Cost of living in Mérida Mexico. (My actual budget)

[@miriamrivera2225]

Awesome video great content currently living in Puerto Rico caring for my mom she’s 92, I’m retired and living on SSI, looking forward to traveling to Mexico Merida and perhaps relocating in the near future. Happy to stumble upon your channel, I’m a fan and a new subscriber. Would like to learn more about life in Mexico. ❤

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hola Miriam! Thank you for watching. Have you been to any part of Mexico yet? So many great places to discover!

[@courvilleg1]

8 years ago Mexico was half the col for Canadians now with inflation and a low Cnd. Dollar it's the same price to live here. Less restaurants and activities, more walking

[@DestinationRetirement]

Oh my. I did not realize the Cnd was so low. Mérida restaurants have gotten spendy too. Good thing I like to cook at home and have no qualms about dining in the cocina ecinomicas. Where in Mexico do you live?

[@DoItMyselfPeg]

This is great! It's such a well thought out budget, and I'm like you, I over budget so I'm not surprised when things happen. Found you in Silver and Solo's Patreon community!

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hey fellow Patreon. Thank you for watching! :)

[@DestinationRetirement]

I'm already scrutinizing the monthly amounts to cut back-HA! Once I start driving the taxi/uber fee will drop down drastically. The major travel category will probably be half (plane tickets/air bnbs). Food category will be less as well and I don't need to figure a food budget during travel months as food is built into the travel category. Oh well, it is a place to start anyway and hopefully gives you things to think about when you are creating your budget. :) Abrazos, Amy

[@FloatingHomesPortland]

Thank you for the detailed costs of living in Mexico analysis.

[@suzanapaydin5831]

It is propane gas in Merida?

[@2ndlife-ql1hc]

So 3 months have passed, have you now owned a car and started driving your car now? could you have a video on owning cost of a car in Mexico? what car which brand / model have you considered, and which did you choose in the end? hope you can have video recording all the steps of buying car in Mexico?

[@FloatingHomesPortland]

I'll be moving to Mexico soon so I appreciate seeing what your cost of living in Mérida Mexico expenses. Thank you for sharing.

[@ba8898]

Aren't you the same person as the one in the video? :)

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@ba8898 I am. :) I was wondering if anyone would catch that. the YT algorithm puts a lot of importance on interaction and comments so I do that to jump start each video a bit.

[@freetowandernow]

Gracias por compartir esto! I am canadian snowbird and we own a condo in Bucerias, Nayarit. This will be our fourth winter in Mexico! We were able to visit Merida last winter and loved it - especially the Cuban restaurant! Now that we regularly pay bills in Mexico rather than Canada (we sold our home here and now have a campervan for summer travels)we are amazed at how low our costs are comapred to here. Having said that, groceries, eating out and shopping are about the same. I do have a cleaner who comes in and our condo has a pool, gardens etc. so overall we are loving the relaxed life we now lead.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Wow. That is amazing. I love that you keep a set of wheels in Canada to roam freely. You've got it figured out!

[@IramisandGerry]

I love this! Inspires me to do a budget on Living in Puerto Rico! I might do one showing the costs of my previous house, costs of my new house, and cost of my Mom’s house. BTW- your budget looks to be in a good place because you have $500 for Europe travel. If anything I would find savings in other categories and increase your Europe budget to $700 per month. I was there this last month and it was expensive. I live in Boston and compared to Boston it was similar. As I plan for our Slow Travel journey m, I know more and more that staying Europe for longer than 90 days would kill my yearly budget. Asia might be my second home!💗🙏🏽🇵🇷

[@DestinationRetirement]

Good point. I know some of the other categories will be a little less. As far as Europe, some of the trips will be either home swaps or staying with people I know. I’ve always wanted to go to Puerto Rico. How cool that your whole family is there. For slow travel have you seen Bryan and Carrie‘s channel?

[@IramisandGerry]

@@DestinationRetirement Good to know about the house sitting. We want to try house swapping. When our PR Money Pit project is complete we will be in better shape. My mom lives five minutes from me in PR. Come visit PR. It’s a different culture than the US, but with most of the convinces of the US. Just all Spanish! It’s awesome! Yes! I love their channel. Two years ago they inspired me to start documenting my own journey to Slow Travel. I had already been in a FIRE journey. I also follow Grounded Life and a series of their channels. They too have crazy amount of information about Slow Travel, YT, budgeting, CC hacks. I started my YT channel in May 2024 and I am slowing getting traction. I have a big budget post coming up on my last trip. Let’s see how eye opening that post is. Keep up the great work. You have a new Sub here!💗🙏🏽🇵🇷

[@DenLD]

This is an accurate jumping off place. I underestimated what I needed for maintenance on my house. Old, new, or remodeled, they always need something, and sometimes those bills are really big. I also underestimated how much I would spend on furnishings and decor, but I think I’m finally “finished” with all of that now. 😂 (Who am I kidding?) The house, car, and health insurance were more than I estimated too, but much better than the US. I also take supplements. I used to import them from the US but the longer I am here, the more I find substitutes here that save me some money. Your budget is about what I spend as a single person here, unless I have a big maintenance month. If you can hold off having a car, I would. I have one and it feels like a luxury more than a necessity. I was spending $250 per month US with Uber, and it costs me a lot more than that when I amortize what I paid for the car, the gas, the insurance, parking, and a weekly car wash.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Den! (love the cat pic). Is one ever really finished with furnishings and decor??? :) I was wondering about finding supplements locally. Good to know. Where do you buy them? Totally agree on the car. They are so expensive to maintain. Thanks for chiming in with comments. Amy

[@DenLD]

@@DestinationRetirement No, never finished. Every time I walk into a cute store I seem to bring something home! Lots of cute new shops in town. I like Super Naturista for supplements and they are very knowledgable. I get basic things like Zinc, Valerian, D at GNC. Costco has a good selection too.

[@corinaperez226]

That lamp was gorgeous.

[@DestinationRetirement]

I went back to buy it but the store changed owners and they did not carry them. :(

[@dennisjones2776]

Great video. At first, I was like, "Whoa, that's high compared to what we actually pay living in Mérida," but you did say you over-budgeted, and you also have things in your budget that we don't use, such as $500 for major travel, a bookkeeper, etc. Our budget is closer to $1,500 per month.

[@DestinationRetirement]

I like your budget way better. Yeah I think I was fear budgeting a bit. I know myself, super frugal, so I am hopping it turns out to be way less in actuality. :) Where in Merida are you?

[@dennisjones2776]

​@@DestinationRetirement We are in Cholul.

[@candicephillips6536]

Always delivering quality content. Thank you, Amy.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you Candice! That is so sweet. :) Abrazos.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Are you in Mérida right now?

[@lailaatallah1857]

Love your videos! So helpful, informative and inspiring! What a beautiful life you are creating. ❤

[@DestinationRetirement]

Oh my gosh. I feel the love. Thank you!!!

[@isiscastillo2036]

I would love to travel to Merida. I'm a retired Spanish bilingual nurse. I liked your budget style!

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you. Trying to keep it real in terms of budget. December is one of the best months to be in Merida. Ven. :)

[@BrianandCarrie]

We are excited to see your place next month, Amy! The $5.00 haircut is something I look forward to as well!! Great video!!! 😁

[@DestinationRetirement]

I’m very excited to host you. I will be down there next week and I will note the address of that barber with the antique chair. Funny thing is they measure the haircut in fingers like ordering two fingers of scotch it’s like two fingers of trim off your hair.

[@estherstephens1858]

Hi Amy, YES!!!!!! I’d rather budget higher and find that I get to “keep” some extra money than budget low and find that I don’t have enough. There are so many yt’rs who make it sound like Merida (or Mexico for that matter) is cheap. I’m sure I can tweak that monthly expense but, sheesh, other yt’rs put out videos saying $1,000 (or less). I like your perspective better.

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

She is paying way too much. Is she trying to mislead people or is she being Gringo priced ?

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Esther, Thank you. I do know some of the fixed costs like ones I pay now, and just added a little for inflation. But other costs, I shot high. It will be very interesting when I start living here full time. I'll do an updated video then too.

[@billiondollardan]

Hell, I'm not worried about cost of living in Mexico. I pay 25,150 a year for health insurance, 14,700 for auto insurance, and they both have high deductibles. I'm sick of it. I want to sell my business and do freelance surgeries a week a month while living the rest of the time down there. My wife doesn't speak Spanish though, so she is really not cool with the idea

[@DestinationRetirement]

In larger cities speaking Spanish is not necessary really. Has she visited Mexico with you in the past? Wow, the insurance cost is so high. I worry about my family in that regard. Interesting idea to work a week per month. Where are you located? Perhaps finding a city your wife likes that is a direct flight from where you live and practice now..

[@billiondollardan]

@@DestinationRetirement Yeah I take her to Mexico regularly

[@Troy-nc5br]

I have a personal driver I pay 700 peso per day 1500 if I goto progreso beach in the USA I pay my house keeper 250 per month because I don't stay in the USA all the time haven't bought a home in merida yet I pay rent for the months I stay usually 3 or more at a time in merida I pay above the going rate on house keeping because I like the person doing the work and it is done very well electric bill in usa 250 for a low usage month as far as your solar in mexico it save you 40% thats why I don't have it even at 12k quote my bill in merida never exceeds 75 per month sometimes 25 per month us dollars

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Troy, I also have a driver for once in a while. I love not having a car when Im there. I do imagine full time living there I might drive. How did you find your driver? On Solar I am thinking of doing it for the two bedroom house. Guests sometimes leave it on. I'll wait to see what the charges are like. Thanks for the comments!

[@mineralt]

Why do so many people anguish over budgeting when we are all surrounded by $$ everywhere? While people are worried about what they spend on paper towels, NVDA is up 500% 😂😂 Fact, there’s always an NVDA. Focus on offense, not defense.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Focus is everything. :)

[@softblackkitten]

Aceptos y quédate mucho from Costa Mesa. Thanks for sharing.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Gracias! Abrazos.

[@RawHebrewRemnant]

Nicely done. I would be nervous buying a home outside of the US. I assume that you have obtained Mexican residency. How long did that take you? How long have you owned your home in Mexico?

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi there. I have temporary residency and in 2025 it converts to permanent. I bought the first house in 2019. It has been a very long process. I have loads of videos on it.

[@timayawilliams5684]

@@DestinationRetirementwhat’s the living requirement for temp residency? Do you have to actually stay in Merida for a period of time to keep it?

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@timayawilliams5684 I'm not certain but I don't think you actually have to. It is implied that the reason a person applies is because they are staying for long periods of time each visit or they live there but I don't know. Perhaps other viewers can chime in here. I got my temp card but had to come back to the US to continue working. Right now I only spend about 2 months/year there. I worked with an attorney to line up the appointment at immigration. And because I have a house I had an electric bill from CFE with my name on it-VERY important.

[@christophertampkins8478]

Hi, you said you $50 per visit for your housekeeping and pool/ per visit. Would that monthly cost be $800? Your monthly spreadsheet says $200

[@DestinationRetirement]

I was thinking I would have it done 2x per month on each. Thats why. :)

[@christophertampkins8478]

​@@DestinationRetirement You have definitely helped us all. I appreciate you and should be that way in a year 😊

[@suzanapaydin5831]

What about the cost of IMSS for employees? This is health insurance coverage and required for PT employees.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Great question. I don't have regular employees. right now they clean about 2-3 times per month for one day and 2-3 times per month for the pool for about an hour.

[@jaredpbostic]

Oooh, you mentioned HSA. I've been wondering about that very thing recently. While I have seen videos and comments saying simply "Yes, HSA can be used outside of USA", I've not seen comments by anyone with direct experience using their HSA, especially in Mexico. Do you or friends have experiences using your HSA down there?

[@DestinationRetirement]

I don't yet but that is a major question of mine. I track my out of pocket expenses here in the US and I know I can re-imburse myself for those. Maybe that is the way. Fidelitys website has good info.

[@TurtleTortuga29]

Hola, we live in Merida now it's been over a year and have tried many massages but yet to find one we would redo again. Do you have a person or company you would recommend? thanks

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@TurtleTortuga29 I do not. I sure wish I did, but I have not gotten many. I’ve only had two massages in Merida and both times they were just OK.

[@oscarpichardo2838]

I live in Vegas I have a 2 bedroom apartment including all my expenses $1800 dollars...we're did she gets $3500 hundred that's outrageous.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Congrats, that is amazing! I'd love to see that breakdown. Do you rent or own without a mortgage? Do you travel or have a monthly line item for emergency, car repairs, dental, etc. I am figuring every little thing including some things that are just annual.

[@vittoriaolsen767]

If you put the Spanish words and English translation we can learn your greeting seems like a big hug. You could put easy Spanish to English words in your guides I just mean one or two per episode just for fun. Love your channel

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thats a great idea. Maybe I'll add a phrase in each video. Something for the end..

[@Las3319-1]

Really enjoyed this

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you!!! It took a long time to put together so I appreciate that.

[@lyndaself1846]

No homeowner's insurance?

[@DestinationRetirement]

I had it for a while and repairs are so inexpensive I didn't really see the need for it. It was about $350usd per year.

[@seashell4327]

No one needs insurance until they really need it. What if your house burns down or even only partially burns? The roof blows off, a wall collapses?​@DestinationRetirement

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@seashell4327 It's been a while since I looked at the policy to see what was really covered. I also asked the fb group as well and it didn't seem worth it. Walls are 2 feet thick concrete and roofs are concrete/rebar. But I should look into house fire scenarios. Maybe I'll rethink.

[@turnovertheleaf5505]

I am interested in your supplements? 😮

[@DestinationRetirement]

Nothing special really, Calcium, magnesium, Omegas, B12. :)

[@mariojimenez7454]

I'm mexican and I think that your overpaying for cleaning your pool and house and the bonus thing my advice to you is to ask your mexican neighbors and tell them about it and see what they say

[@DestinationRetirement]

Totally agree. 50/cleaning and pool cleaning is more than I pay right now. The future forecasted expenses is for a larger house and pool garden. When I finally move there full time I'll get pricing ideas from locals (thanks for the tip). And, after I made this video I found out that the bonus in September is 2weeks, not a month. Still learning. :) Gracias y un abrazo.

[@suzanapaydin5831]

@@DestinationRetirement annual bonuses in Mexico are usually paid in December before the 20th for employees. I live in San Miguel de Allende and been in Mexico for 24 yrs. Very Early retirement in our case. I also believe that the wage figures are high for Merida and best to check with Mexican neighbors for more accurate amounts to pay, foreigners usually overpay employees and that can cause some discourse with Mexican neighbors and citizens. Be fair but not too high. Of course, in the future, wages can change a bit. Best wishes!

[@RexPonder-y6b]

Gringos always ask me why does it cost three times more to buy in the Baja than the main land Mexico. I tell them that the Baja is now south California now and the prices are about the same.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Do you live in Baja? I don't know the market there.

[@sunny5871]

Still waiting on the home tour

[@DestinationRetirement]

You and me both!! I arrive in Mérida in 8 days and you’ll have tours galore. I can’t wait. ❤

[@DestinationRetirement]

Here is an old one of the house I call The Library House: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIW1YmZvm7mkitksi=cXVTjUXPWpyVRMQ0

[@1EQUALS-INFINITY]

Bienvenida and come and visit us in Queretaro.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hola. Gracias. I would love to see Queretaro. I hear great things

[@maniizz]

Thank you for tbis video! Very comfortable budget for México 💃 I did not know you still need to pay taxes in the US...is that bc you will still be earning income in the states? Abrazos 🤗

[@DestinationRetirement]

I wish I understood it better. I know any income and my social security will still have taxes in the US. I'm sure I will be looking for a CPA in Mexico that specials in US citizens living in MX.

[@meatgravylard]

To be clear no one has to pay taxes as one might not earn enough to owe or have deductions enough to bring ones income below the threshold. What is important is all Americans are required to file a tax return anywhere in the world they live whether they owe taxes or not. For the most part you file your taxes exactly as you always have, but with a Mexican address up top. And if for example you sell a house here taxes(capital gains) will be paid at closing and have no impact on the US as the agreement between countries is not to double tax. The IRS doesn't care where you live, nothing changes.

[@maniizz]

@@meatgravylard Thank you!!

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@meatgravylard There you are! I knew I would hear from you. Thank you! I am most interested to know what percentage of my social security will be taxed. I guess that depends on how much I am getting. Unknown since I am not sure what age I will start taking it. Your thought? C'mon.. :)

[@boricua4052]

I love your channel. I will love to move there. My partner is from Ciudad del Carmen Campeche. Can I buy a house with my USA credit? I heard you can’t.

[@DestinationRetirement]

You need to buy all cash. There is a lender that gives loans for Mexico but the closing costs and rate are really high. If your partner is a Mexican national they may have more banking opportunities for loans.

[@boricua4052]

@@DestinationRetirementThanks. Muchas gracias ❤❤❤

[@boricua4052]

@@DestinationRetirementMay I ask who’s the lender? A bank?

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

The Pool maintenance figure is way too much. Perhaps you should learn how to maintain your own pool so you can realize how much it costs.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Yes someday I will. Plan to have a really long pool someday so I can exercise (creaky knees).

[@rbnstmar]

Hi, I think the numbers are high.

[@DestinationRetirement]

It feels high to me too. I hope it is. I usually find I budget something then spend way less on it.

[@danielledani1559]

Fiedecimeco ...... ?....... You didn't translate what this is

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi neighbor. A Fideicomiso is the bank trust that you "own" your house in and you pay an annual fee. I have a good video with an attorney about it. I'll send it to you.

[@CassieDavis613]

Came here from Cortess' channel.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Cassie, thanks for popping over. :)