Harry Bruce Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 If your rent is all inclusive what would a couple of people expect to pay for groceries and the odd meal out through the month? Thanks, Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgates Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Define odd meal out. 2 meals a day is 60 per month and 3 would be 90. And do you eat meat? Alcohol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrm30655 Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Harry, it depends on how you shop. If you stay out of the "gringo places", shop the smaller groceries and "Buy Mexican", you can save 1/3 over shopping unwisely. I live really well on about $800 a month (US) (after rent) including a car and an expensive smoking habit. I know people that live on a lot less Restaurant food is cheaper, groceries are about the same as the US unless you shop in the smaller places. It has changed some over the past decade, but: If a place has a cash register with a tape; it is one price a cash register with NO tape: cheaper No cash register: Cheaper still Local market: Cheaper Back of a truck: even cheaper There can be a 50% difference...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puro guero Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Numbeo.com has a very accurate cost of living comparison calculator. Here is the link for Canada vs. Mexico, expressed in Canadian dollars. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Mexico&country2=Canada&displayCurrency=CAD `you can switch to compare the US and US dollars, or use the drop down and compare costs for specific cities in each country (Ajijic is included) The best 'general' answer is: "However much you have available, that is what it is going to cost" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisbee Gal Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Keep in mind the current exchange rate vs. historic exchange rates. When we started coming to MX in 2007, the exchange MX peso to USD was around 10:1 When we lived here fulltime 2008 thru 2012, the exchange rate ran between 15:1 and 12.5:1 Today the exchange rate is 18.8:1 (and it was north of 21:1 at times in the past year). If the peso strengthens, to those of us using USD, our buying power will be diminished. US citizens who retired to Spain in the late 1990s, found the Euro pretty close to par with the USD. For much of the 2000's, up until fairly recently, the exchange rate Euro:USD was often north of 1.40:1. It is now again almost at par at 1.07:1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Saltos Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 The Euro wasn't introduced in Spain until January 1, 2002! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgates Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Or any other country for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 There is really no answer to your question. What you might think is "indispensable" I might never consider buying, or vice-versa. What do you like / not like to eat -- in-home and out? What kind of portion sizes? And so on and so on....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisbee Gal Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 11 hours ago, El Saltos said: The Euro wasn't introduced in Spain until January 1, 2002! I stand corrected on the date, thanks. However, fluctuations in exchange rates for expats are still a consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcamal Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 3 hours ago, Bisbee Gal said: I stand corrected on the date, thanks. However, fluctuations in exchange rates for expats are still a consideration. Euro coins and banknotes did not go into circulation in Spain until that date but Spain was effectively on the euro since several years earlier. The peseta had been frozen in relation to other euro zone currencies, and all prices were shown in both pesetas and euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puro guero Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Also depends on how much weed you smoke. Not that I advocate usage, or know from personal experience, but $15 USD per ounce down here for really good quality compared to whatever you're paying up north. Of course, you can also go the cheap route and grow your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 9 minutes ago, puro guero said: Also depends on how much weed you smoke. Not that I advocate usage, or know from personal experience, but $15 USD per ounce down here for really good quality compared to whatever you're paying up north. Of course, you can also go the cheap route and grow your own. I think many responders on this site could benefits by lighting up a fatty. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgates Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 To get a more meaningful answer, the OP could provide more details about his/their lifestyle, likes, etc. The average breakfast out here is about $100p per per, lunch about $150p per per and dinner is all over the map but could average $400-$500 per couple. You can double those figures in Guadalajara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComputerGuy Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 I'm cheap. I won't go for lunch that costs more than 55p for the main part. Drinks are always extra. And there are still plenty of places left that serve Mexican food for that price or less. Unless you don't like Mexican food... then, ahem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdmowers Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 I live in Chapala on, including rent and utils, $700 per month. My housekeeper once a week cooks most of the food I eat for the week , I rarely go out for food, I don`t drink alcohol. My main cost going out is coffee which is probably a $1,000p a month habit. I buy almost everything I eat and use in Chapala. Now, if I lived in Ajijic, that $700 would be at least $1,400 or maybe more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bontepar Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 You question remind me how much a car cost?? from 1000 to over a million an onion at super lake cost you 20 pesos in Jocotepec 2 pesos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickardo007 Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 I found this recent article which describes a number of common items including food/restaurant prices. It might help you figure things out. http://www.retireinlakechapala.net/single-post/2017/01/24/Cost-of-Living-in-Ajijic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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