We’ve been looking around the globe finding places that will fit our long term travel budget and yet still hold an attraction for us to live there for extended periods of time.
Mexico has been on the radar ever since we first visited the Yucatan Peninsula in 2015 and while Playa Del Carman is one of our favourite places along the Caribbean Coast there are some great contenders if you’re considering swapping that office chair for a swag bag and hammock.
Merida
With our moderate budget of a mere $1500AUD per month for living expenses, Merida is a great fit for us and here’s how the research works for us.
Merida has a population of just over 700,000 and an average daily temperature in the mid 30’s. The warmest month being May, where the temperature tops the high 30’s.
With a low crime rate and walk score of 98/100 it suits us as a city that we can navigate with ease.
While internet may not be as fast as home in Australia, you’ll still be downloading at 29.5 Mb/s and an average uploading speed of 10.9 Mb/s.
Renting a small one bedroom apartment in the city centre will set you back on average $285AUD per month and Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for an 85m² Apartment will cost $87AUD per month.
An expat in Merida, Mexico described living there and said, “Merida has a huge ex-pat population and excellent medical care/all shopping + many small beach towns nearby Merida.” Another expat living in Merida said, “Merida and Yucatan is the safest state in Mexico,
Playa Del Carmen
After visiting Playa Del Carmen in 2015 we know this beachside town on the Yucatan Peninsula will be a place we’ll return to. In a word it’s simply gorgeous.
With a population of 1.3 Million Playa Del Carmen serves up a get cosmopolitan atmosphere mixed with a vibrant beach culture.
If you want to be in the heart of the action a 1 bedroom apartment will be at an affordable $575AUD per month, with Basic utilities (electricity, water and garbage) for an 85m² Apartment at a pinch of $113 per month.
Being here in December will reward you with temperatures topping the mercury at an average of 33c but if you want wet and cool, stick around for January when the temperature drops to an average of 24c for the wet season.
If your’e an internet junkie the average broadband download speed is a mere 4.0 Mb/s and the average broadband upload speed is 0.93 Mb/s
