Living in Querétaro Mexico
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Have you ever had a little brother or sister that seemed to get all the attention and was the more popular in school? This is somewhat the relationship between Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende, which is just fine with the ex-pats in Santiago de Querétaro. Even though many foreigners are unaware of Queretaro, here is what you need to know.
Just a short drive away in the UNESCO World Heritage capital city, residents pay about half as much for the cost of living as their little brother does but a bit more than its stepbrother – Guanajuato. Queretaro still has the historical old-world charm, narrow cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, metropolitan small-town feel, and modern amenities, and it has that romantic side that San Miguel has. In this blog post, we’ll explore this culturally rich, vibrant capital city, some unique aspects of Living in Queretaro, Mexico, and maybe why you may want to call it home or for sure visit. Vamos…
Topics: People Ask
Queretaro travel guide - Living in Queretaro - Things to do and see in Queretaro - Cost of Living in Queretaro - Queretaro neighborhoods - Expats and Retire in Queretaro - Best Hotels and Tours in Queretaro - Festivals and Nightlife - How to get to Queretaro Mexico - What cities are close to Queretaro - Is Queretaro Safe - Where is Queretaro
The History and Climate of Querétaro Mexico
Like many pueblos in Mexico, Queretaro’s roots date back to the region’s indigenous peoples. Spanish conquistadors came to the region in 1531 and started to build churches and missions. Queretaro had developed into a crucial resting place for travelers between Mexico City and Zacatecas by the 1600s. The nation’s constitutions, including the present one, signed in 1917, were all ratified in Querétaro, which also played an early role in Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain and later served as the nation’s capital on multiple occasions.
Restaurants, cafés, marketplaces, and stores may be found in the charming, well-preserved el Centro. The Plaza de Armas and the streets surrounding it are shaded and lined with trees, and flowers, giving the impression that you are in a European city.
Numerous residences are among the Spanish colonial baroque-style structures in the centre. Buildings with flat fronts and vibrant paint fill the flagstone streets. When you go through their front doors, you’re greeted by elegant halls and living rooms with high ceilings and old wooden beams—but frequently also modern furnishings and conveniences. And all are conveniently close to the stores in the center.
The weather in Querétaro, Mexico, is perfect year around, much like the other cities located in the Central Highlands and has an elevation of 6,000 ft. High are in the 70s, and lows are in the 50s much of the year. There are no natural disasters, but there is a rainy season from May to October. Like other areas in this region, there is little need for A/C and heaters. One thing to point out is that it is not quite as hilly as some of the other towns in this region – easy walking!
Expats In Querétaro Mexico
It’s highly recommended you join a Facebook Expat Group for Queretaro to learn more from ex-pats living there. Queretaro has a sizable population of roughly 1 million in the vicinity, and it is hard to say precisely how many ex-pats live there. It is sizeable and smaller than San Miquel as Queretaro is still not set up and focused primarily on foreigners – which is what I love about it. You can still find great deals on renting, and there are yet to be the famed tourist price hikes.
You may want to learn a bit more Spanish for living in QRO, but that is part of the adventure of living in Mexico. I discussed whether you need to know Spanish to live in Mexico HERE.
What to See and Do in Querétaro, Mexico - Is it Safe?
One of Mexico’s safest and friendliest states in Queretaro. From the picturesque Huasteca Potosina region to the lovely Queretaro colonial city, there are lots of things to see and do. El Centro is patrolled by police officers routinely making their presence known. But as in any city, it is wise to practice situational awareness and pay attention to your surroundings.
There are so many things to do and see in Queretaro and the surrounding areas. Here is a short list and how your day could look like:
Museo Regional de Queretaro, Acueducto de Queretaro, Los Arcos Queretaro, Museo de Arte de Queretaro, Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de Toros Santa Maria, Templo de San Francisco, and many parks, gardens, cathedrals, and museums. See the entire list.
Resources
Check out the best Travel Tours list that features popular activities, guided packages, and hidden gems you must see at Viator.
I use several different resources when comparing flight and lodging prices. You can save even more by searching using our partner travel links. Use our links and resource section, and save. We may receive a small commission from these sites on bookings that go towards running a blog site, but I have used them personally, with no extra cost to you, and you will love them.
Google Flights – Trip.com – Travelocity – Hotwire – Trivago – Kiwi – TripAdvisor – Wayaway – Verbo – Cheaptickets – Booking.com – Hostelworld – Skyscanner – Expedia – Babbel –
During Your Travel
Tours: Viator and Get Your Guide – We use to book our tours
Insurance: EKTA and Visitors Coverage – Travel Insurance Abroad
Walmart – Amazon –Best Buy – Canva – Skull Shaver –
How Much Does it Cost to Live in Querétaro Mexico
We mentioned how Queretaro is roughly 1/3 -1/2 the cost of San Miguel, depending upon where you call home and your lifestyle. It would be quite easy for two to live for $1500 a month without sacrificing too much lifestyle. Not only is Queretaro a cosmopolitan city. It has a growing population and is safe, clean, and modestly priced. You can find excellent shopping, transportation, amenities, entertainment options, beautiful rental properties, and extremely affordable utility rates in Queretaro.
Typical average prices for Rent- $300-700, Utilities- $80, Gas- $30, Internet- $30, Food $250, Transportation $40, and Healthcare $50-$80. If you shop tianguis and eat affordable street food, you could easily cut your grocery bill by a 1/3 of the cost.
Are you missing home? You can always take a trip to Costco or Sam’s Club nearby or stop by Buffalo Wild Wings or IHop.
Source: Cost of Living in Queretaro
The Best Neighborhoods in Querétaro Mexico
Let’s highlight a few of the colonias within the seven colonials you may want to settle into when you move to Queretaro:
Jurica- This area has two different malls with a great residential area. The area is very tranquilo, safe, and cosmopolitan. This is more of an exclusive area and great for families. Don’t miss out on City Market and Urban Center Shopping Mall while you are there.
Cubres del Lago- Another great family neighborhood with parks, restaurants, and shopping malls such as Plaza Central
Loma Dorada- Considered one of the best neighborhoods with minimalist, contemporary and classic styles and amazing views from the city’s highest part of the city.
Juriquilla- This is a large neighborhood with many options for shopping, cafes, restaurants, and green places. It is very clean and safe, with many gated communities and great roads. Be sure to check out Plaza Juriquilla!
Pros and Cons of Querétaro Mexico
One of the little-known pros of Queretaro is that it leads the country in foreign investment. Therefore you see that diversity spread across the metroplex into a cosmopolitan city. You will be close to famous places such as San Miquel de Allende, Guanajuato City, Tequisquiapan, Bernal, and Huichapan, to name a few. Although the pros far outweigh the cons, here are a few to consider:
Pros:
- Low cost of living: Compared to many other cities in Mexico and the United States, Queretaro has a lower cost of living.
- Beautiful weather: The temperate climate in Queretaro features mild winters and beautiful summers.
- Cultural Attractions: There are numerous museums, festivals, and other cultural attractions in Queretaro, which has a rich history and culture.
- Safety: Queretaro is usually considered safe, with a low crime rate compared to many other Mexican cities.
Cons:
- Limited international connectivity to QRO.
- Slightly less developed public transportation.
- Limited nightlife as some of the other towns of similar size (I actually see this as a pro)
Why Live in Querétaro, Mexico
I have been so tempted to call San Miquel home but to be honest – I like QRO better and even more so – I love the charm of Guanajuato! The cost of living is lower, but it still has excellent amenities, rich Mexican culture, and the same great weather year-round as its neighbors.
As many of you know that have read my writings, I am a huge fan of Pueblo Magicos. The charm and lifestyle are what I am drawn to. However, Queretaro has much of that while still being a cosmopolitan city with many more amenities we foreigners enjoy but not to the point of sacrificing its originality as a historical world heritage location.
Let’s remember our position as a quest in another country and do our best to speak and walk humbly with dignity and respect for our surroundings: we’re the ones coming here to visit or live our best lives, and we, like many people trying to get in another country – are appreciative of the opportunity. Thank you for having me, Queretaro!
As always, we appreciate you, and… Live Con Todo
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Unesco World Heritage
- Trip Advisor
- Google Travel
- Personal Experiences
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Calvin L Miller II
Mexico Travel Writer / Blogger / Vlogger
Creator of the Con Todo Brand