Photo and Text Overlay: Backpacking Brunette
Well, so much for spring. Querétaro seems to have skipped right to summer! I just came in from sunning myself on the patio (can you tell I taught British English for two years??), and I think tomorrow when I sit out again I’ll wear my swimsuit.
Don’t worry: I’m SPF’d up. The sun is just way too strong here to sit out sans protection.
I digress. There’s so much more to Querétaro than its sunny weather. Similarly, my life here involves more than trying to get a tan. Like I said in my last post, I want to share more about what it’s like to live in Querétaro.
Thinking about moving to Querétaro? Check out these posts!
- How I Found an Apartment in Querétaro, Mexico
- The Cost of Living in Querétaro, Mexico
- An Expat’s Guide for Living in Querétaro, Mexico
- Things to Know Before Moving to Mexico
To start, I’ve put together this semi-random list. Enjoy!
4 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Life in Querétaro
#1 I don’t have a washing machine.
When I started apartment hunting, I quickly realized one piece of household machinery I’ve grown accustomed to was missing in all the rentals: a washing machine. No dryer was no big deal, but no washing machine?! At first, Taylor and I thought we’d buy one and even went to Sears to check out the selection.
>> Curious about expat life in Querétaro, Mexico? THIS POST has everything you need to know about living in Querétaro! <<
Since it’s a fairly big purchase and not one we had planned on making, we decided to save up and, in the meantime, take our clothes to a tintorería just up the street. It took some adjusting, but now, I don’t know if I can ever go back to washing my own clothes. I drop a load off every Wednesday and pick it up two days later. For just over $2 (that figure is based on weight), they take care of everything! Even my fitted sheets and socks come back folded!
#2 The closest supermarket is one mile away.
If you drive to get groceries, this might not sound like that big of a deal, but considering I walk pretty much everywhere, not having a supermarket right around the corner has definitely been an adjustment. Last Saturday morning, we walked to Soriana (a Mexican grocery chain) and bought a ton of stuff before taking a taxi back. The ride only cost a few bucks, so it was totally worth it.
This weekend, we’re planning on taking a trip out to Walmart. Walmart here is infinitely better than Walmart in the U.S. It’s like the Upside Down Walmart (where my Stranger Things fans at?!). Walmart in Mexico is clean, organized and staffed with knowledgeable employees. For all other needs, I turn to Amazon Mexico. The first-year Prime membership only costs $23!
#3 April and May are the hottest months.
In January and the first few weeks of February, I was freezing my butt off here. My aunt, who visited at the end of January, tried to buy me a heater, but they were all sold out at Sears and Walmart. Then, the weather totally changed.
Like I said at the top of this post, it feels like summer now. I’m just a silly little Midwestern girl though, what could I possibly know about near-equatorial living?! According to everyone, it’s about to get a lot freaking hotter. April has an average high of 85°F. In May, we’re looking at 87.3°F. In June, the rainy season starts, so here’s to hoping I don’t melt before then!
#4 I brush my teeth with the tap water.
Hopefully this last tidbit isn’t too mundane, but a lot of people ask me about the water here as in, “Do you drink it??” The answer to that is no, I don’t drink the tap water. After two years of dare-I-say DELICIOUS tap water in Madrid, I miss being able to drink from the faucet (especially on days when I wake up hungover).
Instead, we buy giant jugs of purified drinking water and not just because we’re gringos. Anyone who can afford bottled water buys and drinks bottled water. Five liters costs just over $1. Regardless of the affordability, I still brush my teeth with the tap water. Someone super smart and therefore famous once said,”Life is too short not to brush your teeth with the tap water.” Also, doing so hasn’t made me sick. *knocks on wood*
Did anything surprise you? What do you want to know about life in Querétaro? Let me know in the comments below!
I love this post. This is the kind of information people need but never get from traditional sources. Well done!!!!
Thanks for reading! I’m excited to share more about life in Mexico!
Awesome info i will be retiring in queretaro soon……..Carlo
Thanks so much for reading, and I am so happy you found the information helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Alex Wittman recently posted…5 Things No One Tells You About Moving Abroad
Please post weekly – you have a knack for cutting thru cultural misinformation.
This week’s post is about the job that allows me to live in Mexico!
Thank you for the info, this is very good to know. And I agree with you : “Life is not meant to live in one place”.
**”to be lived in one place”
The world and its people are too beautiful not to discover!
I am reading your blog because I am planning to move to Mexico and live there for at least six months. I admire people who are brave enough to follow their dreams. Be blessed et Bonne Chance!
Hello Guylaine! Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment. It’s so exciting that you’re planning on moving to Mexico! Do you have a city picked out yet? If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send me an email. You can find my information on my contact page. You, too, one of those people brave enough to follow their dreams 🙂 Take care!
Alex Wittman recently posted…Quintessential Querétaro: A Day Trip to Bernal
I am still doing my research ….. San Pancho, Guanajuato, Playa del Carmen ……Yes, I will get back to you with my questions….Thank you for making such a difference!!!
Guanajuato is a dream! Such a magical place, and I just learned today it’s unique architecture and layout influenced the Pixar movie “Coco!” You are so kind to say that, and thank you again for reading!
Alex Wittman recently posted…Quintessential Querétaro: A Day Trip to Bernal
Hello,
My husband and I are planning to head to Queretaro, Mexico in June/2019 and it was a great blog, I was there in October of last year and absolutely fell in love with the city. My husband is from Guanajuato and has family there, however we have 4 kids and we wanted something where there was a lot more work and better schools, so we choose Queretaro. I was wondering if you have any word on how good or easy is it to find work? Out of everything that is the one thing that has me worried. Other than that I am super excited. Thank you for the information it was great!!
Hello Alejandra! Thank you for taking the time to read, and I am glad you found the content helpful! How exciting that you and your family are planning on moving to Querétaro 🙂 Unfortunately, I don’t have much information about the job market here, and I am not sure if you are looking as a Mexican citizen or expat. Personally, I teach English online. If that’s something that interests you, I’ve written several posts which you can find under my “Work Abroad” tab. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. Best of luck to you and your family! Cheers!
What about ice? Would it be safe to get Coke with ice at a local restaurant? I’m guessing that I should still stick to bottled water, but just checking.
Hi John, thanks for reading! In my experience, the ice restaurants serve is made with safe drinking water. I know some people who always avoid ice, but personally, I’ve never had a problem. I hope that helps!
Is it safe to live in QRO? I mean I encountered robbery on gunpoint and pick pocketing in Guadalajara so planning to look for a safe city to live. I don’t speak Spanish yet and I am gay. Kindly advise. Thanks.
Hi, Victor. Like any big city, there are places you want to avoid, but living in the historic center, I feel very safe in Qro! It’s renowned throughout Mexico for its safety and high quality of life. This is a great place to live and learn Spanish. All the best, Alex
We are talking about moving there soon, how difficult is it to find a rental there and what is the price range? Also, what are your thoughts on bring our golden doodle from the states? Thanks!
Hi, Chelsey. How exciting you’re thinking about moving to Qro! You should check out my post about how I found my apartment in Qro. It’s now linked in this blog post. I recommend renting an Airbnb in the neighborhood you want to live in and using whatever Spanish you have to ask anyone and everyone if they know of a place to rent. While I don’t personally have pets, some friends of mine do. It’s actually not as complicated as you’d think to bring a pet across the border. The most important thing is to have all your papers in order. Good luck! All the best, Alex
I will explain something that first world people are.not aware most of third countries the dont.relay to go to the doctor every 5.minutes the immune system is stronger that the first world country so the small bug in to water food air soil etc affect very drastically and thas the reason get back to home sick.
I was living in Queretaro for 27 years and never get sick.for.drinking water from tap that was.the only water tha we have sometimes only one time a week.
This is one o f the reason now doctors limit the use of antibiotic in the first world countries.
Hi, Jorge! Thanks for your interesting insight! Personally, I don’t know anyone in Qro that drinks the tap water, including Mexicans. Everyone I know buys bottled water to drink. However, the majority of people (myself included) are fine using the tap water to wash produce, brush teeth, etc. I like to think using it in that way has strengthened my immune system to a certain degree! All the best, Alex
Hi Alex
I live in Ajijic and am looking to move to QRo for a more cultural experience as I miss living in a larger city. Are there any expat meetups that meet regularly? I will be visiting for a few days early in March to have a look around.
Robert
Hi, Robert! There is a weekly language exchange at College Bar, which is in the centro. I believe it’s every Wednesday night. There’s also an expat Facebook group for Qro. I’m not on Facebook myself, but I’ve heard it’s very active. All the best, Alex