living on pesos

I am not an expert on anything in Mexico.

At best, I have a few Cartesian experiences.  The type of life events that make me start wondering if I live in the same Mexico described by my fellow expatriates.


Let's talk money.


The first question my friends asked me about living south of the border is: How much does it cost to live in Mexico?  The question is a cue for me to channel my fifth-grade teacher.  "What does it cost to live in your home town?"


Of course, the response is disingenuous.  I know what they want to know.  Whether they can save money living in Mexico.


And that is easy to answer.


If you want to live with the same conveniences you have in your American suburban house, you might be able to save some money in Mexico.  But not much.


On the other hand, if you are willing to live as your Mexican neighbors do, you can cut your expenses -- a lot.


Comfort costs.  More comfort, more cost.  Fewer comforts, fewer costs.  As the scale slides up, the pesos start migrating out of the pocketbook.


I thought of that scale while reading another survey from the International Community Foundation: U.S. Retired Trends in Mexico Coastal Communities: Lifestyle Priorities and Demographics.  Hardly a title to keep you awake on a late Wednesday night.  But it makes some interesting assertions.


According to the survey, "44% of Americans residing in Mexican coastal communities were able to live comfortably on less than $1000 a month for household expenses."


I found both numbers astounding.  We are talking about coastal community costs here.  With over half of the respondents living in Baja -- not well-known for its low costs.


My experience tells me something is wrong with the figures.  Starting with rent.  Mine is $800 -- four blocks from the beach.  Telephone/internet is $32.  About the same amount for the maid.  Groceries run about $200.  Automobile expenses run about $300 a month.


And that does not include eating out, travels, and other related expenses like entertainment.  Obviously, I am not in the 44%  Not even close.


And I am not certain how many people really are in that category.  People have a tendency to underestimate costs when they try to calculate without bills in front of them.  And those who own their own homes do not have to worry about my largest expense: rent.


But there is another factor.  Expatriates love to one-up each other on how little they pay for anything.  No big ones that got away.  Not here.


It often reminds me of the Monty Python Four Yorkshiremen routine:

Right. I had to get up in the morning at ten o'clock at night half an hour before I went to bed, drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our Dad and our mother would kill us and dance about on our graves singing Hallelujah.

You know the type.  Has lived in Mexico for 35 years on an FMT.  Has never paid more than 5 pesos for a meal.  Knows every village chief of police for kilometers around.  And was personal friends with Matisse while curating a Santa Fe museum.


But maybe that is just my experience.


Not everyone who claims to live on a small amount of money in Mexico is spinning a tale.  I know several people who survive solely on their social security benefits.  But they also live Spartan lives.  And they are constantly in danger of being ineligible for an FM3 visa.


I tend to fall in the middle of the comfort scale.  Being almost Aristotelian in my moderation.  So, I spend more than $1000 a month on household expenses.  But not a lot more.


When I return in November, I am going to keep a better eye on my expenses.  If for no other reason than being helpful in answering people who want to know how much it costs to live in a small Mexican fishing village by the sea.