Expat Charles Thomas Speaks About Living in San Miguel de Allende

[@scruffy281]

I love these interviews with expats. They seem so honest and diverse in their reasons for living in various parts of Mexico. I love to hear their stories. Thanks so much for bringing this to us.❤️

[@robertnelson1471]

Debbie, thank you for your nice comment. More on the way!

[@carlosvillegas6113]

the term minority only applies in the States, in Mexico there's no such a thing over there you are a human being with a diffrent background.

[@davidhayden9336]

THANK YOU, ISN'T THAT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

[@scruffy281]

@@davidhayden9336 YESSSSS!!!❤️

[@mirandabisnou1307]

#CarlosVillegas I LOVE MEXICO!!! Una cosa que SI existe en MEXICO, es el CLASISMO!! ESO NO SE PUEDE ESCONDER. I'M SORRY TO SAY.

[@16nowhereman]

Yes, one of the things about the states is that diversity is segregation. Segregation in the US is exaggeration of segregation and it's everywhere.

[@luyzqint3760]

@@mirandabisnou1307 Yes, but now a days the US is not much different (Los Angeles).

[@casacalmar]

Great info, very valuable. Thank you Thomas!

[@jps3b]

This is a wonderful series that you provide for us. I’m very thankful as one who is going to try and move to Mexico when I retire in two years. I must say though, if you pick your friends by how much money they make or what type of job they have you may find yourself with some shallow friends. I pray god will guide us to where he wants us to thrive and be a beacon of love.

[@robertnelson1471]

Gracias, JPS 38 y buena suerte!

[@eduardoaguirre5659]

You can still live downtown cheaply just not in San Miguel in Guanajuato there is tons of little towns an or cities that are very affordable with an increaseing expat community and they are not far away from each other

[@northofyou33]

This guy lives in a rarefied world. I can't relate to anything he says, as I will be retiring on a low fixed income. I am still hoping people like him have not driven up the prices in SMA too horribly.

[@n5yiz]

too late

[@valeriegriner5644]

Same here. Wish he'd stayed in California.

[@irishredbone8996]

@@valeriegriner5644 you are an idiot Valerie 👎

[@prime8nate]

He bought a country place outside of town. Like he mentioned, its the people buying up the stuff in town that are driving up prices.

[@northofyou33]

@@n5yiz Yes, I went to visit 5 years ago and realized immediately it was too late. It's a shame. I retired in Portugal, and well-heeled Americans and Brits are ruining it, too. They are driving Portuguese out of the housing market. It's tragic.

[@gregkiger7286]

very informative, like this man so value his perspectives, thanks ;-)

[@kennethcarvalho3684]

You articulate so well..

[@forrestwolfe1448]

Thanks for this video. My husband ( same sex couple) and I sold our primary home in the Monterey Bay, Ca area and have been traveling Internationally for almost 2 years looking for a place to settle outside the US. We are considering living in Mexico, and like you mentioned, PV is just too hot in the summer and North Baja does not suit us very well. We are now considering checking out San Miguel as a possible place to set up a home. I am a retired animal behaviorist who used to be a professional (AKC) handler/groomer. If we get to San Miguel I will look you up.

[@charlesthomas5393]

That would be great. My husband is a groomer/handler (FCM I believe it is called) and you will have lots to talk about. Plus if you need a dog fix, we have nine.

[@prime8nate]

Cuernavaca might be a good place to consider. Very nice climate. Guanajuato is another one.

[@jps3b]

I’m reading this 3 years later. I’m wondering where you two settled. Hope you are happy wherever you are

[@tommyguns1845]

It sucks that even as a Mexican American artist who lives in Texas, i cannot afford to live in SMA. It has always been my dream to live there as i have family who live in Celaya which is about 35 mins away. San Miguel is an artist's dream unfortunately people like him, which is not his fault have driven all the prices up and are pushing all the artists out. It's kinda sad.

[@ramoncorrea4558]

tommy guns it does but we can change that by investing in Mexico and moving back .. i just sold my properties and I’m selling what is left and moving to Mexico to invest and live ... we need to do this before all of these people and Asians start to buy everything up !!!!!

[@valeriegriner5644]

Yes..that is very sad. I wish he'd interview some AVERAGE people with very limited budgets. I would like to live there, too.

[@renerincon8431]

I’ve been to SMA to visit friends that live there. You can afford to live and dine on much less money. It depends on where you want live and eat in SMA. You can still good for less

[@3bearsbytheriver440]

Thanks for this interview. My husband and I (same-sex couple) have been eyeing Mexico as a possible early retirement destination. I've been concerned about finding a place where we would could live and let live with other expats and the native community and have a lower chance of being harmed, hassled, or outcast because of our orientation. It was nice knowing that at least one other gay married couple lived in the San Miguel de Allende area and seemed to have decent interaction within the surrounding community. The same-sex marriage laws in Mexico are a little confusing to me (some Mexican states allow it and some don't?... and the state of Guanajuato does not currently, it seems). I wanted to make sure that our marriage would be legally recognized and our property would be legally shared between us as a same-sex couple there, but I'm still unsure. I was sorry to hear that the safety level is eroding there. But San Miguel de Allende remains on my short list for retirement in Mexico and I would like to come down during a slower, less crowded time of the year (December?) to visit.

[@robertnelson1471]

There are many same-sex couples living happy lives in expat communities throughout Mexico. It is not an issue. If you are concerned about legal issues involving property, I would contact Charles directly through the link to his company in the article. As far as best time to visit, the high season in Mexico is generally November through April. The first week or two of December, though, may be a good time.

[@charlesthomas5393]

If you are married anywhere it is recognized in Mexico. Even the Mexican immigration department takes gay marriage into consideration when determining you required income level to become a resident ex-pat.

[@maryloug4348]

This is a good interview 👍

[@janina8559]

Great Interview was jus a little funny wen he stumped the guy wen he mentioned his husband! Awkward lol but he recovered well gud job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@karnarron]

Great video in its depth and detail about living there. What real estate company does Charles work for?

[@robertnelson1471]

Gracias, John...just click on the link to the article above...more info on Charles and his real estate company.

[@lourdespita3482]

Thank you for all this information! My husband and I are thinking of retiring in San Miguel👍

[@robertnelson1471]

De nada, Lourdes...great place.

[@christopherhouse7937]

San Miguel VS Oaxaca... Please do a video comparing these cities! 😁👍

[@danamariezokoll2159]

OMG I can't wait to visit this city really 😍

[@tpowell3776]

You ask the best questions...Thank you! I learn sooo much!

[@robertnelson1471]

Gracias!

[@manolocalifas6488]

Love this guy, made so much money, but unhappiest.

[@martintrejo7307]

good video my friend enjoy Guanajuato my state your state also 👍👍

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

Good interview. Articulate guest. Thanks!,

[@carontauber8046]

Do you ever interview Canadian expats?

[@robertnelson1471]

We do indeed, Caron. Do you live in Mexico? You can contact me at [e-mail].

[@rmeveva8299]

Thank you for your insight on what expats can expect on living in SMA. Would you please share your thoughts on using taxis, Lyft, etc.? Thanks again!

[@charlesthomas5393]

Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Less than 50 pesos to anywhere in town. Town is not that big so between buses and taxis, many people prefer not to have a car. I don't think Lyft has a foothold here yet, Uber has a very small one. There is also Servi Taxi which has nicer cars and can be rented by the hour. If, like me, you live outside of town, a car is essential.

[@rmeveva8299]

@@charlesthomas5393 anything we should look for in getting a taxi from central autobus station after leaving silao keon airport to get to my Airbnb in Guanajuato? Thanks again.

[@charlesthomas5393]

I don't have any experience from the airport to Guanajuato. From the airport to San Miguel we generally use a car service but they are based in San Miguel so probably not your best bet. Guanajuato is a lot closer to the airport so probably any taxi is fine. If you are staying at an Airbnb you might ask you host for suggestions.

[@rmeveva8299]

​@@charlesthomas5393 Hola! my wife and I just returned and we loved our stay. The history and culture of the cities we visited were such a change from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The locals (MX and expats) were friendly. It is neat to meet so many other visitors that want to share their experiences also. Your description of SMA was accurate, especially driving in the spirit of cooperation & diversity. We timed it perfectly with Ignacio Allende's 250 year birthday anniversary this week. We love so much of MX from El Charco, and the very many eateries in SMA like Berlin Bar to the taco cart outside the vegetable vendors next to the artisan market. Thank you so much for your insight. (P.S. we looked at a lot of real estate flyers but missed seeing your name to thank you maybe next time.)

[@charlesthomas5393]

@@rmeveva8299 I'm glad you enjoyed San Miguel and sorry I missed you. Maybe your next trip we can coordinate better. It is a special place and because I get so caught up so much with work, I can forget, sometimes, how lucky I am to live here.

[@YSDev]

whats the cost of electricity and internet ?

[@robertnelson1471]

You can find lots of cost of information info at www.expatsinmexico.com by clicking on San Miguel de Allende under Cities. Electricity tends to be a part of expat budgets in Mexico, but SMA has a temperate climate that doesn't require a lot of air-conditioning, so that helps. Internet is very inexpensive in Mexico...easy to find 100 MBPS for around US$30 a month.

[@doraray9964]

Some expats are sooo funny when they say "I don't like too many tourist around...hahah

[@joelentz1715]

Excellent in all respects

[@joyrussell6511]

Talking about diversity and ethnicity, is there Black people in SMA that are retired and take up residences? I haven’t seen any in all the interviews.

[@charlesthomas5393]

There is not a large African-American community, probably just a handful of the ex-pat population. Some are mixed race couples and some are single. But we certainly have many people of color. By nature, the skin color of Mexicans runs the color scale, from indigenous to European. We also have people from India and the Philippines.

[@joyrussell6511]

Charles Thomas,thank you for a quick response very much appreciated!!

[@irishredbone8996]

@@charlesthomas5393 Mr Thomas, how does one find your listings and contact information?

[@gyunge3617]

He has a big appetite. Too much for me.