The majestic city of Guadalajara, Mexico combines all that is historic with all that is modern.  With over 5 million residents, Guadalajara bustles as a thriving metropolis, yet has stood since the 16th century.  Mention mariachi music or tequila, and both had their beginnings in Guadalajara. 

Guadalajara is home to some of the best medical care and hospitals within Mexico.  Many American medical students study in Guadalajara and you can count on receiving excellent care under a doctor who knows English. As with any city in Mexico, medical costs are very reasonable, and you will find the Mexican doctors even do house calls!

With an altitude of approximately 5,200 feet, the climate in Guadalajara is temperate.  The occasional 90F might hit in late spring. There is also a smog consideration in some areas of the city, but living outside the bustle of Mexico’s second largest town is a popular alternative.  Since so many expats live in and around Guadalajara, there is a natural blending of cultures. 

The most recent estimate of expats making Guadalajara and its environs home comes to over 50,000 people!  It's no wonder that the American Consulate boasts a library of over 11,000 volumes in English, along with U.S. newspapers. 

Technology is one draw for people relocating to Guadalajara.  Known as the Silicon Valley of Mexico, many large tech companies are headquartered in the city, adding to the already large expat population.  In addition, The Guadalajara Reporter is an English-language newspaper serving the approximately 50,000 English speaking residents.

English language instruction is also a big business in Guadalajara, and may be a good jumping-off point for picking up some part-time work, providing you have the FM-2 visa.

If big city life, culture and arts, colonial history and proximity to excellent health care are your concerns, Guadalajara will fit all your requirements.

The U.S. Consulate of Guadalajara is located at:

Progreso 175
Col. Americana
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
C.P. 44160  (Entrance on Lopez Cotilla)
E-mail: acsgdl@state.gov
Telephones:
From Mexico:
Tel : ( 01-33 ) 3268-2173
Fax: ( 01-33 ) 3825-1951
From the U.S.:
Tel: 011-52-33-3268-2173
Fax: 011-52-33-3825-1951
Working Hours (Central Time):
Monday-Friday (except U.S. and Mexican holidays)