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HoldenTrask

Jul 1, 2012, 10:59 PM

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Where to go?

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Hello Mexconnect community,

I'm planning on living in Mexico for a while, and may be going down there pretty soon. I love to travel in general, and so I am fairly open as to where I end up. I do have prior experience traveling, living and working in China as well as multiple countries in South East Asia.

My primary interest are:

-Dynamic, interesting location (preferably in or near a mid - big city.)
-On or near the beach
-Cheap/cheapish local food, hopefully that is also pretty tasty (maybe in the $1-$3 range for a decent sized meal.) I actually prefer to eat the same food the locals do.
-A nice studio/1 bedroom apartment or maybe an on the cheaper side condo, something in the $300-$600 a month range. Hopefully not too far from the beach.
-Going out 2-3 times a week (I'm a young guy, 23 years old, so this does probably mean clubbing.) But I'm not a huge partier so 2-3 times a week suites me fine.

I don't know much Spanish now, but am eager to learn, and plan to study it when I get there.

For what it's worth my desired monthly budget would be around $1000 a month, it could go a bit higher then that, but not a lot higher.

I was initially thinking Tijuana/Rosarito, but now I am thinking something a bit further down the country might be better because...

1. It might feel more like real Mexico, instead of some border mix of Mexico and the U.S.

and

2. For the same quality of life I could have in Tijuana and Rosarito, it might be even cheaper further down the country, further away from the U.S.


Any places people can suggest/recommend to me, I'd appreciate it greatly, and I am all ears.

I look forward to hearing from you all on this, and to hearing about all the great places Mexico has to offer.


(This post was edited by HoldenTrask on Jul 1, 2012, 11:02 PM)

chicois8

Jul 2, 2012, 6:26 AM

Post #2 of 21 (4323 views)

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Re: [HoldenTrask] Where to go?

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I do not think your numbers work out, Mexico is not SEA or China.

Are you going as a tourist or to live full time?

If you take your 1K and subtract $300 for room, your left with $23
a day to buy meals and go clubbing 8 to12 times a month.

Unless you will eat rice and beans most days you better rethink.

stevebrtx

Jul 2, 2012, 6:51 AM

Post #3 of 21 (4312 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Where to go?

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Well, this is further down, but not the "real" Mexico, it's a gringo ghetto. And cheap? - not here unless you live native, if you live gringo it's a whole lot more. The days of "cheap" Mexico are gone unless you want to live in a small village in the "out back". And clubbing around here means listening to a bunch of cranky geriatric gringos tell stories about the good old days. A bleak analysis? - yes, but honest.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

joaquinx


Jul 2, 2012, 7:11 AM

Post #4 of 21 (4303 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Where to go?

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If you take your 1K and subtract $300 for room, your left with $23
a day to buy meals and go clubbing 8 to12 times a month.

I believe that you arithmetic is off as 1,000 minus 300 is 700.


I will agree with the OP and he should stay and make a go of it in Tijuana. Perhaps 300 is too much for a place. Go for something around 100 or 125.

These is nothing like hearing from a person that wants a cheap place on the beach near a big city where they can eat real cheap food. Still, they want to go clubbing every other day.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

fugawibill

Jul 2, 2012, 7:20 AM

Post #5 of 21 (4299 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Where to go?

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I live in Mazatlan, 3 blocks from the ocean. My fixed costs, which include rent, utilities, internet, and satellite TV, run about $425.00 per month. If you live like most locals, including expats, use public transportation, shop at local markets, and do not require expensive imported goods, you can live quite well on your proposed budget. A large pharmacy will have a doctor on site, and the consultation fee is about $2.00 or free if you buy a prescription. The expense that could sink you would be your bar bill, although the local beer runs about $1.50 a bottle.

johanson


Jul 2, 2012, 7:21 AM

Post #6 of 21 (4296 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Where to go?

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In Reply To
If you take your 1K and subtract $300 for room, your left with $23
a day to buy meals and go clubbing 8 to12 times a month.
I believe that you arithmetic is off as 1,000 minus 300 is 700.

I...................................... to go clubbing every other day.


The math is correct. Remember he says $23 per day Divide 700 by 30 and you have about $23 per day

fugawibill

Jul 2, 2012, 7:45 AM

Post #7 of 21 (4275 views)

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Re: [johanson] Where to go?

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I'll be in Chapala in about 3 weeks. It'll be interesting to compare prices. I hope there is better entertainment than described above. Something different to consider would be staying in a hotel. I have several friends that live in one year around, and only pay $300 for a location on the main drag, with ocean view. With a hot plate and small refrigerator, they're good to go. That would be perfect for a nomadic lifestyle.

playaboy

Jul 2, 2012, 8:17 AM

Post #8 of 21 (4257 views)

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Re: [HoldenTrask] Where to go?

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I would go to the Riviera Maya. I know a lot of people that make it on $1000 a month excluding the clubbing

Axixic


Jul 2, 2012, 12:13 PM

Post #9 of 21 (4201 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Where to go?

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He can find a furnished room in Guadalajara for a lot less than $300 USD a month. I didn't read that he wanted to live in the Lake Chapala area.

If he uses public transportation and cooks some of his own meals he can probably live quiet well on $1000 USD a month.

La Isla


Jul 2, 2012, 1:26 PM

Post #10 of 21 (4177 views)

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Re: [Axixic] Where to go?

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He can find a furnished room in Guadalajara for a lot less than $300 USD a month. I didn't read that he wanted to live in the Lake Chapala area.

If he uses public transportation and cooks some of his own meals he can probably live quiet well on $1000 USD a month.

The OP is looking for a place on or near the beach. I didn't realize that Guadalajara had relocated! :-)

rockydog85251

Jul 2, 2012, 2:23 PM

Post #11 of 21 (4166 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Where to go?

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Having put in about 12 years in Mazatlan, we too agree that the OP might want to check it out. Tons of cultural events, lots of bars, beautiful beaches, international airport, great bus connections & the cost of living can be kept down, if willing to live as the locals do - not the foreign population. I would imagine that there are plenty of other locales on the beach, with smaller populations that might offer low cost living but not the amenities of some place like Mazatlan.
We used to know a retired lady that lived there for about $700 USD a month.....now she didn't eat out & rarely had even coffee out but did have a very decent apartment a few blocks from the beach & never had a lack of friends.
OP- don't forget to factor in your annual cost of permits so you can live in Mexico legally.
Buena suerte!
Willie

Axixic


Jul 2, 2012, 3:29 PM

Post #12 of 21 (4140 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Where to go?

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Gosh, shame on me. Good thing you are here to catch such dastardly mistakes. My response was actually to posters who compared Lake Chapala to what he could afford. You need to correct them also.

YucaLandia


Jul 2, 2012, 4:39 PM

Post #13 of 21 (4105 views)

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Re: [Axixic] Where to go?

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What a good idea. Make sure that the OP is considering only beach locations, when evaluating the advice. Most US citizens asking about where to move to in Mexico likely do not know beach city names v. inland cities.
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

La Isla


Jul 2, 2012, 5:16 PM

Post #14 of 21 (4088 views)

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Re: [Axixic] Where to go?

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Gosh, shame on me. Good thing you are here to catch such dastardly mistakes. My response was actually to posters who compared Lake Chapala to what he could afford. You need to correct them also.

My editor's eye catches all kinds of things though I try to comment only on errors that could lead a newbie expat astray : ).

JuanCha

Jul 4, 2012, 4:51 PM

Post #15 of 21 (3918 views)

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Re: [HoldenTrask] Where to go?

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Holden, you young man may THINK you are a mature and experienced traveler, and in many respects might be.

HOWEVER, it is evident to me you know not (or enough) of the US-Mex Border.

I grew up in San Diego and have being spending time in TJ-Rosarito-Ensenada for over 50 yrs. I once worked in TJ for a USA corporation. My ex-girlfriend was raised in TJ. One of my best friends is closely related to the #1 politician in Baja (his brother had both legs broken - compound fractures - with a baseball bat for being late with a debt payment). I still have many connections to people in the Baja border area.

First, the Arrellano-Felix cartel operates with virtual impugnity (I know, I'm acquainted with both DEA agents and even some of the Arrellano-Felix hired assasins who hail from the USA barrio where I grew up).

U.S. citizens are no longer "off limits" - they are regularly robbed, raped, murdered and kidnapped. I suggest you do a search of the San Diego Union Tribune news archives; there is usually one such murder or kidnap of a U.S. citizen in TJ-Rosarito at least every month.

While one might find reasonable living circumstances in TJ-Rosarito, going "clubbing" there would exponentially increase the liklihood of you, a gringo target, becoming a victim of a major crime. (It shouldn't come as a surprise to you that youth in the Border narco realm - they dominate the "club" scene in TJ/Rosarito - have an extreme dislike of gringos in general).

At your age, it is possible you follow the Mark Twain model of not believing much from those who are much older - yet. But I put it to you concisely and bluntly, because I'd hope you use some mature judgement in some of the choices you are considering; some parts of the options you mention may be reasonable - but some are definitely not.

I reside most of each year in Mexico and the country has much to offer; but "clubbing in TJ/Rosarito" is NOT in the better part of those many offerings.
JuanCha de: Santa Fe NM, San Cristobal de Las Casas Chiapas, San Diego CA

(This post was edited by JuanCha on Jul 4, 2012, 5:01 PM)

CanuckBob


Jul 8, 2012, 6:51 AM

Post #16 of 21 (3715 views)

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Re: [HoldenTrask] Where to go?

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If you want more of a "real" Mexico and are looking for a vibrant, secure nightlife, check out Guanajuato. It is a beautiful city, high in the mountains, in the state of Guanajuato.

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://www.insidelakeside.com

robt65

Jul 8, 2012, 10:08 AM

Post #17 of 21 (3629 views)

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Re: [CanuckBob] Where to go?

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Yeah . . . . true enough, but the beaches in Guanajuato are just terrrible . . . . . (smiling)

robt65

mensamia


Jul 9, 2012, 7:06 PM

Post #18 of 21 (3450 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Where to go?

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OP- don't forget to factor in your annual cost of permits so you can live in Mexico legally.
Buena suerte!

Vichil

Jul 9, 2012, 7:51 PM

Post #19 of 21 (3435 views)

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Re: [robt65] Where to go?

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and the winters are not warm to say the least....

N2Futur

Jul 11, 2012, 3:01 PM

Post #20 of 21 (3186 views)

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Re: [HoldenTrask] Where to go?

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do some research on the Manzanillo (larger town) or Barra de Navidad/Melaque areas. Barra and Melaque are small beach towns. If you don't need a place with an ocean view, accommodations can he had starting at around $180 per month (not including gas, electric, cable, phone & internet), if you know where to look. If you eat like most locals (tacos, tamales, birria, pozole etc), you'll do just fine on your budget. Beers on the beach are 15 pesos, in some abarotes just 10... And there are a couple of clubs, two in Barra (Jarro Beach & Odin's Surf Bar) and one in Melaque at the town plaza (SkyGarden). A couple of other places have live American style music/open mic.

Local message board: http://69.73.170.179/ph5/list.php?12

Elke
___________________________
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

hunteradvisor


Jul 13, 2012, 8:17 AM

Post #21 of 21 (2984 views)

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Re: [HoldenTrask] Where to go?

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Visit us in Mayto, on the beach and super cheap! Then you an take the bus to puerto Vallarta to party! www.RanchoSolYMar.com.
Isabel
www.RanchoSolyMar.com
 
 
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