RETIREMENT IN MEXICO

ABC just aired a piece on retirement homes and elder-care/assisted living homes. This piece was tied to El Salvador de Allende on the mainland, but this can be applicable to Baja as well.
This evening, (Jan 27, 2009) at 11p.m. pacific time, ABC will be airing on NIGHTLINE another piece on retiring in Mexico. Seems like the whole 1/2 hour will be dedicated to the subject.
I am sure you 21st century computer gurus will come up with the proper links to tie these broadcasts to the Nomads. By the time I figure how to do it, the program will be over!

The city they were speaking about is San Miquel de Allende. It is a beautiful old colonial city in the highlands---the area that is the heart of the revolution.

What they don't mention, or at least during the part I saw, was how terribly expensive property is anymore in San Miquel because of the very large ex-pat community.

We always enjoy San Miquel and all of the surrounding area-it is so beautiful, and there is so much history there.

San Miquel from the highway above.



Sample of the colorful central plaza area.



Since I won't be up at 11, I will be interested to hear the other place they talk about.

Diane

[Edited on 1-28-2009 by jdtrotter]

At one time, San Miquel was sort of an artists escape, a place to which many gringos went to write books, do their art, or at least think they were doing so.

Then it was "discovered" and gringos started buying up the old colonial downtown homes and doing major rehab---many now sell for over a million dollars.

It is an interesting place. Some say that Pozos which is close by is just beginning and will be the next San Miquel---who knows, but it is a quiet pretty old colonial town that is in much disrepair.







Outside of Pozos are very interesting old Spanish ruins---major haciendas.



For anyone really interested in Mexico and Mexican history, the central highlands are a great place to travel.

Diane

In old colonial towns that have been declared National Monuments, or World Culture Centers etc., the cobble stone streets abound. Fortunately, they are protected or they might have been "modernized".

In a place like San Miquel, the cobblestone is kept in better repair, but it is still bumpy riding around. The picture of the long cobblestone steet is in Pozos and was not in as good shape, nor were the buildings. But, that may change.

OH, if anyone goes to a place with San Miquel or Guanajuato with an RV----DO NOT GO DOWNTOWN WITH THE RV---or you will be facing a major nightmare.

Gosh, all of this is making me really yearn to get back to the highlands.

Diane

While there are lots of versions of all history, my understanding is that The first draft of the Treaty of La Mesilla what became known as the Gadsden Purchase (primarily wanted for a southern trans-continental RR route) included all of Baja---something some in the US wanted as well as more territory on the mainland. I understand that Mexico would not accept that, even though it is reported that Santa Ana was personally paid a good sum of money, and made sure that they maintained a land bridge to Baja.

The native Americans in that area didn't want any part of any of it.

During that period with the ethnocentric name of Manifest Destiny, there were many, especially in the southern slave states who wanted to annex all of Mexico and Central America.

Now it is time for FDT and his vast knowledge of Baja history to chime in with the "rest of the story".

The most interesting part of history is that it is all pretty much one big debate with few facts and lots of perspective and interpretation. I love reading the US version of events, and then reading and hearing the version from other countries. As a good friend from Britain always reminds me, the US War of Independence was the Rebellion of the Colonies and was led by a bunch of traitors!

Diane

Who knows about Guanajuato? I may be going there for a short visit.
If I only have time to see 1 cultural place what is it?
And yes I am visiting a beautiful senorita!

Whoa baby!!! There is a town named TEQUILA!???
Sounds like a must see

I spent a little over a year working in Mexico City would spend my weekends and holidays exploring. There are still some places I need to go back to see but some of the ones I was able to spend time at (and loved) were:

San Miguel de Allende
Cuernavaca
Queretaro
Puebla
Taxco
Veracruz
Cordoba
Xalapa
Boca del Rio
Ciudad Victoria

Just thinking about it makes me want to go and dig up some of the digital libraries I still need to go through from some of those trips...

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck Who knows about Guanajuato? I may be going there for a short visit. If I only have time to see 1 cultural place what is it? And yes I am visiting a beautiful senorita!

Beautiful interesting town. Plenty of sights to see just wandering around, Diego Rivera's birthplace being one.
Make sure you make the drive on the hill going around the town with gorgeous overlooks.

No lie!

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck Whoa baby!!! There is a town named TEQUILA!??? Sounds like a must see

I know a girl named Margarita and she was born in Tequila, Mexico...no kidding...

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo I spent a little over a year working in Mexico City would spend my weekends and holidays exploring. There are still some places I need to go back to see but some of the ones I was able to spend time at (and loved) were: San Miguel de Allende Cuernavaca Queretaro Puebla Taxco Veracruz Cordoba Xalapa Boca del Rio Ciudad Victoria Just thinking about it makes me want to go and dig up some of the digital libraries I still need to go through from some of those trips...

Another view of looking down on Guanajuato



Why one should not drive an RV into Guanajuato.



One of the most famous attactions in Guanajuato are the mummies, but I refuse to go see them.

The main plaza is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

Glad you excluded Juarez.

And yes, Mexico City's air is horrible, especially in the winter months----makes Los Angeles in the 1950's seem clean.

Traffic? While we travel more by car now, one thing I miss about the bus traveling days is not needing to drive in the old downtowns. They are better for walking. And I miss standing on the highways flagging down a 2nd class bus, hoping there would be a seat, and wondering what all would be riding on the bus.


Diane

[Edited on 1-29-2009 by jdtrotter]

Driving in DF is an adventure but the upside is after learning to drive in that city I feel like I can drive anywhere on earth. Tijuana seems easy to me in comparison...