Norma got our laundry done yesterday at the park laundry. The two ladies did an excellent job washing, folding and bagging our three weeks worth of laundry but when we asked how much we owed they said, "Tips only"! There was no charge to do the laundry. Norma gave them fifty pesos ($4) each and they were very happy and indicated that was too much. Norma asked them if they knew where she could get her nails done and they said they would arrange it. This morning an English speaking park employee came to the door with a map and told her she had an appointment for 11:00.
We quickly found the spot and Norma got a very nice French Tips job done (filled her existing ones). It took well over an hour and the charge was $120 pesos ($9.25) plus tip. While I waited I walked across the street to a tiny juice stall. I bought a liter of "squeezed in front of me" orange juice plus a glass each for the two of us. It was $40 pesos total ($3). The owner of the stall spoke perfect English and it turns out he is a legal American citizen, working as a carpenter in Utah. His wife and kids live in Villa Corona and he is trying to get them papers to join him in the US. "Maybe next year" he said and added that things are much better in the US for immigrants under Obama.
We also got the motorhome washed yesterday. Two park employees came over after work and did the job. They initially asked for $250 pesos ($19) for the 31 foot motorhome with us providing the soap and brushes. That amount rose to $400 pesos ($31) tip included, when we added the roof of the MH and the car to the list of jobs. They took over two hours and it was dark when they finished. Needless to say, they did a perfect job. We paid them and gave each of them a cold beer at the end.
In Villa Corona, Life is good!
I'm particular attention to prices this year. Posts like these really give the impression that Mexico is full of great deals. That seems to be the case for anything that is a service. But aren't goods more expensive? And RV parks don't seem to be a bargain either.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling Mexico would be much expensive for me than would be the US.
If you want US brands you will pay as much or more than in the US. If you shop for fresh vegetables and fruits in the markets where the locals shop you will find prices much lower than in the US and very affordable. Gas is $10.09 pesos per liter, about $.81 cents. Someone converted this to the equivalent of $3.11 per US gallon.
DeleteThe RV park here is about $18 per day and includes admission to the hot springs complex where the walk in price for the pools is $110 pesos per person. Electricity is expensive in Mexico and all RV parks include electricity (no meters).
Mexico is a place where you can spend as little or as much as you want. If you negotiate a low monthly rate in a non beach front RV park, eat vegetables and meat you buy in the local markets supplemented by Mexican brands of canned food from grocery stores and eat at street taco stands, your costs will be very low. If you travel lots, specially on the toll roads, shop for familiar brands in the large grocery chains and eat in "fancier" restaurants, you will pay probably as much as in the US.
The young family parked here is getting by on a budget of $1000 per month. Her Blog is at http://alifemadesimple.blogspot.mx/
Kevin and Ruth RV quite cheaply in Mexico and publish their budget monthly. Their Blog is here: http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com/
Electricity is expensive in Mexico and all RV parks include electricity (no meters).
DeleteYes, electricity is expensive in Mexico. But here at Hacienda Contreras RV Park, all sites are metered so that those who want to waste the electricity or use it at will, have to pay for it themselves so that they are not subsidized by those who are careful with their usage. The rate is 3 pesos (24 cents) per kilowatt hour, which is what the park is charged by the electric board. The park doesn't profit on it at all. We are fairly careful with our usage, and we have solar panels. We've been here more than a month and we've used 36 kw hours ($8.64). But many big rigs who come here use between 10 and 20 per day!
We often camp for as little as 100 pesos ($8.00) per night provided we don't plug in. The weekly rate here happens to be 750 pesos ($60.00) plus electric.
Croft is correct...you can live as lavishly or as cheaply as you wish in Mexico.
In the US, I have no need to pay rent as I can safely boondock or dry camp in many locations. In Canada, I have the option of boondocking the warm season on my property, with, again, no housing payment.
ReplyDeleteEven at $8 per day, I'd be looking at $3,000 per year for rent (and that daily figure is not an average but a low point). It would cost me less than that in fuel to go between my property and a couple of boondocking locations in the US.
So I am having a difficult time believing that Mexico could be that cheap for me. My budget in the States is already much, much lower than that in Canada. Yes, I'd be paying less for services and some goods like grocery in Mexico, but the difference would be eaten up by rent.
I really don't think Mexico would be that much cheaper, if cheaper at all, than the US for me. At least, the supposed lower cost of living isn't going to be a motivator for me to go there, which, perhaps, is good.
Thank you both for your info!