Why Visit San Miguel De Allende, Mexico?

Why Visit San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: The Enchanting City in Central Mexico

Countless Americans, Canadians, and Europeans Tour Mexico Every Year.

However, Mexico is a huge country, roughly one-fifth the magnitude of the U.S., also provides a whole lot more to provide than cold margaritas under a bright beach umbrella.

If you're looking for an enchanting city to visit in Central Mexico, look no further than San Miguel de Allende. This beautiful city is located in the state of Guanajuato and is known for its colonial architecture, local art scene, and delicious traditional Mexican food. There's something for everyone in San Miguel de Allende, from history buffs to nature lovers to foodies!

Roughly four-hour's drive northwest of the capital, Mexico City. This city is found in the Colonial Highlands area. It delivers a whole lot of advantages: temperate climate, low cost of living, an energetic expat community, welcoming locals, enchanting neighborhood cultural customs, along with also a focus on the indie and local arts.

The architecture in San Miguel de Allende is absolutely stunning! If you're a fan of colonial-era architecture, you'll love exploring the city's narrow streets and visiting its many churches and cathedrals. The setting is amazing. It has mandated that houses, churches, civic structures, businesses…just about every original structure…keep its historical, original look. And that's strictly enforced here. Even signage for companies is different.

Narrow roads, cobblestone or flagstone, are lined with houses in colors of yellow, orange, red, and brown terracotta, barrel-tile roofs. It may be challenging to drive a vehicle, but it is certainly a nice place to have a very long walk, exploring the architectural grandeur that includes expansive houses with wrought iron bars and imposing wooden doors, baroque churches together with stained archways depicting religious scenes, and much more.

As a result of its beauty and serene atmosphere, combined with the rest of the advantages, San Miguel is no stranger to expats-- they constitute roughly 10 percent of the 125,000 inhabitants in the metro region. These total number of tourists swells during the winter, when Canadian, American, and European"snowbirds" flock to city for the excellent climate.

As you turn a corner you will more often than not encounter plazas and parks full of shady trees and seats. All these are hives of activity with food sellers, couples walking hand in hand, playing kids, and talking retirees.

Under plain doors and doors with wrought-iron bars have been concealed treasures. Colonial houses are historical inside and out, even though the remodeled ones have updated plumbing and electric, in addition to high-speed internet. Interior courtyards with fountains and gardens, intricate decorative tile work, vaulted ceilings using an original timbers…you are surrounded by history.

The air in the high Sierra's, is clean and crisp. And the weather is temperate year long, staying at the 25C (70s F) days and cooling down at night into the 18C (50s F.) Just in January and February can you encounter colder months, together with comfy times and drops near freezing on the coldest nights.

There's also higher quality and low cost healthcare accessible. Well-regarded physicians, dentists, and health care clinics can be found in the city, with big hospitals and specialists offered from the town of Queretaro, approximately 45-minutes' away.

The epicenter of existence for expats and locals is El Jardin, the most important plaza and park before the renowned red gothic style church called La Parroquia.

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Lifestyle in San Miguel de Allende

What calls so many expats to San Miguel particularly? The same reasons that the town's very first foreign residents came right after World War II. They were experts that arrived to take art classes in local institutes--it was covered by the GI Bill. Since that time it's been a favorite destination of artists, musicians, and many others interested in culture and art.

San Miguel de Allende is home to a thriving art scene. The city has been called an "artist's paradise" due to the abundance of galleries and studios. You can find everything from traditional Mexican art to contemporary pieces here.

Today it has a flourishing arts scene with live theater, lectures, book clubs, live music performances, foreign and independent films theaters…and much more galleries showcasing modern and folkloric art than you can rely. Whether you are a participant or spectator, it is a great scene for art lovers.

And finally, no trip to San Miguel de Allende would be complete without trying some of its delicious food! The city is known for its regional cuisine, which features dishes like chile en nogada (a dish made with poblano peppers, pork, apples, and walnuts) and mole poblano (a sauce made with chocolate, chili peppers, and spices). Yummers!

Foodies will be in heaven when they visit San Miguel de Allende. The city is home to some of the best restaurants in Mexico, serving up everything from traditional Mexican food to international favorites. The large diversity in a large expat population means that you may find everything from street tacos for about 75 cents and casual food in local restaurants for a couple of dollars, and cuisine from around the world, including Italian, sushi, vegetarian, in addition to endless gourmet options.Don't miss out on a chance to try some of these amazing restaurants! Here are just a few of our favorites:

Best Restaurants in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico:

La Casa de las Artesanas
La Casa de los Pobres
Los Danzantes
El Pegaso
El Jardín
San Angel Inn.

San Miguel de Allende Culture

San Miguel de Allende is also a great place to learn about Mexican culture. There are several museums in the city, and each one offers a unique perspective on Mexican history and art. Some of these museums include:

The Museo El Nigromante (Black Magic Museum) - This museum tells the story of San Miguel's past as an important stop along the Camino Real (Royal Road). It exhibits many artifacts from this time period, including maps and tools used for mining silver during colonial times.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica (Regional Museum of Ceramics) - This museum showcases pottery made by local artists using traditional techniques dating back hundreds years!
Instituto Allende - This institute offers classes in painting and sculpture, as well as photography. There are also workshops that focus on topics like writing or drawing comics!

San Miguel de Allende is a great place to live if you want an authentic experience of Mexico without having to travel too far from home. The city has many churches that host mass every day; these churches offer Mass both in Spanish and English so anyone can attend them regardless of their language preference!

You'll find churches all over San Miguel de Allende: from the large Cathedral Basilica Nuestra Señora del Socorro (Our Lady Of Solace) which stands at one end of town with its impressive dome towering above everything else around it down towards smaller chapels dotted along narrow streets between houses and shops.

Real Estate in San Miguel de Allende

There are loads of affordable real estate options in San Miguel de Allende. However, the closer you are to the core of the colonial centro, the plaza called El Jardin, the greater the price. Expect to pay about $350,000 and up for a restored colonial house, with a few bedrooms, in the best neighborhoods in the city.

But visit the outskirts of the colonial zone, still in nice and safe areas, and you will pay much less. For example, a one-bedroom apartment will opt for $169,000. From that point it will be a five to 10-minute walk into the restaurants and entertainment options and cultural activities in the historic area. Head to the outskirts of town, but still a 20-minute walk to a five-minute taxi ride (for $3), and you will find modern houses for bargain rates. Here you'll easily find a three-bedroom home for about $200,000 and up.

Cost Of Living In San Miguel de Allende

The minimal cost of living carries over to daily expenses and monthly invoices as well. Rents start at roughly $800 a month for a two-bedroom apartment to get a long term lease. This will put you on the outskirts of this historic centro. Remember that during"high season," from January to April, it's very hard to find a monthly rental and prices do go up. If you're considering residing in the city at that time of year, then it is ideal to book a place early.

Local markets offer fresh produce at a lively atmosphere at a minimal price. A retired couple could fill their fridge with veggies and fruits, plus meat and chicken, eggs…whatever they need, for about $25 per week. Together with the pleasant climate, there's no demand for air conditioning or heat, so electrical bills are low.

Going out is cheap also. At"high end" restaurants you won't break the bank. It is hard to invest more than $40 to $50 per couple for a wonderful meal with wine and pre-dinner cocktails.

Expense	U.S. $
Rent (two-bedroom apartment)	$800
Electricity	$50
Gas & Water	$30
Cell Phones (x2)	$40
Groceries & Household Items	$300
Mercado	$70
Insurance	$100
Internet	$60
Streaming Media Accounts	$45
Property Tax	$22
Dining Out	$100
Taxis, Buses	$40
Monthly total:	$1,657

Conclusion

So what are you waiting for? Add San Miguel de Allende to your travel bucket list and experience all that this beautiful city has to offer!

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