We have been living in Cancun for 6 years. We moved here permanently after we retired from our jobs in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We had vacationed in Cancun repeatedly since 2001 so we knew the area. The attractions here are many: The weather, the culture, clean air, the wonderful Caribbean sea and the many interesting things to see and do. We chose to live in the city as opposed to the famous Hotel Zone because we wanted a more authentic cultural experience by living right in the city among our Mexican neighbors.
By car it’s a quick ride over to Home Depot, Grease Monkey, Superama, Mega, and AutoZone. The Mexican government has greatly improved their immigration facility and it’s pretty much a no hassle visit or two to apply for or renew your papers.
We have Medicare but it does not provide coverage outside the US. So we have the IMSS Mexican heath program which costs approximately $700 per year and covers most common problems. We also have a catastrophic policy. For about $2400 USD per year with a $2000 USD deductible we are both covered for any major events internationally. It also covers air ambulance to anywhere in the world. We find that most of our ordinary visits to Dentists, Internists, Optometrists, Skin doctors, etc. are so inexpensive that we pay out of pocket for them. In Cancun there are numerous private hospitals and 4 of which I’ve had personal experience with. They are all excellent. If you are a resident they charge much less that if you are a tourist. One time I had a severe allergic reaction to something I ate and I went an emergency room. I was given an IV and a shot and saw the doctor and was in there about 3 hours. The bill was 300 pesos……about $25 USD.
We’ve made new friends and enjoy a very active, rich social life here. My wife belongs to the International Women’s Club (IWC) and that has been a source of many of our new friendships. Cancun is a melting pot of many nationalities and we have friends from many countries around the world. For example, last Thanksgiving we hosted a dinner and our guests were from Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Costa Rica and the U.S.
My wife and I are certified scuba divers and we can go on dives all year round in the crystal clear waters off of Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Moreles, and Isla Mujeres. The fishing, boating and snorkeling are also fantastic here. We take art lessons and are learning how to paint in oil on canvas. In addition, we are slowly eating our way through the hundreds of restaurants in the area and posting reviews about them on our web site.
We have a maid once a week and a gardening service twice per month. Luxuries we could not have back in the USA.
We do have concerns during the hurricane season. But unlike most parts of the USA we do not experience sudden unexpected natural calamities. If anything good can be said about getting hit with a hurricane it is that you have about a week to prepare for it. This year we watched in horror all the floods, fires, droughts, tornado’s, tsunami’s, and earthquakes that have affected the USA, New Zealand and Japan. Most of these come suddenly with little or no warning. I’ll stick with the hurricane risk until further notice.
We can enjoy the warm clear waters of Cancun all year round and take advantage of sailing and swimming every chance we get.
We feel very fortunate to live and love Cancun which we now call our Home.
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For a Mexican experience away from the great heat of the beaches, you might also take a look at San Miguel de Allende, which has an easy and moderate climate. My award-winning book on the expat experience tells the story of 32 Americans and Canadians living their retirement dream there.
Hi. Is I possible to live on 700 usd in cancun city proper. Thanks
Hello Tom!
We are a family living in the DF but thinking of moving to Cancun. I am Costarrican, my husband spanish, two of our kids southafrican and the other mexican.
Your comments about living in Cancun were very useful and helped us get a better idea of how living there could be.
I dont know if you could give me some advice as to which schools would be a good option: pricewise, location, reputation...if you can´t do you know anybody that could?
Thank you!
Hi, loved your post. Can you tell me where to look for a rental like you have? I love Cancun and vacation in Puerto Morales each year. Interested in living there during retirement.
Dave
Interested in visiting Cancun for a couple of months to find out about living there. Could you help me out where I could rent. Hopefully near your place since you have had no incidents. Thank you.
My husband got a job offer on an American company in Cancun-- he will be making around $40k a month and they told him tax is about 10%-- It is obviously great money, but do you think is safe living there? is there a high rate of kidnaping, or robberies in the Cancun area?
Veronica, I feel safer here than in many of the cities I lived in the USA. We have been here almost 7 years. The only so called incidents we have been involved are traffic stops by the police seeking a "mordita". The kind of money your husband will allow you to live like a Maharasha here.
Kevin, $700 USD a month will not allow you to live here.
Lorena, We don't have school aged children. There are many excellent private schools that our friends say are excellent. You would not want to enroll your children in the public school system here.
David, We own our home so all I can say is SM18 and SM17 are great neighborhoods with private homes for rent.