1. The Move

When I moved to San Miguel de Allende, I took only a few belongings with me, leaving the remainder in a storage unit.  Over the next two years, I would make trips to the US to bring my belongs back to San Miguel in suitcases. Gradually, I replaced my furniture in the US with new purchases from San Miguel. This method worked best for me because I was single and didn’t want to deal with importing goods at the border.  

For those who plan to move to Mexico with a lot of goods and furniture, I would recommend hiring a professional moving company to ship all or some of your household goods. This is the preferred method for expats who purchase homes and wish to bring all of their furniture and belongings with them to Mexico. Before you call for international moving quotes, you should determine in advance what is to be shipped and what is to be sold, donated, or given away. International moving companies will base their cost estimates on the weight of goods to be shipped.

For those who are wanting to cross the border with a trailer, a temporary Temporary Visa is required. Mexican customs will also require an inventory of goods as well as cost/values for all imported items.

2. Check list for moving to Mexico - Important documents to bring to San Miguel.

 It is important that you identify and organize the following documents to accompany you to Mexico: 

• Mexican Visas

• Passports

• Proof of citizenship (this is required if you are a naturalized citizen.)

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Social Security cards

• Veterinary records (if bringing pets)

• Apostilled copy of your will or living will

• Dental records

• Medical records

  • Copies of all surgery reports

  • Recent lab and diagnostic test results

  • List of all medications, dosages, and corresponding medical conditions

  • Copies of any prolonged medical treatment reports

3. Banking in San Miguel de Allende 

Opening a bank account in Mexico is only required when a large purchase in pesos is planned. ATMs at all Mexican banks can be used to withdraw Mexican pesos. Some ATMs are more reliable than others. Be sure to ask friends in San Miguel about which ATMs to avoid.

Many Mexican banks and financial institutions are now requiring residency visas in addition to passport IDs to open bank and financial accounts. Whenever possible, it is easier to maintain one or two bank accounts in your home country and use your debit cards to withdraw funds from ATMs. The one thing you will need to check on is if your bank has any foreign transaction fees associated with ATM withdrawals in Mexico. Likewise, be aware that Mexican banks may also charge ATM fees.

Finally, cash can be exchanged at Casas de Cambio or at the larger banks. To exchange money you will need to bring your passport. Some banks will only allow account holders to exchange currency for pesos.

4. Choosing a neighborhood in San Miguel de Allende.

In Mexico, neighborhoods are known as colonias ,fraccionamientos, or barrios. In San Miguel de Allende, the first two are the most common. The downtown area is referred to as centro or el centro historico.

One of the primary considerations to contemplate when moving to San Miguel de Allende is where you want to live. El Centro is expat’s first place of choice to live due to its beautiful architecture, picturesque sunsets, and easy access to services and restaurants. What expats often fail to assess is the noise and tourist-packed streets. Centro is the main place where Mexican celebrations and parades take place. When this happens, and it occurs weekly, there is a lot of noise and large crowds both in el jardín as well as the surrounding streets. Live music, fireworks, and firecrackers in the evening and early morning hours can be quite a nuisance for those expats who are used to quiet.

The primary neighborhoods which are a short walking distance to el centro include: 

• Colonia San Antonio

• Colonia Independencia

• Colonia Guadiana

• Colonia San Rafael

• Balcones

• Atascadero

The neighborhoods outside of town are those that require taking a bus, taxi or car include:

• El Secreto

• El Milagro

• El Paraiso

• Fraccionamiento Los Frailes

• La Cañadita

• Club de Golf de Malenquín

• Rancho Los Labradores

• Las Ventanas

• Zirandaro

• Las Brisas

• La Lejona I y II

I recommend that you take your time to research where you want to live. Once you have narrowed down your preferred colonias or fraccionamientos; be sure to ask questions about the reliability of the water service, internet signals and outages, garbage delivery, and the proximity of churches and schools (noise and traffic). 

5.     Making friends in San Miguel de Allende

It’s as easy as taking a few steps outside your house or apartment onto the street. In my experience, Mexicans and foreigners alike are friendly and open to casual conversations. Longer conversations and the opportunities for friendship are available by frequenting local cafes such as Starbucks, Café Oso Azul, and Zenteno Café. There is also a San Miguel “newcomers’ group” that meets once a month at members’ homes. Check out Expat Facebook groups in San Miguel de Allende too. Or, you may be open to volunteering with a local organization such as Feed the Hungry, Casita Linda or Jóvenes Adelante, and these are only a few. San Miguel de Allende has the largest concentration of non-profits in all of Mexico.

At La Bibliotecca (the English library) there are free Spanish conversation gatherings with Mexican locals, theatrical events, and other activities which encourage lasting friendships.

6.     Connecting with a Bilingual Doctor in San Miguel

The number one recommendation I make to my health insurance clients is to find a bilingual physician in San Miguel de Allende before illness sets in. The purpose would be to sign up with that doctor and provide him/her with a copy of your medical records as well as to exchange contact information. Having an established relationship with a local bilingual doctor will greatly improve the medical response time and quality of the health care you receive in San Miguel de Allende.

Below is a short list of some of the bilingual doctors in San Miguel de Allende. (use photos of doctors)

Dr. Grace Lim, MD, Internal and Critical Medicine
Email: Dra.gracelim@gmail.com
Phone: 415-150-3900

Dr. Ricardo Gordillo, MD. General Medicine
The Clinic SMA
Phone: 415-152-2255

Dr. Roberto Maxwell, MD. Cardioneumology, Critical Medicine, and Intensive Care
Email: Casa_Maxwell@hotmail.com
Phone: 415-152-2365

Dr. Leslie Marie Flores, MD. General Surgeon, Family Medicine
Facebook page
Phone: 415-688-1618

Dr. Julia Carranza, MD. Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
Contact Info
Email: juliamoncato@gmail.com
Phone: 415-154-4358

Dr. Santiago Casal, MD. Internal Medicine and Cardiology
Contact Info
Email: santiago.casal.84@gmail.com
Phone: 415-150-3900       

7.     Getting sick in San Miguel de Allende

 Some of the most common illnesses among expats in San Miguel de Allende are stomach related, such as: parasite infections, Turista (traveler’s diarrhea) and Montezuma’s Revenge (stomach flu). To avoid getting sick is very important. Choose the restaurants you frequent carefully. The same is true of meals you eat out. Try to avoid any food left out on the restaurant or bar tables like salsas and dips, especially during the hot summer months. Use your better judgement and intuition when selecting what to eat and where. Even the best restaurants in San Miguel de Allende have had cases of food that has caused illnesses.

 If you experience gastro-intestinal symptoms, don’t wait. Contact a local physician right away.

Hopefully, these tips for newcomers to San Miguel will be helpful to you. If you are interested in learning about affordable expat health insurance in San Miguel, please contact me at:

Melanie@MexicoInsuranceAdvisors.com.     

 Health Insurance in San Miguel De Allende

For Travelers and Expats

San Miguel de Allende is an extraordinary place to visit with family and friends. Back in the day, the town was quiet and peaceful; today things have changed. The world has changed. The small quaint town of San Miguel is now a medium sized city with close to 175,000 inhabitants (2020 Mexican census). San Miguel de Allende is top on the list of Mexican cities for expats, snowbirds and tourists alike. Although the city is considered safe; muggings, home burglaries, and other types of violence do occur. Tourists and expats also frequently get sick from eating out and not necessarily from street food only.

If you are planning to travel to San Miguel de Allende or if you are moving to San Miguel de Allende, health and travelers insurance should be at the top of your list.

For information on health insurance in San Miguel de Allende click here.

For information on travelers insurance for San Miguel de Allende click here. -

If you are moving to Mexico on a corporate contract and need health insurance, expatriate benefits and relocation assistance services, you have found the right resource at Mexico Insurance Advisors. Our personal service is what sets us apart from others. We will find the health insurance that best meets your needs.

For information on group health insurance plans, click here.