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hayesworld

May 12, 2007, 8:41 PM

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Info about San Luis Potosi?

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My husband and I will be arriving in SLP city June 07 to stay a few months and learn Spanish. I have searched all the Mexico forums on different sites and haven't been able to find much information on basic costs. Is anyone willing to educate us about the city? I'm looking for information like rental cost of a furnished apartment and the best way to find an apartment, recommended areas of the city to live, etc. I know there are just a few expats living there. Are you remaining silent because you don't want to ruin a well kept secret? I promise not to tell. But I would like some help. It would relieve the new place anxiety to have some advance info before arriving. Any volunteers?

raferguson

May 13, 2007, 6:09 PM

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Re: [hayesworld] Info about San Luis Potosi?

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There are more expats living there than you think, I would guess. Although the city has a colonial core, the outer city is modern, with lots of big buildings with big multinational names on the outside. There must be some expats in those buildings. But if the company relocates you, they probably also find you a place to live, and probably a more expensive place to live than you would be able to afford.

We really enjoyed our visit to SLP. The colonial core and the big park Tangamanga (sp?) are both very nice. You won't see the Easter Week processions, which are reported to be very impressive.

We were told that SLP is a relatively safe city. The statistics that I have show SLP as one of the safest states in the republic. However, I do remember talking to a police officer with a machine gun and a motorcycle, who seemed to be stationed across the street from our hotel; he said that his function was to go after bank robbers.

I don't know of anyone on the forums who lives in SLP, so you may not get a lot of information.

I will repeat the standard advice for apartment hunters in Mexico, which is to use word of mouth, instead of depending on the newspaper or a real estate agent. Ask everyone you meet if they know of an apartment to rent. Look on the bulletin boards or ask at the univiersities. Stay in a hotel while you are looking for an apartment. The good deals will not be in the paper, or with the real estate agent, or on the internet. It is difficult to get a lot of information until you are actually on the ground.

My sense is that SLP is not an expensive city to live in.

I expect that you will enjoy your stay in SLP. Try to get away a weekend or two to the Huasteca region, which is not far, a center for ecotourism. The Huasteca music is unique and enjoyable.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

Ed and Fran

May 13, 2007, 7:40 PM

Post #3 of 6 (2449 views)

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Re: [hayesworld] Info about San Luis Potosi?

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I know there are just a few expats living there. Are you remaining silent because you don't want to ruin a well kept secret? I promise not to tell. But I would like some help.

I think the reason you don't hear much about SLP here on MexConnect is that none of the regular posters here (to the best of my knowledge) lives there. We've been there a couple of times, but just as tourists, and never involved in finding an apartment.

Richard's advice on apartment hunting is pretty standard. Because it is usually harder than finding something furnished north of the border (at least time-wise) you may want to come down a few days ahead of time. Any chance you can get some leads through your language school?

Regards

E&F

raferguson

May 14, 2007, 8:45 PM

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Re: [raferguson] Info about San Luis Potosi?

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I found one fancy place, 4200 pesos per month. 4 bedrooms 3 baths. I don't know where it is, probably in a suburb, but that gives you a sense of the prices. Presumably you could find a more modest place downtown for the same or less.

http://www.kimaj.com.mx/...e.php?idinmueble=100

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

MazDee

May 14, 2007, 9:54 PM

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Re: [hayesworld] Info about San Luis Potosi?

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When I visited there about 2 years ago, I got some great info from a Mexconnect member who was a resident. I don't remember her name and can't find the post in the archives! I do remember that she recommended a nice modern hotel in centro, I think it was called the Panorama, and that is where I stayed. I looked at the rentals in the classified ads in the newspaper (not that I was moving there, just always interested) and the prices seemed quite low compared to where I live. I did like the city, especially all the plazas, but probably won't go back just because there are so many place I have yet to see. Search the archives, and maybe you will find the info I got.

SandRSnow

Sep 10, 2007, 9:46 AM

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Re: [MazDee] Info about San Luis Potosi?

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My husband and I love going to San Luis Potosi (SLP City). We go down by bus and it is about a 6 hour drive from Monterrey - one of our longest travel days. In reply to an earlier question, a previous post was right. Stay awhile and you will probably meet people who can help you find an apartment. There is a local newspaper that also lists places to rent, but most of these places are out of El Centro.

If you are staying for a few days, the hotels in El Centro are not the greatest. The panorama is the best. It is the most modern and you can count on heating and A/C there. There are adequate hotels that are cheaper. The Napoli is basic, but ok and the location is good. It has a good restaurant downstairs.We have stayed at the Concordia several times. Some rooms are good (but basic) and some are very poor, so check out the room first. The Concordia has a pretty good restaurant downstairs that offers a cheap full course Comida Corrida at mid-day. Hotels are not the place to change money. They charge much more than a bank or casa de cambio. Also, you will sleep better at night anywhere in Mexico if you take along a package of soft ear plugs that block noise.

We always enjoy eating at Cafe Tokyo at the corner of Zaragosa and Guerrero. It is not Japanese, but offers up a delicious, economical menu. The fruit plate there is fresh, cool, and delicious in the summertime. And our favorite treats are the delicious ice cream cones served up at Tucky-Tucky next to the Plaza de Armas. So many flavors that it is difficult to choose ! Take your ice cream to the Plaza de Armas and watch all the families enjoying the clowns, musical acts, etc. This is one of the best places to make contact with locals if you are looking for a place to stay as many visitors to the park live in El Centro.

We always get our laundry done while we are there. We put it in a backpack and walk up to LaGotita on 5 de Mayo near Abosolo. The people there do not speak english, but they are super nice. They will weigh your clothing to determine the cost of wash and dry. When you return later that same day or the next morning, your clothes will be washed, dried, nicely folded, and wrapped in plastic. The price is very reasonable and we never need to iron anything - even shirts. There is another market near the laundry that is fun to visit. It does not show up in my guide book, but I think you can see it on Rayon Street.

There are at least two silver shops in El Centro. If you cannot make it to Taxco, buy your jewelry here. I have checked prices here and in other cities and the prices here are very good for 925 silver. The largest shop is on Carranza a few blocks west of the Plaza de los Fundadores. There is another very small shop on Serabia across the street from Hotel Maria Christina.

The people here have been very friendly to us. In the squares or parks - even walking down the street - people will come up to you and speak just the few words in English they know so that you will converse with them. We have seen very few Americans here. I met an American lady once who owned a shop. She was married to a Mexican national. She told me how cold it was in the winters and that very few people had heat in their homes. My husband and I wander the city separately during the day. I have never felt afraid even for a moment and have walked miles in every direction from the El Centro. I did meet an American once, near the Cathedral, who I suspected was working a scam to get money from other Americans. She gave me a "tale of woe" about how she and her husband had been robbed and kidnapped. It all didn't quite add up. Just be vigilant.

The area of the Palacio de Gobierno has always been guarded by armed soldiers, yet you can still feel free to tour the immediate area most days. I really try to just avoid these soldiers. They are there not to disturb travelers, but to guard the area. It is a little chilling to see them whiz by on the motorcycles with machine guns, but I feel their presence helps to deter crime in the area.

It is so easy to "ramble on" about a place that you love so. If you are thinking about visiting or living in SLP City, I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.

S&R Snow