San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
June 12 - June 21 [2022]
This was my third attempt at San Miguel de Allende. The first occurred last November when I was a short one hour away in Guanajuato before receiving an emergency call from home requesting help with a brother recovering from an unexpected heart surgery. My second attempt was a couple months ago in April after a four week stand in Morelia along my revised Mexico route. This time it was a business issue that couldn't be handled over the phone. So, once again, it was back to the US.
Well, as the old adage goes - third time's a charm!
To be frank, I had negative expectations of San Miguel. For one, it has a reputation as the Expat capital of Mexico. On the surface, this isn't necessarily negative but I didn't initiate this journey to hang out with a culture I left behind. Second, it's expensive and often times full of tourists. But despite these realities, the city lived up to the hype. In fact, San Miguel de Allende is a classic example of what can be done with a historic city when you apply capital and focus. Unlike all of my previous visits, the infrastructure and cleanliness of SMA was on par with many first world cities. Additionally, the central area is loaded with world class restaurants and five star hotels showcasing interior design that typically finds its way on to the covers of glossy magazines and fashion forward web sites. Simply stated, the city is aesthetic bliss at multiple degrees of trend- color, texture, space, light and dimension.
San Miguel is located in same area as Queretaro and Guanajuato at high elevation about three hours north of Mexico City. The Bajio region is known for its mild temperatures, UNESCO registered landmarks, vineyards and wineries. The city is surrounded by slopes of varying degrees where you'll find residential structures throughout. And unlike its neighboring cities, San Miguel has a significant number of trees to compliment its rugged stone and cobble frame.
Fortunately, I had a friend come down to visit which offered an opportunity to share a two bedroom at a price that was in the ballpark of my budget. We stayed in a three level apartment along a hillside in a traditional neighborhood with a rooftop view of the city's central area including all Cathedrals of interest. The apartment's location was within walking distance of everything important including a local produce market which we accessed daily.
Finally, San Miguel has a very robust artist community that has attracted talent from all corners of the globe. Gallery's and studios can be found all over town with many open to anyone curious enough to enter. So, if you're a first world citizen looking for the luxuries of home within a city that showcases 500 years of history, world class dining and a colorful culture that radiates 24/7, look no further than San Miguel de Allende. I will be returning in the near future.
