Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

drmike

Apr 10, 2007, 10:43 AM

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Central Highlands

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Hola,
I have been a subscriber for a couple of years and have always enjoyed the banter and information on this site. My wife and I are looking for a place to relocate to in Mexico, and as some my have remembered from previous posts, we've looked all over (Baja Sur/Todos Santo, Chihuahua, etc). We are now about to search in the Central Highlands. I've gone to the forums to seek out previous posts on the area, but wonder if some of you wise persons can help us now.

We fly into Guadalajara, April 26 and will spend three days there. We then will drive up to Toluca, Cuernavaca and the smaller villages in that area to see if we like the area and if there are any houses are for rent. We return to Arizona May 5th. I realize the altitude in Toluca and other areas are very high and oxygen may be an issue but since we live in Tempe, Az. we miss the cool weather, trees, and the oxygen here is not too clean anyway, etc. So we want to give that area a shot. For anyone who lives at that area/altitude, was it difficult to adjust? Do I need to prescribe an oxygen tank for my wife and me to carry around with us?

Can you please provide info as to which areas you prefer (and why) and what is the best way to find homes to rent. From what I gather, real estate agencies are not the way to go. So, how does a person find houses to consider? We are looking for a colonial area in which the city has a plaza, activities (music, festivals), history, decent restaurants, moderate living costs and access to shopping; okay maybe everyone is looking for these things, but I remember in some replies to posts, some ask "could you please be more specific in what you are looking for". That is about as specific as I can be.

I value your comments as each who have responded to me previously have been very thoughtful and accurate in your assessment. I look forward to any help with this post.

Thank you.

I apologize for posting on three forums, but was not sure which would be appropriate.
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching

(This post was edited by drmike on Apr 10, 2007, 11:40 AM)

candap

Jun 11, 2007, 1:53 AM

Post #2 of 3 (2976 views)

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Re: [drmike] Central Highlands

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Dr. Mike --
I'm a day late and a dollar short (not unlike my usual self), but since you've (hopefully) already made your trip and returned by now, how did you like the Central Highlands? I can read a BIT of Spanish, but cannot speak it. Do you recommend studying Spanish BEFORE I go, or are there schools nearby where I could enroll once there?

I'm a single woman (62 - newly retired) who is planning to come twice to Mexico ~~ Once for a month or so toward the end of the year for a "look see" and then if all is okay, returning to Sacramento CA to rent out the house and plan a return trip to the highlands for perhaps six months. (I really do NOT like hot weather, so the highlands areas are definitely preferable in my mind to the coastal communities.)

Was the altitude a problem for you? My neurologist DID prescribe pills for me to take (1 day ahead + a few days after arrival @ high altitudes) during "adjustment". They are called Acetazolamide (250 mgs), 1 tab. b.i.d. (generic for Diamox). I haven't taken them, but the only "warning" he gave me was that they are somewhat like sulfa (??) and NOT to be taken with aspirin containing products. (Additional "warnings" on the patient info sheets said they might cause drowsiness and sunburn if exposed.)

I'll look forward to a reply if you have time; if not, perhaps some others could fill in the gaps for me.
Gracias !
~~ Candy

drmike

Jun 11, 2007, 8:48 AM

Post #3 of 3 (2949 views)

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Re: [candap] Central Highlands

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Hi, Candy

Yes we've returned from our trip and loved it. We flew into Guadalajara looked at Chapala and Ajijic, then drove to Ixtapan del Sal, Taxco, Cuernavaca, Tepoztlan, Valle de Bravo and then Toluca and then back to Guadalajara. Looong trip. We loved the Central Highlands, esp. Cuenavaca and Tepoztlan; we also liked the town of Chapala. I speak a little spanish but am trying to learn it. At age 57 it is a bit tougher to learn than when I was younger (being originally from Georgia, I speak "southern" well and sometimes can mangle the "english" language if I am not careful). We had no problems communicating though. I get along well with people and find if you treat others with respect you receive respect. I picked up a number of business cards and "gifts" from waiters, maitre'D's, and others by being sincere and respectful. My suggestion, of course, is to learn as much spanish and history of the area as you can before going. It makes things easier and more interesting that way.

The altitude did not bother us, but we only spent a week or so actually in the "highlands".
We bought a house in Villa Victoria (outside Toluca and north of Valle de Bravo). The elevation is over 8,000 feet so we'll see. If you look at a place at high altitude you may want to consider renting first (instead of buying) just in case the altitude is a problem. We've been looking in Mexico for over 2 years and felt most at home in the Highlands.

If you take the Diamox, be sure to use sunscreen as the higher altitudes produce stronger ultra-violet rays and may cause a skin reaction. If you don't use Diamox be sure to wear sunscreen for the same reason.

To check out the weather in the Central Highlands go to Yahoo weather, click "Latin America", the click "Mexico" and then choose the city (ies) you are interested in. This will allow you to see if the weather is what you are looking for. We are moving from Phoenix and quite frankly we are looking forward to the cool, wet weather...

I hope this helps, Candy. You can always ask more questions either on this forum or "private mail". Good luck and stay in touch.
Dr. Mike

http://www.smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Hindu teaching