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Retire
in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
This
colonial gem, home to about 5,000 American and Canadian expatriates,
was declared a national monument in 1926 and is a charming city
of cobblestone streets and colonial-era mansions all perched on
a hillside above the Laja River 60 km north of Queretaro. Because
of its national monument status, new buildings that would change
the character and appearance of San Miguel are strictly regulated.
This ensures that San Miguel's charm will endure for years to come
and makes this city of about 70,000 a wonderful retirement spot
or a "must-see" stop on anyone's colonial city itinerary.
Celebrated
as an artists' community, the city has a vibrant cultural scene
and is home to numerous religious festivals each year. Visitors
will also find some of Mexico's best shopping here, and restaurants
are plentiful and top-notch, encompassing a variety of international
cuisines. It is, in fact, surprising that a city of San Miguel's
size has such a wide assortment of fine dining. The world-famous
Instituto Allende is here and draws some of the world's best artists
and craftspeople. It is generally recommended that anyone considering
retiring here have an interest in the arts as that is the primary
focus of most events and activities in town.
Despite
its influx of gringos, San Miguel is a very Mexican community and
has not become too "Anglicized," although the foreign
influence can be felt. The cost of living remains low, and we know
of expatriate retirees who pay $500 a month in rent for a nice home
not too far from downtown. San Miguel is a little more expensive
than Lake Chapala, but a comfortable (but not elaborate) lifestyle
can be had here for about $1500 a month. Of course, it is possible
to spend much more; it depends on the lifestyle you choose. For
people considering retirement in Mexico we always recommend (strongly)
that they come to Mexico and spend at least six months getting accustomed
to living in this third-world country.
San Miguel is one of the most picturesque cities in Mexico and has
a sizeable expatriate retiree population (as a result, English is
spoken around town), but a permanent move to anywhere in Mexico
can cause intense culture shock for anyone who has not spent significant
(not a week's vacation) time here. The best plan of action for those
considering retirement here is to come down for a week, secure a
place to rent for six months and then come back when the rental
period begins.
Many
rentals are furnished so you do not need to bring furniture down
(and thus you can avoid the duty imposed). Spend your six months
exploring the city and finding other expatriates (we recommend this
so as to avoid a sense of isolation) with whom to socialize. Find
out what it is like riding buses, paying with pesos and living in
the land of "manana" on a daily basis before coming to
stay for good. Then when and if you decide you love Mexico, make
the move permanent.
For
more Mexico Retirement Information please visit:
Mexico
Adventure
