Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security

by Carol Schmidt, Norma Hair

Thinking about retiring to Mexico? San Miguel de Allende, for 50 years an art colony drawing many U.S., Canadian and British citizens seeking an exciting and affordable change of pace for their retirement, is located 165 miles northwest of Mexico City on the central plateau. This book is the story of two women who made the leap to a whole new way of life, retiring on Social Security even to a town considered one of the most expensive, and desirable, in Mexico. They share their joys, their mistakes, their problems, their new outlook on life in this very personal love story to San Miguel. They describe in vivid detail the almost-daily fiestas, their humorous errors in learning Spanish, and their new outlook on world history from learning Mexicans' point of view. They even tell what they pay for almost everything, from hospital visits to ice cream cones. And they're living a far better life than anywhere in the U.S. on Social Security, even in a town where people keep saying it can't be done. They're doing it, and they tell you how.

300 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Val Wilkerson]

About 2 women who moved to San Miguel de Allende. Having been there it was kind of fun reading
about the places Sheila and I also enjoyed when we were there....beyond that it was rather slow and repetative I felt.

[Hope]

Excellent book with current info for those thinking about living in Mexico, especially San Miguel. Her website is great, too. I live there, and this lady knows her stuff. And yes, it can be done.

[Rebecca]

Five stars because book was very fun and candid -- and we met the author and her partner when we visited San Miguel. Fun!

[Orin]

The authors' enthusiasm for San Miguel de Allende far surpasses their writing ability. Or editing. Or proofreading. It has a primitive charm.

[Rita]

I enjoyed reading about places and things that I too have done in San Miguel. But the perspective of the older lesbian lady was very different from mine. I suppose I should expect that difference.