Based on a U.S. dollar exchange rate of 11.00 pesos the cost of living in Oaxaca varies from US$2,304 per month to US$5,652. These figures are based on expenditure on housing, food, education, transportation, clothing, recreation, health, furniture, appliances and personal use.
A big feature of living in Mexico is that domestic help is relatively cheap compared to countries in the Western world. In Oaxaca it's common to pay around US$25 to a person (usually a woman) who will come and clean your apartment, iron clothes and if you're willing to pay a bit extra, cook as well.
For expatriates often the most important starting references upon arriving in a foreign country are expatriate clubs and associations. Some of the most important are the American Society along with the DAR, the International Friendship Club, and Rotary International. American Society acts as a large umbrella organization harboring smaller clubs and associations that are based on particular fields of interest.
Consulates:
United States Consulate Macedonio Alcalá #407, Interior 20 Phone: 514.3054 / 516. 2853
Canadian Consulate Pino Suárez #700, Local 11b, Phone: 513.3777
Emergencies:
Emergency number: 066 Red Cross: 514.0885 Police: 516.0455
