Real Estate in Merida, Mexico

"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Merida is to search online on websites like Airbnb or Craigslist. Additionally, you can reach out to local real estate agents who specialize in housing in the Merida area to help you find the right place. Another option is to use online expat forums such as Expat-Merida.com, which can be helpful in connecting you with other expats who have experience living in the area, who may even be able to provide tips and advice on finding suitable housing. Finally, you can try personally asking around within the local community to see if there are any housing opportunities available," said one expat in Merida.

"We wanted to be in the city, near the center. And we wanted a home that was old and renovated. We found lots of homes to choose from," remarked one member in Merida.

"Merida is made up of the Centro area (downtown) and then many different neighborhoods which are called colonies and Fracc's. We were told by a realtor that many expats move to the North Merida area, which is nice and very safe with many stores and restaurants. He said anything above Calle 59 is good. We ended up finding a place in a small neighborhood called San Pedro Uxmal. I don't think there are many expats there, but the home had everything we wanted and the price was good. We are very happy there," explained one expat living in Merida, Mexico.

"After studyinng the market here for 2 1/2 years and debating renting or buying, we learned a lot about neighborhoods. And we learned the best way to figure out where you want to be is to come down and go airbnb for a while in different neighborhoods to figure out what you want. For those of us on a budget, Norte and Santiago are much too expensive and the father you go from Centro prices fall dramatically. We just bought a house and it was only after looking at very many and being ready to pounce on one that was significantly reduced in price and in excellent condition. Those go very quickly. Even renting, remember if you don't like the neighborhood, you're stuck for a year usually," said one person in Merida.

"I live in a large furnished studio with good sized kitchen with pantry (full size appliances), true dining area (room for 6-8) living area with sofa, coffee table and 2 chairs and nice sized bedroom area. It has a yard with parking and outside dining and is fully air conditioned. It's actually the ground floor of a 2 story house so it's larger than most studios IME. Including my power, water, garbage, gas and WIFI, it's under $400 USD per month. Outside my front door is a park and 2 more parks are within 3 blocks in opposite directions. It's a great neighborhood away from downtown but still has every kind of business within a 5 minute walk. A really nice mall is 2.4 miles away and it's dog-friendly! I've lived in 3 different neighborhoods in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico including Centro and this is by far my favorite! FYI, my AC runs 24/7/365. It's clean, quite, walkable and has green spaces," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

"A typical expat home or apartment in Merida is typically modern and stylish with a mix of traditional Mexican design mixed with contemporary design. The architecture of the homes and apartments usually features large windows and balconies, giving a nice open feeling. Many have floor tiles and white walls, giving it a distinctive Mexican look. The furniture is typically comfortable, yet simple and modern. Expats in Merida can also enjoy outdoor living spaces with outdoor dining areas, pool areas and landscaped gardens," explained one expat living in Merida, Mexico.

"We rented a 3 BR/3 Bath home. It is very modern and has a small front yard and a beautiful back yard with a pool. It is 2 stories. We also have a terrace overlooking the back yard and a sunny roof top overlooking the front of the house. The house has a large wall around it and an electric gate in the front which is very nice for our 2 dogs and 2 cats. They can go in and out as they please," said one person in Merida.

"A renovated colonial stone house, about 100 years old. And it's very typical of the expats around here," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

"The cost of housing in Merida can vary depending on size, location and amenities. Generally, rent for an average one-bedroom apartment will range from about $300 to $500 USD a month, and three-bedroom apartments can start at around $500 USD a month. Prices for more upscale, luxurious housing can be higher," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

"We are paying $12,000 pesos/month, which is about $625 USD which is less than we paid in a mobile home community in Florida. Our TV/Internet/Home phone is approx. $70/mo. We have not gotten the electric or water bills yet, but we have been told that electric is about the same as the US and water is cheap. Trash pickup is about $3/mo," explained one foreigner living in Merida, Mexico.

"When deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Merida, there are several factors to consider. If you are planning to stay in the city for an extended period of time, buying could be a more economical choice. In terms of home values, Merida offers some of the best prices in all of Mexico, meaning its real estate can offer an attractive return on investment. On the other hand, rental costs in Merida are typically very low and offer a range of housing options. This can be beneficial if you are looking for flexibility or prefer to live in more temporary accommodation. Ultimately, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

"When buying property in Merida, it is important to research the local market, understand the legal process, and factor in all associated costs. It is wise to work with a professional real estate agent with knowledge of the Merida area. Additionally, it is important to understand the zoning regulations, title registration process, and any potential title issues associated with the property. As with buying any property, extensive due diligence is recommended and a lawyer specializing in real estate should be consulted. Lastly, be aware that you may also need to obtain an FM3 visa or residency permit in order to purchase property in Mexico," wrote one expat who made the move to Merida.

"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in Merida. The Mexican Constitution guarantees the right of foreigners to own property in Mexico, as long as certain restrictions are followed. Foreigners are not allowed to own property within a restricted zone, which is within 100 kilometers of any international border or 50 kilometers of any coastline. However, foreigners can purchase property in the unrestricted zone, which is outside of the restricted zone. Additionally, foreigners must obtain a permit from the Foreign Affairs Ministry in order to purchase property in Mexico," said one person in Merida.

"Most rental properties in Merida, include basic appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, oven, and washing machine. Some properties may also have additional amenities such as a dryer, microwave, dishwasher, cable/satellite TV, and air conditioning," said one person in Merida.

"Expats can search for homes in Merida by looking online for real estate listings, contacting local real estate agents, and searching for expat-specific resources such as expat forums and websites. Additionally, expats can look for rental listings in local newspapers and online classifieds, and ask other expats in the area for recommendations," said one foreigner living in Merida, Mexico.