Affordable towns to live 3-6 months in Mexico?

Hello Tappers

Kindly note that a new thread has been created as from your post on the Mexico forum to help you get more visibility and interaction.

Browsing the forum will help you gather informations about Mexico shared by expatriates through the years. The Living in Mexico Expat Guide is a must read too!

Wish you all the best

Regards
Kenjee
https://www.expat.com

Good morning.
Your list of "wants" might make your needs a bit harder to find. There are many great places in Mexico that might have one or two of your requirements. But if you put them all together, it does get harder.
I have been going to Mexico for the last 25 years, the most recent 15 by boat. Yucatan, very nice but not the cheapest place in Mexico, very touristy thus prices go up. A few block from snorkeling. Well the best snorkeling is done of reefs, the best ones are accessed by lancha's. Canadian expat community, I never understood why people leave their countries, just to try to assimilate their needs on others.The best experiences are the one shared with locals. You will learn much more about their cultures, you will live cheaper, and will have a better experience overall if you try to assimilate with the locals, instead of trying to bring Canada on a plane with you.
Now My best choice in the 25 years I have been visiting Mexico..... The best by far none is Huatulco on the pacific side in the state of Oxaca. Yes it is the wrong side of the pond, and more south, but it is a gem with outstanding weather, developed just enough so that gringo's still can communicate in their lingo, and the locals friendly enough, because the gringo's are just starting to arrive. Next working your way up the northern way, the is Z-town (zihuatanejo) still a bit of a flair of the hippy era, just enough to make it affordable, very nice locals, as it is the way in smaller touristic places. going more north still would be Mazatlan. Big gringo community, but still very friendly and quite safe if you observe the basic safety rules.
Now on the Yucatan side, yes there is Cancun, Playa del Carmen Isla Mujeres etc.... tourist traps with tourist prices. Cozumel same story, cruise ship central and duty free galore. Great snorkeling and diving with gringo prices.
So take your pick. gringo central = pricier cost of living. Smaller places = more affordable living cost, and much friendlier people.
Good luck to you, and your choices.