Gentrification

[Larkin]

Doesn't the Numbeo site work by compiling user-submitted data? In that case, accuracy would be skewed by a lag time in reporting, but not by students renting rooms (in the way that a real estate market survey might be) especially since the prices are specifically for one and three-bedroom apartments. By comparison, the figures on the site for clothing, restaurants and most foods seem to be on target, but taxi and bus fares are outdated.

During my own recent experience viewing one-bedroom apartments in the city center, I looked at apartments for $1,500, $4,000, $6,000, and $7,200 a month. The average of these is $4,675. If I dropped the $1,500 apartment from that list as unlivable (by my standards), the average becomes $5,733. Of course, this is a very small sample, surely much smaller than Numbeo's. Nonetheless, it is more recent, and perhaps closer to an actual average. Or rather, it is my own personal average!

[donblanco]

Nonetheless, it is more recent, and perhaps closer to an actual average. Or rather, it is my own personal average!

Well then please update Numbeo with your findings! It does seem that your numbers are on the higher end of the reported range. But thank you for that report. If that is what passes for 'gentrification' then GTO hasn't seen any yet. Our small building has all gone up to $800US/month for small studio apartments. This local realtor has exactly one listing under $1000US (and it is for off-season rates)

http://www.ajijichomes4rent.com/rentals.htm

We're a lot more comfortable with your GTO numbers :)

[DonJuane]

You get a good indication by asking the new Gringos in town what they pay in rent. Where it used to be $300 - $500, it's now "we just got this fabulous deal for $800 - $1400". If one is dumb enough to pay it, soon everyone eventually has to. What do you say to them, "there goes the neighborhood"? Or do you just sink into depression that the wave is happening.

About 5 years ago I walked into a realtor's office in SMdA and asked to see the most inexpensive houses they had for rent. They showed me their lowest one starting at $1400 and I laughed at them. They said they would have the last laugh. But they didn't. I quit renting there.

[DebandPaul]

As with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for. Are you looking to rent a fully furnished place with all utilities included? How furnished is "fully" furnished? Does it have a few basic pieces of furniture or does it come with everything from comfy furniture, higher end cookware, sheets, towels, etc? Or are you putting your own money into things like shot glasses, lamps, and curtains? I know people who did a long term rental here in GTO and didn't even get a full set of dishes for four - or a TV, or a microwave (gasp!). They ended up buying a number of things even though they were renting a "furnished" place for three months. In my experience, the prices you've quoted from Numbeo are low. Given that, I still think prices here are much better than what we'd spend for comparable quarters in the States. Plus, people are friendlier and more tolerant and the weather is unquestionably superior!

[donblanco]

As with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for. Are you looking to rent a fully furnished place with all utilities included? How furnished is "fully" furnished? Does it have a few basic pieces of furniture or does it come with everything from comfy furniture, higher end cookware, sheets, towels, etc? Or are you putting your own money into things like shot glasses, lamps, and curtains? I know people who did a long term rental here in GTO and didn't even get a full set of dishes for four - or a TV, or a microwave (gasp!). They ended up buying a number of things even though they were renting a "furnished" place for three months. In my experience, the prices you've quoted from Numbeo are low. Given that, I still think prices here are much better than what we'd spend for comparable quarters in the States. Plus, people are friendlier and more tolerant and the weather is unquestionably superior!

We've had perfectly wonderful furnished apartments for 6000mxn in Mexico, so we know how things *can* be. But each city is different. We tend to prefer fully furnished with utilities included, but having utilities in our control can be a benefit, especially if it lowers the rent a bit. We mainly want to find a better balance between rent, climate, view, etc. We've accumulated more things than we would like, but no furniture, mainly kitchen things. We prefer long term leases.

Chiapas was great for being forced to speak Spanish, but a bit too chilly and wet. Ajijic is great for weather, but thousands of Gringos are here specifically because they don't have to actually learn Spanish. We're hoping Guanajuato can be a nice 'just right' mid-point. Not too large, less white, not *too* cold, less wet, less rural.

That's one thing expats don't get about Ajijic. It's been a lazy fishing village for centuries. We've managed to gentrify most of that out to the periphery, but the locals are still what we would refer to as 'country folk' back in the States. It's quaint to hear horse hooves on the cobblestone, but it's a bit rough on the octogenarians, who then complain about the streets and the horse poop.

Another thing, and I'm afraid this is turning into a bit of a rant so my apologies. (no relation to Don Juane, promise) I'm a bit tired of the oldies bands. Most of the music is from *before* my time. I look forward to the day when Ajijic is filled with hair metal cover bands LOL (not really). So we're hoping to expand into salsa, cumbia, bachata, etc in GTO. But please, for the love of Pete, no more banda!

[DonJuane]

In GTO, only half of your house will be damp (the sides that sit below grade or the one that is against the slant) and you won't get wet till rainy season arrives (galoshes required; else wear water shoes - seriously).

Re: Relatives - I warn everyone of the tribulations of Mexico and when their rose colored glasses are getting a bit fogged, so no special treatment to any special group - I take care of everyone equally - friend, foe, relative, stranger :-)

If I save someone from a foul investment, no worries, I'll take any reward you wish to bestow and unceremoniously if you want to keep it under wraps. Always happy to help and never be embarrassed to say thanks after the fact. I always appreciate it.

[pianoheat]

I think there are many rental categories you can't put it into a simple formula. You can't compare what poor students will pay versus rich retires or professionals, or vagabonds. The rents are all over the board I know people paying 20,000 pesos and they still have to walk up 50 steps all lot depends on the quality or lack there of of the rental. with that said most of the pricing I see put forward on the chart is bottom of the barrel and hard to find.