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Michael and Janie didn’t wake up one morning and decide to move to Mexico.
Like many of you reading this, they spent years researching, traveling, comparing countries, and ruling places out before finally landing in San Miguel de Allende.
And what I love about their story is how honest and grounded it is. They didn’t romanticize the move, and they didn’t rush it. They took their time, asked the right questions, and stayed realistic about what living abroad actually looks like.
“Back in 2016, Janie and I decided that when we retired, we wanted to explore living in a different country. And so we started a long, fun exploration of every vacation being a place of exploration.”
This is exactly how I recommend doing it.
In this video they walk you through their journey. Including what they learned, mistakes they made, and how they researched their move to Mexico. Because if you’re considering San Miguel de Allende or Mexico in general, there’s a lot you can learn from their experience.
Who Michael and Janie Are
Michael and Janie are originally from the United States.
- Janie is from Arkansas
- Michael grew up in New York and later spent many years living throughout the U.S.
They weren’t first-time travelers, and they weren’t chasing a fantasy version of expat life. They were retirees thinking carefully about:
- Lifestyle
- Climate
- Proximity to family
- Ease of moving legally
- Long-term livability
That mindset is important — because Mexico is wonderful, but it’s not for everyone.
How Their Search for a New Country Really Started
Instead of picking a country based on hype or YouTube thumbnails, Michael and Janie turned every vacation into a research trip.
“Every vacation [became] a place of exploration. Is this the next place we’re going to go to and maybe live here?”
They initially focused on:
- The Caribbean
- Parts of Central America
- Parts of South America
But over time, reality set in.
Why Some Countries Were Ruled Out
They eliminated countries for very practical reasons:
- Hurricanes devastated several Caribbean locations they loved
- Some countries made residency too complicated
- Others were simply too far from family in the U.S.
“We want to be not too far from the United States to be near family. We need to be in a country where it’s easy to move.”
This is a huge point I always stress:
logistics matter more than fantasy.
Additional Reading
The Unexpected Recommendation That Changed Everything
After narrowing things down, Panama became their top choice. They even visited Boquete, a popular mountain town among expats.
And then something interesting happened.
“We asked the realtor who was showing us around the city, if you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go? And she said… San Miguel de Allende.”
They had never even heard of it. That alone should tell you something.
First Impressions of San Miguel de Allende: “Love at First Sight”
On their next trip, they added San Miguel de Allende to the itinerary, and that was it.
“I fell in love at first sight with this city. Its charm, climate, people, culture, restaurants, architecture, outdoor spaces.”
San Miguel didn’t just look good.
It felt right.
Janie added something many people don’t think about:
“It was just such a completely different feeling — the climate, the air.”
San Miguel sits at elevation, which means:
- Mild temperatures year-round
- Cooler evenings
- No extreme humidity
For many retirees, that alone is a game changer.
Additional Reading:
Why San Miguel de Allende Stood Out Over Other Places
San Miguel checked boxes they hadn’t found all in one place elsewhere. Many people are drawn to cities like Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, Mazatlan, Mexico City, La Paz, Los Cabos and so on.
But Michael and Janie were looking for a city that wasn’t too hot, wasn’t too big, and had a good sense of community.
Here’s what stood out most about San Miguel de Allende:
- Walkable historic center
- Strong expat and local community
- Cultural events, art, and music
- Excellent food scene
- Easy access to healthcare
- Manageable distance to the U.S.
But just as important — it didn’t feel chaotic or overwhelming.
The Reality of Moving to Mexico (And Why Personality Matters)
One of the most honest moments in their interview was when Michael talked about personality and expectations.
“You have to have a type A personality to get here. The logistics of it, the management of it. But if you’re that way when you’re here, you’re going to be unhappy.”
This is something I tell people all the time.
Yes, moving to Mexico requires organization.
But living in Mexico requires flexibility.
If you need everything done instantly, exactly your way, Mexico will test you.
Michael and Janie understood that going in — and it made all the difference.
Additional Reading:
- What Americans Struggle With Most After Moving to Mexico
- Is Mexico Right for You? Honest Pros and Cons
Visiting Before Moving: What They Did Right
Michael and Janie didn’t just visit once and commit.
They:
- Explored neighborhoods
- Paid attention to daily life
- Watched how locals and expats interacted
- Noticed how they felt day-to-day
That’s critical.
I always say:
Mexico is not a vacation when you live here. You need to experience grocery shopping, noise levels, transportation, and routines — not just sunsets and restaurants.
Life in San Miguel de Allende Today
Today, Michael and Janie are settled in San Miguel de Allende and genuinely happy with their decision.
They didn’t move for “cheap living” alone.
They moved for quality of life.
And that’s why their story resonates with so many people considering Mexico.
What You Can Learn From Michael and Janie’s Experience
If you’re thinking about moving to Mexico, take these lessons seriously:
- Don’t rush the decision
- Visit multiple locations
- Rule places out logically, not emotionally
- Be honest about your personality and expectations
- Focus on lifestyle, not just cost
- Visit before committing
Mexico can be incredible — but only if you do it the right way.
Thinking About Moving to San Miguel de Allende?
If Michael and Janie’s story sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
I’ve helped thousands of people explore Mexico realistically. Not through hype, but through clear, up-to-date information and on-the-ground guidance.
Your next step should always be education and exploration, not guesswork.
If you want help understanding where San Miguel fits into your bigger Mexico plan, that’s exactly what we’re here for and why I created the COMPLETE Mexico Relocation Guide. You get a step by step plan for moving to Mexico, and my complete directory of vetted contacts in San Miguel de Allende and other parts of Mexico.
You don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to make expensive mistakes either.
