Where it is

Salida Dolores is one of the five general zones that AMPI, the local real estate association, uses to organize San Miguel. It starts just north of Centro and follows the highway toward Dolores Hidalgo. The colonias closest to town include Guadalupe, Mexiquito, La Aurora and El Obraje, Independencia, Santa Julia, La Candelaria and San Luis Rey. Further out you reach El Vergel, country developments such as Alborada, and the village of Atotonilco, about 14 km from town.

The homes

There are usually close to 200 homes and lots for sale in the zone. Near town most listings are houses on regular city lots, often in the range of about US$300,000 to US$450,000. In the countryside the homes are larger and pricier, and lots of 1,000 m² or more are common. Rentals are few, so if you want to try the area first, ask us and we will look beyond the MLS.

Who lives here

Near town it is a mix of Mexican families who have lived here for generations, artists drawn to Colonia Guadalupe and La Aurora, and buyers who want to be close to Centro without paying Centro prices. Out on the highway you find people who want space, gardens, horses or a weekend retreat.

Daily life

• Art and design: Fábrica La Aurora, the former textile mill turned galleries, studios and cafés, sits at the edge of the zone. Colonia Guadalupe is known for its street murals.
• Centro: from Guadalupe or Mexiquito the Jardín is a walk or a short taxi ride.
• Atotonilco: the Santuario de Jesús Nazareno, a World Heritage site together with San Miguel, and its village.
• Hot springs: the thermal pools of La Gruta are on the same highway.
• Groceries: local markets and tienditas are close by near town; for the big supermarkets most people drive to the Salida Celaya side.

Good to know before you buy

• Land title: some rural land around San Miguel is ejido land. Make sure a property has a proper escritura (private ownership) before you commit. We check this with the notary for every purchase.
• Water and services: in the countryside, ask whether the home has city water, a shared well or a private well, and how electricity and internet reach it.
• Roads: some developments are reached by unpaved roads; visit after a rain in the summer to see how they hold up.
• Traffic: the Calzada de la Aurora and the highway can be busy at rush hour and on festival days.