
The economy here is San Miguel de Allende is based primarily on tourism, which refers to the things that Mexicans do to tap into that economy, for example, selling artwork. The rest of the economy would be based on services that are provided to the foreign community.
We live in a cosmopolitan city with a vibrant economy. It’s a safe community where there is a high level of employment. The fact that we have so many foreign residents living here has raised the level of income and the economy here in San Miguel de Allende.
The Mexicans here are very eager to educate the foreign community about Mexican traditions, culture, and food, which are enjoyed by most of the foreign residents who live here in San Miguel de Allende. There are foreigners here who get to know Mexicans, and the Mexican families embrace them and teach them about the Mexican tradition.
Because of the high number of foreign residents here in San Miguel de Allende, more jobs are made available to the Mexicans, including, but not limited to, gardening work, housekeeping, property rental management, and home care. There are a lot of different service opportunities available to the Mexicans, especially to those who speak some English. The American families who come to live here are usually very grateful for the help that they receive from their gardeners and housekeepers, and the Americans often also provide work opportunities or employment to other members of the families of the Mexicans who work for them.
However, the foreign residents who live here have also caused some harm in the sense that all of the rents and a lot of the services are quoted in US dollars, which negatively affects the Mexicans who do not earn in US dollars.
If you were to take out all of the expats, the foreign residents, and the snowbirds here, San Miguel de Allende would still have a tourism-based economy. We still have a lot of Mexicans who come to San Miguel de Allende, and San Miguel de Allende is known for its sale of art, culture, and cuisine.
(Courtyard of Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)