Living in Cuernavaca- Live Q&A with Susie 

My wife and I (and our then-17 year old daughter) attended one of the many intensive immersion language schools in Cuernavaca for six months in 2001. We then worked throughout Sonora and along the entire length of the U.S./México border for the next 5 years. A job promotion sent us back to Cuernavaca, where we lived for the next 6 years. I'd like to add to Susie's comments that begin around 36:00 in the interview, talking about the language schools. When we attended language school there, Cuernavaca was really the center of the Spanish-language-learning universe, with over 30 high-quality schools in the city. That number has dwindled to about a half-dozen, as most have closed. The one we attended, Cuauhnáhuac Spanish Language Institute, just closed permanently this summer. Immediately after his election as president of México, Felipe Calderón declared war on the drug cartels, sending the military across the nation and firing hundreds of corrupt police officers...effectively making most of México a war zone. The resulting cartel violence was certainly a factor in the closures of Cuernavaca language schools and general insecurity in the city. On Dec. 16, 2009, Arturo Beltrán Leyva (founder and leader of the Beltrán-Leyva cartel) was killed in his high-rise luxury apartment in Cuernavaca by soldiers of the Mexican Navy. This led to in-fighting among the cartels for control of the region. The resulting news coverage, particularly in the U.S., caused the enrollment at language schools in the city to decline significantly. Every day for many years, U.S. news outlets have fed their viewers and readers a steady diet of negative news about México in general. When's the last time you read or saw anything positive about México in U.S. media? This also explains why Mariana and the México Relocation Guide are constantly being asked about "safety" in México.

We moved a few minutes from Cuernavaca a couple of years ago, and I love it here. I rarely see other Gringos/ Gringas in our area so it's nice to see you.

I loved that story about the kids - wish I had that when my kids were young. So amazing to have all that family together!!

QUERNAVACA!? I will be vacationing there in August of 2023. Can’t wait!

No noise like Playa del Carmen. That's a relief. 😅

The average retiree in US gets around $1, 600 a month social security. What is she talking about? On $5,000 to $7, 000 you can live great in the US too.

I am seeing this later of course. Can some live there on a Social Security budget of $1.500? 5-7 thousand dollars can stretch just about anywhere including the USA.

This is a great interview! The only question I have (and always have) is that people don't seem to be concerned about pesticides/fumigation (not in Canada either by and large). As a regenerative organic farmer who wants to retire to Mexico, this is mostly what I'm worried about. Does anyone know if there is a town/city/region that doesn't use synthetic fumigation or pesticides? Of course tropical mosquito borne diseases are dangerous so there might not be a "happy medium"....

Hello from Maryland, USA! Wonderful video! This was so informative. Thank you.

This is the best interview, very informative and from an American perspective.

Just spent a glorious week in Cuernavaca, My wife and I absolutely loved it. We didn't get to see everything we wanted but we saw plenty plus Tepotzlan as well. It' so green which is such a pleasure for me personally. The people are beautiful, just so friendly. Barranca de Chapultepec....there are no words to describe how I feel. Plaza de armas is pleasant. The weather was absolutely perfect, thunderstorms at night with rain. We even got to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. The food is delicious, never had better Arrachera. My concerns were the condition of sidewalks and pedestrian traffic-pretty bad, I'm 60 and can still deal with this but an 80 year old? good luck. I even checked out Costco, I'm a Costco fanatic what can I say. I had mixed recommendations from Mexicans regarding my potential move to Cuernavaca , some were enthusiastic and some were negative, crime is bad, do not go out at night. There were a lot of neglected neighborhoods but I'm finding those everywhere, even here in San Francisco where I live. The positives far out weigh the negatives. Cuernavaca is centrally located, Mexico City is close, Puebla and it's 2 pueblo magicos are close by. Taxco is an hour away, Acapulco is a 3 hour drive!!!! Valle de Bravo is close. The possibilities are endless. Cuernavaca is on my shortlist , it's #2 on my retirement list. The Colonia I stayed in was Manantiales which had everything I would need within walking distance. Cuernavaca probably wouldn't be for everyone but it was near perfect for me.

Thank you, loved this Q&A and Susie was super informative. I have had occasion to vacation in Cuernavaca a few years ago and I totally loved the weather and it's amenities which made me believe I could live there and not miss the USA. I'll definitely have to put it on my shortlist again and perhaps visit again but this time more on an exploratory trip. Thank you again and please keep these videos coming, they are so very helpful!!!

Where is the library with English books? Mi Español es muy malo. 😢

You won me over with the motorcycle community! I wonder how I would get it there? I love love to ride my motorcycle, and I can’t give it up in retirement.

Are there a low cost of living for retirees ? Is there an expat community as one immerses into the culture?

Did she say 5 - 7 thousand a month is not that much? Has inflation gotten that bad?

$60,000 a year?? That's great $$ for a pension.. it's more than a major people make in a year.

I wonder if the cost of living is similar to Mazatlan?

Hello from Zwitzerland. What a amazing Country,,,,,, i am coming in Movember 1° for 180 days, to PV, but i will visit Cuernavaca,,,,, I am soooooo excitade. I love Mexicans & i love Americans, i thing thats will be the perfect place for me .Cuernavaca could be a option for me, the weather is very interesting,,,, but to far away from the sea.......and i am afraid of vulcanos 🙃

Free Email Series - Living in Mexico bit.ly/3TkkymN

Is there a hot yoga studio in Cuernavaca? How many days on average are rainy? Hiking nearby? Gracias

How is vegan options in curnavaca?

how do I get in touch with Susie?

Is the drive from Cuernavaca to Mexico City ( highway 95 ) a hilly drive. How hilly is the drive?

Holla, yo soy! Joseph Santa Ana

My parents were born in Mexico. What is the best way for me to get double citizenship? Is it worth it?