The 7 “C’s” of San Miguel: community, cuisine, care, culture, color, cost, and climate
- SMiLE
- Dec 11, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 16, 2024
The magic of San Miguel can be hard to capture in words: from the quality of the light to the sense of belonging so many feel when they first arrive. Some even say there are unseen energetic forces that explain the town’s powerful magnetic attraction.
There are many more tangible reasons to call San Miguel home. When Nancy, Ann, Jessica and Vanessa describe their San Miguel life to newcomers, they find that they most often turn to the “7 C’s” to explain the benefits of living here: community, cuisine, care, culture, color, cost and climate.
COMMUNITY
“San Miguel is one of the warmest and most welcoming places I’ve ever lived,” says Nancy when asked about what community means to her. “I love how easy it is for people to find their place here.” New and long-term residents have worked together here to found charities/philanthropic organizations/NGO’s and support their neighborhoods, as well as form groups around shared interests and hobbies.
Ann concurs that San Miguel “puts the unity in community,” adding, “in my 26-plus years of living here, I have watched how clients and friends integrate here, forging new friendships and finding new passions. San Miguel is just so open, inclusive and inviting.”
Ann with her family and friends at Fuego y Agua restaurant
CUISINE
San Miguel has made its presence known on the Mexican and international food scene in the last 15 years, while still maintaining the traditional street food standbys from tacos to tamales to esquites.
“Whenever someone asks me where to eat here, I say do you want a rooftop, countryside experience, vineyard or something cozy indoors? There is something for everyone and they all have wonderful cuisine to offer,” says Ann. “It’s not just about eating a meal, it’s about having an experience - the view, the bells, the color, the presentation.”
“I love Mexican food, but I’m so grateful for all of the international options available here from Japanese food to Indian food,” says Vanessa. “The food is top quality and made with fresh and wonderful ingredients”. Someone recently said to me that her meal at Ryoko (sushi) was comparable to some of her dining experiences in Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles.”
CARE
When it comes to care - personalized medical care, elder care, childcare - San Miguel shines. Ann was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013 and chose to stay in Mexico for her treatment. “The moment I walked into my doctor’s office in Mexico City, I knew he was who was going to walk me through this. I wasn’t a number to him, and he’s one of the top doctors in the world. I still communicate with him and his family to this day.”
Ann’s husband Jim moved his 90 year-old mother to San Miguel and she is “thriving here - it’s a fraction of the cost and much better and personalized care here than in the U.S.”
Jim’s mom, Alice on an outing from Cielito Lindo with her family.
CULTURE
It doesn’t take long when listing San Miguel’s attributes to bring up its vibrant culture. The town is steeped in history and holds a unique place in the story of Mexico’s fight for independence in 1810. “Moving here from the historically young U.S. made me feel humbled, in a city with more than 500 years of history,” says Nancy. “The culture here runs very deep, in San Miguel we find homes over 300 years old and some of the yearly festivities and traditions have been going on for centuries.”
While San Miguel continues to cherish its heritage and traditions, it is also host to a dynamic and cosmopolitan contemporary culture - offering music, film, art and literature festivals, as well as a panoply of galleries and artisan markets.
Amber's daughter, Olivia, with traditional Mojigangas
“You’re surrounded and immersed in a rich culture here in San Miguel, whether it’s just walking by the historic buildings or watching a parade or a religious procession. You don’t necessarily have to go into a museum to see art, it’s on the streets, in the galleries, and in the markets,” says Vanessa.
COLOR
Anyone who has seen photos of San Miguel’s warm pastel buildings with bright pink bougainvillea cascading down the walls will appreciate the town’s rich palette of colors. Nancy’s favorite color experience is when the purple jacaranda flowers bloom in spring: “it just seems as if the color fairy has buzzed around our town and sprinkled that beautiful purple all over it.”
The city’s festivals and celebrations are bright and colorful too, from the face paint and plumes of Indigenous dancers’ costumes to the magenta and marigold of the flowers adorning Day of the Dead altars.
“San Miguel is full of diverse and wonderful people,” observes Jessica. “We have people living here from so many different backgrounds …it’s a fascinating mix.”
COST
It may seem mundane in comparison, but it’s hard to deny how much the economics of life in San Miguel appeal to many foreign arrivals.
“It may seem like a small thing, but the fact that I can have someone come to my house to give me a manicure and pedicure for about $50 dollars is a treat. It’s extraordinarily convenient, and because it’s not that expensive, I can do it more frequently than I would be able to in the US,” notes Nancy.
While San Miguel is one of the more expensive places to live in Mexico, the cost of living here compared to desirable urban areas in the U.S. or Europe is still far lower.
Jessica emphasizes how the affordability of childcare provides families more freedom here in San Miguel. “I have friends in the US who struggle to afford childcare, since many of them have to balance either going back to work or paying for daycare or a nanny,” she explains. “You get such high quality childcare her. Mexicans are family-first, and are incredibly warm, loving and kind.”
CLIMATE
San Miguel’s climate of sunny days and crisp nights allows for year-round outdoor and active living.
“You can still go through all the seasons in one day,” quips Ann. “Even in May, our hottest time of year, most homes do not need air conditioning. As for heat in the winter, fireplaces are enough to keep you comfortable.
Photo courtesy of Sand In My Suitcase
“Because our climate is so mild, we keep doors and windows open year-round. There is always a small breeze moving through my house that I just love, it makes it feel so vibrant,” says Nancy.
No matter what brought you to San Miguel, at least one - if not all - of these 7 “Cs” is going to make you want to stay in this amazing and magical city. Nancy, Ann, Vanessa and Jessica have decades of experience living in San Miguel and this inspires us to share our love for the city and all it has to offer. Vanessa and Jessica were raised in San Miguel. They are true San Miguelenses. Nancy and Ann have lived in SMA for over 26 years. We are each passionate in our areas of expertise and together we are committed to presenting information that encompasses the 7 “C’s”.
Instagram: @sanmiguelluxuryexperts
コメント