Merida is Expensive & I Ain't Saving Money Here: These 13 Tips Could Save You a Fortune!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ม.ค. 2024
- As the cost of living spirals upwards; many are wondering if they can still live the good life here in Merida. In this video, I outline 13-ways you can still find deals and live well.
Thank you for riding the street so that we can see what it really looks like there.
Thanks for watching
Merida is a great city yes.
Very Americanized, it's not cheap, it's booming, it's Hot.🔥🥵
As people flock to the area the prices will keep climbing. More traffic more stress on the infrastructure.
We were happy to have lived in the area for 2+ years but also happy to be exploring more of Mexico. ❤ God Bless 🙏
don't let the migrants run you out of your American homeland
Surprised to hear this. I visited for almost 2 weeks and found it to be very inexpensive. Especially in centro.
You summed it up perfectly!
@@CoachKhara
By Mexico standards it's expensive, compared to Canada or the USA no. But not everything is cheaper. Say a BBQ is way more. Luxury items are often more expensive, not always but often.
Love it. Never understand people who want to retire to a different country but have all the conveniences of the one they left. 😮. Just stay home.
It is such an adventure to experience a new culture
Exactly. I was getting a lot of hate on another thread f9r telling folks to stop forcing their culture into the ones they're visiting.
They are literally ruining these beautiful places one at a time.
@@Survivor254Not hating on you. But you must have noticed that it's Mexico that is putting in Americanized stores. Not the tourist. They love the economy boost! Tourism dollars are what's pushing the pesos up. That, and the fact that many companies are moving to Mexico. It's still much cheaper to live here and as long as it is, people will flock.
100% agree with you. And that attitude give them a hard time when moving back to The US. It is because when they left America, they make BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that they'll leave this rat hole once for all. After a while they found other PARADISE is not a paradise actually. They think again, put all things on the scale and going home. Just my observation through many TH-cam vids about American living abroad.
Agreed.
Neighborhoods look just like that. And when you go inside some of those homes they are beautiful.
Amen
This was the best, most helpful video on Mexico.
I pay 15k MXN for my beautifully 100% furnished apartment, that includes all utilities, wifi, maid and security in a gated community. It was 14Kmxn when I moved here in 2021 at 79. at 21, I could not take the heat of Merida, and i flew for the first time to get out of there to MXN city and have been flying ever since.
The rent is different each month from the last 2 years from $672 usa to $892 this month. Rent is all I pay, but the dollar is losing it against the peso, but still 70% less expensive than the USA. YOU still must be ALERT and ready
to defend yourself . I always order groceries for home delivery, Trusted Locals run errands for me. I do speak Spanish since age 14, and several other languages.
Is the rent a little cheaper in Mexico City? I am 67, retired, thinking of moving to MX later this year.
México City is far more expensive than Meridaa. There was a Merida based TH-camr , who moved to Mexico City, she said , “ Don’t bring your Merida. budget, to Mexico City.”
Get a translation app. Put in what you want to say in English, the app will translate it. Copy and paste into the text…. No one will know, you don’t speak or understand Spanish.
@@thepassportlifeMex City is cheaper than a comparable U.S. city, but much more expensive than other parts of Mexico. Your budget and the amenities you want should dictate your decision. Merida is slower and the black expat community there was strong when I went a few years ago. But I love the energy of Mex City. Plus the heat of Merida is a bit much for me because I love doing things outside and it’s unbearable there all year long!
My home is in Caucel. Rent is $9000 MXN on a 12 month lease. Awesome landlord, great neighborhood, and very few foreigners (which was exactly what I wanted).
That is 1/3 of my rent cost in the U.S.
That neighborhood tour was the realest explanation on the reality of housing in Merida. People really expecting a Beverly Hills experience. Most of Merida looks like Hialeah, Miami no lie. I still love it but I don't think enough videos on Merida show what the actual majority of the city looks like.
No lie. I live in South Florida and it does give me Hialeah/North Miami vibes
@@ebonywinn50 North Miami vibes 100% lol
I’m relocating from South FL and part of Merida’s charm for me is the resemblance to parts of Miami
Cartess, it's so good to stumble on your page. You were one of the first TH-camr's I followed back in the day (your Colombia days). Didn't know you were back doing videos. Glad to see you and the wife together.
Cost of living is going up all over Mexico and the world. Anyone can find rentals that are more affordable. It’s just a matter of digging deeper in your research, being patient and living more simply. I have lived in Mexico for 2 1/2 years in Cities that have become more expensive and out of my price range, however, I do a lot of research and talking with locals so I am able to live comfortably within my means.
23:09 “Number 11, I think, if you are trying toooooo… I forgot.” 😂😂
That’s the realism we appreciate Cartess. You could have edited that piece out but you left it in for us.😆 I love those Merida streets!!
Lol he does keep it real, but I also think he hates editing 😂😂
I’m down for living more modestly for cheaper as long as I can get to a grocery store I’m good lol.. great advice and hopefully you’ll be able to help me make the transition soon!
It’s rare you’ll find a food desert. The neighborhood WhatsApp groups have everything you could want & cheaper than uber eats/rappi. Rappi is our Instacart.
Spot on, sir! I can't count how many YT videos I've seen where a surprised foreigner (usually from U.S.) insists on buying their familiar brands and/or uniquely ethnic foods... and then are surprised by the grocery bill!
Interesting POV on a person's perception of "desirable" or "beautiful". My husband and I did not dig on that first area you drove through (malls, luxury stores, etc). Never been our thing, and don't think it ever will be. The second neighborhood however, we loved!
LOL, I remember my first trip back to the yucatan (from 89 to 09) chili's was the restaurant of the month. I was like...what? Thankfully I discovered la chaya maya when it was just one hole in the wall.
I love this story lol
Bruh you went back in the tech bag with the google voice. That’s a good one!
Thank you!! 'Not enough expats to drive costs up' is one of the chief complaints I hear about life in Mexico and it's not true!
This is great advice for everyone. I watch your videos to learn about Merida but still unsure. We are leaning towards Rwanda, Africa to move to.
yes go somewhere else, the less people coming here the better we will be
@@h.sanchez5347 Both of us
Learned a bunch of new Tips from you today. Thanks Cartess!
Merida looks nice.
Come check it out :)
Super informative as usual Mr. Ross. Thank you.
Cartess you da Man(lol) you sure give a lot of very resourceful info; love watching the videos you post so helpful.
Hurry up and buy your home because people from other countries are fleeing into Mexico, and Merida is growing rapidly prices are
Are going up on housing very quickly if you gonna live there, buy a cheap house now when you get your money up, buy your dream
home and rent your cheap house out or sell it, never rent long term.
The ONE thing I truly feel is the fact that not everyone is leaving the USA and moving here for the cost of living! There are soooo many more benefits to leaving the USA and coming here than money!! If you’re paying less than what you would in the states then you’re automatically winning. Not everyone is escaping financial problems. Cartess, this comment is for your subs not you ☺️.
This is facts. Great perspective because when I leave the U.S. again cost of living isn’t my number 1. Almost anywhere you go in Latin America it will be cheaper. I want a great quality of life overall. My soul rests easy in Latin America. Mexico and Colombia feel like home to me.
@@CoachKhara Yes! Many countries are cheaper but often times great savings that people mistakenly expect aren't possible. Unless you are going to a very poor country with limited resources and poor infrastructure .
@@malikahonthemove it was true for me though. I lived in Medellin, Colombia and my whole house felt practically free! Had a penthouse apartment for $950 month. Now back in the U.S. paying double that. Not to mention the $4 lunches I miss. No car note or insurance. Just $5 Ubers everywhere. Rainy season was the ONLY thing that sucked
Before you move anywhere, understand what makes you happy. In my opinion, the worst reason to move anywhere is just to save money. This is an amazing place to live if you can handle the heat and love the language, history, and culture. Not an easy place to live without speaking Spanish and on a tight budget.
Great and helpful information as always! Thank you.
Great video
That’s so much for the info about the in driver app …. That seems like such a good resource and apparently is available in lots of cities / countries
Really good information, Cartess! Common sense things that you listed and the grocery store tips work here in the states as well. Thank you!
Great Job 🎉🎉🎉
I tend to agree with Cartess that expats aren’t the cause of the rise in costs in Merida. Merida is a good sized city. I was all over the city for a week and saw very few gringos (like me).😅. I doubt I saw even a dozen white people on my trip. Especially when dining near centro. I can believe that Mexicans from other areas are moving to Merida in large numbers
There's about 10k expats in a city of over a million... many of which are economic refugees from up North, so no, they're not impacting much 😊
Great information. Thank you.!
👀This is what El Paso TX looks like?!
Thank you for the great advice! Love all the information!
Merida honestly looks super similar to LA / the San Fernando valley. I feel like you’re driving around Reseda lol. I think only the humidity would be an adjustment for me.
I'm looking for a working class area where I can get a cheap studio.
This is good "real talk" information, for people who want to live there and not just visit. People get caught up in needing to impress everybody and as a result, end up over spending. I did notice the Porsche in that "regular" neighborhood at 03:50, though 🤣 I guess the Mexicans with money have infiltrated the regular folks' neighborhoods too, lol.
🎉Thanks for sharing information about Mexico 🇲🇽 👍 🎉 great video 📹 👍
So ? it's time in Merida to use the same cost cutting strategies ppl did in the US before thinking about moving to Merida 🤔 Will they have coupon parties in Mexico next? Lol
Great information brother need to explore this 👍
great tips !
New glasses on point👍
Thanks
Ahhhh i could definitely see where the safety factor can be a draw
Love your drives around. You have new glasses ? Cost in MX ? did you get eye exam ? cost ? quality ? Thanks for all.
Do most Americans that move there work jobs similar to those in the USA?
You can’t control the. exchange rate. My rent at contract signing was $625 US with the exchange rate fluctuations its increased in a months time time is $100 more.
what phone company do you use in Mexico?
Most phone services from the US work in Mexico. I have T-Mobile works perfect
It's a no Brainerd anything imported outside the country you live in, you will pay more.
I love getting multiple quotes. Because they think you're a foreigner you can pay more.
You can get a phone with a dual sim and Google voice.
It's about what's behind the Gates. When U get into your Casa. I have seen some nice places on video outside the perimeter . You wanna live like the US..Then stay in the Us! Make sense. What is your quality of life...Do You fear being BLACK in Mexico? I am seriously thinking of coming. I love eating with The Locals when I have lived and vacationed abroad.. Thank You for your videos. Soon to retire!
Great information but it's congregate not conjugate. You need to conjugate verbs and congregate with friends. But keep up the helpful information. 🎉😊
Mexican economy is STRONG!!!! Thats your answer.
I wish there was a website to find roommate match ups to move to mexico. Im a female and need a male roommate. Im scared to come alone
Why do you need a male roommate? If you are a black female you can easily connect with other solo black females. They’re plentiful. I would encourage you to work on your fears. Fear can cause more problems than anything else. I traveled across Mexico completely solo in 2021. Mindset is everything….
I definitely agree about roommate matchup! I would love to do this with a fellow traveler while learning the language and exploring!
@@CoachKharacan you recommend how to find other solo female travel buddies? I’d love to meet other women for solo travels.
@@lexa_power I make connections through FB groups or on the ground when I get somewhere. But I’m also 100% comfortable traveling and being solo.
Moving to get away from ultra capitalist Americans to a place where the same ultra capitalist Americans have moved, and taken over, infusing the local society with ultra, overly excessive capitalism, literally defeats the purpose 😉. I have been to Juarez five times, and it was like night and day compared to anything in the US - far friendlier, welcoming, affordable, relaxing, quiet, peaceful. I am now looking forward to visiting non Ex_Pat areas of Merida soon seeking to find my eventual retirement location. The Mexican people, the culture and traditionalism, it is far superior to anything I have experienced in 52 years living in the Divided States of America. I love the people's simplicity, kindness and absence of extreme social/political divisiveness. See ya soon Merida. ☮
Absence of political divisiveness? 80 political candidates assassinated before the last elections …
i'm planning on moving to Merida in a couple of months and one of the reasons I did not want to move out far is that I won't have a car at least in the beginning and some places Uber is spotty at best. also, I understand that, especially if you were in a house more than an apartment when you move further out, you have creepy crawlers that come into the house more often. how can those two obstacles be overcome, especially the transportation issue?
I don’t know. Merida is so big it isn’t a walkable town IMO unless you live in centro ($$$). We had to get a car for the convience factor. :(
For example Las Americas to centro M-F is 40ish minutes one way by car. I would assume longer with public transport. The traffic is getting worse too as Merida is growing rapidly dropping kiddos off to school and pickup is 1hr each. So many new buildings and privadas outside the pereferico.
I also saw you made a comment about cell phone. The prepaid cell options are great such as Telcel, Movistar, and ATT. I really liked Telcel except so far they the only offer ESIM for contracts, not prepaid.
There’s a lot of places you can live that are fine without a car. Uber is consistent in some areas vs others. It depends more what you like and what you need. I live here now.
There's taxis, DiDi, Indriver, private drivers, collectivos, a good bus system - especially since they launched the nice Va y Ven buses... heck you can even flag down a horse-pulled calesa.
There's tons of colonias (neighbourhoods) in Mérida, and many have everything you need within walking distance: a park, a pharmacy, panaderia, fruit/veg store, chicken stand, little local restaurants, an Oxxo, a grocery store like a Soriana... you have to rent in different areas in the beginning, and explore to find the right colonia for you.
Delivery services are popular and efficient, too, with most stores having their own. I don't plan on buying a car, perhaps eventually an electric bike with a lock box in the back.
As for bugs and creatures, well, Mérida is build in an area of tropical low-growth jungle... you have to make sure to seal around doors and windows, install screens, you can hire someone to fumigate and get a good murderous kitty or two. There's snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, various insects like Bigmac size roaches and of course, mosquitoes which can transmit dengue and other diseases. You basically have to learn to identify them, and what to do if you do get stung or bit. Most local folks live with their windows wide open and adapt, you can to 😊
Merida is cheap a 3 bedroom house in Playas De Tijuana is at least 1200 a month, Merida is super cheap
A lot of Tijuana housing is geared towards Expats/Immigrants that work in the US and cross the border daily.
Is the name of the app you're talking about here called "Driver"? Or ____ Driver? It sounds like you're saying "M" driver? I checked the transcript & video description, but couldn't find it.
My baddd ... It's called InDrive
@@MoveAbroadandThrive Thank you Cartess!
The more people keep moving there, the price will increase
Moving and living in Mexico requires 2 uhaul trucks of money.
Not at all.
The only way to survive gentrification other areas is to get there first!
Otherwise, gentrification means upscale, US, standards and they are expensive!!
How far is Montebello from centro? What would i pay for rent for a 3 bed apt?
I’m not with the norm
You went to a tourist spot.
No doubt.
You make it sound like people are living off 2500 a month
your video sad that tampons are very cheap there
The pronunciation is muh-ree-duh. Why do you pronounce it Me-de-duh?
That’s not correct. Or are you just trolling? In case you are not, locals and ex-pats who have been here long enough pronounce it Meh-di-da. ‘R’ sounds in the middle of words are pronounced like ‘d’s’ because in Spanish you roll the r sounds as you speak. The accent is placed over the ‘e’ in Mérida which means that vowel sound is emphasized. If it were pronounced Mer-ee-da as you think it is, Mérida would be written like this: Merída, with the accent over the ‘i’. And that is not the case. I don’t think you live here, but if you doubt what I say, simply ask a local to say the name of this town out loud
I think you may have too much time on your hands.
Anything that involves people of color the prices goes up.