San Miquel de Allende, Mexico

Great town. We had considered buying a second home there. Perfect climate. Delicious food. Good art scene. Beautiful architecture. Interesting surrounding towns. Wine region. Genuine people. It’s rapidly changing and will most likely lose that special appeal.

In San Miguel de Allende all seems to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils

[quote]San Miquel

Oh, dear.

It is a HUGE magnet for cossetted Americans who want to glom together, not learn Spanish, and reap all the $ benefits of retiring there. If it isn't already, it will soon be over-run with Americans, Canadians, Europeans, like Oaxaca, and it will quickly lose its charm.

It’s a beautiful town, I visited in 2019, but I thought one day was sufficient.

Don’t go there. Too many gringos.

Sounds like the Spanish coastal towns overrun with Brits.

It's being "discovered" by middle-aged white devils, who love its phony old-world charm and "hidden gem" aesthetic.

It's no different from fifty other old Mexican towns in the same region, but this one has a poet's charm and looks like it has some mystical alleys where a person can wander and soak up the culture and be inspired. Or mugged by teenagers after seeing two goats fucking behind a rusty moped.

You're about to see a shitload of travel content on this town. It's the new Barcelona/Iceland/Lisbon, only smaller and cheaper. Inflation has shrunk people's budgets and imaginations.

What inflation? The 2.8% kind! Ha.

Hurry, any day now this place is going to be discovered, become expensive, and lose its off the beaten path dusty charm.

I spent a year in Mexico City back in 1995 and briefly visited San Miguel. It was charming as could be, but even back then, it was popular with US retirees. I can't imagine what it must be like today.

That being said, it is a real town with real history and actual Mexican charm, so I bet I'd still love it. Of course, there are probably plenty of other places just as picturesque without all the gringos (says the gringo).

Leave it alone.

The locals hate you all.

R11, did you shag anyone while you were there?

Even the NYT's feature "36 Hours in..." makes a joke of how many times (4 by my count) they have covered San Miguel de Allende, and how it not filled with tourists seeking ever narrower definitions of authenticity and wondering if they wouldn't have done better to go somewhere else in their search.

A dear friend of ours just sold their place there. They lived so happily there for the last 20 years, but now needing to be closer to better medical in the US...... Their home is a palace, the pieces they collected & finding artist villages in Mexico. Such treasures. So many beautiful places behind those walls & doors in town. They introduced us to other gay couples in the area, everyone so lovely & loving life. Great social opportunities, lots of Americans/Canadians looking for a warmer, more cultured life. We are heading back mid-April for 3 months as we are house swapping with a couple we met & became friends with. Incredible home- the garden/central courtyard has the most beautiful Balinese tea house structure that floats over puffy ferns..... I'll be in gardening bliss- gardening with their gardener.....

What are some fun things to do there? Anything unique gastronomically to the area? Is it safe?

[quote] Is it safe?

Sage as the D train at 5am with a guy pudding in the corner and two guys in hoodies looking you up and down, while munching from their Taco Bell bags.

Do- over:

Safe as the D train at 5am with a guy pissing in the corner and two guys in hoodies looking you up and down while munching from their Taco Bell bags.

I’ve eaten guy pudding a time or two in my life.

😜

Better that you go to France. And you don’t even have to leave North America!

So many expats, so little time... how can I lose?

R13 In San Miguel, no. In the DF (now known as CDMX), yes. I had such a great time there.