Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security Paperback – September 5, 2006

Falling in Love with San Miguel is an excellent book! This is one book I could NOT put down. I LOVE this book. I LOVE San Miguel. I Love Mexico. This book is very well written. I literally felt I was there in San Miguel as I read each page with gusto. I have many books on Mexico and most of them I have read "part" of because they were so easy to put down. I received this book from Amazon.com and it was NOT easy to put down. I read and smiled. I read and laughed. I read and took notes. I could SEE through their beautifully written words the Mexico experience. Carol Schmidt and Norma Hair tell it like it is. They write in an honest, down to earth way. I was transported back to San Miguel with each page I read.This book gives me courage. This book gave me hope. This book IS informative. This book is not a dry, hard to relate to book. It is a lively book that transports one to the amazing, magical city of San Miguel de Allende Mexico. This book peeks my interest in returning to Mexico. Upon finishing this book, I immediately ordered (from Amazon.com) their latest book: "The Best How to Book on Moving to Mexico". I anxiously await it's arrival.

Reading this book is very much like listening to a charming, somewhat eccentric neighbor give you her detailed impressions and opinions after an extended vacation. Sometimes it gets pretty boring, at other times it's what you actually might want to know, depending greatly on who you are and what you are looking for. There are many descriptions of festivals from the point of view of a confused gringa for example. For me, that got tiring. At times the author's personal concerns have very little to do with San Miguel de Allende.My biggest problem with the book was that other reviews made it seem as though this book would give me a great insider view of SMA and help me to decide whether to travel there to consider retirement. What it actually does is give a very personal look at living there rather than a general slice of life. There is nothing wrong with that, except it wasn't what I was hoping for.There were items of general interest that had value to me, especially at the end.

........ during their first 12 months of "Life in San Miguel". I have not been there yet (in person), but I am sure, it is as helpful for people, who want to visit (like me), for those, thinking to live there more permanently, or even for those who move there for "rest of their lives". I loved the very personal letter-writing style of the authors, and nothing ever felt gossipy. After finishing the book I had a better understanding, what will await me in this wonderful Mexican city, when I can finally visit there next spring. I also enjoyed the carefully deliberate approach of the authors of staying alert to their limits of loving to live there, being a part of the community, and accepting that they may never understand many aspects of Mexican life and history. The authors never claim to be San Miguel experts ... but surely they are San Miguel lovers.

Hola Amigos!My wife and I first came to San Miguel in April to explore the possibility of moving our family of five here for a year or more. We bought all of the related books to help us make this huge decision. Then, with books and maps in hand, we came again to explored it as a family (for 5 more weeks). A number of the books were entertaining, but none was as useful in helping us find our way to the best possible experience that San Miguel has to offer.If you're considering a trip to San Miguel de Allende or considering a move to Mexico, this book will give you a huge head start! And, it will pay for itself many times over once you're here!

Just finished reading this book and I must say, I have fallen in love with San Miguel! Carol and Norma, open their hearts, and lives to us and share their trials as well as joys in an intimate way. It is honest, hysterical (I laughed out loud many times!), vivid, and right on! Though I haven't moved there yet, I feel as though I can see it, hear it, taste it, with the wonderful descriptive writing. This book is my new Bible. I believe I will reference it more often than my pocket dictionary!I have already ordered the sequel, "The Best How-To Book On Moving To Mexico". Can't wait to read it!

Falling in Love with San Miguel is dangerous to read! It will make you want to leave immediately for San Miguel and suffer in frustration if the circumstances of your life do not allow it. Carol Schmidt and Norma Hair responded to the financial constraints in their lives by finding a creative and happy solution to retiring without riches. But be assured that even if you can afford to travel anywhere just for fun, you will enjoy reading about the details of their daily life in San Miguel. The authors' wry humor and personal revelations make this book a pleasure to read for retirees, adventurers, or just armchair travellers.

It gives an honest account on what living in San Miguel is really like. The writer has diverse interests that she and her friend get themselves involved in which keeps them busy and entertained on a low budget. They are having a exciting life there with art, history, language, fabric batiking ,theater and so many fiestas that I wonder if they ever get enough sleep. This is a lifestyle that would not be available to them in Arizona where they are from and they are loving it. ES

I thoroughly enjoyed Falling In Love with San Miguel! After reading it I almost feel like I've been there and now I can't wait to go there. I picked up information in this book that will make my upcoming visit there much easier and more interesting and will give me a better feel for the people who live there. I'd definately recommend this read to anyone who is planning a visit to San Miguel or who has already been there and would like the inside scoop on what it's like to live there.