Glad to have found you!

[MNWildRose]

Just a quick introduction. My husband, Jim, and I hope to become expats in Guanajuato within the next 1-2 years. It is a place in Mexico we remember most fondly, though it has been several years now since we were last there. Definitely time for a next visit!

We just returned from a terrific time in Oaxaca for el Dia de los Muertos. Oaxaca has been on our "finalist list" of possible places to live. While we love Oaxaca, I think it is too big and too hot in the summer for us.

I'm so glad to have found this forum (thanks to Louisa!) and have spent the last few hours going through lots of posts. I'm hoping to have the chance to interact with some of you - and really hoping that we will get to meet some of you in person! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with those of us who are working toward living our Mexican-dream.

We do want to make a fact-finding trip to Guanajuato within the next year. Any thoughts on a best time of year to come and spend a few weeks in your special part of the world?

Muchas gracias for any comments/thoughts you would like to share. Would welcome any "food for thought"!

Rosa

[Jzmackenzie]

Welcome!

I first discovered/visited Guanajuato in 2005, and quickly "feel in love" with the mountains, the climate, and the people - not in that order. I'm a cowgirl who felt like she "came home" to her roots; I was born in New Mexico on a ranch.

The Guanajuatenzes people are polite, respectful, and have pure hearts - especially in the rural area of subsistence farmers where we three adults have lived for the last nearly six years. I did my doctoral research here and did not leave.

We brought in 14 loads of farming supplies. We spent every cent we had to improve a rental home. Then, we gave our time, energy, and worldly goods to help our neighbors by building a community center and rebuilding a burned out home; we run a nonprofit. Now, sadly, for health reasons, two of us are preparing to leave for a year. In all honestly, I feel like I have lived in heaven on earth here.

I suggest that to have the same experiences, you will need to visit some rural areas (including a few primary school classrooms), observe ancient religious functions, put your faith in a doctor who charges 25 pesos ($1.89USD) for an office call, attend a primary school graduation, and learn the language at least at a first grade level. Once you have done all that, you will better understand why Mexican music, bright colors, and spicy Latin food will forever warm your heart.

May your time not living in Guanajuato pass quickly.