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grahams

Feb 19, 2007, 4:06 PM

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Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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Is there anyone who lives in Guanajuato who can provide us with info on permanent housing for retirees? Guanajuato is one of several places that caught our eye with its rich and vibrant personality, but we would not be interested in living in the downtown housing area with all the steps. We would also like to be able to park a car for occasional out-of-town use and know the downtown area to be sparse in parking options.

We're not looking for a gated community set-up, but would be interested in hearing opinions on housing opportunities suited to individuals looking for some of the household conveniences that Canadians and Americans have become accustomed to. Basically we're interested in living and enjoying life in Mexico but with some of the extra comforts of home not ordinarily found in Mexican houses (ie - dishwasher, washing machines etc.) Any and all info would be welcomed. Thank you.

Gringal

Feb 19, 2007, 4:26 PM

Post #2 of 11 (4158 views)

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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Guanajuato would be a challenging experience.

What you say you seek could probably be fulfilled in any of the new communities springing up around San Miguel de Allende. Some of those are gated, some not. The architecture is generally pleasing, and the town is retiree-friendly, with many activities and cultural events.

jennifer rose

Feb 19, 2007, 5:22 PM

Post #3 of 11 (4148 views)

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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Look at Marfil and La Presa, on the outskirts of Guanajuato.

grahams

Feb 19, 2007, 7:26 PM

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Re: [Gringal] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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I'm curious what you specifically regard as "challenging" in terms of Guanajuato. Are you speaking in terms of local culture, relatively small numbers of expatriates, necessity for learning Spanish, or all of the above? I am very interested in acquiring as much info from as many sources as I can. It's one step closer to being there.

Cynthia7

Feb 19, 2007, 7:53 PM

Post #5 of 11 (4117 views)

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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There are washing machines, dryers, dishwashers in every state in Mexico. It is just a matter of buying them and having them installed. The city of Guanajato is not known for level walking. It is a university town and has that town and gown air. At one time there were quite a few ex pats there but most of them have moved for a variety of reasons...I was told they didn't have a welcoming spirit to outsiders ..at that time. Try Celaya or Delores Hidalgo if you want to stay in the state and live in a level town. Living in Mexico will be challenging ..just because it is another culture...They do lots of things differently. Some people can't handle it. I suggest you try it for 6 weeks or 6 months to see how you like it.

tutle

Feb 20, 2007, 5:13 AM

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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I worked in Silao for 3 years. We lived in Irapuato in an area called Villas. It surrounds a golf course and had great amenities and wonderful people. Doctors and dentists were well trained and personable. At that time, there were many Americans and Canadians living in that area because the General Motors plant in Silao was expanding. Short drives to San Miguel, GTO, Celeya, and even Leon for the Costco. Highly recommend it and that area.

tomas 99

Feb 20, 2007, 7:17 AM

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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As an ex-pat resident of Guanajuato, I'm always surprised at some of the strange perceptions that foreigners living in other parts of Mexico have of the city. It is not at all true that there were once many ex-pats in Gto but that most moved. There are many more ex-pats here now than there were even five years ago and more seem to be coming every day. It is still a small community relative to San Miguel, for instance, but growing. I don't know where the notion that people are not welcoming to outsiders came from--my experience has been quite the contrary. If by this it is meant that they don't speak to you in English, this is true--few people here speak English, which makes it a great place to learn the language, but not such an easy place to get by with no or little Spanish.

The other thing that is "challenging" about Gto is the terrain. It is not just the downtown area that has a lot of steps and hills and is difficult to navigate--it is pretty much the whole city. If you want good car access, you should look up above--on the "panoramica," the road that circles the city from above. There are many new houses being built in various locations on the panoramica and some lots for sale, as well. Nearly all have car access.

As another respondent commented, it is no problem to install whatever modern appliances you want, if you build or renovate an existing home. If what you read about Guanajuato appealed to you for its "rich and vibrant personality" as you accurately put it, I wouldn't be put off by the challenges. Every ex-pat I know here is happy to be here. I would, though, agree with the idea that trying it out for a shorter period first is a good idea.

Good luck!

Gringal

Feb 20, 2007, 7:23 AM

Post #8 of 11 (4086 views)

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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All of the above, plus the topography.

As someone else suggested, it's best to rent and live somewhere for six months or so and then decide if it's for you. A large number of retirees come to Mexico with stars in their eyes and scoot home within the next two years.

Living in a Mexican neighborhood presents its own challenges, even if you are fluent in Spanish and friendly as all get out. Unless you move to a very well-off Mexican neighborhood, you will always be the "rich gringo", even if your house is modest.

That's why I first suggested you look into some of the developments that are primarily designed for gringos. However, many of the homes are second homes owned by Mexicans from Mexico city.

hummer

Feb 22, 2007, 8:21 PM

Post #9 of 11 (4005 views)

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Re: [tomas 99] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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I also find it very strange to read comments made about GTO from folks that do not live here... All a point of view, I suppose.

While in complete agreement with tomas99, I would add that finding a place to rent here is not straightforward. It is almost necessary to come here and do the search in person. There is no one source of information available and networking with the ex pats will often produce good leads.

caroljruby

Feb 23, 2007, 7:33 PM

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Re: [grahams] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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I was in Guanajuato in January (checking out places for retirement living). The city is charming but all those narrow callejones and steep steps seemed daunting. I couldn't picture myself walking my three dogs there. The centro is at the bottom of a canyon and all those steep cliffs gave me a feeling of claustrophophia. I like the fact that a lot of the traffic is diverted through tunnels, unlike San Miguel de Allende. What I didn't like were the bare, brown hills unlike Michoacan (Morelia/Patzcuaro) where they are green with beautiful fir trees. I decided that Guanajuato was a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there and San Miguel was a disappointment (it was not as charming as I expected). The most charming town I've found in Mexico and I've traveled to many places in the Republic, is Patzcuaro.

Bloviator

Feb 24, 2007, 4:44 AM

Post #11 of 11 (3946 views)

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Re: [caroljruby] Guanajuato - housing for retirees

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Remember if you are moving here, if you are lucky you will get old, or die young and leave a beautiful body. If you should die old, you will have to walk those hills when it becomes very difficult and painful to do so.

I'm very aware of this as it is eighty steep steps from the street to my bedroom. When returning from a trip, with two heavy suitcases, I almost turn around and go back rather than make the climb.

When I'm sharing the narrow, cracked, and dangerous sidewalks or the cobblestone streets of Ajijic with a very old person with a walker, I hope that person had a good life, as he/she definitely has a difficult one as to mobility now. Nevertheless, I admire their willingness to keep on keeping on.