Where to live for 1 month in Mexico w/ kids?

Patzcuaro would be ideal with eveything you are asking for within a hour or two.
Language school, waterfalls at the National park in Uruapan, Fabulous culture highlighted by the Dia de Muertos, Wonderful crafts in the surrounding lake villages, City buried in Lava, a guiter center & near Mexico's cleanest cities Morelia. Morelia has some of the finest architecture, a ancient aqueduct system, theater, great cafés in this friendly but most sophisticated city. Also several ancient ruins including Pyramid at Tingambato.
Prices affordable, bus very cheap & cabs reasonable. As an example a cab for to Uruapan or Morelia 200 pesos.

Hi Stewbear,
Patzcuaro looks perfect in so many ways! Thanks for the wonderful suggestion. Unfortunately, I can't find many rental apartments/houses, and those I can find seem pretty expensive. Am I missing something? Also, are there any other towns like Patzcuaro that I should look at?
Thanks,
Temple

If you post at zihuatanejo.net asking for mrsmcford she has property she rents out sometimes on Patzcuaro. If not she would know of others there.
If you what to go to the area in a larger city these are incredibly nice but inexpensive apartments go to
http://www.baden-powell.com/en/index
Now these are connected to The Language school BUT you do not need to attend to rent these lovely, secure well finished apartments in a historic building just a few blocks from the plaza, museums, parks, Aqueduct terminus, native markets, Candy factory etc. This is in Morelia possibly Mexico's cleanest most sophisticated city with a great Zoo.
PS I spent Easter Week 2007 at these apartments. The owner Senor Eugenio Cortes speaks excellent English & is one of the nicest people I have ever met.
But try Patzcuaro first as it is perfect for you. The Posada San Rafael is a very decent secure hotel at about 400 pesos a night. Perhaps you could work a deal on a months rental. I have stayed here a couple of times.

Just be aware that there is a major drug war going on in the state of Michoacan (where Patzquaro is) now, w/La Familia there and Caldaron's drug wars. Some will say it is just btwn. La Famailia and the police and federal agents. But recently, after the mayors of 12 towns in Michoacan were arrested for allegledly cooperating w/La Familia, La Familia has been going into hotels where agents are known to stay and shooting up the hotels.

I am a seasoned traveler re Mexico, and I wanted to go to Michoacan the last summer, and I also wanted to go to Patzqauro for Dia De Los Muertos at end of this month. But due to the activity w/La Familia, I am going to Oaxaca instead.

sorry for the typos, i typed too fast

Such exaggerations! Why you would do so is beyond me. I have been in Michoachan many times including twice this year. I saw/heard no violence while there. It is true that Violence just as there is in New York, Oakland, Miami has occurred there BUT no incidences in Patzquaro. Stop your scare tactics Por Favor.

Patzquaro is really nice, but be aware that the altitude is over 7,000 feet. I love the place but cannot take the thin air any more. That also means that you need to pick the time of year you go. We were there in August, and had to light the fire in the fireplace in our hotel room to keep from freezing. It must be colder at night the other months of the year, I'm sure.

You lucky ducks - can't wait to hear what you decide!

Stewbear, these are not scare tactics or exaggerations. I am following the news, and what I cited has been widely reported. I was not concerned until La Familia started going into the hotels and shooting them up- that got my attn. as a traveler. That is a little too much for me, what if I am in one of those hotels.

When it comes to safety, everyone has their own level of comfort. You do not have to berate me for having mine. I am not berating you for anything- if you feel safe to go, that is fine. And I am choosing to go to Oaxaca instead of Michoacan right now.

No a single Tourist has been harmed in Michoachan. If you are basing your life on "News: reports then I guess you stay out of New York , Miami & LA, San Francisco Etc all of which have had Tourist killed in the last 2 years!
FYI Oaxaca statistically has had more Violence then Michoachan over the last two years. Would I not go? Yes I would as it was not directed at tourists. Same as Michoahcan, Guerrero, Jalisco & many other states.

End3 FYIhttp://www.inthesetimes.com/article/2795/
While at the moment things are quited down in OAXACA many of the issues, resentments< hostiles & out right hatred remain.
My point is there are problems everywhere in this Ole World.To believe all sensational news reports allowing the same to dictate your travel plans is IMO nonsense.
In 25 year of Michoachan travel I have not EVER been threaten, robbed, arrested or harassed in anyway. I have travel by bus, car & afoot. i have been invited into locals casas for meals, even to spend the night. Your fears are not real unless you plan on engaging in the drug trade which I am very sure you are not. This coming week will bring over 100,000 visitors to Patzcuaro. I am confidant that none will be killed as long as they use common sense.

If you want like a small town where is easy to know people I would highly recomend you Huatulco or Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, I really don't know a lot about Michoacan but I've heard Patzcuaro it's not cheap, I have been in both Huatulco and Puerto Escondido with my kids and it soo cheap and they always seem to find playmates at the beach plus there's a very interesting cultural background cause a lot of people speak spanish and their ancient indian languages as well, you can also take the tour of the seven bays which is cheap and beautiful, take them to the turtle museum in Mazunte and theres a lot of family activities to do not to mention that the area is very safe and the people is very warm

Patzcuaro is extremely reasonable for hotels. food & goods so I have no idea where you got the idea it is expensive.
PS I pay 300 pesos for a lovely room at The Posada Real on the Main Plaza. Also why are you comparing beach towns with a Mountain one? Makes no sense IMO.

Temple,
We've only been to Oaxaca. We stayed at the Casa de los Sabores owned by the same folks and the Las Bugambilias. We just loved it. Very traditional colonial Mexico. The Las Bugambilias is frequented by and caters to tour groups. The Casa de los Sabores is small (4 - 5 rooms) with wonderful made-to-order breakfasts; easy walk to zocolo; quiet; charming hosts; @40/night. The zocolo is active every day with vendors, children playing, etc. On weekend nights, they have a band with folks dancing -- mostly elderly local couples, in local dress; just wonderful to watch! Also around Oaxaca are ancient ruins with great stories; we hired taxi/driver very inexpensively for the day. Food is inexpensive and its a great walking town.

Stewbear is right. If we pay attention to the news and the press none of us would travel anywhere. My husband & I went to Greece when the war started in Iraq-I never felt so safe & welcomed.
We went to Turkey in 06 when our English frinds wouldn't join us because of bombings and press. My husband & I had a ball.
If one keeps a low profile-stays away from unsavory people and is friendly you haveno problems.
There are shootings in Richmond Oakland and San Francisco-close to where I live.
Enjoy other cultures and be with the people. Chris

What comes to my mind with the description of what you are looking for is Guanajuato or maybe San Miguel de Allende. These are quaint idyllic little towns and I think they would give you a good cultural experience. I'm sure there are a bunch of volunteer activites to do there as well. It's been a while since I was there, and I'm not sure it applies to all what you're looking for, but you could look into it

San Miguel is roughly the same population as San Cristobal - maybe too big for their tastes?

HELLO, MY NAME IS LISS, I’M A MEXICAN WOMAN WHO PROPOSES YOU:
WELL IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP LOCAL PEOPLE THERE ARE SOME SMALL TOWN FOR DO IT CALLED “PARACHO”, IS IN MICHOACAN, ABOUT 1.30 HOUR FROM MORELIA THE CAPITAL, IS AN SMALL TOWN FAMOUS FOR GUITARS FABRICATION WITH ETNIC POPULATION, NEAR THERE ARE A CASCADE, POOLS, FOREST, A BURIED TOWN FOR A VOLCANO, AND MORELIA IS A BEAUTIFULL AND COLONIAL CITY WHERE I LIVE, I COULD TO SHOW YOU THE CITY, I REALLY LOVE YOU INTENTION TO HELP PEOPLE I’D LIKE TO DO THE SAME AND IF I CAN HEPL YOU I REALLY WILL BE HAPPY, MY FAMILY HAVE A SMALL APPARTMENT WITH ALL COMODITIES (2 ROOMS, 1 WITH 1 KING BED, 1 WITH 3 INDIVIDUAL) STOVE, REFRIGERATOR, SMALL LIVING ROOM WITH FIRE, DINNING ROOM AND KITCHEN AND 1 BATHROOM, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP THEY ARE VERY POOR, AND NEAR THERE ARE SOME TOWNS WHERE YOU CAN HELP KIDS OR COMUNITIES, A LOT OF THEM SPEAK THEIR OWN LENGUAGE BUT THEY SPEAK SPANISH TOO, NOW IN THIS MONTHS IS VERY COLD, WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO MEXICO? I GO EACH VACATION WITH ALL FAMILY, SOME TIMES WE ENCAMP IN FOREST, BEST TIME TO COME IS IN SPRING.
IF I CAN HELP U TO DO SOMETHING I`LL LOVE IT, I CAN WRITTE ENGLISH BUT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO TALKING AND LISTENING BUT I LIKE TO TRY IT, MAYBE SOME DAYS GO WITH YOU TO HELP TOO! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED YOU CAN MAIL ME: eclipsedisgraf@hotmail.com FOR MORE INFORMATION, BYE.