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^^ Thanks, never considered Guanajuato City. It might be a bit far from the ocean for me. I'd love to learn to surf, and I already enjoy sailing so that's something I'd try to do with my free time. But I'll look into it.
Which would you choose from the 3 I posted above? If they're all a tie, which one has the best bang for your buck (cost of living)
I doubt it. If his online business results in being paid in currency other than Mexican Pesos, he can just have his earnings direct deposited to his bank outside Mexico, and Mexico's government has no way of knowing that he had ever been paid.
As for the OPs question, go where you will feel most comfortable with your lifestyle, the opportunities to learn Spanish will be the same.
Your internet speeds are going to seem slow to you, unless what you do is nearly all text. Nationwide, Mexico's internet speeds average about 11 Mbps, compared to 18 Mbps in the USA. You'll probably find faster speeds in larger cities, so Oaxaca might be your best bet..
I doubt it. If his online business results in being paid in currency other than Mexican Pesos, he can just have his earnings direct deposited to his bank outside Mexico, and Mexico's government has no way of knowing that he had ever been paid.
As for the OPs question, go where you will feel most comfortable with your lifestyle, the opportunities to learn Spanish will be the same.
Your internet speeds are going to seem slow to you, unless what you do is nearly all text. Nationwide, Mexico's internet speeds average about 11 Mbps, compared to 18 Mbps in the USA. You'll probably find faster speeds in larger cities, so Oaxaca might be your best bet..
definitely don't need a work visa for online stuff that I'm doing.
Might be hard to learn in Playa del Carmen or Todos Santos, both are kind of small places where you will run into a lot of English speakers so not so sure you will learn at the level you should. Oaxaca and Guanajuato are great destinations to learn Spanish. Guadalajara will have the best internet options in Mexico and is an easy trip to the sea. Will depend on how much you want big city or smaller town.
I'm looking for decent or low cost of living, relatively safe, good internet speeds/reliability! I need internet.
1. Oaxaca
2. Playa Del Carmen
3. Baja Del Sur.. .maybe Todos Los Santos? I don't know specifically where.
Most of the foreign visitors to Oaxaca City are from Europe, so the cost of living is the lowest of the three. The Oaxacan coast was developed in the 1980's. Puerto Escondido has very young expats, and killer waves. Very tough place to learn to surf. Good way to die.
Huatulco is mostly a resort for middle aged clients (from Mexico City and Britain primarily).
The drive from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido is deceptively close on a map. It's listed at 257 km (159.6 miles) and 3 hours and 13 minutes (average speed of 49.6 miles per hour) on Google Earth. It is optimistic. The vans are terrifying and they take close to 4-5 hours.
A first class bus, by way of Pan American Highway and Salina Cruz and back up the coast. Is 10:35 hours (you normally go overnight) and costs $340 pesos ($27) one way.
Location: Mokelumne Hill, CA & El Pescadero, BCS MX.
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My I suggest that you should learn Spanish via Rosetta Stone or Pimsleur first and then perfect your Spanish locally. You will run into too many English speakers to really advance if you go where the surfing is. I've never heard of the lower state of Baja called "del Sur". I think it is either Baja California Sur or Baja Sur. ¡Those that speak better Spanish than I do, are free to correct me!
In terms of surfing. an area south of Todos Santos is well regarded as well as a nice break just outside of San Jose del Cabo.
thanks for the info guys! I appreciate all the responses.
Any thoughts on Merida?
seems like it's in a safe state (Yucatan) and is somewhat large and near the ocean?
edit:
and based on the all responses, it sounds like Mexico is extremely varied and interesting and excited. Maybe I should spend a month exploring before settling down =) Mexico is a huge country and I know nothing about it really. Kind of exciting to think about the possibilities.
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