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luking2retire

Oct 28, 2002, 7:51 AM

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How about Queretaro?

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Hi - Can anybody out there tell me anything about life in Queretaro, crime, pollution, etc. I've heard great things about this place and plan to visit soon, before relocating. Any suggestions, comments, will be appreciated. - -- Also, they have a bilingual school the JFK American School - is it any good?
Just FYI, we have a 10 year old and need a place with lots of activities but safe..
Thank you all,

smacarol

Oct 28, 2002, 3:26 PM

Post #2 of 11 (4981 views)

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Re: [luking2retire] How about Queretaro?

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It's a big industrial city, more than a million people, I think, with a beautiful colonial center. Not a lot of gringos that I've seen. We go there once a month to shop in the big Americanized stores in one area: Wal-Mart, Sears, CostCo, Sam's, Office Max, Office Depot, HomeMart (like Home Depot), and Liverpool (a gorgeous huge department store like a cross between Neiman-Marcus and Dillards/May/Broadway/Dayton-Hudson, etc.).

There is a complex of various specialized hospitals, Angeles Hospitals, near Liverpool, and I have heard excellent reports from those from San Miguel who have had various cancer and heart surgeries there. (A hospital stay might be something like $35 a day!) There is also a technical university in Queretaro which is very popular with students from San Miguel.

The fact it has so many factories may be off-putting, but they make it a fairly prosperous city. It didn't seem particularly polluted or dirty, and I've never noticed crime in the shopping areas, which is all I've experienced. The freeways are as confusing as parts of LA until you get used to them! Cab service is great, and cheap ($3-4 for what would be a $12-15 ride in LA). That's about all I know so far, from my five visits there--hope this helps.

Carol Schmidt

Jerry Emrie

Oct 30, 2002, 2:20 PM

Post #3 of 11 (4854 views)

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Re: [luking2retire] How about Queretaro?

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One of the better (larger) mexican cities that I have visited. Have been in the historical section of the city till 4:00am in the morning many times with no problem, crime is not as bad as my home city San Antonio Tx. Taxis are as cheap as you will find them here. There is a language school "Ole" that I highly recomend. I know of a family that rents rooms for the students who attend OLE and if they do not have students will rent you rooms, this is a exceptional family and the house is very nice.Contact me at jemrie@aol.com if you are interested

Terry

Oct 31, 2002, 8:10 AM

Post #4 of 11 (4791 views)

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Re: [luking2retire] How about Queretaro?

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We've been living in Queretaro since February and it's a wonderful place to live. There is some crime - we have friends whose home was robbed, but if you are smart & careful it shouldn't be a problem. Some people have alarm systems & others have big dogs. The homes are usually behind walls with gates where someone must ring a bell to request entrance.

We like living here and will probably be here 4 or 5 more years and, like you, are considering retiring here. There is a newcomers' club with many foreigners attending each month. You must learn Spanish, although there are many people in Queretaro who speak English. There are several theatres with movies (usually in English with Spanish subtitles - except for chilren's movies which are dubbed in Spanish). Queretaro is a city of great wealth, so the cost of living is somewhat higher than other parts of Mexico. Housing, electronics, and some appliances are very expensive, but almost everything else is reasonable. Food is incredibly cheap & restaurants are quite reasonable, and there is a great assortment of restaurants - including Italian, Argentinian, Chinese & even sushi!! There are concerts and plays and the downtown area is thriving with lots of restaurants and plazas and entertainment nearly every weekend.

We know people who have children at Kennedy and they are quite pleased with the school. In some instances the classes at Kennedy are more advanced than parts of the U.S. Kennedy is in Colonia Jurica where many foreigners live. Colonia Juriquilla is a little further outside of towns, but also is a hotspot for foreigners.

Good luck with your transfer!

reg767

Oct 31, 2002, 10:46 AM

Post #5 of 11 (4746 views)

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Re: [luking2retire] How about Queretaro - Tequisquiapan?

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I also have been looking at Queretaro area and suburbs, and also the the town of Tequisquipan. Does anyone have any about this town? I thought about San Miguel Allende but wondered if there too popular. I saw pictures of this town - looked beautiful. I guess also it's possible to use Mex City as airport - about 2.5 hours away? Thank you.

raferguson

Nov 1, 2002, 8:25 AM

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Re: [luking2retire] How about Queretaro?

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The crime survey that I have a copy of shows Queretero state as dead in the middle of Mexican states (number 17) in terms of crime, so much better than higher-crime states, but not as good as some others.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

raferguson

Nov 1, 2002, 9:00 AM

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Re: [raferguson] How about Queretaro? - Crime statistics

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I received a private email asking me for my source for the crime statistics for Mexico. This is a victimization survey, published by an independent nonprofit group, not government crime statistics. It is in Spanish. The URL is below.

http://www.icesi.org.mx/encuestas/Inseguridad_01.pdf

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

bobr76453

Nov 5, 2002, 11:27 AM

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Re: [reg767] How about Queretaro - Tequisquiapan?

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pathall

Nov 10, 2002, 2:19 PM

Post #9 of 11 (4396 views)

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Liverpool in Queretaro?

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Can someone give me directions on how to get to the Liverpool store, coming from SMA? Thanks in advance.

smacarol

Nov 10, 2002, 2:57 PM

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Re: [pathall] Liverpool in Queretaro?

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Take 57 from San Miguel and keep going on it past the Queretaro turnoff for Wal-Mart/CostCo/OfficeMax, etc. (Quintera, I think that turn-off is called.)

Liverpool is a three-story white building on the right side in a couple of miles, a block or so after a big hospital complex, the Los Angeles hospitals. There is even a smallish freeway exit sign marked "Liverpool" on the right side, and the sign on the department store is very big.

Or, the first time you can park in the Wal-Mart lot and take a cab to Liverpool, 30-40 pesos, to see the locals' shortcuts.

Carol Schmidt

cachucha

Feb 10, 2003, 3:03 PM

Post #11 of 11 (4219 views)

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Re: [luking2retire] How about Queretaro?

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Hi,

I lived in Queretaro from 1996-1998 and absolutely LOVED my time there. The crime isn't bad compared to anywhere in the States I think. I used to live by Plaza del Parque near the Costco, Sam's, Soriana, etc. and it was very safe. I left my front door open most days!

I have a Mexican friend whose son attended the JFK school. He seemed to be quite happy there and speaks English like a true Gringo.

I hope that helps. Queretaro is a beautiful thriving city and there is always something to do. It's amazing how clean it is even though so many people live there. Enjoy your trip and whatever your plans may be there.