Cost of Living in Chapala, Mexico - June, 2010 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli Currency Conversion Site Chapala Travel Information Our readers have written to us asking how much it costs to live in Chapala, Mexico. While much depends on your particular style of living, your housing needs and how you dine out or entertain yourself and your friends, below is a sample list of commonly purchased items to give you an idea of the money it takes to live in this charming town. This list is by no means exhaustive. At the time this list was published, the Peso was trading at 12.88 = $1 USD. You can use the above conversion site to see today's rate.
Housing Housing is a large expense for anyone in any location. Depending on your needs and if you live alone or have a roommate, housing prices can run the gamut. Prices in Ajijic are considerably higher, and San Antonio is about comparable to Chapala. Maid service in Ajijic is substantially higher than in Chapala. You may also need to pay for bus fare for the maid to come to your home. Rent - small apartment in Chapala, 2500 Pesos/month. Some houses are much higher, up to 5,500 Pesos/month. If you go through a real estate agent to rent a place, most likely your price will be listed in Dollars and it will be higher. Try to rent from a local Mexican and pay your rent in Pesos. Some Mexicans want to rent to you in USD. We say make the most of their cultural inclination to bargain. Most simply want the income without the bother, so if you are proactive (paying rent in advance to get a discount, offer to pay for some improvement or purchase something for the house or apartment in exchange for less rent, etc.) they will get the sense of partnership and will want to work with you. We have seen modern apartments rented from Mexicans for $250USD for a simple furnished studio in an excellent location to $550 USD for a basic furnished 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment, excellent location, all utilities included. Phone/Wifi Internet 389 Pesos/month Propane 290 - 300 Pesos per cylinder tank. Approx one per month for cooking and hot water. Electric 160 Pesos every 2 months Laundry 14 Pesos per Kilo pressed and folded, King sized bedspread 45 pesos Maid Service 3-4 hours once per week 25 -50 Pesos per hour Hair cut at the Barber 40 Pesos Notebook computer keyboard replacement 700 Pesos Entertainment You can spend as little or as much as you like to entertain yourself here. Chapala has excellent weather, so walking around taking part in local activities provides a good deal of fun for free. There always seems to be a fiesta, a festival or a saint's day. You can meet friends at a restaurant, or hire your maid to do the cooking for you in your home.
Tequila, Centenario one liter 157-310 Pesos Tequila, El Jimador one liter 155 Pesos Bar-b-que Ribs, a large plate with rice and beans, at Jose’s 60 Pesos, at Coco's 40 Pesos Chille Relleno or Pollo Milanesa, with rice, beans, salad, 40-50 Pesos a plate Mi Tango nice restaurant in Ajijic, 476 Pesos for six glasses of wine, two steak dinners, one ravioli dinner and dessert Cuban Restaurant on the Libramiento across from OXXO and Pemex - full plate of roasted pork, (Lechon Moros) black beans and rice, small salad, fried plantains 80 Pesos. Best flan in the area, large pie shaped piece, 25 Pesos Tacos 7 Pesos each Beer at local bars and restaurants 15-20 Pesos Tennis courts 25 Pesos per hour per court Matinee movie at Bouganvilla Plaza 25 Pesos person Tickets to The Little Theater 150 Pesos each or season tickets for (6 shows) 800 Pesos - can't beat that for value! Groceries Prices will vary widely depending on where you shop. Choose from local vendors, Soriana's, Wal*Mart, Super Lake or El Torito's. We like to shop with the local vendors and in doing so, we save measurably on daily foods.
Whole roasted chicken with salad, tortillas and rice = 60 Pesos Arrachera, natural 72 Pesos. Arrachera, marinated 109 Pesos Smoked pork chops, 60 Pesos Kilo Hamburger, 60 Pesos Kilo Pork tenderloin, 60 Pesos Kilo Ribs, Beef 50 Pesos Kilo. Ribs, Pork 65 Pesos Kilo Fresh whole chicken 31-38 Pesos Kilo, discount given for larger purchases Milk, two Liters 20-24 Pesos Eugenia butter 8 pesos stick Freshly made Yogurt liter size container 18 Pesos Manchego cheese 90 Pesos per kilo High quality local cheese 400 grams = 35 Pesos Salsa, red or green 6 Pesos Peanuts out of shell, 39-45 Pesos per kilo Fresh produce depends on climate - prices can vary. Monday Market in Chapala has excellent offerings. Prices quoted below are at the Plaza. Tomatoes 12 Pesos per kilo
Avocados 28-30 Pesos Kilo Beans already cooked 10-15 Pesos Quart Pineapples 9-12 Pesos each Watermelon 7-9 Pesos kilo Today's grocery list: 4 filet mignons, 4 filets of pork, 4 smoked pork chops, 1 roasted chicken with salad, tortillas, and rice, 2 liters milk, 1 liter fresh yogurt, 1 jar mayo, 1 package prunes, 2 large carrots, 1 large red bell pepper, 1 large cantaloupe, 1 large papaya, 2 oranges, 7 limes, 2 large bulbs garlic = 400 Pesos, or at today's conversion rate, $31.00 USD Medical Medical care and medicines are fairly reasonable here in town. Of course, for special or extensive medical problems you might prefer to go to Guadalajara for your care. Casa De Ancianos de Chapala - House of the Old Ones a non-profit retirement home serving the Chapala area. Currently the monthly charge priced in US Dollars includes room, board, a nurse always on duty, a doctor who visits several times a week $550
Assisted care at home for a loved one 120 -
250 Pesos, 3 hours
Amoxiclan (Amoxicillin 500 mg & Clauvanic acid 125 mg) 15 tabs 286 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 84 Pesos for 10 tabs Ampicilin 500 mg, 28 tabs 169 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 25 Pesos for 20 tabs Amoxicillin 500 mg, 12 tabs 120 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 25 Pesos for 20 tabs Paracetamol 10 tabs, 17 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 5 pesos for 10 tabs Ibuprofen 400mg, 20 tabs 18.50 Pesos Tylenol Maxi 20 tabs, 51 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 10 Pesos for 10 tabs Tempra 500 mg, 10 tabs, 28 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 5 Pesos for 10 tabs Cough medicines Muscoslavan 134 Pesos, generic cough syrup Ambroxol 34 Pesos or at Similares Farmacia 20 Pesos per bottle Similares Farmacia located on Avenida Madero 405. Discounts given for purchases of 1,000 Pesos or more To summarize, a couple can easily live in Chapala on $1,500 - $2,000 USD per month. ***** 2010 is YOUR year. Retirement is right around the corner and you're ready to go someplace where the weather suits your clothes. Spring-type temperatures year 'round, Chapala, Mexico is a dream come true and the place for you! If you're looking to stay in chain hotels or for a lifestyle that is just like the States then you're ... Read more click here.
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