Congratulations on completing your business degree and on your plans to get a TEFL certification. It’s hard for me to say what will be possible for you, since you still don’t know how much you will be earning. At this point my magic vision into the future says, “it’s doubtful.” If you get a room in someone’s house, it may be possible. It also may be possible if you are guaranteed a full time job at the higher end of the pay scale.

If this will be your first experience living in Mexico and since you aren’t going to be an experienced teacher (and teaching in Mexico can sometimes throw in a surprise or two) I would recommend that you start out by playing it safe with a living arrangement that gives you flexibility and support. It won’t be like living on your own in the U.S. (or Canada).

If you’re curious about typical rentals, you could read my book Mexico: The Trick is Living Here and learn all about what rental housing is like in Mexico and get all my hard-earned tips about living in Mexico (on your own) on a budget.

Sincerely, Julia

Well, it can be done. I guess you would have to just try it out for a few months to be sure you like the lifestyle. Part of how we lived on a tight budget in Mexico was by not having some things we might have otherwise liked, such as insurance, trips home to visit family in the states, long distance phone conversations, high speed internet, buying food out instead of having to cook every day all the time, etc.

The two of us were living on less than $2,000 combined so it seems possible to me. Prices are rising rapidly, though and that word “fixed” has me concerned. If you work in Mexico, you don’t earn much so what if you found you had to supplement your income…?

I have found the lifestyle of Mexico on a budget a bit too limiting for me at times. It’s certainly not for everyone.

My heartfelt advice is to see if you can try it out on a short term basis first.

Enjoy your adventures. It’s always worth it to spend time in Mexico. You learn so much.

Julia