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mexigrl

Jun 10, 2003, 7:57 PM

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Areas to live within a few hours of Mexico City?

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Hola everyone,

My plan was to move down to the Chapala area for a few months starting in December. My boyfriend lives in Mexico City and, after spending 2 weeks visiting him, we have decided that it would be better for me to be a little closer to DF. He works many hours and it would be nice to be somewhere within travel distance so we could be together when he is not working (not too often, but you take what you can get!)

I have spent time in DF, Cuernavaca, Tepoztlan and Taxco. I do not want to be in the DF proper, probably a few hours outside. His family does own and fly for a local airline that is within Mexico. It would be an option for us to fly when has has a few days off in a row (again, not often!). Cuernavaca is not my first choice, although it would certainly be convenient. I don't know why but it just didn't really inspire me.

I have an illness that rarely requires treatment but would like to be somewhat close to good local healthcare and an airport for emergencies. I am 39 years old, speak limited Spanish but am studying, and would feel comfortable in a Mexican community. I would really enjoy a community that also had ex-pats in it. The main reason for that is that I would really like to get involved in charity and community work that is being done by ex-pat community organizations.

Your thoughts are very much appreciated! Juan Carlos (my boyfriend) mentioned Morelia but I dont know much about it. Anyone have experience there?

Muchas Gracias,

Mexigrl

raferguson

Jun 11, 2003, 11:14 AM

Post #2 of 6 (898 views)

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Re: [mexigrl] Areas to live within a few hours of Mexico City?

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Morelia is perhaps 5 hours from the DF. Puebla is only 2 hours from the DF, and a town that I liked when we visited. It has a colonial core. It is on the other side of the mountains, so the polution is not bad. You might also want to check out Tlaxcala, which has a good reputation, north of Puebla.

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

jennifer rose

Jun 11, 2003, 11:26 AM

Post #3 of 6 (897 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Areas to live within a few hours of Mexico City?

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Morelia is perhaps 5 hours from the DF.

By what, the old Mil Cumbres road? It's 2.5 hours from D.F. on the cuota, which all but the sightseers and those into serious self-abuse would take.

Now, about those areas within a few hours of Mexico City..... There's a vast range of choices. Including without limitation Queretaro, Toluca, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Cuernavaca. My advice to you is to stablize your own situation first, learn Spanish....and worry abut charity and community work after you're settled in.

jrice

Jun 13, 2003, 11:23 AM

Post #4 of 6 (848 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Areas to live within a few hours of Mexico City?

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Queretaro is a very pretty town and there are some nice bits of countryside near there (say, Tequisquiapan -- a sort of PANista Tepotzlan -- or Bernal)

I think somebody making the sort of plans she's talking about should gather some names and do a little tour of the region to see what appeals.

If she likes smaller towns, a lot of folks like Tepotzlan east of cuernavaca, though it can be a little overly touristy. A few miles from there is Amatlan; I stayed with some friends at a country house with a spectacular view.

I agree with you that Morelia is nice.

For that matter, if she's talking about flying, Oaxaca city is a brief and fairly cheap flight from Mexico City, though it's about a five-hour drive.

MommaJ

Jun 13, 2003, 2:41 PM

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Re: [jrice] Areas to live within a few hours of Mexico City?

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We are moving to Puebla next week and I have been there several times from DF. We take a bus from the Airport and it takes 2 hours. It is a "big" city of around 2.5 million but so far I've found it to be quite nice, a big city with a small city feel.

There are hospitals in the town and several big universities in the area. I can tell you more once we get there but others on this list have much more experience than I.

Good Luck!

Momma J

mexigrl

Jun 13, 2003, 9:52 PM

Post #6 of 6 (811 views)

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Re: [MommaJ] Areas to live within a few hours of Mexico City?

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I have been looking at information on Morelia and Puebla. My boyfriend has a brother in Morelia and wants me to consider it. I have not spent any time in either city yet but they both sound like beautiful colonial cities from my research.

I am a little concerned about areas like San Miguel as I sometimes have some problems with walking - more that I get tired easily but sometimes lose my balance too. The whole balance thing I can usually blame on tequila when I am in Mexico and I find that people are always willing to help me up :)

I have visited Tepoztlan twice now and it is a charming town with great proximity to DF. I think though, if I was going to go to that area, that I would be more likely to choose Cuernavaca for the offerings it provides.

Jennifer, I have read with interest your information on Morelia and surrounding areas. Very informative and helpful!

Thanks everyone,

Mexigrl

PS - One more thought....what about being a woman alone? I have spent time traveling in Mexico on my own for years now and have always been fairly comfortable. Are there cities where I would be likely to be more at ease? I have to admit that DF was a little overwhelming (although I didnt let that stop me). Thanks!