My countries and cities in order
By Mike Stoltz
I’ve had the opportunity to write a nice handful of editorials, but NEVER have I had my email box on the verge of exploding from responses, largely positive. For those of you who did not have the opportunity to read my story last week in Atención, I’ll encapsulate: It was essentially about the “unimaginable”—think of the well-healed, educated class of Jews who experienced one of Western societies greatest atrocities. How did some of them know how to survive and save themselves in advance with an exit strategy from the onslaught of a tyrant and his supplicants? You know, maybe some of those who escaped were a bit like me. Maybe they had a history of “bad” things happen to them, too. Things that shape your survival tactics and hone your instincts. So, I’ve just had this uneasy feeling about the US the past year. It hasn’t gotten at all better with a new administration, either. It came to the point where I sold a house in Southern California I built, loved, and thought I’d die in to leave the country for another to wait it out until my country is sane again. I don’t want to bash my country, but only you know how your life experiences have shaped who you are, good and bad, and how much your instincts drive those big decisions you’re confronted with—like leaving your country.
I was stunned at the number of people who wanted to “talk”.
In my editorial, I did not mention the three countries and the cities therein I chose. Only at the end, the publisher gave my bio and said, “now resides in Mexico.” I told the reader only of my criteria:
- The political stability of their institutions (since mine was woefully fragile)
- Healthcare—my mother is a rock star, but 85
- Financial security of my assets
- My lifestyle had to meet or exceed my current situation in Southern California.
I told them I interviewed consulates and volumes of expats, engaged real estate brokers to search for compound-type properties, did as much research as I could on their institutional direction and that I was looking for the opposite direction of the US.
With that said, most people were of or around retirement age, gay couples, straight couples, singles, some with good careers or spouses with good careers for which they are hesitant to leave, others with family and older children. Some had modest incomes. All that notwithstanding, they were panting for more information and the overwhelming questions were: Where in Mexico? What other countries did you look at? Are you concerned about corruption and cartels? Many said, “I keep hearing about Portugal and Spain. I don’t speak Spanish and HEALTH CARE!”
So here ya go!
It is now exactly five weeks that I moved to the World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende. In 2021, Travel and Leisure named it «the most beautiful city in the world.» I confess, it has not been a cake walk by any means and is not for the faint of heart. On the other hand, I’m single so a partner could greatly reduce the level of stress and workload. Then, as a qualitative statement, this isn’t my first rodeo, and my advantages are that I have owned a home in a foreign country— the South of France for 26 years and I speak five languages. While Spanish should have always been a priority as a Southern California entrepreneur with many businesses including restaurants, I can’t help it—Spanish is my least favorite, but I’m learning to appreciate it. More on that in another column.
The expat and consulate interviews, research, and real estate exploration occurred over a 10- month period. My countries and cities in order were:
1) Medellin, Colombia
I was invited to Bogota by a couple of US expats, so I explored the Capital and visited their consulate. Then went to Medellin, one of the most gorgeous cities I’ve ever been to. A great vibe, fantastic weather, culturally hip, and progressive. A broker told me, «The only decision I have to make when I wake up in the morning is whether to wear a long or short sleeve shirt.” Healthcare comments were outstanding as reported by most expats with a mid-60 median age. For me personally, I was a little more concerned about the financial health of the country. It’s still young after a real tough period of autocracy-dictatorship, Robin Hood, and the brutal days of the Escobar cartel. I was still a bit concerned about the political stability, but probably not to where it would dissuade me. But my mother would not be comfortable and it’s too far for my dogs.
2) San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
So on to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a World Heritage site with authentic colonial architecture and cobblestone streets; and not a fast food franchize for miles nor neon signs in sight. I would say that San Miguel is the closest we have to a European city on our continent except for Quebec, but having much better weather, as did Medellin.
On the other hand, San Miguel was more of an art centric community of writers and artists. I’m more of a left-brain guy and didn’t really see my «tribe» there. Moreover, I couldn’t find anything I wanted in my price range and I sure wasn’t going to leave Southern California and my lifestyle there and settle for less. And I have to say, I had a little resentment about leaving, but something inexplicable kept me on my tack.
To be continued…
