I live in Houston with a roommate in a 900 sq.ft. apartment for $610/mo ($305 each after we split). Cable/internet is another $90/mo, electricity is like $30 with the AC on all the time, water and garbage are like $10-15/mo combined. I used to live in CA, Houston is SOOOOOO much cheaper and the commute from the west coast sucks, especially on CAL. You are WAY better of just moving to Houston than trying to live in Mexico. Besides, south Houston is a lot like northern Mexico anyway .