Everything about San Miguel de Allende is either peach, pink or a combination of the two. The churches, the houses, the commercial buildings, even the majority of the flowers. SMA is a truly romantic and beautiful colonial town. Established in the mid 1500's by Fray Juan de San Miguel, a Franciscan monk, the town remains charming and filled with joy. The architecture is colonial and according to law will stay that way. All new construction must conform at least on its exterior to the tradition of the town. You will not find a traffic light in San Miguel. It is a walking city; although cars are plenty, most foreign residents and visitors prefer to walk or take a taxi. And at 25 to 30 pesos (approx. $2 US) a ride anywhere in the Centro area, anyone can afford it.  UNESCO has made San Miguel de Allende one of the world’s most extraordinary cities in their list of distinguished areas in 2008. Made up of artists and artisans from all over the world San Miguel is host to roughly 10,000 ex-pats who have made San Miguel de Allende either their primary or secondary home. The days are mostly sunny and warn while the evenings are cool. The coldest month is January where the temperature can dip to freezing overnight. The hottest month is May where it often reaches above 95 degrees. There is so much to do in San Miguel, from learning Spanish at one of the many schools to studying art or just letting your inner artist come out and enjoy life. There are numerous lectures going on all over town about History, Mexican culture, philosophy, living in San Miguel , dream interpretation and much more. Concerts range from classical guitar, piano, blues and jazz to contemporary artists who visit town for a special performance. There are classes in almost any subject, for example Pilates, meditation, dance of all kinds, Yoga, painting and other art forms, cooking, writing and of course Spanish to name a few. Outdoor activities are plentiful with bird walks, Home and Garden Tours, golf and tennis, art shows, numerous festivals and of course fireworks! The restaurants in town range from the simple Mom and Pops to exclusive gourmet dining establishments. We’ve named a few of our favorites on this page. The various bars and clubs in San Miguel range from Sports Bars to very sophisticated and fine experiences, many with fantastic views of the Parroquia (Cathedral) and surrounding city. There is the theatre here as well as the cinemas with the latest movies. For those who can’t get away from the conveniences of home, we are glad to say Costco, Wal-Mart, Sam's, Office Depot and of course MacDonald’s can be found just outside of town. San Miguel’s real estate market has experienced some slow down as the economy in the States and the rest of the world has brought less purchasers into town. However, having said that, the prices in San Miguel have not seemed to dip as much as in the States. You can still buy a beautiful home here for well under $400,000 and many in the $200,000 range. Naturally, the Centro area of town is more expensive than the outskirts where you can find larger, less expensive properties. It’s all a matter of taste and one’s pocket book! The cost of living in San Miguel can be as low as a 1/3 of what it costs to live in the States. However, there is plenty to spend money on if you have it to spend. Whatever your lifestyle, you can find it here in San Miguel de Allende. Everyone is made to feel welcome here, so pack up your suitcase and come on down for a visit. You’ll be glad you did. |