Most Scenic Mountain Towns...

[djenmexico]

I'm living in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan. I'm surrounded by mountains. It is a city though, with about 1 million people. Nice escapes aren't too far though, Patzcuaro, as mentioned above is about 30 minutes away. Paricutin is the most beautiful scenic place I've been, and it was on a rainy day! A volcano erupted and buried a little town but it is a lot of fun to hike to the ruins where only a church steeple remains. You can also rent a horse and ride there, it is a tough hike to do but with plenty of water and breaks, totally do-able.

[vantexan]

Originally Posted by ZTraveler

If you have not been to Xalapa, Veracruz, there are many areas close by that you can get to in day trips which are some of the most beautiful scenic areas in the mountains. You also have a view of Mount Orizaba, which can be had in a day also, but you do best to stay overnight. While in the area of Xalapa, make sure you also visit Xico, and the the Cascada de Texolo, which is the waterfall filmed in the movie "Romancing the Stone." Love it there!

That I would love to see! I believe "Clear and Present Danger" with Harrison Ford was filmed in the Xalapa area. Was that Coatepec in the fight and helicopter escape scene near the end? "Romancing the Stone" definitely had some gorgeous scenery.

[vantexan]

Originally Posted by djenmexico

I'm living in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan. I'm surrounded by mountains. It is a city though, with about 1 million people. Nice escapes aren't too far though, Patzcuaro, as mentioned above is about 30 minutes away. Paricutin is the most beautiful scenic place I've been, and it was on a rainy day! A volcano erupted and buried a little town but it is a lot of fun to hike to the ruins where only a church steeple remains. You can also rent a horse and ride there, it is a tough hike to do but with plenty of water and breaks, totally do-able.

I think when Social Security starts that, along with my $1100 a month pension, I'll have enough to consider places like Morelia. Certainly there are many choices in the Bajio, but I'll be saddled with a strict budget when I come down. Morelia certainly looks nice!

[vantexan]

Originally Posted by Hound Dog

Vantexan: By the way, you´d better look into how much independent income you may need to verify to qualify under the new visa rules. I guess you can always come in under the 180 day tourist visa rule but I don´t know what income will be required of you to get an extended visa. Since we are here as permanent residents (the old "inmigrante" card) I haven´t looked into the current rules being proposed at the present time. Maybe someone else can addresss the income issue and I´ll also look into it as that might be a good subject for discussion here.

That's why Comitan, being close to the border, is very attractive to me. Quick border runs to renew my tourist card. What I'm thinking of doing however, since I'll be living in a RV for awhile, is make a little circuit between Oaxaca, San Cristobal, and Catemaco as they have the 3 best RV parks in southern Mexico, at least outside of the Yucatan. Social Security will eventually open up many choices, but that's 12 years from now, so looking for great and yet very affordable places for now.

[bougainvillea]

Originally Posted by vantexan

Thanks Sparks, good to know. I think I'll settle on Oaxaca and just visit other places. May eventually find something that'll make me want to relocate.

Since your post is eight or nine months old, it would be interesting to know where you finally settled. Oaxaca wouldn't generally be included in the list of places where the scenery is spectacular. Taxco, yes. The state of Michoacan is often mentioned as the most beautiful state in Mexico, so I'd drive around in that area if I were you. It really IS gorgeous. Have a look at Morelia.

[stilltraveling]

Originally Posted by sparks

Tepoztlan is in a pretty setting but not a lot of room to escape the tourist crowds that arrive from Mexico City and Cuernavaca. Interesting to visit but wouldn't want to live there.

I had that impression as well. However, I went on my annual retreat there before my birthday last month and discovered the best kept secret of Tepoztlán...

It's a whole different city on weekdays! I got to know a lot of the locals, by locals I mean lots of Mexican, gringo and European hippies who call the place home. They all hunker down on weekends (or get out of town), so it really is two different places depending on the day of the week.

[vantexan]

Originally Posted by bougainvillea

Since your post is eight or nine months old, it would be interesting to know where you finally settled. Oaxaca wouldn't generally be included in the list of places where the scenery is spectacular. Taxco, yes. The state of Michoacan is often mentioned as the most beautiful state in Mexico, so I'd drive around in that area if I were you. It really IS gorgeous. Have a look at Morelia.

A lot of good choices in Mexico but I like Oaxaca primarily for the city itself, cost of living, decent amount of English speakers there. My company will be announcing a buyout soon to reduce costs, will take it if I qualify, which I should. Should by heading south by next year!

[bimini6]

Originally Posted by vantexan

...that are popular with expats? I read on Mexico Connect about terrific scenery in Veracruz State. Just wondering what towns you all consider to have the most spectacular scenery in Mexico with the caveat that these are places you'd enjoy living in? I know there are mountain views over most of the country but what places make you go wow when you go outside? Thanks!

Mazatmitla and Tapalpa are both near Lake Chapala and Guadalajara areas and are beautiful towns in the mountains to visit. You may think you are sitting somewhere like Switzerland when in Mazatmitla. It is on the South side of Lake Chapala and up the mountain about 30 miles. Just beautiful and cool weather.

[jdan6466]

Originally Posted by conklinwh

Scenic & mountain are sort of in the eye of the beholder. Because of the distance restraint, our focus was the bajio which goes from about 5K to 11K feet. We also wanted some expats but not as many as San Miguel or Lake Chapala. We ended up in one of the "ghost mining towns of the bajio" at some 7k feet. It had 50-70k people 1910 when miners included and now about 4K people with 50 expats and some 300 abandoned mines. We are about 45min from both San Miguel & Queretaro. I don't think where we live is for everybody but for us it really works.

We are trying to find our "place" in Mexico. Please, what is the name of your town? We live in Colorado so like the altitude, cool weather, some expats. Thank you for advice.
Barbara

[jdan6466]

I have "heard" that the drug cartels are in Michoacan. Is that true? and what about Patzcuaro? Is it safe? I would really appreciate some comments. Thank you.
Barbara