🇲🇽 GUADALAJARA VS. MONTERREY 🇲🇽 Today Herminio asked me:... "Genuine question bro, why do you like Monterrey over Guadalajara?" Well, let's dig in... I have spent A LOT of time in GDL, had my 3 kids in the city — I have NOT spent time like that in Monterrey But I'd still pick MTY Here's my best attempt to compare and contrast the two: 1. GDL and MTY are similar in many ways 5+ million in each metro, both cosmopolitan + modern in their own ways, both considered vital to Mexico's economy Food is a wash, as both offer elite restaurants and dining — medical care and hospitals are solid in both too The similarities could go on and on, sure I'm missing a lot But for differences that matter to me... 2. Nature + Outdoor Access GDL is not a city that offers much nature and outdoor access You've got Bosque Los Colomos, Bosque La Primavera, and Barranca de Huentitán inside the city That's pretty much it Then you have Lago de Chapala 45 min away and Tequila with the volcano hike around 1 hr+ in car MTY is wrapped in the Sierra Madre Oriental — mountains are the backdrop, not a drive away From San Pedro or Carretera Nacional, you're within 45 min of: - Parque Chipinque — trails 15 min from your door - Cascada Cola de Caballo — waterfall in Villa de Santiago - La Huasteca canyon — 20 min - Matacanes — world-class canyoning - Potrero Chico — one of the best climbing destinations on earth - Grutas de García — massive cave system - Santiago Pueblo Mágico — colonial town in the mountains - Presa La Boca — lake, kayaking, horseback And that's just the tip of the iceberg, there's great hiking around Monterrey and many homes offer stunning mountain views 3. Comparing the nice areas... San Pedro + Carretera Nacional (MTY): - Mountain-adjacent, you see the sierra from the kitchen window - Lower density, more green space - Carretera Nacional has newer housing stock and runs toward Santiago - San Pedro is basically a gated city-state with its own excellent municipal services and the richest per-capita tax base in LatAm to fund them You can buy or rent houses around the Carretera Nacional area for far cheaper than anything similar in the nice parts of GDL Zapopan + Providencia (GDL): - Puerta de Hierro / Andares is nice but it's upscale-mall energy. - Providencia is walkable — but you're in the middle of the city and it's not really lively - Parks only option for green spaces Both Zapopan and Providencia are apartment living spots, as renting a house in a gated community in either will break the bank 4. Safety — nice zones only, honest comparison San Pedro Garza García is consistently one of the safest municipalities in Mexico — Carretera Nacional corridor = same story Jalisco has CJNG headquartered in-state Providencia and Zapopan are more than fine on the day-to-day, but it's not getting better When I first got to GDL, you heard about a shooting at a mall or bar 2-3X a year, when I left we were hearing new stories weekly Similar overall, but I think SPPG + Nacional Carretera are a bit safer than Zapopan + Providencia 5. Weather with an * Yes, GDL has better average weather, as the "Eternal spring" climate is hard to top Yes, MTY has brutal summers and cold-ish winters But if you're wealthy enough to choose between San Pedro and Puerta de Hierro, you're wealthy enough to leave MTY for June, July and August In those hot months, you move your family to the beach for summer vacation If you couldn't do that, then yes, GDL has much better weather But weather stops mattering as much when you have some mobility Then the other 9-months of the year, GDL and MTY offer very similar weather ------------------------------------------------------------ I could go on and on here... My Honest Verdict: I had 3 kids in GDL and loved the city, all my kids were babies in GDL and I have incredible memories there, made many friends But if I were picking a Mexican base TODAY, knowing what I know now → San Pedro or Carretera Nacional No hesitation More mountains + nature, more top schooling options, somewhat safer in the nice zones Plus, it's closer to the US and the weather argument dies the moment you can fly to the beach for the summer Just my take... Don't shoot the gringo, errrrr messenger ;)show more
