Alternatives to San Miguel de Allende for property?

Question

I know San Miguel de Allende is a popular place for American ex-patriates. What other cities/towns in Mexico (not necessarily beach towns) are good places to live and buy property? Do these areas consist of mostly retirees or is there a mix of ages (in terms of Americans, Canadians, Europeans)?

Answer 1

Ajijic just outside Guadalajara

Answer 2

Apart from San Miguel Allende (but very similar to it is Ajijic near the (almost dried out lake Chapala) close to Guadalajara. Another recent choice of retired expats are three very nice places all close to the city of Queretaro in the state of the same name: Juriquilla, San Gil and Tequisquiapan/Bernal. A word of warning for people planning to retire to Mexico: until recently mexican exchange houses acepted cashiers cheques drawn on US banks for immediate cashing. Since some weeks ago there was a megascam by some executives at a Mexican exchange house, the US banks have cancelled this way of cashing cheques. Cheques must now be deposited in an account at a Mexican bank, where it can take up to 28 days before the funds are received.

Answer 3

Normally the young emigrants, live together with the mexican, but they have their clubs:

Morelia, Michoacan:

http://www.turismomichoacan.gob.mx/

Oaxaca, Oaxaca:

http://www.oaxaca.gob.mx/?P=Turismo

Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas:

http://www.turismochiapas.gob.mx/lang.ph...

Cholula, Puebla:

http://www.sanandrescholula.gob.mx/turis...

http://www.turismopuebla.com/

Taxco, Guerrero:

http://www.guerreromexico.com.mx/

Answer 4

There are Americans and Canadians all over Mexico.  if you prefer to live where there are many gringos, Lake Chapala may be right for you.  Places with fewer gringos are less expensive.  Mountain areas have a much better climate.  You could explore many of the beautiful old colonial cities.  i prfer a small town about half an hour from a big city for conveniences...and a limited number od gringos.  Just depends on what you like...San Miguel is expensive...and to the gringoswho DON"T live ther , it is considered NOT real Mexico...but that is sort of a snotty attitude, I admit...anyway, there are dozens of great places.