Is San Miguel the place for me?

Hi Bob Haskell,

Sorry to read about your lost

I suggest you post your resume in the Teaching jobs in San Miguel de Allende section please and maybe in the Careers in music in San Miguel de Allende sectin too. It might help

Best of luck to you

Thank you

Maximilien

Thank you very much -

I will do both of the things you recommended...

Tal vez, después de Navidad, nos podamos conocer en San Miguel!!

Chao desde Buenos Aires!

Hi Bob, the main issue with working in Mexico is doing so legally. In order to work in San Miguel, you would require a job offer / invite from a company, and they would then have to assist you in obtaining work status (Usually starts as a one year work Visa).

People of course work "under the table," but, there are always risks with going this route.

My advice would be to start exploring organizations/companies in SMA that might have a place for you, and also contact an immigration consultant in San Miguel.

Saludos,
David
LivingInSanMiguel.com

Yes, I know you're right... But during the ten years I lived in Tijuana I acquired permanent residency; now I'm being informed by people in the immigration business (and who are friends of mine) that all I have to do is get the new plastic card, which involves a fee of $4000.00 pesos... But at least I can keep my status - and work!

Of course, as always, there might be some legal snag or reason I have to lose my residency, or have to start over again...

In fact, at the Mexican Embassy here in Buenos Aires, just yesterday, they told me that the new laws invalidate all the trámites[i][/i]and I have to start over.

That was BEFORE my immigration friend told me not to worry; that its not true! Just another of the things I love about Mexico: everybody knows exactly what's going on all the time!

I'll be prepared for either eventuality.

Thanks for the post.

- Bob

Hi Bob, I sent you a message with some more info./a good music contact in San Miguel.

Cheers,
David

Are you still thinking about this? I have wanted to make the move for 20 years. I'm 57, artist living in Los Angeles.   Cheri -

Me too. I visited SMA 20 years ago, and have been back 2 times since then. Wonderful place.It has changed a lot and english is spoken everywhere.There is a starbucks downtown and a mall on the outskirts but the streets are still cobblestone and no traffic lights in sight.  There is a thriving expat community and I met some wonderful people at the library, yoga classes,  and the unitarian congregation. I would like to live there wnters, but not quite ready to retire.

Are you planning to work or volunteer?

Hi: I am from the other piece of america - Canada. I've visited SMA 3 times, and would love to winter there. I found it very easy to meet other english speakers and there are lots of free and not too pricy cultural events. Great art everywhere, and music too at the schools. The average age is about 60 - 70+ and many people I would be like to be friends with. Many teachers, and health care practitioners. I teach nursing and would like to work teacing medical english.There seems to be a number of spanish language schools and lots of texans.  I am sure there is a politically better way of saying this - but the people are good texans, and not the redneck variety.
But it is not a place to get away from the noth american culture. IMHO.

I would say SMA would be an excellent fit for you. The expats there are a cut way above the usual segregated enclaves in other parts of Mexico. The difference between say Santa Fe, NM and Palm Springs. Big difference. I usually call SMA the Santa Fe of Mexico. The expat population is about 80 Democrats by leaning and only 10% Republican. The others being independant. So the trend is for engaged and engaging EP's. There is rarely a time, sitting next to someone at a table, that you don't hear conversations from the most interesting folks! It often even becomes a multi-table discussion. Most people I meet there are "different" in a good way. Finding your way financially will be the challenge. Hoops to jump of course, client base to build, etc.

Hi,
There's a guy in town that I think you might "musically" connect with.
HIs name is Fred Dannen, look him up on Facebook.
Good luck!   Ronnie

Hi Bob,
I was curious to see if you ever decided to settle in SMA? We are moving there in August, we have purchased a house there. My cousins also have a home there and are both musicians, one is still actively working and her instrument is the viola.
Regards,
Arlene

A recent bit of information:. The city is building an extension to UNAM here in SMA. UNAM is the largest university in Mexico. Don't know when it will be complete nor what faculties they will have. Might be worth looking into especially since you have experience teaching at a university in Mexico

Hola Senora Bee!
I like your sentiments.  I find it interesting to always read the posts and this whole thing on SMA is very encouraging to me.  It is also interesting to see that regardless of where Americans or Canadians in your case chose to call home you inevitably take your personal leanings right along with you.  I am definitely not a fan of the current criminal in the USA White House and his supporters for that matter either.  By the posts I am reading here I would have many like minded expats to socialize with, cry in our cold beers with, pat each other on the back for being of sound minds and good judgment.  Misery or cheer we all enjoy being able to express ourselves with confidence around like minded souls.
So even though we would now be living outside of the US we all would still have strong feelings regards our first home.  Which brings up another thing.  How many of you get involved with activities of SMA itself with the fellow Mexicano's and not just expats?

There is one thing I am very concerned about regards Sam Miguel.  That is the varying air quality warnings.  I keep track of the weather and today for instance it is over 200 and they have posted “Very Unhealthy Air Quality”!  Can you all chime in on this please and educate me what this is about, cause, affect and if this extends to the Lake Chapala area as well.  Thank you.

I've seen those "very unhealthy air quality" notices before, too, and I have no idea what that's based on.  My husband has asthma which usually is in full bloom in Houston, where we live(d).  Ever since arriving in SMA, he was able to do without his inhalers, just using basic asthma meds as a precaution.
If anybody knows what's with those warnings, please let me know.  Is it the US government issuing those warnings for political reasons?  I cannot figure it out.