I Love Oaxaca, but...
Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:00 PM
#21
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MmePerdu, your comment about Puebla being too big puzzles me. Oaxaca is a pretty large city. Maybe you stayed mostly in the historic district but it is bigger than just that area. Puebla has a compact historic district like Oaxaca. Yes, the city spreads out further but you likely would mostly be in the historic area...
Also, Taxco is VERY hilly...and easier to get to than San Cristobal. Just fyi.
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Also, Taxco is VERY hilly...and easier to get to than San Cristobal. Just fyi.
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Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:58 PM
#23
According to my 2014 LP, the population of Oaxaca is 260,000 and Puebla 1.5 million. Merida 830,000 so just about in the middle.
I was mostly in Centro but did get out, a couple of day trips and to Abastos Market. I take your point about compact historic districts. Part of my concern about the size of a place is air quality, though I realize geography is a big factor. Also proximity to countryside, nearby in Oaxaca.
Rather than go in the fall I'm now thinking about March.
I was mostly in Centro but did get out, a couple of day trips and to Abastos Market. I take your point about compact historic districts. Part of my concern about the size of a place is air quality, though I realize geography is a big factor. Also proximity to countryside, nearby in Oaxaca.
Rather than go in the fall I'm now thinking about March.
Jun 22nd, 2016, 03:40 PM
#26
You might enjoy the colonia 5th de diciembre
http://setfreeinmexico.com/colonia-5th-de-diciembre/
http://setfreeinmexico.com/colonia-5th-de-diciembre/
Jun 22nd, 2016, 03:57 PM
#29
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Merida is now at 970,000 people, but when you're in the historic center, it doesn't seem anywhere near that big of a city.
D'uh! I didn't even think of Taxco. I was there a couple of months ago. You want hills? Taxco has them! I can't tell you anything about the expat community and those types of resources, though.
D'uh! I didn't even think of Taxco. I was there a couple of months ago. You want hills? Taxco has them! I can't tell you anything about the expat community and those types of resources, though.
Jun 23rd, 2016, 06:34 AM
#30
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Bruce and Mary do get around. They used to live in Merida.
As for walking the historical center of Merida it's probably best to see one or two different neighborhoods on each excursion - there are 11 main ones and many smaller barrios. Wear good shoes and take taxis and buses when you can.
Here's a little info on the neighborhoods.
http://yucatan.travel/centrohistoric...-blanca-Merida
Each barrio has entertainment in their park on a rotating basis once a week.
Because we're the capital of the Yucatan, a main tourist destination for people around the world and have a huge uncounted population of students from the many universities, etc we have too many new food and rentals to count. There are new ones popping up everyday. Lots of new galleries making appearances, as well.
Things are still very affordable here but we'll see.
Anyhow, some people like Merida some don't. We recently had Canadian tenants who hated it. Thought it was too big, too hot and everything else.
As for walking the historical center of Merida it's probably best to see one or two different neighborhoods on each excursion - there are 11 main ones and many smaller barrios. Wear good shoes and take taxis and buses when you can.
Here's a little info on the neighborhoods.
http://yucatan.travel/centrohistoric...-blanca-Merida
Each barrio has entertainment in their park on a rotating basis once a week.
Because we're the capital of the Yucatan, a main tourist destination for people around the world and have a huge uncounted population of students from the many universities, etc we have too many new food and rentals to count. There are new ones popping up everyday. Lots of new galleries making appearances, as well.
Things are still very affordable here but we'll see.
Anyhow, some people like Merida some don't. We recently had Canadian tenants who hated it. Thought it was too big, too hot and everything else.
Jun 25th, 2016, 02:51 PM
#31
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That's interesting because I thought I'd really like Oaxaca but I didn't. I don't care if I ever go back. I didn't think it was that attractive, too much of a big city for me, and dirty and gritty. I didn't like Puebla that much, either.
Puerto Vallarta was okay for me, but a bit too much hustle for me and it doesn't have great beaches, either. If I go to a coast, I want good beaches, more like the Yucutan Peninsula. It wasn't a place I'd want to keep returning to and spend a lot of time in. Too many Americans, also.
One place I did really love and would like to go back was Guanajuato. It has hills. I have no idea if there is some big expat community there, I sort of liked it because it felt more authentic to me and I could speak Spanish. For example, when I was sitting in the main square (which is quite small, and it is really a jardin, not zocola like Puebla or Oaxaca), some guy was leading his donkeys home at night in a line down the street right in front of me. And this was one of the main streets in town. You would never see anything like that in the middle of Puerto Vallarta or Oaxaca. Even when I went on tours, such as a day bus tour, it was only in Spanish. But I know there are some English expats there as I met some when I was in the bus station going to Mexico City, and they said they came every summer for a few months or something like that.
Guanajuato is smaller than any of these places, though, so maybe you wouldn't like that. it isn't a village, but more like 175K for the city and its surroundings.
Puerto Vallarta was okay for me, but a bit too much hustle for me and it doesn't have great beaches, either. If I go to a coast, I want good beaches, more like the Yucutan Peninsula. It wasn't a place I'd want to keep returning to and spend a lot of time in. Too many Americans, also.
One place I did really love and would like to go back was Guanajuato. It has hills. I have no idea if there is some big expat community there, I sort of liked it because it felt more authentic to me and I could speak Spanish. For example, when I was sitting in the main square (which is quite small, and it is really a jardin, not zocola like Puebla or Oaxaca), some guy was leading his donkeys home at night in a line down the street right in front of me. And this was one of the main streets in town. You would never see anything like that in the middle of Puerto Vallarta or Oaxaca. Even when I went on tours, such as a day bus tour, it was only in Spanish. But I know there are some English expats there as I met some when I was in the bus station going to Mexico City, and they said they came every summer for a few months or something like that.
Guanajuato is smaller than any of these places, though, so maybe you wouldn't like that. it isn't a village, but more like 175K for the city and its surroundings.
Jun 25th, 2016, 03:11 PM
#32
Guanajuato was actually the place in Mexico I'd planned to go, after enjoying spending a week in Alamos, Sonora. Friends said they wanted go, then backed out. So onto the back burner it went and other places, mostly in Asia that year, replaced it.
Maybe time to go back to the beginning and consider it again. It appears to have better flight options and also less expensive ones. I've pretty much ruled PV out now, I think too much of a resort for me. Beaches are incidental for my purposes. I actually do prefer smaller places although like having the libraries that come with the larger towns. But I suspect Guanajuato offers the ambiance I'd enjoy.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Maybe time to go back to the beginning and consider it again. It appears to have better flight options and also less expensive ones. I've pretty much ruled PV out now, I think too much of a resort for me. Beaches are incidental for my purposes. I actually do prefer smaller places although like having the libraries that come with the larger towns. But I suspect Guanajuato offers the ambiance I'd enjoy.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Jun 25th, 2016, 06:34 PM
#33
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I Know the woman, Michelle, who has a good blog about living and traveling in Mexico. She used to post here on Fodors MX forum some, but not much anymore. You might be interested in her blog entries and photos about her 2014 trip to Guanajuato. Those posts are here:
http://www.buyplaya.com/blogs/rob_ki...e/2014/04.aspx
http://www.buyplaya.com/blogs/rob_ki...e/2014/04.aspx
Jun 26th, 2016, 07:10 AM
#35
<I've pretty much ruled PV out now, I think too much of a resort for me.>
well that's unfortunate, because Vallarta is so much more than a "resort". Just ask the 250,000 people who live there ;-)
well that's unfortunate, because Vallarta is so much more than a "resort". Just ask the 250,000 people who live there ;-)
Jun 26th, 2016, 08:29 AM
#36
Suze, I realize it's more than a resort. I didn't feel I needed to enumerate all the reasons I think I'd like other places more. Maybe I can clarify for myself while I do it for you. The beach city aspect isn't for me. I confess, in all the photos I've seen, I preferred the look of other places. While I'd like some conversation, I think there may be too much of an expat presence. The whole condo thing puts me off. All the wonderful restaurants you list is, for someone like me, a red flag for an atmosphere that may appeal to me less, rather than more.
No choice will be perfect, but the purpose of my question was to solicit opinions from the Mexico-philes here, including you, and find a place with more of what I want. A comparison of our profile pictures may tell the tale, that we're very different sorts of people. You're social, I'm an introvert. Neither better nor worse, just different. So maybe not so unfortunate, for me.
No choice will be perfect, but the purpose of my question was to solicit opinions from the Mexico-philes here, including you, and find a place with more of what I want. A comparison of our profile pictures may tell the tale, that we're very different sorts of people. You're social, I'm an introvert. Neither better nor worse, just different. So maybe not so unfortunate, for me.
Jun 26th, 2016, 08:42 AM
#37
Knowing more now, I would never recommend for you the specific neighborhood I stay in! It is more a Key West, Provincetown, Waikiki kinds of vibe in Zona Romantica. But that's one very small area of Puerto Vallarta.
btw~ I'm not a social person. I just happened upon a very handsome zumba instructor last trip. I'm very private. I travel solo most of the time and stick to myself. I never go to the beach. You're reading my personality incorrectly.
You could go to Vallarta, live in one of the colonias, volunteer at the library or school, speak only Spanish, not hang with expats. That's the beauty of the city, there is a place for everyone.
I think you should go to Guanajuato.
btw~ I'm not a social person. I just happened upon a very handsome zumba instructor last trip. I'm very private. I travel solo most of the time and stick to myself. I never go to the beach. You're reading my personality incorrectly.
You could go to Vallarta, live in one of the colonias, volunteer at the library or school, speak only Spanish, not hang with expats. That's the beauty of the city, there is a place for everyone.
I think you should go to Guanajuato.
Jun 26th, 2016, 01:59 PM
#40
Just when I think about commenting about Veracruz, I think you've decided, so I don't 
Anyway, it's a lively city, often with Jarocho music in the plaza. It's a port city, so the water near the city is often polluted, but further away from the port, it's better. If that matters. Tons of history, with French influenced architecture. The San Juan De Ulua fort is interesting. Nice aquarium. Mexico's biggest coral reef is nearby. Mandinga lagoon is popular for seafood and fun: http://www.johntoddjr.com/103%20Mandinga/mandinga.htm
The ruins of Zempoala are nearby: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cempoala
El Tajin is worthwhile, but a long day trip.
I really enjoyed the classic Veracruz Cafe Del Portal.
Couple of big markets near the malecon.
Xalapa is 2 hours away. Nice anthropology museum. Hilly with the Perote volcano in view. Nearby is Coatepec and Xico. Coffee and waterfalls. In Coatepec you can smell coffee roasting throughout the town.
There are few English speakers in Veracruz. You'll probably find more in Xalapa as it's a university town.
I doubt you'd find an easy flight, however. But, since you asked. Best bet would be fly to MEX then bus to Xalapa and base there for some time, and then on to Veracruz.
Anyway, it's a lively city, often with Jarocho music in the plaza. It's a port city, so the water near the city is often polluted, but further away from the port, it's better. If that matters. Tons of history, with French influenced architecture. The San Juan De Ulua fort is interesting. Nice aquarium. Mexico's biggest coral reef is nearby. Mandinga lagoon is popular for seafood and fun: http://www.johntoddjr.com/103%20Mandinga/mandinga.htm
The ruins of Zempoala are nearby: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cempoala
El Tajin is worthwhile, but a long day trip.
I really enjoyed the classic Veracruz Cafe Del Portal.
Couple of big markets near the malecon.
Xalapa is 2 hours away. Nice anthropology museum. Hilly with the Perote volcano in view. Nearby is Coatepec and Xico. Coffee and waterfalls. In Coatepec you can smell coffee roasting throughout the town.
There are few English speakers in Veracruz. You'll probably find more in Xalapa as it's a university town.
I doubt you'd find an easy flight, however. But, since you asked. Best bet would be fly to MEX then bus to Xalapa and base there for some time, and then on to Veracruz.
