The discussion examines Mexico as a relocation option through the experience of a U.S. expat living in San Miguel de Allende. It focuses on leaving the United States after a personal and political awakening, choosing Mexico over other destinations, adapting to life in a developing country, and discovering a deep interest in artisanal mezcal.
Leaving an Authoritarian Belief System
The speaker was born into a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness family and describes the organization as an authoritarian structure that told people how to think, act, and live in major areas of life.
He left the organization at age 38 after concluding that what he had believed was not true.
The personal cost was severe. He lost contact with his family, including parents in their 90s, who had not seen or spoken to him in many years.
The experience became a turning point because it forced him to rebuild his worldview and recognize that institutions can present themselves as benevolent while operating differently in practice.
The speaker later applied the same skepticism to government, media, and social systems.
Awakening, Division, and Tolerance
The discussion connects cult experience with wider social division.
The key lesson is that people should not punish others for what they do or do not believe.
The speaker says he became grateful for having gone through the experience because it gave him an early understanding of how group pressure, authoritarian thinking, and people-pleasing can shape behavior.
The host argues that many people are now going through similar awakenings about politics, government, media, and social institutions.
The practical point is to avoid shaming people who are still figuring things out. Someone may understand something two weeks, two months, or years later than someone else, but that does not make them an enemy.
The discussion emphasizes:
- Forgiving oneself for past beliefs
- Avoiding contempt toward people who are still unaware
- Building community instead of division
- Recognizing that people are on different timelines
- Separating ordinary people from political or institutional elites
Why Mexico
The speaker began considering relocation because he believed the United States was heading toward a fiscal crisis and no longer felt philosophically connected to the country of his birth.
He looked at several options:
- Central Chile
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- New Zealand
He visited central Chile for about three weeks and liked it, but later felt relieved that he did not choose it because of developments there in later years.
He visited San Miguel de Allende in 2013 and decided to settle there.
New Zealand was dropped from consideration.
A major practical reason for choosing Mexico was proximity to his adult daughter in Los Angeles. Central Mexico made it much easier to return to California than South America or New Zealand.
The move was described not as finding a perfect country, but as moving to higher ground before a flood.
Do Not Look for Shangri-La
The discussion warns against expecting any country to be perfect.
Mexico is not presented as a freedom paradise. It is described as a country that may offer more personal breathing room than the United States, Canada, or Western Europe, but still has problems and changing rules.
The speaker and host agree that many people delay leaving bad situations because they are searching for a country that checks every box.
The practical advice is:
- Do not wait for a perfect destination.
- Make the best decision with the information available.
- Accept that a first relocation may not be permanent.
- Move again if the country no longer fits.
- Stack freedoms across jurisdictions rather than expecting one place to provide everything.
Examples mentioned include people moving from Canada or the U.S. to Costa Rica and later realizing it did not match their expectations.
Mexico and Practical Freedom
The speaker says he was looking for a place where he could be “somewhat more free.”
One idea discussed is that if a country is not fully free, the next best thing may be a place where the government is inefficient enough that people can mostly live without constant interference.
Mexico is described as offering this kind of practical space in many areas.
However, the speaker warns that this may not last forever.
One example is Mexico’s recent anti-smoking law, described as possibly among the strictest in the world. Business owners with rooftop terrace bars were concerned about fines, but some states were already looking for ways around the rules.
The broader point is that developing countries may feel freer partly because enforcement is uneven or inefficient, but governments can still become more intrusive over time.
Developing Countries Versus Nanny States
The host argues that many so-called developed countries have become surveillance-heavy nanny states.
Countries and regions implied include:
- United States
- Canada
- Western Europe
The concern is that wealthy governments have the money and technology to build extensive systems of:
- Surveillance
- Police militarization
- Regulation
- CCTV
- Bureaucracy
- Everyday interference
By contrast, governments in parts of Latin America may be less capable of intruding into daily life.
This is presented as one reason some people seeking freedom may prefer developing countries.
The discussion also warns that politicians everywhere may learn from each other and increase control over time.
Weather, Geography, and Language
The speaker had lived in Phoenix before moving to Mexico and wanted to avoid humidity.
San Miguel de Allende appealed because it is in the high desert mountains of central Mexico, not on the beach.
He notes that many Americans assume Mexico means beach resorts, but San Miguel is inland.
Weather features mentioned:
- Winter exists but is mild.
- Daytime winter highs are often in the 70s Fahrenheit.
- Nighttime lows can fall into the 40s and sometimes 30s Fahrenheit.
- About eight to eight and a half months of the year are described as beautiful.
Spanish was also a factor. The speaker knew some Spanish and preferred improving Spanish over learning a more difficult language in Asia.
Learning Spanish
The discussion emphasizes that learning Spanish requires effort but is achievable for English speakers.
The host contrasts Spanish with Asian languages such as Japanese, Thai, Mandarin, Malay, Indonesian, and others, which may require much longer effort.
For everyday life in Latin America, basic or conversational Spanish can go a long way.
San Miguel de Allende may make language learning easier but also slower because many locals speak English.
The speaker says his “restaurant Spanish” is excellent, but his overall Spanish remains limited. He began practicing with Pimsleur before arriving, but often found that taxi drivers and locals responded in English.
The speaker married a Mexican woman, and much of the household language is English when he is involved.
Raising Multilingual Children
The speaker has a six-year-old daughter who understands English and Spanish.
The host describes his own household as using English, Spanish, and Chinese, with children switching between languages naturally.
The discussion frames multilingual upbringing as a major gift for children.
Children are described as highly adaptable and able to learn languages with native-like pronunciation when immersed early.
San Miguel de Allende: History and Expat Presence
San Miguel de Allende has a long history as an expat and artist center.
An American named Sterling Dickinson moved there around the late 1930s and helped establish an art university.
After World War II, artistic-minded U.S. soldiers used the GI Bill to study there, helping create the foundation for the town’s artist community.
The city grew further in later decades, including a major growth period in the 1970s.
The speaker says many people in San Miguel today cannot remember a time when the town was not filled with Mexicans, Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and other foreigners.
This long-standing international character makes the expat presence feel normal.
The estimated non-Mexican population is around 10–12%, though some people exaggerate the idea that the town is “overrun” by foreigners.
Local Tourism and Mexican Visitors
The discussion notes that when San Miguel fills up on weekends, it is often because Mexican visitors arrive from cities such as:
- Mexico City
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
San Miguel is important to Mexicans because of its beauty and historical role in the country’s independence movement.
The host emphasizes that in Latin America, a “tourist town” does not necessarily mean a town full of Americans and Canadians. Domestic tourism can be a major part of local life.
Culture, Food, and Art
San Miguel is described as visually beautiful, with:
- Cobblestone streets
- Narrow roads
- A major Gothic-style church in the city center
- Manicured trees
- Roving musicians
- Galleries
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Nightlife
The art scene includes both Bohemian and high-end art.
A former textile mill was converted into a gallery and arts space with many artists.
The town also has a diverse food scene.
It is not described as “gringified” food culture. Instead, restaurants include influences from:
- Mexico
- Buenos Aires
- Spain
- Other international cuisines
- Fusion cuisine
Traditional Mexican food remains widely available.
The discussion emphasizes that culture is not frozen in time. Local people also want modern food, new restaurants, and updated spaces. Expats should avoid idealizing Mexico as something that must remain poor, humble, or unchanged for their comfort.
Expat Community
The speaker started a Friday gathering about seven years earlier after realizing he was spending too much time isolated in his studio.
The gathering began as a small meetup for cigars and mezcal and grew into a regular event.
Sometimes around 35 people attend.
The group includes people from:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Argentina
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Europe
- India
The speaker estimates the group may be around 20–25% Mexican, roughly 50–60% U.S., with Canadians and others also present.
The host notes that having expat friends can be useful as a release valve. Living in another country and speaking another language can be tiring, so friendships with people who share cultural references can help.
At the same time, the host says it is important to have local friends and not live entirely inside an expat bubble.
Mezcal: What It Is
Mezcal is described as a distillate made from agave.
By this definition, tequila is a type of mezcal made from blue Weber agave, also called Agave Azul.
Mezcal is much broader, involving many different agave varieties.
The speaker says some people count 40 or 50 agave varieties, though not all can produce good mezcal because some lack enough sugars.
Oaxaca is described as the “Disneyland of mezcal,” with the most developed mezcal culture.
In Guanajuato, where San Miguel is located, mezcal appears to be a more recent phenomenon.
Many Mexicans the speaker met did not understand mezcal deeply and sometimes viewed it as dangerous or as a rough common person’s drink.
High-quality mezcal changed that perception for him.
How Mezcal Is Made and Sourced
The speaker travels to palenques, the places where mezcal is produced, especially in Oaxaca.
He developed relationships with mezcal producers and sometimes receives samples from them.
He buys mezcal in plastic containers called garrafones and has them shipped.
He describes this as open and normal in Mexico, with shipping documents clearly listing mezcal.
He often works with the same producers, including:
- Mohan, short for Hermogenes, in Logoche in the Miahuatlán Valley of Oaxaca
- Placido Hernandez
- A producer in Guerrero near Acapulco
He mentions agave varieties including:
- Madrecuixe
- Tepeztate
- Zacatoro, an agave endemic to Guerrero
The speaker values variation from year to year. Unlike standardized spirits, artisanal mezcal can change by batch, producer, plant, season, and place.
Small-Scale Bottling
The speaker bottles some of the mezcal under a small informal label called Guiño Guiño, meaning “wink wink.”
He is clear that he does not make the mezcal himself.
The label includes information such as:
- Producer name
- Area
- Month and year produced
- Month and year bottled
He says the goal is to give full credit to the mezcaleros.
The label was designed by an artist on Fiverr.
He brought back around 200 liters of mezcal during a recent trip and needs to bottle it.
The activity is described as a passion project, hobby, and small informal business rather than a major commercial operation.
How to Drink Mezcal
The speaker prefers mezcal neat.
He does not object if others use ice or mix it in cocktails, but he personally treats it as a sipping spirit.
Mezcal is often stronger than many common liquors.
Typical spirits may be around 38–42% alcohol, while many mezcals are in the high 40% range. Some may reach the high 50% range or above.
The speaker says mezcal should be taken with besitos, or “little kisses.”
The practical method is to sip slowly. A small glass of around 50 ml or two ounces can be nursed for an hour or more.
Relocation Can Create Unexpected Passions
The mezcal story is used as an example of how moving abroad can open unexpected parts of life.
The speaker says mezcal changed his life because it introduced him not only to a spirit, but also to:
- Producers
- Rural Mexico
- Oaxaca
- Craft traditions
- Zapotec culture
- Agave varieties
- Regional differences
- New friendships
The host notes that if the speaker had stayed in Michigan, this passion likely would not have developed.
The broader point is that relocation is not only about lower costs, freedom, or safety. It can also create entirely new interests, communities, and ways of living.
Practical Takeaway
Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende in particular, may suit expats who want better weather, Spanish-language immersion, a strong expat community, rich local culture, and a lifestyle with more everyday freedom than they experienced in the United States or Canada.
The key lessons are:
- Do not expect any country to be perfect.
- Choose a place that improves your situation, even if it does not solve every problem.
- Learn the local language, even if many people speak English.
- Build both expat and local friendships.
- Understand that local culture evolves and should not be frozen for foreign expectations.
- Treat developing-country inefficiency as both a benefit and a risk.
- Be ready to move again if conditions change.
- Stay open to unexpected opportunities, such as local crafts, food, spirits, or community life.
The core message is that relocation can be a practical freedom strategy, but it works best when combined with humility, adaptability, language effort, realistic expectations, and curiosity about the country’s people and culture.
