Choosing Where to Live in Merida Mexico! Best Merida Neighborhoods for Expats

[@Moniquefromkingston]

THANK YOU for any donations to help us move into our Merida apartment quicker! Chip in here: www.buymeacoffee.com/monique/wishlist

[@tonyetheselfcaremaven]

I’m so glad I found your channel. Thanks again for being so transparent and down to earth. Really appreciate it as I prep for move too!

[@Moniquefromkingston]

Welcome and you’re welcome!

[@roxaneabigail488]

Love this video! So glad I came across it..subscribing now! 🫶🏼 I’m in Playa Del carmen and planning to move to Merida next year. Would love to connect with you ..🙌🏼

[@malikahonthemove]

You are absolutely right about living further and the car situation. Buying a car is on my much sooner than later agenda ! However, I would feel that way even if I lived inside the Periferico. Good video!

[@Moniquefromkingston]

i was out there and it was brutal for me!

[@yolandahart1723]

Ms Monique, excellent video. My next trip will be my 6th trip to Merida over the last 3 years. Your information I can say is on point. I have either stayed or visited all of the cities you mentioned and more. You are so right about your findings. I hope people take your advice and not make the mistakes so many expats make moving or visiting Merida. At this time I now have the option to stay with friends or an airbnb. But I have learned where to choose for the best prices. Your are right in saying most of the neighborhoods are quite fine. North, South, East or West. Looking forward to my next trip to La Bella Merida.

[@Moniquefromkingston]

Thank you Yolanda!

[@rosalindhb]

I'm so glad you made the comment about "living among the locals". The tone in which foreigns ask this question sometimes is so demeaning. But I do get people not wanting to live in an expat bubble.

[@Moniquefromkingston]

yes definitely get the expat bubble thing because i find myself in one, only hanging out with expats since i been here so my poor Spanish improving at a snails pace

[@melliehelen8650]

This was a surprising moment in the video for me. I-an American who does not live in Mexico-took the “locals” comment as a *positive* thing, in that the speaker preferred not to solely seek out people from her country of origin, but become integrated with the existing local population-irrespective of a neighborhood’s wealth rating. That commenter’s statement may have been prompted by the many YT vids that do strongly suggest that certain areas in Mexico are indeed “havens for expats.” When Monique clarified expats are not concentrated in various certain towns but are widely scattered about, that raised my eyebrows with surprise. So, I think there may be different understandings and nuances of a “living among the locals” statement, because of this expat-destination-towns concept being promoted to Americans at least, and possibly Canadians and others; and the “locals” response is to reject that expat limitation and embrace the local people, customs, and lifestyle, instead of recreating a Mini-America (or Canada or etc.) in Mexico. 11:44

[@melliehelen8650]

(To be clear: I cannot speak for the original commenter; merely sharing my experience, as one who’s been watching some retire/expat to Mexico vids.)

[@Plantpowered788]

Can you do a video on the additional cost of homeownership in Merida, HOA, property taxes, utilities etc… Also a video on the process and cost of owning a car in Merida thanks 😊

[@Moniquefromkingston]

I’ll have to interview others about this as i have no home or car here 😁 but I will

[@Gypsyrose17]

So informative for daily living‼️ Thank you so much. I had not considered all of these factors.

[@Kwesi61]

The Local vs Tourist areas, Is what I meant whenever I used that phase. For example, on vacation for 4-7 days you pay $1000 for your Airbnb in Playa del Carmen

[@kimberly5928]

Thank you so much for this video! You were so transparent about the neighborhoods!🙌🏼 Really…Really appreciate this!🫶🏼

[@dianadwardonline]

Thank You for this video, I just asked about this on your last video before I saw this!

[@Moniquefromkingston]

Great happy you got better answers here. Let me know if you need anymore help!

[@lily-xe8xp]

Is there any info you could share about the school situations? I have a pair of elementary kids looing to go into what is called middle school in the USA next school year and to be honest that is the only thing that keeps me up at night about making the move to Merida. I have to say that is my top priority right now. Making sure I find a school where my English speaking children can fit in and thrive. They do understand 60% of Spanish but that looks so much different when it comes to any curriculum they will be presented with. Thank you so much!!! I love your videos.

[@Moniquefromkingston]

@@lily-xe8xp many parents here have put their kids on private schools and they do just fine. You’ll find more info on this if you search in the Merida expat Facebook groups

[@tiffanybailey4660]

I have similar concerns/questions. Did you find any insights?

[@peacefulself7848]

Thank you!😊

[@TheAdventuresofSnickersandMinn]

Great info. Thanks!

[@Deeleeshush]

Thank you sis! I’ve learned one of these lessons right here in the states. Appreciate all the tips. I am feeling leaving the US next year. As a single person are places still available under $600 a month? I only need a 1bdrm

[@Moniquefromkingston]

@@Deeleeshush yes you’ll definitely find one bedrooms for that! Nice ones too.

[@btadventures_globe]

Appreciate this video- informative.

[@achristinewiggins]

I would be interested in the cost of owning a vehicle as well. Thanks.

[@drucilladusk]

That Costco thing got me! Lmao😂

[@angelstar7656]

We need to extend people some grace. We understand that when most people talk about living amongst the 'locals' they are trying to differentiate themselves from people who only want to be amongst expats. There's no harm intended. If anything, it is a gentle teachable moment to help people learn about their new culture. Another thing to keep in mind is that in the United States groups of people immigrating. from the same country tend to congregate in the same area of a city or state. Every urban area in the US has ethnic neighborhoods where people from other countries built their communities. So, it isnt unreasonable for some Americans to think that this is how it is when they go to other countries to live. They forget, though, that Americans don't typically move enmass to other countries the way others move into the US and Canada. Again, it's a gentle teachable moment rather than a time to ridicule and criticize.

[@Moniquefromkingston]

True for lots, it just rubs me the wrong way to see some people stereotype Mexicans while choosing to live here.

[@universalsourcecode]

Thank you for the information. Want to stay for a month or 2 for homeschool purposes. Any recommendations. Want to come for immersion spanish and find a spanish tutor. We also want to enjoy the culture and visit some tourist sites for kids. A pool is important for us.

[@LadeijahsCreations]

Outside of the Distance of travelling from the US to Mexico what do you think prohibits US people from bringing their own vehicles that they already own to Mexico? Tfs! 🤗😘🙌

[@LivingandenjoyingLife]

I am bringing my vehicle next month in August. You just have to leave Mexico every 6 months to renew temporary permit. So it would be Belize 🇧🇿 the closes. So I will be doing it. I don't know if I will explore and drive slow seeing Mexico or straight to my destination and then travel for 5 days at a time throughout living there. I will have to add up the cost and decide.

[@KatKatz11]

Hi😊 Can you recommend a realty company that finds rentals for people. We already have a home being built but won't be done until December, but we want to come to Merida about 6-7 months before that and rent. I want to make sure we have a notaty to look over the contract and everything is legal and fair....because I would hate to get there and find out we don't have a place to move into. Cannot wait to get there🎉! Thank you!

[@HolisticTraumaTherapy]

Can I talk to you about your home building project?

[@KatKatz11]

We are building in Yucatan, we got in pre-construction deal, so saved some money there. We are actually here in town and checking project out this week and will move when it's done.

[@HolisticTraumaTherapy]

@@KatKatz11 that sounds so exciting! Thank you for sharing.

[@TheSamoura88]

Hey! Looking to stay in Merida for a couple months but finding it hard to locate an area that meets all my needs. hoping for some help. I will not have a car, but also can't be in a loud area due to working from home (client meetings all day). I'd like to be in walking distance of grocery store and short uber distance to downtown and all the cool place to see on the weekends. So close to where things are convenient but far enough where it is quiet. Is this possible?

[@raver581]

But what about the black outs during the heat waves?

[@alpineai]

Countries have to realize that for people with a wider comfort zone, there's no reason to be paying those kinda rates when you can be someplace where you can 1) drink the water 2) flush your darn toilet paper 3) be a 1-2hour flight from 20+ countries that are also1st world - all for $100 round trip!

[@turnovertheleaf5505]

Where?

[@TKay2778]

Hi Monique. I am jamaican living in NJ and considering Merida. I would love to connect with you.

[@Moniquefromkingston]

@@TKay2778 hey sure thing send me a dm on IG

[@cari184]

Same. From NJ looking to move to Merida.

[@BenyiOlan-oj8uo]

Love family

[@TKay2778]

Would you suggest buying a house there or renting?

[@Moniquefromkingston]

@@TKay2778 I suggest renting in your first year especially if you’ve never lived here before.

[@LivingandenjoyingLife]

Can you help me find a house with a pool for $600 dollars my budget

[@snieves4]

How many Merida youtubers are there now?

[@Moniquefromkingston]

@@snieves4 487,485

[@crumbdav]

I rent my 3br3ba home located between Santiago/San Sebastian for about $1650 includes cleaning and internet. I’ll speak for persons who have invested in Merida way before it became popular on House Hunters International and NY Times. We were the ones taking huge risks and expenses. So in my humble opinion, you are paying for that….

[@universalsourcecode]

Lol😂 except at Costco

[@2002toddmck]

No shade just help. 1- There is annoying rattle sound sounds like pills and bottle or a bangle bracelet either take it off or stop shaking it. 2- Practice what you want to say say it get to the point less filler words shorter videos It's hard to pay attention when you're annoyed