Central America to Mexico - But Where?

[kito1]

Originally Posted by Isla Verde

I haven't lived in any of these places, but off the top of my head, I'd suggest Cuernavaca, Querétaro and Oaxaca City.

These, plus Guanajuato seem to be the places I am considering. Do these places have good walkable downtowns? Is Oaxaca City very hot? I really want a mild climate if possible.

What about the dog, will I have any issues as far as renting with him?

[Isla Verde]

Originally Posted by kito1

Nicaragua, . . . The only other thing that sometimes bothered me was that you would see lots and lots of 55-70 year old NOB men with 13-16 year old girlfriends out and about, no shame what so ever in that here.

Don't you think that this is a function of the poverty that exists in Nicaragua?

[kito1]

Originally Posted by Isla Verde

Don't you think that this is a function of the poverty that exists in Nicaragua?

Oh yes, I saw it a lot of the poorest countries, not as much in Guatemala, but I also saw this often in SE Asia, especially Thailand, but it still doesn't make it right. Most of the girls (children really) seem quite content with the arrangement, but unfortunately many get pregnant and the man moves on and the woman never sees any support at all from him.

[Isla Verde]

Originally Posted by kito1

These, plus Guanajuato seem to be the places I am considering. Do these places have good walkable downtowns? Is Oaxaca City very hot? I really want a mild climate if possible.

What about the dog, will I have any issues as far as renting with him?

The colonial centers of these cities are quite walkable. Oaxaca City is somewhat warmer than Mexico City, for example, but it's a pretty dry heat. The summers are cooler because that's when the rains come.

I've never had a dog in Mexico so can't speak from personal experience about your second question. I would guess that most prospective landlords would not be very open to renting to someone who had a dog in tow, but that's just speculation on my part.

[Isla Verde]

Originally Posted by kito1

Oh yes, I saw it a lot of the poorest countries, not as much in Guatemala, but I also saw this often in SE Asia, especially Thailand, but it still doesn't make it right. Most of the girls (children really) seem quite content with the arrangement, but unfortunately many get pregnant and the man moves on and the woman never sees any support at all from him.

I didn't mean to imply that poverty makes this kind of behavior right, just that since Nicaragua is just about the poorest country in Central America, it seems almost inevitable that it would happen. And shame on the men involved in these kinds of "relationships"!

I wonder why it seems more common in Nicaragua than in Guatemala.

[kito1]

Oh no, I know what you meant.

As for why it happened more in Nicaragua that Guatemala I don't know. I think that it went on some in Guatemala but just perhaps not as common in Antigua where I was.

That is not good to hear that the dog might be a problem, I did not find that to be the case at all in Central America. The only time I had a problem was in Costa Rica when I tried to rent from a landlord who was from the USA. They wanted a large deposit so I moved on along to a local renter. oh well, that is certainly something that might limit me then when searching for a place.

[JoanneR2]

Originally Posted by Isla Verde

The colonial centers of these cities are quite walkable. Oaxaca City is somewhat warmer than Mexico City, for example, but it's a pretty dry heat. The summers are cooler because that's when the rains come.

I've never had a dog in Mexico so can't speak from personal experience about your second question. I would guess that most prospective landlords would not be very open to renting to someone who had a dog in tow, but that's just speculation on my part.

Don't know about elsewhere but dogs in rented apartments don't seem to be a problem in México City. I live in Condesa and there are lots of dogs and most apartments are advertised with pets being welcome.

[cuylers5746]

Originally Posted by kito1

I am a 40ish woman (US citizen) who has been living in Central America for awhile but want to try out Mexico for a year or so. Problem is, Mexico is HUGE and I am just not sure where to go! I spent some time in DF last year and liked it a lot, but feel that it is probably out of my price range. However, if someone can tell me otherwise, please feel free...

Budget: I can comfortably spend up to $2000/ month but prefer to keep it well below that. I would prefer to keep it around $1200-$1500.

Lifestyle: I have a small dog and would prefer a city (large or small) where I can take him out walking without problems. I like a downtown with lots of restaurants and cafes where I can sit outside with the pup and read and people watch.

Housing: I am open to living in an apartment alone ( mostly furnished) or renting a room with someone if I have some privacy yet also have kitchen access. How much problem will I run into with having a small dog as far as housing goes? As far as costs, I would like to spend no more than $500 total on housing and utilities. Is this reasonable?

Climate/Location: I prefer a more moderate climate. Merida is probably out due to the heat. Don't need to be near or really want to be near a beach.

I do not need to be where lots of other gringos are. It's fine if they are there, but I am comfortable without this.

I will probably head back to the USA at least every 2 or 3 months (not included in budget above as I fly for free) so would like to prefer to be somewhat near a major international airport.

I don't really cook and would need a person who comes in from 12-6pm and cooks and cleans for me. I had a wonderful lady (who I am going to miss!) in my last home in Central America and it totaled out to $100/month for a part-time cook/maid. I assume that in Mexico this would be quite a bit more expensive??? I have no idea of the labor cost so am just guessing. If it costs more than $250-300/month I would probably forget this, hire someone to come in once a week to give the place a good clean and instead there would need there to be lots and lots of good yet inexpensive restaurants nearby.

I want good public transportation available, but very much would prefer to be able to live in a city where I can mostly walk to everything and use buses when I needed to go longer distances.

I am going to be doing a couple of scouting trips for areas in a month or so, anyone want to comment on what areas I should go see? Any other advice you can give me would also be appreciated!

edited to ad: I wanted to say that the main reason I am leaving Nicaragua where I have been lately is the lack of good food and restaurants. In Managua and Granada, where there are good restaurants, it is just too dang hot, but in the more temperate climates there is just nothing but rice/beans and well, more rice and beans! I am serious when I say that people here eat rice and beans 3 times a day and every restaurant offers mostly rice and beans! It really wears on you after a while.

Hi;

Just a few additional comments. I'd fly into D.F. and then bus up to San Miguel de Allende (SMA). We were there last year, and my wife (a Mexicana) fell in love with it. We met a similar couple, he from Canada, she Mexico. They found a nice "new" town home on the outskirts of town (like 13-15 blocks from the Plaza Jardin (central plaza), for only $250.00 USD equivalent at the time. There are 3-4 outdoor restaurants under the Portillos at the Jardin where you could bring your dog with you. Generally in Mexico, bringing a dog inside a restaurant is against most helath laws. SMA is probably one of the finest walking cities in Mexico. Except for the houses on the hill everything is about 13-15 blocks of the main plaza (Jardin).

Public Transportation is good and cheap. First class bus lines rival those in Europe in equipment and service.

Second idea, would be Morellia in Michoacan, and third would be Guanajuato. The later really gets inundated with tourists, like during the Cervantes Festival people from all over the World mainly Europe are even sleeping on the sidewalks - too crowded for us, but my favorite city that size to visit. Guanajuato is in the World kind of city like none other, it's worth your visit too.

If you like Restaurants and variety, cafe society and coffee shops, I'd say SMA. They even have two authentic French Pastry Shops. Sushi, you name it. You'd not be bored with the people, that you meet. There families from over 70 countries that have homes/villas there. There are indigenous people that come into town, maybe you could train a mama cita to cook the way you want. It's a very safe city, eye's in the sky at major intersections, burly cops that can get the job done.

You can easily drive between all three or take a bus within 3-4 hours of each. Probably research all 3 within a weeks time.

SMA has the advantage that it's only like 170 miles from Mexico City for you to enjoy all that the Metropolis has to offer, but not have to live with all the congestion, smog, etc.

[chapala1]

Originally Posted by kito1

I am a 40ish woman (US citizen) who has been living in Central America for awhile but want to try out Mexico for a year or so. Problem is, Mexico is HUGE and I am just not sure where to go! I spent some time in DF last year and liked it a lot, but feel that it is probably out of my price range. However, if someone can tell me otherwise, please feel free...

Budget: I can comfortably spend up to $2000/ month but prefer to keep it well below that. I would prefer to keep it around $1200-$1500.

Lifestyle: I have a small dog and would prefer a city (large or small) where I can take him out walking without problems. I like a downtown with lots of restaurants and cafes where I can sit outside with the pup and read and people watch.

Housing: I am open to living in an apartment alone ( mostly furnished) or renting a room with someone if I have some privacy yet also have kitchen access. How much problem will I run into with having a small dog as far as housing goes? As far as costs, I would like to spend no more than $500 total on housing and utilities. Is this reasonable?

Climate/Location: I prefer a more moderate climate. Merida is probably out due to the heat. Don't need to be near or really want to be near a beach.

I do not need to be where lots of other gringos are. It's fine if they are there, but I am comfortable without this.

I will probably head back to the USA at least every 2 or 3 months (not included in budget above as I fly for free) so would like to prefer to be somewhat near a major international airport.

I don't really cook and would need a person who comes in from 12-6pm and cooks and cleans for me. I had a wonderful lady (who I am going to miss!) in my last home in Central America and it totaled out to $100/month for a part-time cook/maid. I assume that in Mexico this would be quite a bit more expensive??? I have no idea of the labor cost so am just guessing. If it costs more than $250-300/month I would probably forget this, hire someone to come in once a week to give the place a good clean and instead there would need there to be lots and lots of good yet inexpensive restaurants nearby.

I want good public transportation available, but very much would prefer to be able to live in a city where I can mostly walk to everything and use buses when I needed to go longer distances.

I am going to be doing a couple of scouting trips for areas in a month or so, anyone want to comment on what areas I should go see? Any other advice you can give me would also be appreciated!

edited to ad: I wanted to say that the main reason I am leaving Nicaragua where I have been lately is the lack of good food and restaurants. In Managua and Granada, where there are good restaurants, it is just too dang hot, but in the more temperate climates there is just nothing but rice/beans and well, more rice and beans! I am serious when I say that people here eat rice and beans 3 times a day and every restaurant offers mostly rice and beans! It really wears on you after a while.

Chapala ,Jalisco,Mexico is a pretty town located on Lake Chapala. Fantastic climate within a hour bus ride to Guadalajara,2nd biggest city in Mexico. Many expats here. Do a google search on Lake Chapala.

[DennyDaddy]

Hea Kito.....

How ya know that these NOB men had 13-16 year old girlfriends?

They could be a lot older than they look! My wife looked like 16 or so up thru her late 30's! We were same age and then with people who did not know us.....I was the dirty old man!

Anyway, not for nor against....but each got what they wanted, I guess!

Good luck in finding a place in in this wonderful MEXICO.

DD