Expat Advice: Dream vs. Reality of Expat Life in Tequisquiapan, Mexico

Comments Print

Participate in the Dream vs. Reality Report

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Tequisquiapan

Describe how you "dreamed" expat life would be before you moved overseas. Please provide as much detail as possible.

Originally, I wanted to take my retirement (along with my wife of 38 yrs.) somewhere in Mexico. I vacationed here many times and grew to admire the people, the architecture, and the laid back lifestyle. Turned out my wife found someone younger to play with, so after a no-contest divorce, I took early retirement, packed what I could in my Durango and headed south (this was in Nov. of 2008) I thought I wanted to move to San Miguel de Allende, but heard about Tequis from a friend and checked it out. I fell in love with this place and made it my new home. The picturesque cobble stone calles, the walled casas, the quaint little markets, ferritarias, carnicerias, pastelerias, etc. all have their charm. One store sells carne (beef, pork, mutton and goat) another sells pollo, or chicken and eggs. Others sell fruits & vegetables, another, breads and pastries. Others sell just cheeses. What a pleasure, not to have to wander up and down the isles of a major grocery store! Mexicans' lives revolve around food. I believe you are never more than 50 meters away from a place to eat - usually roadside stands, which are cheap and often delicious (more so than sit-down restaurants).

How has your expat experience met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

I moved in November, met a very attractive Mexican girl in December and we decided to move in together in April.....We found a very cute 2 brm 1 bath apartment right across from the principle plaza for $3500 pesos per month (under $300 USD). We openned a real estate business directly below the apt. www.micasa-essucasa.com and got married in Oct. of 2011. Talk about a dream come true! I had zero expectations when I came down (due to the divorce and no wind in my sails. I now have an incredible wife (20 years younger than I) who speaks perfect English, a nice little business, and a lifestyle many would envy. Life is good!

How has your expat experience NOT met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

I am somewhat of a quasi-gourmand who does all the cooking in my new family and enjoys a good dinner in fine restaurant once in a while. While Tequis has over thirty restaurants, none of them meets my expectations. Even the pizza is lacking...and forget about a nice juicy ribeye steak. Many foods I used to take for granted in the U.S. simply are not available in this little corner of the world. Some administrative issues can be very frustrating. Like obtaining an FM3 visa, or just getting married. Lots of paperwork and repeated trips to the office or department involved. Overall, however, I am extremely happy and content - i am so glad to be here!

More About Dream vs. Reality of Expat Life in Mexico