mminnes
Mar 4, 2009, 7:54 AM
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looking to find a suitable location (school) near Guadalajara to spend a year with kids
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We have decided to move to Mexico for the year. My wife and I (early 40s) speak Spanish from a past experience in South America and we would like to give our kids (7 & 9) exposure to a different culture and language.
I have been recently down sized from a mining company and my wife is a teacher who has taken a sabbatical. Unfortunately, neither of us is looking at this move to Mexico as a retirement option! If possible we would like to find some contract work while we are in Mexico, but it isn’t a priority. Initially I thought that we should look at potentially relocating to Guadalajara, as that is where potential jobs might be found. However, I have read many posts that talk about the pollution there and after having experienced the pollution in Santiago, I don’t want to commit to living in such an environment.
We would like to find a destination that is “Mexican” but also has a smattering of gringos. As I want my kids to pick up the language I am sensitive about relocating to a place where English is common place (no offense to the folks living in Ajijic!). We are probably looking to move to somewhere near Guadalajara (+/- 100 miles) – however we can be convinced to look at other locations as well.
Ultimately, we would like to find a location that meets the following criteria that are listed in their order of importance:
Schools – we would like to find a bilingual school where the kids can be taught in Spanish but also be able to communicate in English when necessary. I have heard that if you drop them into an all Spanish school they will be overwhelmed. If we can find the right school for them then the rest will fall into place. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Mexican culture – we really want to feel as if we are in Mexico and not a community of gringos. Not that we have a problem with such folks – it is just that we want to have an authentic Mexican experience. As I mentioned before though, my wife and I would like to meet a few foreigners during our stay. That said, we have heard of such places as Chapala, Tepic, Jocotepec, Providencia in Guadalajara, Zapopan as potential destinations.
Outdoors – we would like to find a destination with open space, greenery and places to ride bikes (should we be bringing our bikes?). If any of the suggested locations are known for their outdoors or aren’t, it would be great to know.
Furnished rentals – we would like to rent a furnished house/apartment for the year starting July 1 – any ideas on agents that we should contact or places we should look would be appreciated. We will also need internet access as unfortunately I will eventually need to return to a full time job!!
Thanks in advance to those of you that have any ideas for us. First hand feedback is so valuable.
MM
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