Newbie again

Except for a few isolated places, you would probably be hard-put to live comfortably on $1000 per month here, especially not in any of the Expat communities.

You might want to look into Panama's retirement visa, they give automatic discounts for retired in everything, including some of the best healthcare in the world (I don't live there, but I have read about it).  Panama isn't, however, a "dry climate."

I am in Guadalajara now, but I will shortly be moving to Ecuador, where they have perpetual springtime.  The cost of living there is much less than most locations in Mexico (or any other Latin-American country).  It is moderately dry, but not arid, and both of the major expat cities, Quito and Cuenca are at about 6,000 feet, where the sun is hot, but the air is always cool.

Hope this helps...

BTW, check out my note on this forum, posted today

Will Harper

Thank you for the information.
My son lives in Lima, Peru, and honeymooned in Equador. I am considering all possibilities at this time. I had originally thought of living in Lima, but the pollution is too much for me. I have investigated Chiclaya in northern Peru as well as Pimentel Beach. I am open to ideas, but have to decline the cities with altitudes above 5,000' due to heart problems.
Please feel free to write me again, I welcome other points of view.
Lita

Hello Lita -

I would also recommend checking our the forums on Mexconnect

There are lots of retirees that post regularly on the site. If you use the search function, I am sure you can find great answers to most of your questions.

Good luck!
Juliet

Thank you so much for telling me about this site. I will bookmark it (put it in my favorites) and check regularly.
Lita

I think a good AREA to check would be San Miguel de Allende. It has an expat community and is very artsy. You can live on a 1000 a month comfortably. Remember everyone has different spending habits when you get advice about money. Talk with some people from there it may be a good start.

Hi Juliet1, welcome to Expat.com
I see you reside already since 7 years in Mexico so please don't hesitate to share your expat in Mexico experience with those who'd like to come to Mexico!
Cheers
Arlette

Dear Lita,
There are many US-retirees living in Mexico. To get a permanent resident visa, however, foreigners have to proof that they can make their living from pensions or any other income received from abroad. For the year 2010 the minimum income to proof is about 1150 US $ a months. It is calculated as follows: Minimum daily income in the Distrito Federal (set at max. 57 Pesos for 2010) multiplied by 250 = 14250 Pesos = approx. 1150 Dollars. Applying for a FM-3 visa you will be requested to bring some docs along with either copy of the previous 3 months of your Bank statement of accounts or a written confirmation by a solicitor or your home bank stating that you dispose of this requested amount.
There are US- or CAN expats living in some Mexican places on less than this, however, they could give proof of this income.

You might want to check some very good, very detailed web-pages on Mexican living for expats like sparks-mexico or Rolly Brooks pages as an addition to the afore mentioned "mexconnect" forum.
All the best!
Greets from Puerto Vallarta

I have my FM3 and have never showed any type of income from abroad. I am nowhere close to retirement age though. In fact my FM3 states I am in Mexico for lucrative purposes of making money in Mexico. It has been over 5 years now so it will be switching to an FM2. Which will be nice because no more renewing it every year!!!!!

jeremy1979 wrote:

I have my FM3 and have never showed any type of income from abroad. I am nowhere close to retirement age though. In fact my FM3 states I am in Mexico for lucrative purposes of making money in Mexico. It has been over 5 years now so it will be switching to an FM2. Which will be nice because no more renewing it every year!!!!!

Jeremy, since you do have national income, there is no need to proof income from abroad.
As to the FM-2 and as far I have been told three months ago from my migration office (Jalisco, same heard from Nayarit), the FM-2 has to be renewed annually for another 5 years. Only then, a foreigner can apply for the "inmigrado" status, i.e. permanent residency without annual renewal.

Hi,

I currently live in Morelia.  I have coronary issues as well.  It is possible to live on 1000 usd per month if you find the right apartment.  There are many to choose from.  1000 per month will get you a maid, an apartment, your electicity, phone and internet as well as cable tv.  There are many hospitals here and a large medical teaching hospital university.  The very best coronary hospital in mexico is located in Guadalajara which is four hours from here.  We have our own drug cartel as well and there are currently 5000 soldiers posted here along with a vast number of federales.  We have daily incidents but most people are rarely affected.  Still chills the heart though.....

Morelia does not have a large ex pat community. I have a canadian neighbour and have seen one or two tourists downtown.  that is about it.

My total costs are 19,000 pesos per month but I have a large house, and eat out a lot. 

You might have trouble with immigration since they require a bit more income than you say you have with your pension.

final point. All the usual stores are here, walmart, sears, costco etc. with big malls.  I tend to shop in the neighbourhood for most things, i.e. vegies, lights etc.

transportation is very cheap.  you could get anywhere in the city for 5 pesos which is about 40 cents or so.

Hi Lita, I wish you very good luck finding a place where to live and enjoy life... take care.

Thank you,
I will be visiting Ensenada in the fall. I am hoping to retire there. This is strictly an 'exploration" to find if I like the place. I will take another trip next spring then as my retirement goal date is mid Feb 2013, I will not go again until I retire.
Appreciate your well wishes.
Pamelita (Lita-preferred)

Eveningson wrote:

Hi,

I currently live in Morelia.  I have coronary issues as well.  It is possible to live on 1000 usd per month if you find the right apartment.  There are many to choose from.  1000 per month will get you a maid, an apartment, your electicity, phone and internet as well as cable tv.  There are many hospitals here and a large medical teaching hospital university.  The very best coronary hospital in mexico is located in Guadalajara which is four hours from here.  We have our own drug cartel as well and there are currently 5000 soldiers posted here along with a vast number of federales.  We have daily incidents but most people are rarely affected.  Still chills the heart though.....

Morelia does not have a large ex pat community. I have a canadian neighbour and have seen one or two tourists downtown.  that is about it.

My total costs are 19,000 pesos per month but I have a large house, and eat out a lot. 

You might have trouble with immigration since they require a bit more income than you say you have with your pension.

final point. All the usual stores are here, walmart, sears, costco etc. with big malls.  I tend to shop in the neighbourhood for most things, i.e. vegies, lights etc.

transportation is very cheap.  you could get anywhere in the city for 5 pesos which is about 40 cents or so.

Hello Morningson,

Is it cheaper to reside in your place than in Guadalajara? I am looking for a place in Mexico where me and my daughter could live a simple but comfortable life. My daughter is a Respiratory therapist and she would definitely love to find work as RT.
I am thinking of Guadalajara and Im hoping there's also Walmart, Costco, Sears and big malls there. thanks!

Cheers,

Haydee

I've been living in Guadalajara for over a year now and I pay 2700 pesos for a room in a nice house, everything included, incl. washing machine and Internet.
It certainly is possible to live here on $1000, which is over 10,000 pesos.  I earn about 8000 pesos a month and spend well under that.  I eat a LOT of tacos for between 5-8 pesos each, and use very little of my US savings account.  Except over Christmas when my school closed for 2-1/2 wks. with no pay, and my Visa FM3 renewal and rent are now due at the same time.  OUCH!!!  I dipped into my savings a little.
But I'm gonna move in the next few months to a smaller, quieter city.  I'm thinking Guanajuato, but I have to visit it first.
I am taking a chance there are English schools there, but if not, I will try and survive as long as possible.  I don't want to move back to Wisconsin.  Blech.
Anyway,it's totally possible if you don't spend money like water to live on $1000/month.
Good luck!
Brenda in GDL