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Could We Really Live in San Miguel de Allende? Our Honest Answer 🇲🇽

Retired Nomad Adventures

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San Miguel de Allende is often described as one of the most beautiful and livable small cities in the world. It’s incredibly popular with retirees, expats, and long-term travelers. But after spending nearly a month living here as retired slow travelers, we had to ask ourselves an important question: could we actually live here long term?

In this video, we share our honest experience living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Not first impressions, not a quick visit, but what daily life really feels like after the initial excitement wears off.

We walk through the exact criteria we use for every “Could We Live Here?” decision, including safety, walkability, climate, cost of living, healthcare, food, transportation, proximity to airports, and something new we added this time: community.

San Miguel didn’t win us over right away. In fact, if you watched our first impressions video, you know we had some doubts. But over the course of our stay, the city slowly grew on us in ways we didn’t expect.

In this video, we talk openly about what surprised us, what challenged us, and what ultimately changed our minds. From navigating hills and cobblestone streets to finding grocery stores, affordable meals, social connections, and a rhythm of daily life, we share both the positives and the trade-offs of living here.

We also discuss:
• How safe San Miguel feels day and night
• What it’s really like to live without a car
• Grocery shopping and food costs
• Healthcare access for retirees and expats
• The role tourism plays in everyday life
• Why community became such an important factor for us

This video is for anyone considering retiring abroad, slow traveling, or spending a few months a year living in Mexico.

So… could we live in San Miguel de Allende long term?
The answer might surprise you.

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Thanks so much for being here and traveling along with us. See you next week!
Rick & Daphne

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20 Comments

@scotverdin9401 8 months ago (edited)

Don’t forget that as a foreigner it’s great to support the small local businesses , especially the Mercados of which there are several easy walking distance from Centro. And with all the amazing produce at way cheaper prices. That being said, I’d be the first person at City Mkt looking for my wine and charcuterie when the urge arises. Thanks for the great vids!!

@CandorAbodeCommunity 2 months ago

Welcome, Join Our Experiences in San Miguel de Allende!

@anthonypeter8652 8 months ago

This is amazing! You really are just scratching the surface of this beautiful country. ❤️

@inquiringlife 8 months ago

I just discovered your channel for the first time after moving to San Miguel last year. I've watched a lot of videos on YouTube created by retired couples traveling the world and you guys have a special sensibility about you... very easy, happy personalities with a great way of presenting information. Kudos! I would definitely encourage you to include more photos of the places you are visiting and sharing. Thanks 🎉

@WadingIntoRetirement 5 months ago

I am happy to hear that it made the list. I have been living here for over a year and it is certainly home.

@agl5132 4 months ago (edited)

I've traveled on and off for 45 years. I've driven cross country by myself with my dog in the USA six times. I've traveled around Europe and spent six months in Mexico City four years ago. As a single older woman I felt 100x more safe in MX then I would in the USA. I can relate to doing a split between different countries as that is exactly what I am doing this year. We are all different and have different desires and needs. I respect those who have no desire to travel as well or are unable to at this time. I can relate to those purchases. I do the same and they get added to my storage facility until I do settle somewhere. I look forward to more of your videos.

@deebee2603 4 months ago (edited)

May I add hot air balloon rides, hiking and exploring the botanical gardens, horse back riding, wine tasting, and the hot springs you mentioned plus local festivals and celebrations. The "Sistine Chapel" of Atotonilco. There is live music and theater, and for those staying longer, language classes and art classes. There is so much to do, and much of it is budget friendly. I enjoy your adventurous spirit!

@AiltonnOliveira-nz1hm 8 months ago

Muy buenas tardes hermosa pareja ❤😊

@Out_of_Ojai 7 months ago (edited)

I'm an immigrant to the United States. I lived in 6 European countries before immigrating to the United States in 1986. From 1986 to 1991 I lived in Florida; thereafter in once of the nicest areas of California. I have visited 32 countries total.

Last year, my wife and I retired, sold our overpriced California home and pretty much everything else, bought a car specifically for Mexico, and hit the road. So far, we have visited 27 places (currently on the East Coast) and starting March 15 we signed a long-term lease in San Miguel. It's really the place in all of Mexico we like the most.

Since we are traveling a lot and use mostly Airbnbs, our average monthly housing cost is north of $2,5K (US), and everything else including Medicare for me and a small storage in California is another $2,5K to $2,8K, for a total of $5K to $5,8K per month, on average.

I think your impression of SMA is very good, but we are both vegetarians and our grocery bills is much, much, higher in SMA than it was in California! We shopped for produce and canned goods as WinCo, and for box wine and other goodies at Trader Joe's. In SMA (and other parts of Mexico), we can't match TJ's box wine of 4 liters for $12.99. Cheapest wine is about 117 pesos, and since we are drinking 1/1/2 bottles per night, we are spending TWICE as much for wine in Mexico than in the US. No bags of frozen meals for $3.99 here in Mexico. No vegetarian chili for ANY price. No canned beans. So we are averaging $1,200 per month, and yes, City Market is f'ing expensive. La Comer is a bit less expensive, but not by much.

I've driven through Vietnam on a motor scooter, love Chang Mi but I wouldn't want to live there. Italy has changed a lot, if you know what I mean, but Portugal is still a great place. I have 3 passports (Sweden, Germany, US), so it would be easy for me to move there. At this point, we are still unsure but we will know more later in fall when we've made SMA our long(er) term home.

As for transport to the airport, please use BajioGo for about $37 per person and thank me later.

Cheers!

@RolandoErnestoGarza 8 months ago

Good Reporting, Straight and to the Point, Thank You.

@yogawithmariec 8 months ago

I knew from the IG stories that you would fall in love with SMA. Especially when I saw all the gatherings you attended, I thought ‘You are making friends and community enriches the experience!’ So happy for you. As Chris mentioned we LOVED DaNang and will return. And you know we love Chiang Mai!! Looking forward to when our paths cross again!!!

@larapfeffer2845 8 months ago

Hello, I watched a couple of your videos and I really enjoyed this. I like that you’re not scripted but organized in your thoughts and how you balance trading off speaking. It comes across very positive, genuine and natural. I will definitely subscribe! We are planning travel for a few months at a time in retirement and we love Mexico, mostly beach areas, thank you for sharing this.

@OurRetirementReinvented 7 months ago

Wow we're surprised! So glad this place found a way into your hearts. Thanks for the video, we always enjoy them. ~Robert & Jill

@richauntiestatus 8 months ago

Yay!! 🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊 What an amazing recap! I'm so glad you found another place to add to the list! I had never heard of San Miguel until you guys mentioned it. Thanks for broadening my horizons! Safe travels! - Autumn 🧡

@mitchandjan 8 months ago

This was a great video! So interesting how our perspectives can change after a month, right?! We love the aspect of community that you talked about!! We really felt this in Costa Rica (it was one of the best parts!!) and in other places like Da Nang and in Lagos! We are so happy to hear your change of heart about SMA. We mentioned we have friends there and they definitely reflect this feeling of community as one of the biggest draws! Sometimes $$$ isn't everything. ❤

@Danielle-ic7pv 8 months ago

Tks again for sharing this great experience. Always a pleasure listening to both of you. We are leaving Chiang Mai for Koh Samui next thursday and will be providing you with our great findings; food, restaurants, visits, etc…
Safe travels,
Ben & Dan

@jennym1979 8 months ago

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s awesome that you feel a sense of community there . Cheers!

@FNK-Life 8 months ago

Great video! Was such a pleasure to meet you both! Community is such a great category to add to your checklist... We're not as convinced by SMA, or Mexico in general, but only half way through our month stay... Looking forward to your next stop!

@kimcarr554 8 months ago

Thank you for sharing all this information and your perspectives!

@TheWalkingThomasGuide 8 months ago

I'm so glad you liked it! I think often my first few days or even weeks can be a bit of a grind, as in the place doesn't always show itself fully right away. Which is why staying a little longer can often put things in a different perspective. I am glad you gave it enough time to grow on you! It doesn't hurt that the food is great, but I think that the community aspect is more important that you realize also.