RETIRE in Playa Del Carmen, México for only $700-$900/month?!

Let’s take a tour of the Colosio neighborhood in Playa Del Carmen and talk cost of living!

[@Lalo20002]

Great video, most people have unrealistic expectations about retiring early! It’s not about partying 24/7 or eating out every single meal, it’s about the freedom and less stress!

[@theropemonster]

Couldn’t agree more!! Thanks for watching and checking out the channel 🙏🏼

[@jaliscoguanajuatotravelsan5679]

Yes. Jordan ( Tangerine Travels ) does a great job. I’ve been watching him for years. And knowing Spanish helps. Another Grand Slam video for you . You hit it outside the park with this one

[@hiraizrichards3772]

Thanks for the info! So helpful and realistic 👍🏽

[@theropemonster]

Thanks for watching my friend! All the best you you 🙏🏼

[@jaliscoguanajuatotravelsan5679]

My kind of neighborhood. Thanks for being transparent. Great info. 2 things - I would have to have secured parking for my car Can I drive my car to the beach ? And I have to go during cooler parts of year like Nov -Feb. You are generous with your info. Don’t you have a budget to go out to dinner with a woman ? Yes knocking on doors does it !!!! 👍. Good landlord. I’ve had some like that in Mexico Oh I’m retired. Can walk some. Great information. Thanks

[@theropemonster]

My pleasure I’m glad you enjoyed the content. Yes, my girlfriend is here now so we definitely have some room in the budget for dining out. We like to go out for ceviche at Lobo Del Mar and other spots but it’s not all that expensive (220 pesos for a HUGE ceviche that we can share). That $700/$900 budget, to be honest, doesn’t leave a ton of room for going out and partying though. The Roof, here on 5th Ave still has 50 peso beers so there ARE options! There are parking spots for your car on Avenida Colosio that are free right at the entrance of Playa 72, but most people walk to the beach if they only live a few blocks away. Thanks for the great questions and for watching! One note about street parking: a lot of people I know park on the street and nothing bad happens to their cars. Quite a few of the newer buildings DO have parking below the building with a gate and cameras.

[@JennyJAldrich]

Ive been here for two weeks, one more to go. We stayed on 10th near Punta Esmerelda in a dirt cheap airbnb(just moved to 22nd. Ugh.). The neighborhood was old. Run down. It also had The kindest people in the world living inside of it. We felt so welcome there. We eat anywhere on 30th, or in the side streets. Best food Ive ever had in my life. We have LOVED staying in the ' real' mexico. (I'm from Montana btw). The closer you get to Center, the bigger things are and the more things cost. Its a whole different world. I like the area you are showing here much, MUCH more.

[@theropemonster]

Awesome!! I also love to eat on 30th Ave.. more expensive does not mean better! The 50 peso meals up there taste like home cooking ❤️. I love Montana btw… grandparents had a cabin near Kalispell on Ashley Lake up there. Learned how to fish, ride dirt bikes, make huckleberry pie (thanks grandma!), swim, hike etc up there and loved every minute of it!

[@JennyJAldrich]

@theropemonster I grew up in Columbia Falls, and moved to Kalispell when I was 20! Its a different kind of beautiful there. I am here with my best friend, a world away from home. I dont know spanish but I need to learn. Because I love it here. The Iguanas still scare the HELL out of me. Im use to Elk, deer, and bears-but I love this place. I love the food, the heat, the music, all of it, and if I was able to work remotely, I would find a way to stay here and only go home on vacation. Im glad you have good memories of Montana. The big sky country is a special place. I also hope that your channel grows. People that come here are missing the things I got to see, and things you talk about- the best stuff. There is so much complexity to and magic in Playa outside of that little tourist depo.

[@theropemonster]

@@JennyJAldrich haha imagine if these locals saw an Elk up close?! Their faces would be priceless 😜. The iguanas still startle me too but I love them… they’re basically little dinosaurs 🦖. I miss Kalispell in the 90’s… Moose’s Saloon.. that pizza and the bark dust floor! Kokanee salmon cooked over a camp fire.. all that

[@JennyJAldrich]

@theropemonster Mooses is my favorite. I cant tell you hoe many times I get lost here still. Get hungry. See pizza. Eat it cause its cheap, I cant find tacos in that moment, my feet are 5 hours in the game, and i have bandaids on them in 6 places. Dude: its better at Mooses but I will take what I can get when its what I got. Lol. I frigging love it here. 😀

[@joehinshaw4956]

700 - 900 usd is what decent apartment cost you for am month, here in Playa del Carmen. I have lived here for over 20 years. Playa del CARMEN is actually one of the more costly cities to live in here in MX. To live a comfy life style here you need at least 1500-2000 USD.. at the very least.

[@theropemonster]

I completely agree that PDC is amongst the most expensive destinations in MX, but that’s what makes it a fun challenge to live cheap here. My apartment is 2 blocks from the beach entrance in Colosio and all the finishes, stove etc are brand new. I pay less than $400usd/month. It really comes down to where you want to live and where you eat out, drink, your budget for day trips to cenotes, Cozumel etc, but also whether or not you speak fluent Spanish, in my humble opinion. Thanks for watching Joe and thanks for the great comment!

[@MrRedondotube]

Great information! Let’s see more videos of everyday life in Mexico!

[@theropemonster]

Thanks my friend! More videos to come soon 😎 🇲🇽

[@Dividendflywheel]

@@theropemonster stumbled on your channel (& subscribed), plan to retire in 5 to 7 years. Mexico is high on my list. Love the people, culture and slower pace lifestyle

[@Dividendflywheel]

Thank you for the details.

[@theropemonster]

My pleasure, thanks for checking out the channel!

[@dhobby7771]

Thank you for an Accurate video on Playa. ATB from sunny Playa del Carmen. 😎

[@e_gerardo]

Just take into consideration that while it can be a really cool and ideal plan for USA citizens, it really turns life into a nightmare for the locals, these type of communities make their local economy work thanks to tourism, but when tourism ends and the new neighbors next door happen to bring currencies as high as 16 times the local one... that means people get displaced and thrown to their luck and God's will in the best of cases, which is pretty common nowadays here in Mexico.

[@theropemonster]

Very true Gerardo! Something we all need to be aware of. Puerto Vallarta has been destroyed by that unfortunately.

[@adaml2932]

The electric bill for running A/C in the summer must be high though, but still lot cheaper than US I imagine. Mexican salaries are lot lower than US & they survive.

[@theropemonster]

Yea it can get up there… I will say this though.. the electricity per KWH seems way cheaper here than in Puerto Vallarta! I’ll do an update on the electric bill as the heat gets worse.

[@user-cr3nt5vx3m]

I'm glad I came across your channel. I've got an AeroMexico voucher I have to use up this spring and was thinking of looking at Playa del Carmen as a possible new home. I'm an 'active' 70 yr old widower and can afford rent of 2-3K USD (maybe more). I have no interest in the night life and wouldn't want to be anywhere near it. I don't mind barking dogs but I would like someplace safe. I want to walk on a sandy beach every morning for a few miles. I'd appreciate if you pointed me in a direction. btw - I've had ATT Mexico for maybe 6 years now. I pay 4290 pesos for a 24 month plan which includes unlimited calling in North America and 3GB data.

[@theropemonster]

Thanks for watching! That phone plan sounds like a solid deal really with the unlimited calling to North America. If you want to spend that much on rent you could look in the PlayaCar area to the south for a condo or apartment.. that beach is beautiful and plenty long. For much less, you could find a one bedroom place (please don’t pay more than $700USD/month in this area!) to the north in Colosio, and still have a beautiful beach to walk every morning from Playa Colosio all the way north of Punta Esmeralda.

[@scotverdin9401]

Great info! I'd be interested in more info, if you can, about what resources a retiree might access. Thanks so much!!

[@theropemonster]

Great suggestion Scot! I’ll think about putting together a part 2 to this one. Thanks for watching!

[@mssalahuddin7]

You can also stay for the six months and when that tourist visa expires go to immigration and apply for a temporary residency visa. The financial requirements don’t apply in this case. Check with a local attorney to assist.

[@williamgreystone2098]

Thinking about spending my winters there, are these deals available during the winter months?

[@theropemonster]

Great question William! I actually found the apartment where I’m currently living in December of last year and got a great deal on it. So it’s definitely possible but can take a little more patience and perseverance. So far it seems that all the best apartments are found by just walking around and inquiring in person. I hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching!

[@thepassportlife]

Plan to visit around May. Hope we can meet. I am in New York. Leon

[@theropemonster]

Sounds good @thepassportlife let’s grab a beer or coffee for sure

[@thepassportlife]

@@theropemonster Okay, catch you late

[@MexicoRealEstatewithParrish]

High five 👋 from Yucatan. Very loud area at night. I sleep like a baby in Merida.

[@theropemonster]

Hey!! Thanks for that great info I’ll definitely have to check out Merida! Is there a specific part of town there that you like the most? Thanks for watching 😎

[@InBrz]

I am 71 from Florida and have never been to Mexico BUT I'd like to check it out US and Canadian plus PR for Brasil Travelled the world on big ships and have lived in Brasil off and on since 2002 That area looks a lot like a real Brasilian neighborhood, I'm totally ok with that Cars seem newer and high quality I do in general HATE AIRBNB and would prefer anything else I'd like to do some sailing there Where are you from and how long have you lived in MX ? Good for you plugging the new Tangerine Travels Is always a good idea to have another PR from some place, I'd try for the RNE program by entering for a short time then leaving till maybe the next year, then return and at the end of the TempVisa overstay and try to get the RNE

[@theropemonster]

Solid plan my friend! I’m from Portland, OR USA. Been in Mexico off and on since 2018 but after spending 7 months in Ecuador, I’m back. I just missed the food, culture and beaches here so it’s starting to look like this could become a place to eventually work toward citizenship and stay longer term. Thanks for watching and sharing a bit about your journey as well. Sounds plenty interesting! Happy travels to you 🙏🏼

[@InBrz]

@@theropemonster I used to hit Portland and Bellingham back in the 80's on a Sunoco tanker, loved it but now it's not the same place I guess, lot of homeless You were so close, you should have visited Brasil I live all the way in the south next to Argentina = Florianopolis, check it out on YT, you'd like it ! Also lived in the north - RECIFE and JOAO PESSOA. HOT all the time 7 deg south, You'd like that too but poorer up there One big neg for a lot of people is the language- portuguese. Been here long enough to learn it well enough, lot of english here in the south

[@InBrz]

@@theropemonster how do I contact you ?

[@theropemonster]

@@InBrz thanks for that tip!! I will be back in SA for sure and that’s now in the top of the list since I was planning on hitting Argentina as well! Yea I remember Portland in the 90’s… whole different vibe! At least the beer is still good 😃

[@InBrz]

@@theropemonster We'll be here till who knows when- you can try goingcrazygoinggm if you know what I mean

[@jaliscoguanajuatotravelsan5679]

Thanks for getting back to me. 700-900 is more or less ok. Can do. I have a car. If I want to bring it. A Mexican bought car that’s in Mexico I would like to meet a woman , no gold diggers. I tell them I don’t have gold. Only silver. I think I have budget for all that. I like the idea of being in the water. I’m not a surfer. I’ve a back injury and don’t swim well but can wade. Leave me a comment or I can Email you. Excellent video. Lavanderías are great. Great info. You’re humble.

[@theropemonster]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching, my friend! Yes, finding a good woman is so important and sometimes seems really difficult. I met my lady in Ecuador and could not be more happy with her. She’s talented, kind, supportive, intelligent and absolutely gorgeous … and not a gold digger! I’m also thinking about getting a car down there… would be really nice. Being in the water every day feels really great and seems very healing. I’ve also had some back issues, knee surgery etc so the wading is great therapy for sure!

[@adaml2932]

How is Palmas 2 / Olivios 2 neighborhood?

[@theropemonster]

I have visited a buddy who lives out that way and it seems fine. Really haven’t spent enough time there to know the ins and outs though. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@thepassportlife]

How far is Collosio from downtown 5th ave?

[@theropemonster]

Technically the Colosio neighborhood starts when you get north of Avenida CTM. So essentially Colosio borders the heart of downtown. It,s about a 20-25 minute walk north from the main Plaza and ferry terminal to arrive at the beginning of Colosio. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching!

[@thepassportlife]

@@theropemonster Thanks bro, see you soon.

[@thepassportlife]

Are you still living in PDC? New Sub.

[@theropemonster]

@thepassportlife yes still here in PDC making more content! Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@KB3TLE]

Hurricane country ? -- I don't speak Spanish either - do they speak any English there ? -- A hot and sweaty environment - '''discomfort''' - for an old person in ''retirement'' ? -- Low cost of living short term - but for a long term - with "visa runs" - that adds to cost + a pain in the ass for old people ? - - - My SS income is about double what you been spending but I have meds & Md. / Dr. ''needs'' you don't have ! Likely need $1200 or so for a frugal minimalist retirement there ? Would allow saving perhaps $400/mo. for visa runs - travel - or emergencies ?!? 🤔

[@theropemonster]

Howdy Frank! All great questions. There is always potential for tropical storms and hurricanes here, but much of the construction is well-built for it. Some handle the heat better than others but usually there’s a nice breeze from the ocean, ac of course in the rentals, and other dietary things can help like agua de Jamaica (hibiscus), watermelon (cheap and extra juicy here), salads etc. The visa runs are definitely an added cost to factor in but if you average that out monthly it can certainly be budgeted for… but no de ting the TSA and flying is a royal pain in the ass 🥹. English is spoken in the center on 5th Ave but not as widely as in Puerto Vallarta. Not much English is spoken in the Colosio neighborhood. If you’re interested in learning the language, Duolingo app is very helpful and only takes about 10-15 minutes per lesson. As far as the medical stuff: I actually have had some fairly serious medical issues and when I lived in Puerto Vallarta, I could go see my doctor for only 50 pesos. He would do things like IV anti inflammatory or nutritional IVs for less than $200mxn. I have yet to find someone like that in Playa but when I do, I’ll make a video on that subject. All the best to you and thanks for watching 🏝️😎🍻🇲🇽

[@thepassportlife]

Do you mean thedogs are running on the streets?

[@theropemonster]

Yes. The “street dogs” roam free. Generally they don’t bite… except the ones that do 🥲

[@adaml2932]

The street dogs are friendly from what I've seen. It's a thing in Mexico in most places. You will also see them on roofs sometimes.

[@Bill-Hicks]

I’m from here: not a fucking chance

[@theropemonster]

Howdy @Bill-Hicks… so you’re from Playa Del Carmen? Born and raised? If so, you of all people should know that budget is absolutely possible. I did it for 3 straight months living in Colosio without spending more than $900usd any of the three months. That’s of course without partying at clubs etc, but I had a great time playing beach volleyball and swimming everyday, ate at the cheap spots up on 30th mostly and at Jorge’s quesadillas for $35mxn pesos. My rent was $6,500mxn… so tell me how it’s not doable?

[@Bill-Hicks]

​@@theropemonster Well, that's not retiring, is it?. What you just said it's doable for a mid-low income person from Mexico, with no ambitions other than pay for a INFONAVIT social house; holidays at home; no medical emergencies cause the hospitals are really bad in Playa, and the privates ones would destroy the budget of a foreigner... If your're young and a bit of a hippie, I can buy your budget: young office architects and engineers, per example, make between 700-1500 dollars, and they have fun, but struggle. The retire part it's what doesn't add for me. Healthcare, eating cheap quesadillas or making your groceries at Aurrerá or Dinosusa because Wallmart or Chedraui are really expensive don't seem the best for me either. 6500 for a rental it is cheap, so you did a good job finding that.

[@theropemonster]

@@Bill-Hicks totally see your point. Keeping an emergency fund for medical is essential for sure. Appreciate the feedback my friend.