Moving to Mexico (Part 2 of 10)

Affordable Comes With a Price

Let me start by bursting one of the biggest myths about moving to Mexico. Yes, Mexico can be very affordable. I moved here from California, so I know exactly how expensive life can get. But Mexico isn't automatically cheap. It depends on the city, the neighborhood, and the lifestyle you're after. Some areas, especially popular expat destinations like Puerto Vallarta, can be surprisingly expensive. Do your own research and don't fall for the "I live in Mexico on $899 a month" YouTube videos. Those stories may be true for someone, but they probably won't be your story. Also remember that if your income is in US dollars, exchange rates change, and the cost of living today isn't what it was in 2020 or even 2025.

The second thing people forget is that we all live differently. Some people are perfectly happy eating tacos every day. Others enjoy dining out regularly. Some don't need a car. We didn't. Others can't imagine living without one. And then there's housing. Yes, you can absolutely find inexpensive rentals, even in Puerto Vallarta. We found plenty. But once we started looking seriously, we realized that if we wanted to live comfortably in a place that truly felt like home, we'd need a bigger budget than we originally expected. There is nothing wrong with that. Just be honest with yourself about the lifestyle you actually want, not the one you think you should have.

My biggest piece of advice is simple: build a financial cushion... and then add another one. The global economy has become unpredictable, and I don't expect things to get cheaper over the next 10, 20, or 30 years. History hasn't exactly shown that prices go down and stay there. If you're planning a major move, don't base it on today's numbers alone. Think long term. The goal isn't simply to move somewhere that's cheaper. It's to build a life you can comfortably afford for years to come.