back to Mexico. I can probably make it with $750 a month.

[Zenite]

For those wanting a quiet life without losing access to any modernity, Puebla is a good pick. I cover all my living expenses including food for about 600 USD per month.

[kathimccaw]

México is full of wonderful diverse choices. I recommend staying uncommitted to any spot, and check out a variety of choices. Think long and hard about what you really want in your community/social group before making any decisions. One of the reasons that the more popular cities get such interest is a lot of the work is already done for you. Moving to a small place with a limited (or non-existent) expat community can severely limit many of the conveniences you take for granted. How is the WiFi, are there English movies, is there a library, etc - whatever you need in your social arena? We've been living in México full-time since 2006. We love it, but you do have to adapt.

[sirgalahad]

The new "American Dream" is to leave the US for good as soon as possible

[nancyharris]

Great video and well done. Just a couple of comments about Oaxaca City that I think people should be aware of.... 1) regarding the hiking trails in the hills surrounding the city, this area is not safe. There have been a lot of muggings there. You'd have to go out of the city area a bit to get to safe hiking. There have also been some muggings in certain areas of the city so walking around later at night is not advised. (Just like many cities.) 2) You made it sound like it's a short distance to the Oaxacan coast, but it's a 7 hour drive through the mountains. A highway is being built (and has been under construction for many, many years, so who knows when it will be complete) and eventually that would reduce it to a 3 hour drive. The best way to get to the coast is to fly (a short 45 minute hop), which is obviously more expensive, but not overly expensive.
I loved Oaxaca. It's an absolutely beautiful, photogenic, artistic, colourful city. The food is great as well. There are a lot of towns in the surrounding area that have interesting markets. So the city has so much going for it.

Thanks again for all of the great ideas!

[carolmartinrmt]

I could listen to your videos all day. You are great. And this video "7 cheap places to live and retire in Mexico (that nobody talks about) is perfect for me. I thank you so very much.

[LoveLightSalsa]

$1000 a month for rent in Mexico is expensive! Even with all utilities and a housekeeper.
Maybe it seems low compared to prices in the US. But for middle class Mexican’s that’s considered someone who is rich. The video is gorgeous and gives tons of great information, nonetheless.

[williamo]

Moving to Cancun Quintana Roo Mexico. Leaving Michigan next week to sign the lease

[gschell]

Having traveled widely in México, I wholeheartedly agree with your choices.

[stephenkelly]

This video, was so helpful. Thank you. I am 60 yrs old, retired Canadian, with pensions of approx. $3k/month, which is bugger all here, but in Mexico I could live a better life. Thank you so much for all your effort. From an old hippy, PEACE!

[mochilero]

This video is far better than most about Mexico and actually features some lesser known options for a change. But I want to accentuate that there are literally hundreds of lovely towns and small cities in Mexico that satisfy the aims of this video. Let me suggest just two, Orizaba, Vera Cruz and Zacatlan, Puebla.

[elsanto]

Tulancingo, Hidalgo is where all my family from my dad’s side is. He was born in Hidalgo. This where my wife and I plan to retire. We can’t wait. Thanks for sharing

[timisaac]

Hey Aly. Great vid: enjoy it alot. I live in Mexico for about 20 years. So glad you didn't send anyone my way. In my town of about 5000, I am one of the only gringos. Lets keep it that way!! One aspect you don't mention (or I missed) is costs can go down: my living costs are about 1/3 of what it was when I first came. Both my needs got smaller and I took advantage of local culture. If you around Americans, with them at the 3X factors, and stay there, costs won't go down. Most people, as you present, will rent: Long term, I found owning is so much better. But it took me about one year to find a place that was great for me. It turned out to be FAR greater than I dreamed: Value is at least 3X what I paid and I can sell easily. If I move, it will be to Cuernavaca!!! Maybe see you there sometime! Best wishes.

[mannyalaniz]

Huatulco Oaxaca was just too beautiful. The weather, people and food really left a mark on me.

[ordinaryalan]

I’ve lived in Valladolid for several years and I can promise you it gets much hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Try between 100-110 during summer with 80-90% humidity.

[Kathryn]

I just spent 4 months in Mexico. First time. Drove at age 70 alone (with my dog:) Phone wouldn't work. No map. Mr. Toad's wild ride. I relied on the kindness of strangers. Some were kind, others were not. I ended up w/ PTSD driving in heavily populated cities without GPS. Started out in La Paz and ended up in Guadalajara (TOO MANY PEOPLE). Very nice place, inexpensive apartments, nice neighborhoods but TOO MUCH TRAFFIC. I came home two months early (I had planned to stay forever:) to get some peace and quiet and recover from the PTSD of being lost in a foreign country over & over & over:) After a year of recuperation in this tiny peaceful town back in USA, maybe I will venture out again. This is a true story...