In 1999, I took a weeklong trip with a buddy to Mazatlán, Mexico — and it was love at first sight. I used to be so smitten with the seashore metropolis that I went to a realtor the following day and purchased a small home for $28,000.
My plan was to make it a second home for after I needed to get away from California. But in 2002, at 49 years outdated, I made a decision to comply with my favourite mantra — “Leap, and the web will seem” — and left the U.S. to dwell in Mexico full-time.
After a few years in Mazatlán, I used to be prepared for a change. I thought-about a number of locations, together with Oaxaca and the Lake Chapala space, earlier than turning my sights to San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era metropolis in Mexico’s central highlands, identified for its baroque structure.
Photo: Irene Barajas for CNBC Make It
I used to be very fortunate to have discovered a charming place inside my value vary for $160,000. Since actual property in Mexico is a money market — 90% of foreign buyers are money patrons — I needed to promote one in all my rental properties in Mazatlán and take a small mortgage from my brother to provide you with the cash.
It took three months to shut the deal, and by 2006, I used to be absolutely moved in.
Building the proper home
My 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom San Miguel home has a entrance courtyard on the bottom ground. On the second ground is the lounge, kitchen, eating space and a small terrace.
Photo: Clayton Conn for CNBC Make It
It’s a attractive home with greater than sufficient area for one individual. But as a retiree who does portray, printmaking and sculpting on the facet, I needed to have a devoted place to work on my artwork.
So in 2007, I started development so as to add a third ground studio and a rooftop, increasing the whole area from 900 sq. toes to 1,600 sq. toes.
Photo: Clayton Conn for CNBC Make It
I constructed two metallic stairwells from my entrance door — one to the rooftop backyard terrace, and the opposite resulting in my studio in order that guests who come to see my art work do not should enter by the bed room.
Photo: Clayton Conn for CNBC Make It
I do a lot of studying in the lounge, the place there’s a small library and a cozy fire. The small eating space connects to the kitchen, which is embellished with stunning Talavera-style ceramic tiles.
Photo: Clayton Conn for CNBC Make It
I’m very proud of how the studio turned out. There’s a ton of pure mild, a massive wall to show my artwork, and sufficient area to carry workshops.
Photo: Clayton Conn for CNBC Make It
In whole, the renovations value about $32,000 and took lower than a yr to finish.
What I really like about San Miguel
A Unesco World Heritage Site since 2008, San Miguel is a pretty metropolis stuffed with old-world attraction.
There’s nothing like strolling on the cobblestone streets and passing the colourful colonial facades draped with bougainvillea. There are a number of small cafes, yoga studios, eating places and occasions for writers and artists.
Photo: Irene Barajas for CNBC Make It
One of my favourite issues to do is visiting artwork galleries. Occasionally, I’ll go to small venues to listen to dwell music for the worth of a meal or a $15 cowl change.
Photo: Irene Barajas for CNBC Make It
The solely main draw back is that the climate is way cooler right here than in Mazatlán, which prompted me to purchase sweaters, jackets and heaters that I by no means wanted earlier than.
While I principally stroll in every single place, I’ve a automotive that is primarily for transporting my art work or taking day journeys to close by cities.
My revenue and spending in Mexico
My revenue, which ranges from $1,100 to $2,500 per month, is a mixture of Social Security, e-book and artwork gross sales, workshops and rental property in Mazatlán.
Here’s a fast look at my common month-to-month bills:
- Property tax: $41
- Private medical health insurance: $250
- Car insurance coverage/fuel: $50
- Utilities (water, electrical energy, cellphone, web): $70
- Groceries: $110
- Entertainment/eating out/procuring: $99
Total: $620 per month
Photo: Clayton Conn for CNBC Make It
I’m undecided if this might be my eternally home. Mazatlán nonetheless holds a particular place in my coronary heart, and it is attainable I’ll transfer again in some unspecified time in the future. But I undoubtedly plan to remain in San Miguel for the following 5 to 10 years.
I by no means would have been in a position to construct this good life again in the U.S. The low value of residing in Mexico permits me to dwell my supreme retirement way of life and do what I really like most: creating, instructing and being surrounded by artwork.
Glen Rogers is an artist residing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She has traveled to many sacred websites looking for connection, understanding and inspiration; Newgrange in Ireland, Knossos in Crete, caves in the south of France and Las Labradas, Mexico. Find her on Facebook.
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