I love living in Mexico.
One of the big perks is that it’s more affordable than most other states and countries I have visited or lived in. But is it as cheap as people say? Well, that depends on the stories you’ve heard. It also depends on where you are in Mexico and your lifestyle.
For example, living in Rocky Point costs me much less than living in Baja. In fact, living in New Mexico, USA, also costs me less than living in Baja when I count up my regular expenses.
Rocky Point is like Arizona, and Baja California is like … well, California.
People on the Baja side of Mexico seem to have more money and live more “Americanized” lives than those in Rocky Point:
The roads are much better.
The houses are nicer.
The cars are newer.
People dress more “stylish.”
English is more commonly spoken.
Everyone I know has a visa to cross into and out of the U.S. as they please.
Maybe 40% or more of the Mexicans I know have been to Europe, or their immediate family members have visited.
There are a lot of jobs outside of the service and tourism industries.
Most people I know are college-educated (more so than in the U.S.)
There are two large universities within 20 minutes of where I live.
Not surprisingly, all of these great benefits come at a higher cost in Baja.
Rent and groceries cost me a lot more in Baja than they did in Rocky Point, but still less than I paid in America. It’s hard to compare gas prices across Mexico because I never noted the exact prices in Rocky Point, and I travel more often in Baja.
So, how much do I spend on living expenses each month in Baja California Norte?
Next week, paid subscribers will receive an in-depth breakdown like the one I did for Spain in April. I’ll tell you how much I spend and what I spend it on. I’ll also see if I can dig up some bank statements from 2022, so you can get an idea of prices then versus now.
See you next week!