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Moving to Mexico | Part 2 of 10 · An honest series by Dudy, creator of My Puerto Vallarta Daily
Dudy shares his family’s personal journey of moving to Mexico — the good, the challenging, the unexpected, and everything in between. In Part 2: the affordability myth, cost of living in Puerto Vallarta, and the budget conversation to have with yourself before you move.
Mexico isn’t automatically cheap
Let me start by bursting one of the biggest myths about moving to Mexico. Yes, Mexico can be very affordable. I moved here from California, so I know exactly how expensive life can get. But Mexico isn’t automatically cheap. It depends on the city, the neighborhood, and the lifestyle you’re after. Some areas, especially popular expat destinations like Puerto Vallarta, can be surprisingly expensive.
Do your own research and don’t fall for the “I live in Mexico on $899 a month” YouTube videos. Those stories may be true for someone, but they probably won’t be your story. Also remember that if your income is in U.S. dollars, exchange rates change, and the cost of living today isn’t what it was in 2020 or even 2025.
Be honest about the lifestyle you actually want
The second thing people forget is that we all live differently. Some people are perfectly happy eating tacos every day. Others enjoy dining out regularly. Some don’t need a car. We didn’t. Others can’t imagine living without one.
And then there’s housing. Yes, you can absolutely find inexpensive rentals, even in Puerto Vallarta. We found plenty. But once we started looking seriously, we realized that if we wanted to live comfortably in a place that truly felt like home, we’d need a bigger budget than we originally expected. There is nothing wrong with that. Just be honest with yourself about the lifestyle you actually want, not the one you think you should have.
Build a cushion — then add another
My biggest piece of advice is simple: build a financial cushion… and then add another one. The global economy has become unpredictable, and I don’t expect things to get cheaper over the next 10, 20, or 30 years. History hasn’t exactly shown that prices go down and stay there. If you’re planning a major move, don’t base it on today’s numbers alone. Think long term.
The goal isn’t simply to move somewhere that’s cheaper. It’s to build a life you can comfortably afford for years to come.
Previous: Part 1 — Why We Moved to Mexico ← · Next: Part 3 The Tacos Are Amazing… Until You Crave Something Else→
About this series
Originally shared on My Around the World Daily. Adapted with permission. Dudy spent a year living in Puerto Vallarta, photographing it daily for thousands of followers — read his farewell interview with I Heart Vallarta: CLICK HERE
Planning the move yourself?
I Heart Vallarta is the local community waiting for you on the other side — vetted local businesses, honest recommendations, and the people who make this city home. Join at the founding rate and land connected.
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