Job Discussion Forums

[J Sevigny]

I already know the answer to this question, for myself anyway, but it gets asked so often that I thought we could come up with a very non-scientific poll.

Browsing the ads here, I see that Berlitz in San Luis Potosi is offering 80 pesos an hour (which could be OK depending on how many hours they offer).

The NY School of English in Michoacan is offering 5,000 plus housing and some other perks.

Teach Away is offering a much higher salary at a boys school in Mexico City.

So for the benefit of all those who want to know, how much do you need to have a decent life in Mexico? For me, the absolute minimum is 8,000 pesos a month. I could probably live on a little less but it would be tough.

[ls650]

The question is really impossible to answer with a cookie cutter response. It varies greatly with location and with the teacher's needs.

If you're single and have no debts, you could rent a cheap apartment in an inexpensive region of Mexico for 1000 pesos a month. There are other people who might want to rent a house for four or five (or more) times that, depending greatly on location and features desired.

Will you be happy taking a bus or colectivos? Will you settle for a small scooter or motorbike? Do you want a car? That can range from 100 pesos a month to... who knows?

Do you go out partying five nights a week? Or do you prefer to curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a good book to read?

[cangringo]

I would say for us it's at least 8000 pesos including bills which includes cable (we are lucky to get American channels as well as Mexican) and internet. That would be with some beer thrown in as well but not going out at all. If we wanted to go out for dinner and party it would be more. We have a car but no payments - just insurance.

That's living in a very Mexican neighborhood in Monterrey and our rent is 3000 pesos. And it depends how cold it is as our gas bill more than double this month because of the cold.

[Guy Courchesne]

8k each or the total? I often mention 6k as a floor for a single person, though by sharing costs, 8 k would be good for two people, I imagine.

[cangringo]

That's for two of us and one dog, no kids. We have a roommate as well but we don't really need one for costs.

And to clarify that's not going out much and no travelling of course. Definitely no trips to Canada

[Sgt Killjoy]

I havent been in Mexico for about a year now(due back there next in April), but I would put the min for Mexico City at about 10,000 pesos. A lot depends on the rent you pay, but 7 to 8k pesos per month after rent is a good ballpark as the absolute min you need. Of course everyone has different tastes.

[Guy Courchesne]

One can do Mexico City with a lower floor than 10k, fairly easily. It seems that rent here is higher than many other districts, and most other costs are lower or the same. Water, lights, and gas are the same or lower than what others have quoted, and transportation costs (taxi, metro, bus) are cheaper here than anywhere else. Food seems about the same or cheaper, probably merely for the size of the area and abundance and variety.

My basic monthly costs on the above don't top 7k for two people and two dogs. My employer pays a portion of my rent, which helps since its inclusion got me a larger 3-bedroom place, though that doesn't seem to be the norm.

Nightlife and a dense network of things to see and do might drive the costs up.

[Phil_K]

I suppose it depends on what your aim is by being in Mexico.
I would agree 10K for a single person renting. For those, like me, who are here long term, this isn't going to buy you the lifestyle you are used too.
My wife and I earn in the region of 35-40K combined and still cannot live the way we want. I guess its the Mr. Micawber problem!
By the way, our mortgage payments are lower than some people are paying for renting a scabby room, due to a good deal on our last apartment - worth thinking about!

[MamaOaxaca]

[FreddyM]

Let's see.
I live in Mexico City, and pay about $3100 a month in rent for a very small apartment in a fairly decent neighborhood. My average expenses run to about $6,000 (cash) a month, including rent and a hefty broadband internet bill. Some of my costs are offset a little by using "vales" (I'd say I spend about an average of $1200 a month). And the school where I work pays for one lunch per day in the cafeteria. I don't cook and eat out a lot.
I'm pretty frugal, but not stingy. I could probably live on less than I spend right now if I really tried.
I earn about twice what my expenses are, so the rest goes towards savings.

[cangringo]

I have to agree with MamaOaxaca, at 40K we would be living high on the hog here. Ah to dream....

We could afford a nice car with that.

[ls650]

Geez, yeah. I live very comfortably on 10,000 a month - I can't picture needing 35,000+ a month unless I was pouring oddles into some form of savings or paying a huge mortgage.

[Phil_K]

[Guy Courchesne]

[MamaOaxaca]

I live on the complete opposite side of my town from my job. Public transport is available, but it would cost me more than I spend a week on gas and take twice as long (I'd have to make a connection) and I wouldn't have my beautiful little girls in car seats, so for me a car makes sense. BUT HELLO? $2200 a month? what kind of car did you buy? My dad taught me not to buy anything more expensive than I could afford, I paid cash for my car.

Phil, you still didn't mention what part of Mexico you live in, that would help us understand why your mortgage payments are so high. I'm 34 and have two small children, I'm definately thinking about the future. That's why I bought a house. But I bought a house I could afford. Obviously land prices in my area are much lower, heck, I actually got the land for free as the deal sincher for going with the builder I did.