Don't buy a house after the second date.
People do it all the time. They come to San Miguel, fall in love, and buy a house three days later. Sometimes it works out beautifully. Sometimes it doesn't.
That's why I created Live Before You Decide.
Spend two to four weeks living like a local before making one of the biggest decisions of your life.
I'll get to know you, learn what matters most, and create a personalized experience that helps you answer one question:
Could I build a meaningful life here?
My job isn't to convince you to move to San Miguel.
My job is to help you decide whether you should.
"The best way to decide if San Miguel is home is to first find your people."
People thought we were crazy. We had wonderful lives and homes in the Berkshires, Manhattan, and Boca Raton. We didn't speak a word of Spanish. Why would we move to San Miguel?
We arrived for a month to explore if we wanted to live here. On our first day our Airbnb host introduced us to Audrey, and she said that.
She welcomed us into the Jewish community, organized dinner parties for us, connected us with bridge players, local philanthropists, and families who would sponsor us for the golf club. When we asked, she introduced us to a realtor she trusted.
After we bought a house and said we're all in, her partner Jorge helped us find our doctors and scheduled meetings with a visa specialist, a tax advisor, and every trusted local professional we needed.
Looking back, Audrey and Jorge accomplished in four weeks what would have taken us four years.
We're thrilled San Miguel is our next chapter.
Carol & Marvin · Boca Raton, Florida
Book a Free Discovery CallSo I rented a house for six weeks and flew in my three grown sons and daughter-in-law. I needed to know that wherever I landed, the people who matter most would want to come.
Two weeks in the spring. Six weeks in the summer. Forever in the fall.
Everything I do for clients now is what I built for myself first.
Ari Taublieb, "Why Are So Many Retirees Moving To San Miguel de Allende?" An independent review of San Miguel and Casa Avra. Not sponsored.
What matters to you. What you're worried about. What you want this next chapter to look like.
Then I build your time here around the questions you need answered.
You won't arrive with every hour scheduled. You'll arrive knowing where to go, who to meet, and what's worth your time, with plenty of room for the things nobody planned.
Take out the randomness. Leave in the magic.
Art. Wellness. Horses. Golf. Gardening. Food. Volunteering. Judaism. Entrepreneurship. Healthcare. Making friends.
You'll meet people I genuinely believe you'll enjoy knowing. Explore neighborhoods at different times of day. Experience restaurants, markets, classes, events, and everyday life.
A long weekend tells you whether you like San Miguel. Two to four weeks tells you whether you can imagine living here.
By then you've stopped sightseeing. You recognize people at your favorite café. You know where you like to shop. You've started developing routines.
You're experiencing the Tuesday version of San Miguel, not the vacation version.
I only work with a small number of Live Before You Decide clients at a time, because this is highly personal, hands-on work.
Others choose an Airbnb or hotel, and I can help you find the right place.
Where you sleep doesn't change how we work together.
You'll know which neighborhoods fit your lifestyle. You'll have trusted local resources and professionals. You'll know where you like to eat, shop, exercise, learn, volunteer, worship, or spend your time.
You'll have met people I chose because I thought there was a reason for you to know one another.
And most importantly, you'll leave with people asking when you're coming back.
Because finding the right house matters.
Finding your people matters even more.
That means I have no reason to convince you.
If I think San Miguel isn't right for you, I'll tell you. If I think you're rushing, I'll tell you.
And sometimes the answer isn't yes or no.
It's not yet.
Maybe there's an aging parent who needs to be settled first. Maybe you're trying to decide what to do with your home back home. Maybe there are financial questions you haven't resolved.
I spent years as a financial advisor. I can't tell you what to do, but I can help you think through the decision instead of letting it sit unresolved for another two years.
My job isn't to get you to San Miguel.
It's to help you get to the right answer.
Audrey made it OK to say no
I'd been thinking about retiring in San Miguel for years. Audrey found me a wonderful Spanish school, introduced me to women's groups, showed me where to play pickleball, and invited me to her Love in San Miguel events where I met some great men.
Walking through town with Audrey is like walking with a celebrity. She seems to know everyone, and she kept introducing me to people she thought I'd like.
I love San Miguel, but I realized the altitude and dry climate were bad for my health. Audrey never tried to convince me otherwise. She helped me get the clarity I came for.
Wherever I explore to retire next, I hope I find someone like Audrey.
Annie · Los Angeles, California
Let's start with a conversation about the life you're hoping to build, what draws you to San Miguel, and what you need to know before making the decision.
Twenty minutes.
No pressure.