Julie's Journey to Mexico: How It All Began

A magazine article, a weekend escape, and one unforgettable city — that’s how it all began. Nearly twenty years later, we’ve built a life, a home, and a community in San Miguel de Allende. Here’s how our journey unfolded, and how it led to friendships that now inspire our shared blog about life in this magical town.

It was late 2005, and life was full. I was balancing a full-time career in corporate marketing while raising our two young children, Emma and Evan, and managing the day-to-day rhythm of family life with my husband, Stuart. We lived in a cozy cottage-style home on a lake just north of Dallas. Stuart was also deep in his own career transition, launching himself into the fast-paced world of film as an Art Director. Between work, parenting, and busy schedules, vacations were few and far between — and when they did happen, they usually meant family trips to Michigan to visit Stuart’s relatives.

A Birthday Trip That Changed Everything

One quiet evening, I stumbled across an article in Cottage Living magazine that would unexpectedly plant the seed for an entirely new chapter of our lives. It featured San Miguel de Allende — a magical, colonial city in the heart of Mexico. The photos alone were enchanting: colorful facades, winding cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and an unmistakable creative energy. I shared it with Stuart as his birthday approached, suggesting we plan a long weekend getaway.

That spontaneous idea turned into one of the most meaningful trips we’d ever take. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated — by the warm light, the sound of church bells echoing across the city, and the energy of artists and artisans whose work seemed to spill into every corner. The food, too, was unforgettable.

When we returned home to Texas, we both knew this was only the beginning.

Life, of course, got busy again — raising kids, building careers, and juggling responsibilities. But San Miguel lingered in the back of our minds, calling us back. Two years later, in celebration of our twentieth wedding anniversary, we planned an extended trip to return to the place that had left such a deep impression on us.

From Visitors to Locals at Heart

After going through our options, we decided to spend the first few days at a boutique hotel called Dos Casas — still in business today — and then book a luxury home where we could settle in for the week and experience local life. We researched many home rental options in San Miguel and settled on Premier San Miguel, which had the best selection of homes and was wonderfully responsive to our inquiries. The owner, Katharine, found us the perfect home — and that’s how our special friendship began.

Over the next eight years, we went on to rent fourteen homes from Katharine, visiting as often as we could. We brought our children, introduced friends and family to San Miguel, and with each visit, our circle of friends grew — as did our love for this enchanting city.

As the years passed, San Miguel became our family’s happy place — a refuge where time slowed down and we could reconnect as a couple, as parents, and as individuals. Each visit deepened our appreciation for the city’s spirit and its people. We explored new neighborhoods, made favorite stops at local cafés, and began to recognize familiar faces in the markets and galleries. It started to feel less like a vacation destination and more like a second home.

Making It Official: Buying a Home in San Miguel

In 2016, we decided to make that feeling official by purchasing a house in San Miguel as our second home. We worked with Nancy, Katharine’s mother, who is with CDR San Miguel, as our realtor — and through that process, Nancy and Katharine both became like family to us. A year later, I met Ann, and what began as shared friendships has evolved into something much more — the four of us now are here together, sharing stories about life in this incredible town.

Owning a home here felt like a dream realized — a promise to ourselves that one day, we might live life at a slower, more intentional pace. That dream deepened when our daughter got married in San Miguel in 2022, surrounded by family and friends who had also fallen under the city’s spell.

Early Retirement and a New Chapter

Just a year later, in 2023, I decided to take early retirement after years of managing a demanding corporate career and the stress that came with it. It was a difficult decision, made even harder because our daughter had just welcomed her first child. Leaving soon after becoming a grandmother tugged at my heart. But at the same time, we knew it was the right moment to embrace the next chapter.

We have now lived in San Miguel for nearly three years, and it truly feels like home. We’ve built our dream house, surrounded by a community that feels like extended family. We travel often to see our family, kids and grandchildren — and they love San Miguel just as much as we do.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that everything began with a single magazine article on a quiet evening in Texas. What started as a spontaneous getaway became a life-changing journey — one filled with color, creativity, friendship, and deep gratitude for the path that led us here.

Today, I’m thrilled to share this next chapter with Katharine, Nancy, and Ann as we continue to explore the beauty, community, and everyday magic of life in San Miguel together.