A goodbye to San Miguel de Allende.
My mother lives in San Miguel de Allende and because of that I’ve visited the city almost every year over the last 10 years (the exception was 2020 because of Covid).
She died last month.
It marks the end of many things for me, including possibly the last time I ever go to San Miguel.
While there, a few days after her death, I decided that I had to do a video in memory of both my mom and of San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel is a city that I’ve come to love and I always looked forward to coming back to. My mom had a bit of mobility issues over the last few years so we did less travelling around Mexico than we used to. We’d mostly stick to San Miguel and we’d go for breakfast at a café in the mornings and maybe for a short walk around the Jardin (San Miguel’s main square). Afternoons I’d go for my daily walk, almost always hiking up the steps to the mirador. I was my exercise.
In the video I show you around San Miguel, giving you a vibe of the city. I also talk about a few things, like why I didn’t always love San Miguel (I grew to appreciate it more with time) and why my mom, after 11 years there, was planning on move to another city in 2025.
I show you where she lived. My mom paid 6000 Pesos a month for rent, that’s about $315 USD. That’s ridiculously low in San Miguel. But you’ll have an idea of what she got for her money*.
*Note: as I write this, I see that the owner has put her apartment up for rent. He’s doubled the price to 12,000 Pesos a month, ie just over $600 USD. Still a good deal for San Miguel.
I cover a lot in this video, it ended being about 45 minutes long. It was all shot in one day, my last day in San Miguel de Allende.
I’ve written a lot on San Miguel de Allende over the years.
If you’re visiting SMA and would like to see some of the places I’ve covered in the video, have a look at this post (it has a map to help you): A Photographic Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende
As someone thinking of moving to San Miguel, I wrote this post on the Pros and Con of living in San Miguel de Allende. “Cindy” was actually my mom but SMA is not really that big and she didn’t want people hating on her. But it gives you a realistic portrayal of the city.
A few other posts you may find helpful:
The Best Cafes of San Miguel de Allende
10 things to Do in San Miguel de Allende (which covers most of the highlights in the video above…but also more)
Not embarrassed to admit that I really like San Miguel de Allende (my honest feelings on SMA)
The Most Beautiful Churches of San Miguel de Allende
The Miradors of San Miguel de Allende
I’ll probably come back one day. San Miguel has a special place in my heart. But it won’t be the same without my mother there. In many ways this is a goodbye to San Miguel de Allende.
Related: How both our mothers inspired us to travel
Related: Questioning the need for Travel
I’ve just found your channel and already absolutely love your content. I have been to SMA and I loved it. It was so nice to revisit it through your video. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She seems like she was a very amazing person. Thank you for sharing all this.
Side note: I absolutely love the rug or wall hanging that was in the washer/dryer in your mom’s house. Where would I find one similar?
Thank you!! I will continue to follow you.
Hi Bethany! Thank you for the kind words. I’m honestly not sure about the rug, she only used it for the dryer. I’d suggest maybe getting something in the Artisan market, I’ve bought some nice carpets there for little. I think on the corner of Relox there is a place called Oaxaca rugs or something like that…lady who works there nice and gave me good prices on a bunch of rugs.
I’ve been following you and Lissette for years and really enjoy all of your thoughts and travels. I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Your postings about your Mom and San Miguel made me really want to go there, as I too am solo and about the same age as your mom. I finally got the chance last October, and I must say that I’m smitten. I was able to get an Airbnb close to the central square , with a rooftop patio with spectacular views! I’m already planning to return next Spring, but on a much reduced budget. Thank you so much for all the inspiring posts, I look forward to them.
Thank you for the kind words Cornelia, very kind. Have to say I miss SMA, the place was a 2nd home to me over the years 🙂 Spring is a good time and as I say in the video, just gorgeous with the purple trees. When I DO go back I’ll be aiming for late March/April. Appreciate your comment.
Your mom seems like an amazing woman, especially given her time. You must have wonderful memories of her, although I imagine that kind of childhood could be sort of stressful as well. I’m glad that you had a chance to spend time with her in such a beautiful place at the end. Best wishes for the future.
Thank you so much Bindu. Very much appreciate.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. I enjoyed your video as I used to live there and enjoyed the walks and hills to keep fit. Best shape of my life there! We hope to return to Mexico to live again someday. Like you said, the Mexicans are some of the nicest people anywhere. SMA has pros and cons, like your mom, I feel the cons are some of the foreigners who act entitled and don’t try to integrate. They are the least enjoyable part of living there. But they seem to congregate in certain places you can learn to avoid. Haha!
Thank you for the kind comment Andrea. You are correct in all respects. Like you I hope to return, maybe even next year, and just soak it in one last time. Won’t be the same just visiting though 🙁
Very sorry for your loss. Your mom sounds like a remarkable woman who enjoyed life to the fullest. I also enjoyed the separate linked tribute to your mom and Lisette’s mom. I noticed that your mom was born in Germany. Does that not entitle you to German citizenship? I’m sure you have fully considered, so maybe it’s not possible, but surely that would make your life in Europe so much easier!
Thank you very much Anthony. Unfortunately, for German citizenship, I fell through the cracks because there there are restrictions by year, whether mother or father has citizenship etc…but yes, I had tried to get it without success.
I’m so sorry for your loss. How lovely that you had one another as long as you did. May her angels walk her all the way home.
I wasn’t able to watch all the video – I understand the difficulty walking and holding a camera while trying to film – but the movements and fast pans of things made me a bit queasy (“car sick” as I describe it). This is my 9th year in San Miguel, living here full time, so I know the city and the energy of it.
Did you mother speak Spanish? Perhaps you answered that in the video and I missed it. She had a great place for 6000p!
I agree Morelia isn’t some place I’d want to live. No place is perfect, but San Miguel offers everything I want, along with several things I don’t. And more of what I want than any other place I’ve been. I think a place is as “easy” as you make it.
Bless you and thanks for your videos!
Thank you Barbara. Yes, my mother spoke Spanish and it frustrated her seeing foreigners who came to SMA bringing their lifestyles (2 cars, fancy homes) and not trying to integrate into a new country/environment. I think it is what bothered her the most about San Miguel.
I would come and visit, usually staying 3 weeks to a month at a time. In small doses like that, I enjoyed San Miguel. For me Morelia is too polluted and too flat, I always enjoyed my hikes into the hills in and around the city.
All the best.
Frank,
Sorry for your loss. May her soul rest in peace. Hope you had some good memories together over the years.
Yours is one of the few blogs I’ve continued to read over the years.
Regards,
Michael
Thank you for your very kind words. And always appreciate when people encourage me to keep writing 🙂
Sorry to hear about your loss 🙁
Thank you RJA! I hope you are well.