**This post has been updated with known 2023 requirements from the Mexican government, but still retains our 4 year experience getting both the temporary and permanent visa.** For our first four years, I shared our experiences of getting the temporary visa. In december 2021, we qualified for the permanent visa and are ecstatic that we…
One of the reasons why we chose to live in Queretaro was because of its multi-cultural food scene. Queretaro’s restaurant scene may not be as well-known as Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende, but its flair for traditional, contemporary and international cuisines cannot be denied. Queretaro has restaurants ranging from Korean BBQ and Indian…
One of the most asked questions to any expat is “What’s the cost of living?” Mexico is a big country, and the cost of living can vary. Housing in cities with international airports are going to cost more than smaller towns an hour or so away. Meats and produce tend to be cheaper in Mexicothan…
Our mornings start with a sprint down to the park. Once we arrive, I unclip the leash and jog around the park with Kiko leading the way. We are on a quest to find his best friend Guapo. He looks back at me with an encouraging grin and an expression that says “Keep going! You’re…
Queretaro’s landscape and climate might not seem like ideal growing conditions with its summer hail storms, but if you look around the world, some of the best wines come from semi-arid climates and high elevations. Queretaro wineries plant their vineyards between 6200-7000 ft elevation which leads to hot days and cool nights. This drastic swing…
It’s bound to happen. With parking lots being few and far between in Centro and the one-way roads stressing you out, a little space may seem like a gift from heaven, but later comes with a price tag. Here’s a short explanation on what to do if you get a ticket in Centro in Queretaro,…
Buying a car in Mexico is nothing like the United States. In the States, the process takes an afternoon. In Mexico it can take weeks. We’ve bought two cars in the last four years, one brand new and the other used. Here are our experiences buying a car with cash and on credit. It’s funny…
It’s hard to believe we’ve been living in Mexico for four years. It really doesn’t seem that long. Time moves at a different pace when your life isn’t consumed by work and a commute. That’s not to say it’s a vacation every day. Sometimes it’s far from it. But we will say that the good…
Written by Tom Buying land and building a house in Mexico is something most Americans wouldn’t dream of doing. In fact, during our four years in Mexico we have yet to meet a single expat who has endeavored such an undertaking. Most Americans who move to Mexico want to rent so that repairs and maintenance…
Eating while traveling is a given, but where should you eat? Tripadvisor and other review websites are great resources, but are they bolstered by tourists or locals? Around Jardin Zenea alone there’s plenty of choices easily within walking distance. You’ll see people in the parks eating ice cream and dancing. Visit around the holidays and…
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a favorite holiday of the Mexican people. While death is a somber experience in many parts of the world, the Mexicans have created a 3-day celebration filled with music, laughter and of course, food. If you are planning a trip to Mexico in the future,…
We can’t even imagine what we would do without our smartphones today. Our handy (pun intended) little computers are our connection to friends, family, social media, our own personal branding, and camera to document all the quirky and wonderful things we see in our daily lives. Wifi around the world is making it easier to…