You Won't Believe What This Retired Expat Is Doing In Merida!

FREE Living in Mexico Guide for Expats
bit.ly/3oVzni7
David left the U.S. in search of a place where he could retire early. He found Merida Yucatán, packed his bags and his pets, and is now loving life here.
David retired early and can now have the flexibility of achieving something he’s always wanted to do- give back to a local community. He shares his experience living in Merida, and his cost of life. And explains how you can do it too!
He is heavily involved in a local mission that gives impoverished families food and supplies. Mission Friendship Yucatan. / misiondeamistadyucatan...
He’s also busy renovating his house. And in his free time he like to hang out with his friends and enjoy the laid back life that Merida has to offer.
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[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

FREE Living and Retiring in Mexico Guide! bit.ly/3oVzni7

[@AlexPerez-jb4nw]

Que recomienda a los que nacimos alla pero ya tenemos muchos anios en USA pero queremos regresarnos a en el retiro, me siento como si fuera un expat, gracias.

[@laureenmacdonald4091]

@@AlexPerez-jb4nw max C n mmczm Mmm cm m. Jam vnmcZ n mm a bmmCx

[@hectorlopez7932]

I’m retired from the U.S. Army and moved to Mexico City for six months! It is a great place but I like tranquility and safety and looked into making a move to Merida as I had heard great things about it from many different sources. I must say that I am very pleased with my decision to move to Merida as the contrast between Mexico City and here are night and day. Whether on a short or long- term basis, one can live extremely comfortable financially here. I am quite surprised at how many other Americans have made Merida their home, we are definitely not alone here. Metida is located in such a unique place geographically… I like 30 minutes away from the beach (Progreso), Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum (Quintana Roo), are all about a 3 hour drive! There are just so many places to visit and sightsee here and in the surrounding. The food is great and very affordable, beautiful shopping plazas, fresh fruits and vegetables available all year round at great prices that are unseen anywhere in the US. The houses, whether one decides to rent or buy, are unlike anything one will find anywhere back home. One can easily find a very suitable home for $50,000 and up! $50k back home is just a down-payment, here, it is a house paid for! One can easily purchase a car here for $4,000 (80,000 pesos) and up and if it requires mechanical work, it is extremely affordable to fix! The weather is muggy starting around April until about September/October, it is hot and humid but if you have a car and house with AC, you will be just fine! I do not know if this will be my forever home, but I am certainly enjoying my stay here so far. It really is a great place that is growing rapidly. It is a very safe place, perhaps the safest state in all of Mexico, great food, friendly, hardworking, and friendly people, amazing food, great markets just about everywhere and everything is a fraction of what one would pay back home in the US. The quality of life here is truly surprising in a good way. I’ve lived in so many different states and countries during my 22 years career in the U.S. Army, and I would not hesitate to recommend Merida to anyone wanting to make a move outside of the United States! ☺️

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Thank you for sharing your story! Perhaps you would want to do an interview for us? [e-mail]

[@hectorlopez7932]

@@MexicoRelocationGuide Good afternoon! I am interested!

[@sandrathornton4843]

I appreciate your input about Merida. I believe it's best to know some Spanish too.

[@p.c.h.6721]

Thank you for your detailed information, and even if I’m not from the US thank you for your service

[@ElreyRayo]

Gracias from Texas 👍

[@EveningTV]

Welcome! We moved down from the U.S. a few months before Covid hit and it has been great. We spent a couple of years traveling until we narrowed it down to Mexico then narrowed further and further until we picked Merida. Yes it is hot, but you adapt, and there are just so many great things about this area. Need to learn Spanish though!! Spanish is a must!!🌴🌞🌞🏖

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Spanish truly is a must everywhere in Mexico 😀

[@joycehatcher5207]

Hey David, Loved the video. Super happy to see you so at peace.. take care

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

I'll let David know your well wishes

[@scrubjay93]

I applaud you for volunteering. So many seem to be leaving the US to take advantage of the low cost of living in other countries but don't give anything back. If you have more time and money than you had in the US, why not show your appreciation by helping others not so fortunate? The influx of foreigners must be driving the costs up for local people, just as gentrification does here in the US--these are cumulative impacts and anything you do to offset them, whether environmental, cultural, or economic, is surely appreciated in Mexico. When I visited Merida in the mid-1990s, it was much more socially conservative, culturally speaking. Away from the tourist areas and resort towns, going around in shorts, short skirts, and even bare arms could be considered an open invitation for men to harass you, sort of like walking around like a hooker in your neighborhood. Needless to say, it was very much more so in the 1970s when my parents did most of their traveling in Mexico and brought me along on one of their trips. They collected folk art and we went to places where the local Indians rarely saw foreigners. Their humility and respect for other cultures resulted in them making friends in many countries and being invited into their homes on repeat visits. When I see young female "digital nomads" and vloggers going around Mexican cities in extremely scanty clothing with skirts barely covering their derrieres, it makes me cringe even though I am the most casual and tolerant person at home. I am sure things are vastly different now, but it makes me wonder how much research people do on the culture of the people they are going to be living with. What is quite typical in the USA can be considered shockingly rude in other cultures and vice versa. Things that you would never guess! I have read several places that you should always keep both hands visible and above the table while dining in Mexico--who in the USA would even think that might be considered impolite? Arriving on time for a meeting or social event, or rushing through a meal, is considered rude. There are also environmental considerations--the chemicals found in most sunscreens are now known to be incredibly toxic to coral reefs, one of the most sensitive ecosystems on the planet--80% of the reefs in the Caribbean are now dead due to cumulative impacts like this. These chemicals can even have hormonal effects on marine mammals like dolphins and whales that are carried through mother's milk and reduce survival. People in the USA are often critical of immigrants that come to this country that don't assimilate, don't learn the language, or have detrimental impacts on local economies or cultures, but do we apply these same standards to ourselves when visiting or moving to another country? Please learn about the places you visit or live in so that you are not part of the problem and reflect badly on our own country. There is a reason why US tourists have been called "ugly Americans". I hope this doesn't offend anyone--that is not my intention. I'm not trying to single out US citizens. I'm saying this because the Mexican people are so warm and welcoming to strangers that the least we can do in return is be good guests.

[@sylviedesjardins7612]

Hello! It is my second winter in Merida. I am renting a studio en La Ermita and it is a very nice bario to leave in. I can walk almost everywhere I need to. I do speak Spanish which I learned 30 years ago while traveling and working in Mexico. It makes all the difference for sure. I am Canadian but I still need to work on my English. So I am juggling between those two over here. Since everybody address me in English first. But I am a snow bird, so I will be going back to Quebec in April for work still. Meanwhile I will be enjoying every minute while I am in Merida. Cheers!

[@larrycooper7261]

My wife and I visited a number of Mexican locations in preparation for our retirement, and instantly fell in love with Merida. We ended up in another location, but plan to relocate in the next few years, and Merida is still on our list of prospective destinations. For those asking about learning Spanish, our learning has been, and continues to be, a combination of classes, self-directed instruction (e.g. Duolingo, etc) and simple daily interaction with locals. You'll be amazed how much you'll absorb just being around it. I am in no way fluent (my standing joke is that I sound like a 2-year old Tarzan) but I'm able to get by in most situations. And when all else fails there's always one of the translation apps. Those can be a life-saver!

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Thank you for sharing.

[@worldenergyhealing7409]

$3000 US does not compute, given the expenses listed. Where are you? Why no explanation of what we are seeing? Seems like random shots from all over

[@dimassunvalley]

Welcome to mexico we love people like you here god bless🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🥳💞💞

[@audrechan9313]

Are you from Merida?

[@dimassunvalley]

@@audrechan9313 hi I'm from mex city and I live in baja mexico

[@gregorgman]

Nice video David, it's great living here in Merida.

[@shahjehan]

Thanks David this was very valuable.

[@karrieleblanc3370]

We bought during Covid in 2020 and so happy with our decision. We did a ton of research online and videos like this are so helpful so thank you for doing this. We are in San Sebastien neighborhood which is very quiet but still close to Centro and so walkable.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

So awesome! Would love to do a video interview if you’re open to it? Send me an email [e-mail]

[@kazzyburton196]

Very interesting and informative video, thanks for sharing:))

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@adelalozinski5751]

Super!thank you!

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Thanks for watching

[@tackstarfilmcompany]

Thanks for sharing this Video David. Please make a clip about properties and rent! Thanks

[@jpsmusicandmore5457]

Great video thank you for sharing. Signed a new subscriber

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Gracias

[@ExpatCaroline]

Thanks for sharing this video. It's just amazing to see how popular our little city has become in the last few years. Bienvenido a Merida!

[@annagolek4278]

Great video! I’m thinking of going back to Mexico and retire there.

[@LJ-jq8og]

Great interview. Nicely done. Similar dream of rehabbing super old colonial structure. Thank you.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

I would love to do that also. I can live vicariously through you guys 😎

[@alalesc3796]

Merida is beautiful!

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

It truly is

[@Mexitplans]

Great interview David. One thing that stuck out to me is the price you pay for car insurance. I have car insurance, full coverage plus. I pay about 1/3 of what you said for insurance for the entire year. If that is your price you might want to shop agents. It could save you a bit.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Good advice- although he just bought a car and has full coverage. perhaps yours is only liability?

[@Mexitplans]

@@MexicoRelocationGuide no I have full coverage for sure along with rental coverage. As well as home insurance and medical.

[@laflor8720]

Welcome in Merida 🇲🇽👋👋

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Saludos

[@pepsiholic]

Great video, i will move to Merida around July when it is Hot HAHA

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Good luck!

[@elconquistador5095]

Thanks!

[@ElreyRayo]

Gracias from Texas 👍

[@jackieturner4629]

Hello! If I remember correctly, you drove to Merida from Baltimore??? Good to see you are thriving. I'm in Montgomery County, MD and hope to be moving there by the end of the year on a permanent residency visa.All the best to you.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Thanks Jackie - David reads these comments from time to time

[@raymondsnavely1117]

i am 73years old and driving from harrisburg,pa to check out the yucatan,spend about 3months to rent cheap

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Have a safe trip down Raymond!

[@jackieturner4629]

That's wonderful! I was in Harrisburg 2 weeks ago to pick up car that I bought on line. Pretty impressive that you're driving. SAFE TRAVELS!

[@thepassportlife]

New Sub here. Just came across your channel. I am retired, think I will visit Merida soon.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

nice! make sure you check out our free resources on moving to Mexico mexicorelocationguide.com/blog/

[@mattersfact2]

Wonderful interview! I feel like Merida is going to be the place where we start when we finally move.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

It’s a great city! Check out our free guide mexicorelocationguide.com/living-in-mexico/

[@sandrathornton4843]

Hola David I really liked your video and have done many of the same researches myself. I will visit every Jan to April for a while before relocating from Toronto, Canada. I hope all goes well with your pueblo and would like to ask if you are going to build a business or such?

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

David is retired now. He is however, restoring a house.

[@barryv246]

Pay attention when driving in Merida!

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Pay attention when driving in Mexico!

[@Deltron6060]

Pay attention when driving period.

[@matthewpaxton6648]

I am curious about the questions you were asked by USA officials on the way out. I moved (flew) to Ecuador Jan.22. I was kept overnight in Houston for additional COVID testing. When I arrived all my belongings had been seriously tossed by USA officials. And I mean TOSSED. I know because they leave you a note inside your luggage. I found it weird that my personal belongings were of such keen interest to USA customs when exiting the country.

[@blasdelagarza5292]

Very informative…thank you! Love Merida…it’s one of our top locations for future retirement.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

It’s a great place Blas!

[@Peter-xq9tz]

Did you go south of Merida, to get away from the fideocomiso? 50km coastal zone?

[@glennmartin346]

Question...I thought you mention another KZbinr by the name of Mary Ann's... I've looked but I can't find anything like that. Can you clarify? Also your video was great. Keep up the good work

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Hi Glen/this is Mariana This is my KZbin channel I interview a lot of different expats but I run Mexico Relocaction Guide

[@glennmartin346]

@@MexicoRelocationGuide Thank you!

[@melaniesmith3954]

Can you talk about the weather in Merida, I am not a fan of heat .

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Hi Melanie Merida gets very hot in the months of April through October If you don’t like heat, then merida isn’t for you Checkout the central highlands of Mexico

[@anitablack3447]

How is biking in Merida? Are there any safe and smooth roads nearby for road cycling?

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

There are smooth roads, but it’s automobiles you have to worry about They usually don’t look out for cyclists

[@dorahernandez7685]

Did you say you're paying $3k a month? Thats not cheap. If I heard correctly, I currently pay less in Arizona per month. I hope I misunderstood. 🤔

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Yes he said that was his monthly expenses. But he’s also renovating a house.

[@malaklucero3124]

USA immigrant are welcome in México.

[@ariapax3489]

Can you refer me to legal services to become resident in Guadalajara México? THANKS

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Hi Aria! Yes we can. All of our recommended contacts are in our Mexico Relocation Guide mexicorelocationguide.com/guide/

[@peterz53]

where does the $3,000 per month go? Food and utiliies and insurance were only about $500 per month.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

He’s rebuilding a custom home

[@grr8scot]

How many pets did you bring with you? Did you already speak some Spanish or were you starting from scratch? How much English is spoken in Merida, is it somewhere you need to have a grasp of Spanish to get by?

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

I’ll ask David to give you his feedback. But he didn’t know much Spanish before moving English is not widely spoken in Merida. But there are exceptions to everything

[@EveningTV]

My husband, son and I live in Merida also and did not know Spanish and we have had to use translators to do everything and are highly motivated to learn the language.

[@grr8scot]

Thank you for the feedback

[@grr8scot]

Thank you

[@dwkeelan]

I took my 55 lb dog and my cat. Can one get along without Spanish? Yes. Many people do. I believe one needs to consider what it costs not to have Spanish skills - and their are a lot of costs. If you have Spanish skills you’ll understand what’s going on around you, you’ll be able to meet a lot more people, you’ll appreciate the culture and history more (the nuances) than if you did not speak Spanish, Spanish brings out the nuances and “uh huh moments” of this culture. The less Spanish one knows I think The more intimidated one is to go out into the community and explore, meet, etc.

[@rhornffl9545]

Four minutes into the video and the intro music is still playing. Interviews should not have a soundtrack.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

You can make your own videos and chose your own flow 😉

[@rhornffl9545]

@@MexicoRelocationGuide Of course I could. I could also just watch someone else’s videos. But that’s not the point. The goal is for you to do better.

[@hiswonderfulcreation]

About how old is David?

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

You’d have to ask him 😊

[@dwkeelan]

Carla. I am 57 years old

[@hiswonderfulcreation]

@@dwkeelan Thanks for responding. I as wondering how early you entered retirement.I have plans to be in Merida within the next few months and am paying close attention to the relocators.

[@georgep1358]

how much did the house cost you ?

[@dwkeelan]

$12,500. But need to renovated and add.

[@georgep1358]

@@dwkeelan wow love see your home that is really well a total bargain I must move over soon

[@dwkeelan]

George, the renovation ad addition are gonna be another $100,000 usd plus perimeter wall, solar, a/c, some finishes, etc. That is a more accurate picture.

[@georgep1358]

@@dwkeelan I know exactly what you mean as I an fixing home in Greece and its has come to more then 150 000 Usd ,the house had no power or electricity and no running water so the cost alone to get that into the house was a mission and its on going .

[@georgep1358]

@@dwkeelan best of luck David

[@user-nq9gz4xf7f]

Driving in Merida is insane lots of choques, no such thing as defensive drivers there or margin of safety, get there first or get squeezed out. I like Merida love to walk in el centro on a busy side walk, its like a living stream of people. Houses used to be cheap to buy probably still are but you dont really own the house, its held in trust for you with big notary fees every year. Hmmm i dont trust that system, better to rent.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Driving in Mexico isn't for everyone. But millions of people do it and are just fine. You can't be distracted which is why there are accidents. And we also recommend renting at least for a year. But buying isn't anything to be suspicious of. Mexican law is legit and can be trusted.

[@sibaroochi]

$3,000 a month living expense sounds like a very high standard of living

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

David certainly spends more money than most because he is renovating a home and also donates a lot of his money to charities in the area

[@sibaroochi]

@@MexicoRelocationGuide So that $3,000 figure includes home renovations and charity donations?

[@Cesna69]

I was thinking the same thing about the monthly expenses. Would like to see the breakdown of that.

[@KD-nk3ht]

I hate the Yucatán. It is like a goddamn sauna 24/7/365. But if that doesn't sap you of your energy every time you walk out the door, as it does me, you may like it.

[@MexicoRelocationGuide]

Yea- the humidity and heat isn't for everyone but many people do love it. Where in Mexico do you prefer the weather?